Devices such as Amazon’s Echo or Google Assistant are two of many types of intelligent personal assistant (IPA) devices that have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Intelligent personal assistants, also known as digital or virtual assistants, are electronic devices that can interpret audible commands and provide responses in some capacity, visually or audibly. Technology available for one’s home is quickly outpacing the common technology found in your average government office. It begs the question, when will the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers obtain these devices and how will they be used? This question also leads to more questions about compatibility with existing technologies and the feasibility of using these devices in the future. Let’s discuss some of the devices’ capabilities, potential in the workplace and challenges for the organization.

The Corps' Regional Economic System (RECONS) 2.0 model is a nationally-certified model designed for Regional Economic Development (RED) assessments with unlimited access Corps wide. The 2.0 version of RECONS is an update and enhancement of the previously-certified 1.0 version. Extensive technical and usability reviews of the model were accomplished by a national review team. The model certification process followed the guidance per “Memorandum dated 4 December 2017, Modification of the Model Certification Process and Delegation of Model Approval for Use”, and “Memorandum dated 11 May 2018 Delegation of Model Certification” and reflects version RECONS 2.0. It meets the certification criteria contained in EC 1105-2-412.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) recently released a report entitled Partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: A Guide for Communities, Local Governments, States, Tribes, and Non-Governmental Organizations. This report provides a general introduction to the programs and processes available for non-Federal partners and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) representatives to work together to address the Nation’s water resources problems. It includes an overview of the USACE Civil Works Program and describes how USACE can work with local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies and other non-Federal partners on activities ranging from technical services and advice to planning and constructing water resources projects. The goal of this publication is to outline the key processes and paths to engagement with USACE. The report provides information for potential partners or anyone who wishes to better understand partnerships with USACE. It also provides details on how to contact USACE to discuss your specific interests, needs, and next steps.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Institute for Water Resources (IWR) recently released a report entitled Value to the Nation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Programs: Estimates of National Economic Development (NED) Benefits and Revenues to the U.S. Treasury for 2010-2015. Each year USACE prepares a budget to carry out its water resources mission; this report provides estimates of the value to the nation produced by USACE carrying out that mission. More specifically, the report estimates the value to the nation produced by several USACE Civil Works programs – Flood Risk Management, Navigation, Hydropower, Water Supply and Recreation – for fiscal years 2010 through 2015. The value of these programs is expressed in terms of each program’s contributions to national economic development (NED) benefits and revenues to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (U.S. Treasury). Contributions to NED benefits are increases in the value of the national output of goods and services expressed in monetary units. To generate estimates of net return, the analysis compares NED benefits to the budget for each Civil Works program. Contributions to the U.S. Treasury revenues are the increases in tax payments and direct payments for vendible outputs (such as hydropower) plus the decreases in expenditures and assistance payments that accrue to the U.S. Treasury because of these USACE Civil Works programs.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA. The Institute for Water Resources (IWR) welcomes the new Director of the National Capital Region (NCR) office, Dr. Michael F. Pfenning. In his role as Director of the NCR, Dr. Pfenning also serves as the Deputy Director of IWR. As such, Dr. Pfenning oversees a multi-disciplinary center that includes international programs, navigation, flood risk management, regulatory, and natural resources management. These programs support USACE’s Civil Works (water resources) missions through water resources planning, policy and decision-support model development, as well as training and national/international interface with academia, professional societies, and non-government organizations. Prior to becoming NCR Director, Mike Pfenning was the Program Manager for Water Security at IWR while stationed at the USACE Europe District’s Central Area Office in Sembach, Germany. As IWR’s Program Manager supporting the North Atlantic Division’s (NAD’s) International Water Security Program in the Europe and Africa regions, he provided program management experience, leadership, and interagency collaboration in support of the water security programs of USACE’s key regional stakeholders. He also served as IWR’s Program Manager supporting the Pacific Ocean Division’s (POD’s) International Water Security Program in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.