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- February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024
New DIA director, Softbank buys data security unit for 7B, Nova-Dine wins 1.5B Commerce, JPL layoffs, mingling at Kennedy Center, metadata scorecard
GovBrew
February 09, 2024
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QUICK HITS
On some basic metadata practices, US gov't gets an 'F': On the bright side, though, OMB says there are also real signs of progress.
House Committee on Small Business reviews SB size standards: number of small biz winning contracts has decreased by 50%.
PRESENTED BY JSCHAUS & ASSOCIATES
Mix & Mingle - FEB 12 - GovCon Networking Event
Join JSchaus & Associates at The John F Kennedy Center for a fun evening of networking in Washington, DC's hottest location. Over 300 federal contractors are expected, along with confirmed Federal Government Agencies, DoD: NAVAIR, NAVSEA/NSWC, The VA, HHS, and more. Tickets will sell out. Order now, and don't miss out.
Pertinent Details: Monday, February 12, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Must have a ticket in advance! Register Now and come shake some hands.
TRIVIA
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
The Army’s info-warfare capabilities are on the chopping block.
The US may soon let go of its information-warfare assets as China and Russia continue to expand their influence operations capabilities; key psyops units may get squeezed by a Pentagon effort to trim special-operations forces. Read more
Four Russian warplanes tracked near Alaska.
Four Russian military planes were spotted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) near Alaska. The warplanes were flying in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), and were monitored to give NORAD more time to respond to any threats. Read more
Nearly six months without a base budget is screwing up DOD's modernization efforts.
We should be hearing about the fiscal year 2025 national defense budget during the next fiscal year's budget request, but that budget has not yet been passed, and the DOD is still operating on a continuing resolution affecting modernization efforts. Read more
ICYMI:
Navy Personnel Chief doesn’t find hiring sailors without HS diplomas risky.
DIU director puts his unit on steroids to scale adoption of commercial tech.
Army cancels FARA scout helicopter, will retire two drones.
House grills Pentagon over military housing: “I want Marines doing bad things to bad guys, not fixing heating and air-conditioning..."
5 Marines killed in California helicopter crash.
Defense Contract Awards
AF $750M IT Support Services contract awarded to TKC Global Solutions & HPI Solutions.
AF $499M Anti-Tamper Tech Solutions contract spots given to 17 companies.
A modification to a $496M WHS Research, Engineering, & Mission Support contract was handed to American Systems.
Cubic Defense bags SAIC SDR-Based Data Links contract.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Slingshot Aerospace's new CEO was a Dell and Microsoft executive.
General Dynamics names its new Information Technology VP.
30-year DCS veteran promoted to EVP, Army & Marine Corps Sector.
American Systems promotes new VP, Corporate Dev.
Defense Job Openings
IMCOM is seeking a Deputy to the Garrison Commander.
FORSCOM is hiring a Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff.
The USACE is looking for a Program Manager.
INTEL COMMUNITY
There's an Iranian-Houthi weapons cooperation threat.
According to a new report by the DIA, the Houthis are using Iran-designed weapons to attack global trade vessels. The report reveals information on the drones and missiles involved in over 40 attacks by the rebels since last November. Read more
China has been in U.S. critical infrastructure for at least five years.
China’s cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructure to steal classified data is escalating. A Chinese hacker group has penetrated and persisted in some U.S. key networks for about five years. US officials worry that China will launch a destructive cyber attack during or in the lead up to a possible invasion of Taiwan. Read more
ICYMI:
DOD may need machines to stop intelligence leaks.
CIA terminates whistleblower amid sexual misconduct reports.
The US's hunt for malicious hackers is heating up, says MITRE CTO.
Salient got a $16M FBI CODIS Program Management IT Support Services contract.
Air Force Lt. becomes Defense Intelligence Agency’s new director.
Former Microsoft director joins Vibrint as VP of BD.
CIVILIAN
The DHS is going on an AI hiring spree.
DHS is gearing up to go on an AI hiring spree, planning to recruit 50 AI experts just this year. The department said its new “AI corps” will be modeled after the U.S. Digital Service. AI corps teams will help DHS components better use AI and machine learning to advance missions ranging from countering fentanyl to securing cyber networks. Read more
USPS to 'aggressively' cut carbon commissions by 2030.
The USPS has outlined its latest plan to cut carbon emissions from fuel and electricity by nearly half by the end of the decade; the independent agency will 'aggressively' reduce greenhouse gases to gain an advantage over competitors, says Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Read more
Proposal to let DHS, FBI probe breached networks sparks concern.
Technology trade and cybersecurity groups want agencies to reconsider the proposal that would make requirements for federal contractors with cyber incident cases more intense, claiming they are not aligned with other cyber rules. They also think that demands are too heavy for contracted companies hit by cyberattacks. Read more
ICYMI:
NIST unveils its first consortium dedicated to promoting safe AI design, practices.
After months of budget uncertainty, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab lays off 530 workers, about 8% of their workforce, plus 40 contract workers.
CHIPS funding will still be allocated to build domestic semiconductor industry.
Civilian Contracts Awards
A role in $500M STATS contract for ARPA-H was given to Noblis.
DOT FAA awards SAIC $5M for program, project, analytical, and technical support.
Koniag Data Solutions wins NARA AMIS & AERIC Support Services contract.
Navajo Nation’s NOVA-Diné secures contract with Commerce for IT services, with a $1.5B contract ceiling.
Follow Civilian Leaders
Babel Street adds former CIA Chief Data Scientist to its Board of Advisors.
Miracorp’s former VP-BD is now the company's President & CEO.
Precision Talent Solutions appoints its new Chief Innovation Officer.
Civilian Job Openings
A Circuit Executive is needed by the U.S. Courts.
The IRS is looking for a Program Manager.
NASA is seeking a Deputy Director.
The VA is hiring an Innovations Associate Director.
M&A CORNER
Xcelerate Solutions has merged with VMD Corp.
McNally Capital's portfolio company Xcelerate Solutions, has merged with VMD Corp. Xcelerate aims to leverage the strengths of the companies, align leadership, and promote a mission-driven culture to optimally support federal customers. Read more
SoftBank-backed Cohesity to buy Veritas’ data security unit.
SoftBank Group-backed data security software firm Cohesity has agreed to buy the data protection business of Veritas in a cash-and-stock transaction to form a combined entity valued at approximately $7B. Read more
GOVBREW INSIDER
Check out this week’s 60+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.
Our team uncovered 120+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in this week's recompete report.
See if your company qualifies for any of the latest grants & competitions.
Stay up to date on the upcoming events. Also, check out the GovBrew Insider discount on the upcoming GovCIO Defense IT Summit.
Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.
Want to become a GovBrew Insider member? Get 20% off your first year of GovBrew Insider here. 💕 Sale ends February 14th at midnight!
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Identifying disease-associated changes in the brain through blood: Can it be done?
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers used blood and brain cells grown in the lab to study how to develop a blood test that can spot brain changes related to psychiatric and neurological disorders. Will this lead to better treatments for patients in the future? Read more
Can AI design medicine?
AI has many applications besides making artistic images and assisting with research–it can also design medicine for treating illnesses. A model was coded by scientists to gain information on a large database of chemicals and how they fuse with proteins. Can this help find cure for a variety of diseases faster? Read more
Ukraine’s President Zeleskyy just fired his top general: What does this mean for the war?
The move comes as Ukraine is struggling to replenish its ammunitions and the U.S. Congress has struggled amid partisan fighting to approve new funding for Ukraine's defense. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny is highly popular with Ukraine's public, but he and Zelenskyy had disagreed over war strategy. There have also been rumblings that Zelenskyy was dissatisfied with Zaluzhny's apparent political ambitions. Read more
TRIVIA ANSWER:
A. 26.5%
In FY22, the total share of federal dollars going to federal procurement was 26.5%, or $162.9B. (Source & Source)
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