• 8(a), WOSB, others eye $1.5+ Billion DHS PACTS IDIQ expansion: DHS’ SSV for Professional Services will include “separate and distinct tracks” for some set-aside programs, sparking renewed interest.
• Why CPARs matter for proposal development: You remember report cards, right? That’s basically what Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) are — but why are they so important?
• White House wants login.gov to reach every American: As an option for those who participate in most federal programs.
• More agencies defining risk appetite, integrating into strategy, decision making: According to eighth annual federal enterprise risk management survey.
• Power Projection and the National Strategic Significance of Bitcoin. This could be the biggest change in DOD strategy since nuclear warfare.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

ICYMI Snippets

• Thunderbolt hits its targets, DISA moves to next phase of zero trust.
• Keep the qubits quiet: DARPA looks at building a Quantum computer.
• Air Force, NASA contractor settles with DOJ for $400,000 in False Claims Act case.
• FAA proposes to fine SpaceX for missing launch data.
• Speaking of SpaceX, the company launched an Inmarsat-G F2 satellite in a boost for direct-to-device services.
• DOD announces $460M in Ukraine aid after POTUS visit to Kyiv.

Defense Contract Awards

• Blue Ivy Partners wins $149M SaaS 2.0 contract from Air Force.
• Navy awards Lockheed Martin $1.2B contract for supersonic missiles.
• BAE unit wins $162M USS Nitze Destroyer modernization work.
• Collins Aerospace secures $271M IDIQ to supply Navy airborne radios.
• Sherpa 6 Inc. (a small biz) won a $50M Ground Soldier Technology Workflow, Integration and Experience contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• With retirement of CFO, ManTech appoints a new one.
• Navy vet named chair of Acalvio’s newly-created federal advisory board.

Defense Job Openings

• Army’s Corps of Engineers needs a Financial Manager.
• The Navy needs an Assistant Deputy Commandant (Contracting & e-Business).

DAILY FUNNY

INTEL COMMUNITY

Catalyst Accelerator launches 11th defensive cyber ops for space cohort.

Sponsored by the AFRL and U.S. Space Forces as a defense and national security industry incubator, Catalyst Accelerator has partnered with eight small businesses across the country on its eleventh defensive cyber ops for space cohort this spring. Read more

ICYMI Snippets

• National Ground Intelligence Center posts synopsis for upcoming EWIR RFP.
• Protestors come out of the woodwork after NSA chooses CACI for $2.4B award — again.
• Malcolm X’s family is suing the FBI and CIA.
• The DIA is looking for a new Inspector General.

CIVILIAN

USPS health insurance marketplace launch gives OPM plenty to do in a busy 2023.

The Postal Service Reform Act requires OPM to set up a separate insurance marketplace for USPS employees and retirees within the Federal Employee Health Benefits program by January 2025. As it prepares for an open enrollment in late 2024, OPM officials are prioritizing this project. Read more

OPM makes no progress with retirement backlog to start 2023.

OPM started 2023 with a rise in its retirement claims processing backlog by 3,262. In January, OPM received 12,404 claims, an almost 7,000 increase compared to December. OPM only processed 9,142, leaving the inventory backlog at the highest level since October with 24,858 claims. Read more

Zero trust presents ‘doable’ security goals, State Department CIO says.

State Department is working to enhance its internal cybersecurity and promote more efficient technology practices across its global operations.  Read more

ICYMI Snippets

• Cyber leaders applaud upcoming updates to NIST cybersecurity framework.
• New CIO-SP4 protests, and this time the contractor that screwed up the FAA is also complaining.
• HHS CISO says ransomware, telehealth are top challenges.
• OPM launches new portal for federal internships.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• NOAA awards Peraton contract worth up to $400M to provide ground servicing for polar-orbiting weather satellites.
• CMS awards 8(a) small biz Neil Hoozier & Associates a $7M contract for Evaluation & Oversight.

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

• USDA seeks an Assistant General Counsel.