City plans more contracts for minority-owned firms
Plus: More Amtrak trains coming to city; AI and fusion at JLab; CNU cyber security programs; urban farm season; a Civil War era naval deception
Minority-owned and woman-owned businesses were substantially underutilized on Newport News city contracting work over a five-year period, a shortfall significant enough to serve as an inference of discrimination, according to the findings of a recent disparity study commissioned by the city. The Newport News City Council agreed with and formally accepted the study at its Regular Meeting on August 11, 2026, held at the CNU Freeman Center’s Gaines Theater. City administrators intend to carry out its recommendations through an initiative known as Bridgeforward, a business access program meant to help underrepresented businesses in Newport News gain greater entry to city procurement opportunities.
City administration will guide a phased rollout of the study’s recommendations. That work includes writing formal contracting goals and policies, setting citywide participation targets for prime contractors, and pushing those targets down into subcontracting requirements for minority-, woman- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Officials also plan to build out a tiered program for small businesses, break large contracts into smaller pieces that more vendors can compete for, speed up payments to contractors, and expand outreach and training to draw in new businesses. Supporting that effort will require new staff, software and a self-certification system to track who is winning city work going forward.
The disparity study examined more than $814 million in city contracting over five years to gauge participation, availability and disparities for minority- and woman-owned businesses, with the aim of addressing barriers those businesses face in the marketplace. A disparity index at or below 80 cents signals substantial underutilization and can point to an inference of discrimination; both groups fell well short of that threshold, with minority-owned businesses showing the wider gap.
Key findings of the City’s disparity study include:
Minority-owned businesses received 1.8% of contract dollars against 14.9% availability.
Woman-owned businesses received 3.4% of contract dollars against 10.4% availability.
Service-disabled veteran-owned businesses received 0.3% of contract dollars against 6.8% availability.
Disparities appeared across every contract category studied.
About 50% of dollars for contracts under $1 million went to 12.9% of participating businesses.
A city webpage about the study presents the reason that residents should be concerned with the studies findings, stating “More competition increases innovation, strengthens the local economy, expands opportunity, and helps ensure small businesses thrive in our City.”
An ordinance authorizes rolling out the study’s recommendations in phases over roughly 18 months, with costs set by an implementation working group still finishing its review. It does not itself commit city funds; finance will price each phase, with funding expected in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 and council approval required before each phase proceeds.
In other news:
Government
Newport News Amtrak Route to Get New Federal Grant Funded Trains Amtrak’s D.C. to Newport News route is among 20 lines set to receive new trainsets, according to an Amtrak news release. The Federal Railroad Administration awarded Amtrak nearly 3 billion dollars across seven projects to buy new trains and upgrade service nationwide. Amtrak interim president Byl Herrmann said the funding will drive economic growth and improve rail service. The new trains will be built in the United States using close to 100 suppliers across 31 states, supporting jobs and local economies.
Education
Jefferson Lab AI Model Predicts Fusion Reactor Hardware Shifts Jefferson Lab data scientists, along with researchers from General Atomics, the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, developed a machine learning framework that predicts small hardware shifts in the DIII-D fusion facility’s toroidal field coils, according to AIwire and quoted lead author Kishan Rajput. The system uses a digital twin and continuously updating neural network models to forecast coil movement between plasma shots, which occur roughly every ten minutes, so operators can catch problems before they affect the machine.
CNU Cybersecurity Lecture Set for November at Yoder Barn Christopher Newport University’s LifeLong Learning Society will host a lecture titled Stay Safe Over the Cyberverse, according to the CNU events calendar. Dr. Abhishek Phadke of CNU will speak on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Yoder Barn on Hamilton Drive in Newport News. The talk is open to all CNU faculty, staff and students. Specific details on the lecture’s content were not included in the listing.
Christopher Newport University Professor Emphasizes Mentorship in Cybersecurity Christopher Newport University shared a video about Dr. Christopher Kreider, a faculty member in the cybersecurity program who highlights the importance of mentorship in guiding students toward their career goals.
Christopher Newport University Welcomes New Students and Announces State of the University AddressChristopher Newport University is extending a welcome to incoming students and announcing an important community event. The university is encouraging prospective and current Captains to mark their calendars for the State of the University Address, a key annual gathering for the CNU community.
CNU Unveils New Campus Spaces, Programs and Amenities for Fall Christopher Newport University rolled out several campus changes for the new academic year, Kelley McGee reported for CNU News. Additions include a 24 hour cashless convenience store called The H.E.L.M., faculty and staff meal plans, robotic lawn mowers, new electric vehicle charging stations, and renovated James River Hall. The university also announced a new police chief, Sean L. Peterson, a Spanish certificate program, a philosophy of law concentration, and partnerships involving virtual reality and theater development.
Business
Newport News Firm Debuts Obsidian Shield for Legacy Aircraft Defense Robbin Laird reported for Defense.info that Newport News based Integrity Defense Solutions has introduced Obsidian Shield, a modular system meant to add modern air and missile defense capability to older Air Force aircraft without costly airframe by airframe rework. The system advanced through the Air Force’s GRID-IRON prototype contract, awarded in May 2026. IDS is also part of the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle and has formed a joint venture with KIHOMAC focused on AI assurance and resilient communications.
Newport News Shipbuilding Completes Sea Trials of Carrier John F. Kennedy HII announced in a news release that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has finished acceptance sea trials for the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R. Ford class carrier. NNS vice president Derek Murphy called the trials a testament to the shipbuilding workforce. The trials involved NNS shipbuilders, Navy sailors and Navy personnel testing ship systems at sea. Kennedy now moves toward preliminary acceptance, allowing the Navy to begin underway testing of its systems.
Community & Services
The Mariners’ Museum Explores USS Indianola Civil War Naval Deception The Mariners’ Museum posted a video on the USS Indianola, a casemate ironclad that played a significant role in Mississippi River operations during the Civil War. The vessel, armed with four guns and powered by sidewheels and twin propellers, served primarily on patrol and convoy duty below Vicksburg alongside the ram Queen of the West.
Newport News Urban Farm Seeks Volunteers for New Growing Season VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads is recruiting volunteers for Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture’s urban farm in Newport News, Virginia, according to a listing on volunteerhr.org. Tasks include setting up the on site farmers market, harvesting, planting, weeding, laying drip irrigation and organizing the growing area. No experience is required, and volunteers can bring family or friends. The opportunity is led by Renee Foster and is limited to 25 volunteers per shift, with several shifts still open.
Featured Sponsor
Whether you are a local business, nonprofit, or service provider, advertising with us puts your message in front of an audience that is actively invested in the topics that matter most, including economic development, local business activity, public schools, and community events. To learn more about advertising opportunities, contact us at newportnewsdaily@gmail.com.