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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: November 21, 2025
Maryland more than doubles cost estimate on rebuilding collapsed Baltimore bridge
(NBC News) Maryland officials have more than doubled the estimated cost to replace Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed and killed six construction workers last year after a massive container ship crashed into it, and they’ve added two years on to the projected completion date. The Maryland Transportation Authority said Monday it is updating its financial forecast to include a price range of between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with an anticipated open-to-traffic date in late 2030. That’s up from a previous estimated cost of $1.9 billion and an opening date of late 2028. Read More
MITRE Outlines Recommendations to Reshape DOD Acquisition Culture
(Executive Gov) MITRE has released a paper outlining seven actionable recommendations intended to address the challenges in the Department of Defense’s acquisition system. The report, Bridging the Gap Between Authority and Execution in Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition Workforce, argues that culture, incentives and workforce behavior must align with reform efforts aimed at accelerating the delivery of warfighting capabilities. Read More
DoD failing to address growing security threats posed by publicly available data
(Federal News Network) A government watchdog is sounding the alarm about a growing national security threat online. Rather than a traditional cyberattack, however, this one comes from the everyday digital footprints service members and their families leave across the internet. A new Government Accountability Office report warns that publicly accessible data — from social media posts and location tracking to Defense Department press releases — can be pieced together by malicious actors to identify military personnel, target their families and disrupt military operations. Read More
Eric Moore Named Army Research Lab’s Acting Director
(Executive Gov) The U.S. Army has appointed Eric Moore, a 40-year veteran of military and federal service, as acting director of the Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, or ARL. In this capacity, Moore oversees the service’s technical experts across quantum computing, biotechnology, energy sciences, materials, human performance and other scientific areas, the Army said Tuesday. Read More
NASA, Industry Weave Data Fabric with Artificial Intelligence
(NASA Explore) One of the biggest goals for companies in the field of artificial intelligence is developing “agentic” or autonomous systems. These metaphorical agents can perform tasks without a guiding human hand. This parallels the goals of the emerging urban air mobility industry, which hopes to bring autonomous flying vehicles to cities around the world. One company got a head start on doing both with some help from NASA. Autonomy Association International Inc. (AAI) is a public benefit corporation based in Mountain View, California, near NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. Read More
Machine learning tool distinguishes signs of life from non-living compounds in space samples
(Space Daily) Researchers developed LifeTracer, a machine learning framework, to analyze mass spectrometry data from space and terrestrial samples. They used advanced two-dimensional gas chromatography and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry to study eight carbonaceous meteorites and ten terrestrial rock samples. LifeTracer applies logistic regression to compound-level features and achieved 87 percent classification accuracy, distinguishing samples derived from meteorites and Earth rocks. Read More
New prediction breakthrough delivers results shockingly close to reality
(Science Daily) Researchers have created a prediction method that comes startlingly close to real-world results. It works by aiming for strong alignment with actual values rather than simply reducing mistakes. Tests on medical and health data showed it often outperforms classic approaches. The discovery could reshape how scientists make reliable forecasts. Read More
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