April 17, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Army mission area data officers: Army’s Chief Data Officer outlines a plan for a new hierarchy of data stewards.

• Gov’t agencies and social media accounts: Registry in gov’t database is no longer required.

• Become a FEMA National Advisory Council member: FEMA opened applications for new NAC members.

• FAR Part 26 Webinar: Learn more about “Socioeconomic Programs” in this Friday’s webinar.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Lockheed will build next-gen interceptors in a $17B deal.

The MDA has selected Lockheed Martin to develop a new interceptor to defend the USA against intercontinental ballistic missiles, axing competitor Northrop Grumman. Lockheed’s selection is not a new award; the aerospace giant will continue to use funds provided by a 2021 contract. MDA accelerated their procurement plans due to a combination of budget constraints and confidence in current data to make an informed selection. Read more

Military space program classification rules: Pentagon will make it simpler.

Overclassification is the number one culprit limiting our ability to conduct operational cooperation in space with our allies. “Our ability to work closely with allies and partners in the space domain, and our ability to use our space capabilities to protect and defend the Joint Force, requires the right information getting to the warfighter at operationally relevant speeds. But that information flow continues to be significantly hampered by the overclassification of space activities.” Read more

Mideast missile duels have cost US Navy nearly $1B.

The U.S. Navy is nearly $1 billion in the hole after defending Israel from Iranian missiles last weekend and fighting off Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping since October. Now Navy is asking lawmakers to approve $95 billion in supplemental funding. Interceptor missiles are roughly twice as expensive than the anti-ship missiles they are built to destroy. Variants of the Standard Missile-3 run from $9.7 million to $27.9 million apiece. Read more

ICYMI:

• Army launches $3B energy services recompete.

• CYBERCOM to open its arms to the modern acquisition program.

• Air defense industry: What they use for training and simulation.

• Anduril collaborates with Hyundai on autonomous naval systems.

Defense Contract Awards

• Leidos wins $267M US Army C5ISR Services deal.

• Quotient won a $19M DISA DNS Security and Network Engineering Support contract.

• L3Harris nabs $256M Army Night Vision Goggle order.

• 5N Plus wins $14M DOD contract for solar cell components.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Siemens Government Technologies tapped a company veteran to be its CFO.

• L3Harris promoted their Military Avionics General Manager to VP and General Manager of Agile Development Group.

• ASRC Federal chose SAIC’s Solution Architect Director to be its Solution Architecture VP.

• Leidos has a new Digital Modernization Senior Director.

Defense Job Openings

• Air Forces, Europe needs an Executive Director.

• Air Force Personnel Center is seeking a Human Resources Assistant Director.

• Army Joint Activities is looking for a Deputy Director.

• Navy is hiring an Information Warfare Future Capabilities Director.

CHART

Check out the McLean Group’s Q1 2024 M&A Insider Report.

INTEL COMMUNITY

NSA offers advice to strengthen AI system security.

The NSA released a Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), “Deploying AI Systems Securely: Best Practices for Deploying Secure and Resilient AI Systems.” The CSI is intended to support National Security System owners and Defense Industrial Base companies that will be deploying and operating AI systems designed and developed by an external entity. The CSI is the first release from NSA’s Artificial Intelligence Security Center (AISC). Read more

ICYMI:

• ODNI selected a new CFO.

• FBI fears a “coordinated attack” on US soil.

• DHS announces $1.8 billion in preparedness grants.

• FBI warns the public about the widespread “smishing” campaign announcing that you’ve got unpaid tolls you need to resolve.

• ODNI is hiring a Chief of Acquisition - Resources & Planning.

CIVILIAN

State Department’s Pilot AI project aims to enhance transparency.

With the release of ChatGPT and other large language models, generative AI has clearly caught the public’s attention. The growing recognition, especially within the public sector, of the immense potential of artificial intelligence is a positive development. Read more

Why is the U.S. Government’s reliance on Microsoft, a problem?

Some believe that Microsoft makes it hard for users to switch to their competitors. The company refutes this claim. Despite what others say, experts assert that the situation is clear: The government’s reliance on Microsoft undermines its ability to challenge the company’s practices effectively.
Read more

Skills-based hiring for contractors advances in the House.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee advanced legislation aimed at passing the federal gov’t’s recent shift toward skills-based hiring along to include federal contractors as well. The Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act, or the ACCESS Act would remove degree requirements baselining much of federal contract opportunities. Read more

ICYMI:

• 100,000 taxpayers used the IRS Direct File pilot to submit their taxes.

• Los Alamos National Lab unveils new supercomputer primed for AI.

• Login funded theft; It’s not a grantee anymore—HHS.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Diginari gets$450M CP Blanket Purchase Agreement.

• Ellos Global was awarded a $4M DOE CESR Support contract.

• Lumen Technologies nabs a $73.6M GAO Network, Data, Voice, and Video Connectivity deal.

• Accenture Federal Services bagged a $47.6M DOI SSP Fixed Development Capacity and Support for the ONRR.

• Former VA procurement supervisor jailed for pocketing kickbacks.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• OPM Director is leaving after nearly three years at the helm.

• The White House ONCD tapped CISA’s former Federal Cybersecurity Director as its Deputy Assistant National Security Director.

• TechFlow Director is now Amivero’s Business Development VP.

• Steampunk Inc. selects UiPath’s Account Executive to be its DHS Senior Director of Growth.

• Vidoori chose an IBM Leader to be its Operations and Growth EVP.

Civilian Job Openings

• CISA needs a COO.

• TTS is hiring an IT Program Manager.

• FAA is seeking a Chief of Staff.

• NRC is looking for a Branch Chief.

M&A CORNER

Bernhard Capital's Department of Energy Services Platform Acquires SMSI.

Bernhard Capital announced its dedicated Department of Energy services platform made its third purchase with the acquisition of Strategic Management Solutions, LLC ("SMSI"), a leading provider of expert management and technical consulting services for federal and large industrial clients focused on nuclear programs and projects. Read more

Accenture Federal Services to acquire Cognosante.

Accenture Federal Services, Accenture’s subsidiary, has entered into an agreement to acquire Cognosante. Accenture Federal Services brings commercial innovation to solutions built with emerging technologies, advanced R&D, and human-centered design at speed and scale. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

A terahertz communication breakthrough: Is 6G within our reach?

Terahertz frequency electromagnetic waves offer a promise for advancements in communication, as well as scanning and imaging technologies. However, using its potential is challenging due to various obstacles. Tohoku University researchers achieved a significant feat in this area of study. Is it enough for us to get 6G? Read more

Can we use “microbots” to treat cancer?

The concept of introducing tiny robots into the bloodstream for healing is not novel. However, a technical challenge has persisted: the gravitational force acting on these microrobots surpasses the magnetic force, thereby restricting their guidance when the tumor is positioned above the injection site. Have scientists figured out how to solve this problem? Read more

What can you do with solid carbon?

Bill Gates grabbed a wheelbarrow and shovel on Wednesday to fill a parking lot pothole with a new carbon trapping asphalt. Gates was visiting Modern Hydrogen, a Seattle-area climate tech startup that has developed a device for cracking natural gas molecules, producing hydrogen for fuel and a product known as solid carbon that has a variety of industrial applications — including as a key ingredient in asphalt. Read more

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