🏆 $45B WEXMAC awards

Good morning. Heading to the National Small Business Conference in Nashville? Join GovBrew and co-hosts for drinks, light bites, and great company at the Monday night afterparty—January 26th, 8:30–10:30pm at Acme Feed & Seed on Broadway (RSVP here, space is limited!).

—The GovBrew Crew

Congress approved an $838.7B defense budget ($8.4B above the Pentagon’s request) while declining most of the department’s late $28B multiyear munitions proposal. Instead, appropriators authorized a targeted $1.8B increase and approved eight multiyear munitions programs.

The Army’s Software Engineering Center is reorganizing to become leaner and more agile, streamlining teams and processes to keep pace with rapid software delivery demands. Leaders say the changes are about survival as much as speed, positioning the center to compete with industry and remain relevant.

Appropriators have reinstated significant funding for the Navy’s F/A‑XX program, adding $897 million to advance 6th-gen fighter development after prior delays. The bill also prohibits pausing or canceling the effort and directs the Navy to provide a detailed acquisition strategy within 45 days.

Robert Turner. The Blueprint for Winning Government Contracts. LinkedIn. (Source)

The NRO has launched its twelfth mission supporting a proliferated satellite architecture, continuing the rapid deployment of smaller, more resilient spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The effort is designed to boost redundancy, speed data delivery, and strengthen U.S. intelligence capabilities against anti-satellite threats.

Elevate your brand and expand your reach with GovBrew, the industry’s most reliable source for GovCon pros. Reach top figures and decision-makers across the government contracting industry. When you advertise with GovBrew, you can really make an impact. Get started here.

The DOJ reported a historic $6.8B in False Claims Act recoveries for FY 2025, driven largely by health‑care‑related actions and supported by a record 1,297 whistleblower filings. With 401 new investigations opened, the data reflects DOJ’s strengthened enforcement posture and sustained focus on safeguarding federal funds.

Vast’s Haven‑1, poised to become the first commercial space station, has completed primary structural milestones and is now moving into clean‑room integration, though its launch has shifted to early 2027. Even with the delay, the program remains ahead of competitors as the team works toward enabling crew access pending SpaceX verification.

NOAA has finalized a framework enabling companies to apply simultaneously for exploration and commercial recovery permits in international waters, citing improved technology and extensive seabed data. Critics argue the move is premature, but the agency maintains it is operating within long‑standing statutory authority.

Auria is bolstering its Space Force‑focused SATCOM capabilities by acquiring RKF and Kythera, adding spectrum engineering depth and autonomous payload‑management software to its toolkit. The deal positions Auria to deliver more resilient, end‑to‑end C3 solutions.

1. Become a GovBrew Insider to keep your pipeline full. Weekly opportunities, recompete reports, agency forecasts, and much more. Learn more

2. Promote your brand to over 10,000+ GovCon professionals by sponsoring this newsletter. Apply here

3. Follow us on LinkedIn for more GovCon coverage.

Share GovBrew with your GovCon colleagues, acquire free swag, and then tell them where you got it.

We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and bragging rights if you share a link. One link.

Your referral count: {{ rp_num_referrals }}

Or copy and paste your referral link to others:
{{ rp_refer_url }}