• Fed workforce AI training bill on POTUS’s desk: Feds involved in procuring AI to receive training on the emerging technology’s capabilities and risks. Read more
• Why contract award debriefings are no mere formalities: When feds give more in-depth debriefings to losing bidders, the latter can sometimes glean valuable info, in one case leading a successful bid protest. Read more
• Get ready! DHA prepping $2.4B IT procurement: DHA in final prep for a $2.4B small business IT contract vehicle, the Military Health System Enterprise IT Services Geographic Service Provider contract. Read more
• Contractors being suspended from GSA Advantage. If your combined shipped / back ordered scores are 50% or below and you have 11 line items on the bi-weekly report, then you may be suspended from GSA Advantage. Read more
• IT spend reporting requirements still stuck at halfway point. GAO found that agencies failed to disclose $31B in FY21 investments. Read more

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

ICYMI Snippets

• At the Air, Space & Cyber conference, autonomous systems took center stage.
• The WHS plans to issue $420M in modifications under a previously awarded $496 million small biz set aside procurement for support services to the DOD. Read more.
• Mr. Fixit! A Crew Dragon spacecraft will be deployed to reboost and service the Hubble Space Telescope.
• The Space Development Agency is now officially part of the U.S. Space Force.

Defense Contract Awards

• BlackBear.ai won a $14.8M contract with the Army to deploy the Global Force Information Management System.
• The NNAVAIR awarded a $225M contract to Raytheon M&D for AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ System Improvement Program Increment IV.
• Palantir wins $59M Intel Apps acquisition gig with Army.
• BlackHorse Solutions wins $12M research project under the SMOKE project with DARPA.
• Lockheed Martin wins $152M IDIQ for F-35 ODIN & MPE, with Navy.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• There’s a new Assistant Chief Data Officer, Enterprise Data Office at Air Force Civilian Service.
• Former NOAA official joins Leidos as Climate, Energy, Environment Lead.
• A Lockheed veteran joins L3Harris as Integrated Mission Systems Segment Head.

Defense Job Openings

• DOD is hiring a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Services Policy and Oversight.
• USAF is hiring a Congressional Liaison Specialist on behalf of the F-35 program. Don’t overthink it.
• DOD is seeking a Deputy Director for Defense Intelligence (Collection & Special Programs).

INTEL COMMUNITY

NRO awards six commercial space companies satellite RF study contracts.

NRO has awarded study contracts to six commercial space companies to explore the capability of satellite radio frequency detection to meet military signal detection needs. Part of a broader initiative known as Strategic Commercial Enhancement, NRO is evaluating how it can supplement government-built systems with commercial technology. Read more

Surveillance telescope functional in Australia, according to Space Command.

A U.S.-built space-monitoring telescope that was transported from New Mexico to Western Australia is now fully operational, Space Operations Command officials announced. Developed by DARPA and MIT, the telescope can locate and track debris in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above the Earth’s surface. Read more

NIST has been busy! It’s all things AI Risk Management happening there. 

NIST is looking to establish an online center for trustworthy and responsible AI resources. Also, NIST is looking at an early 2023 launch of new AI risk management framework.

ICYMI Snippets

• Dept of State has a RFP out for Program Management and Support Services.
• In honor of the CIA’s 75th Anniversary, an interview with Deputy Director David Cohen.
• Learn about a federal agency *not* named DEA that combats international drug trafficking. (a 13-minute watch)
• Fake CISO profiles on LinkedIn target Fortune 500s.

IC Contract Awards

• ICE awards 7 spots on $340M SWIFT IT support contract.
• DHS selects 3 companies for crowdsourced vulnerability assessment program.

IC Job Openings

CIVILIAN

Peraton renews protest of a pair of Leidos SSA wins worth $566M.

Peraton has filed another set of protests after SSA officials reaffirmed Leidos infrastructure and IT support services task order award worth up to $566M. Read more

What’s FEMA and federal gov’t doing for the folks in Florida?

After watching FL get hit by Hurricane Ian, FEMA is working hard to help out. DHS activated the Surge Capacity Force, which comprises nearly 7,500 members from other federal agencies. There is FEMA staff, National Guardsmen, EMS and medical teams, USACOE personnel, EPA teams and so much more happening on the ground.   Read more

ICYMI Snippets

• GAO dismissed a DOS contract award protest by Async-Nu Microsystems, Inc., an IT services company that is also a SDVOB. The GAO decision is covered by a protective order.
• Americans are larger. Should the FAA stop airplane seats from shrinking?
• NCMA Woodlawn is hosting a networking event in support of Headstrong. October 3.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• EIDOS and The LinchPin Group  and SYSUSA were awarded two IRS Criminal Investigation contracts: one for Network Support and one for Tech Ops.
• VA selects 17 contractors for $650M Health Care Tech Development Program.
• DRT Strategies awarded an $11M CDC task order for GIS support.

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

• The Executive Office of the President’s Office of Administration is seeking a deputy CFO. This is a GS-15 position. Read more.
• Would you like to help run the largest integrated health system in the world? You’re in luck! The VHA is hiring deputy executive directors for medical centers in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

M&A CORNER

NTT Data to acquire Umvell.

NTT Data, a multinational services and consulting company based in Japan, plans to acquire Unvell, a digital design and engineering firm based in Mexico City. Read more