QUICK HITS
U.S. “may have discussions” with Maduro: USS Gerald Ford arrives in Caribbean as part of “Operation Southern Spear.”
Small business innovation: Should the SBIR program be reauthorized?
When bid protests resume: What contractors should expect post-shutdown.
DOD acquisition reform: What lasting success really requires.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Army halts PEO-led push to streamline procurement rules.
The Army has pulled the plug on a PEO-led initiative to simplify procurement requirements, citing concerns over oversight and legal authority. The move pauses efforts to cut red tape and raises questions about how much flexibility program offices really have.
Pentagon contract surge: $9B awarded following government reopening.
Following the conclusion of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the DOD announced nearly $9 billion in contract awards. The spending includes a potential deal for Boeing’s Chinook aircraft for Germany, signaling a swift return to procurement activity across key defense sectors.
Our nation requires three ARG/MEUs.
According to the Marine Corps commandant, the U.S. must restore and sustain three Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs), each with its Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), to ensure immediate global response and credible sea-based deterrence. However, the current fleet of amphibious ships and readiness levels are below that requirement.
ICYMI:
DTRA RFI: Integrated Communications and Digital Adoption.
USAF RFI: Space Command and Control Project.
$850M added for B-21 and Sentinel construction projects.
Eleven firms advance to PH2 of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
Sandia, NNSA complete B61-12 flight tests on F-35.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
QuSecure welcomed its Senior VP of Research & Technology Strategy.
Defense Job Openings
INTEL COMMUNITY
Space Command stands up new PNT unit.
SSC has stood up a new acquisition unit, Systems Delta 831 (SYD 831), tasked with delivering advanced positioning, navigation, and timing as well as navigation warfare capabilities for the USSF. The move signals a strategic pivot toward integrating PNT acquisition directly into the USSF’s mission-operations framework, ensuring the faster deployment of critical navigation warfare tools.
US spy satellites send signals in the “wrong direction.”
The U.S. spy satellites built by SpaceX and operated for the NRO have been emitting signals on frequencies meant for uplinks (ground-to-space transmissions), effectively sending data from space on the “wrong” band. Observers say this unusual transmission practice appears to skip required international coordination, raising concerns about satellite interference and spectrum governance.
ICYMI:
Why Anthropic’s AI Claude tried to contact the FBI in a test.
Wedgetail order canceled: NATO explores alternative aircraft.
Babel names a new CRO.
DOS is seeking a Supervisory Criminal Investigator.
DOJ wants a Supervisory IT Program Manager.
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CIVILIAN
NASA’s ESCAPADE begins twin-satellite mission to Mars.
NASA’s twin ESCAPADE satellites have launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn, kicking off a multi-year journey to Mars. The mission will study the planet’s magnetosphere using synchronized orbits. Arrival is slated for 2027, with science ops starting in 2028.
DOE eyes new data-curation org for science and engineering models.
The DOE has issued an RFI seeking input on how its national labs can safely develop, test, and evaluate advanced AI models, including those with high-risk capabilities like autonomous systems and bio-threat analysis. The agency aims to build a secure, standardized AI infrastructure that supports innovation while preventing misuse of powerful foundation models across the national lab ecosystem.
Spending package includes money for House modernization efforts.
A new government spending package includes fresh funding to modernize the operations of the House of Representatives, supporting upgrades to technology, constituent services, and internal administrative systems. Lawmakers say the investment is meant to strengthen transparency, improve digital tools for staff, and ensure the House can function more efficiently during high-demand periods.
ICYMI:
NASA RFI: NBL Facility Commercial Utilization.
VA RFI: Comprehensive Contract Management System.
USPS needs revenue growth, not just cuts.
How gov’t leaders can balance the pros and cons of data center development.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Protest sustainment: Gov sides with protestor of Federal Election Commission Financial Management Support action.
Signature Consulting Group won a $27M CMS PEO task aimed at proactive fraud, waste, and abuse deterrence.
Integrity Management Consulting wins $11M DHS CBP Geospatial Information Services task on GTSS 3.0.
Follow Civilian Leaders
Civilian Job Openings
TREAS is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor.
CMS wants a Deputy Director, Data Analytics and Systems Group.
M&A CORNER
Veritas to acquire MetroStar: AI ambitions go enterprise-scale.
Veritas Capital is acquiring MetroStar, aiming to supercharge AI-enabled digital services for defense and national security. With nearly 30 years of mission support, MetroStar’s next chapter promises faster tech delivery.
ICYMI:
Cyber Ark shareholders give the Palo Alto Networks deal the ok to proceed.
GDIT, Google Public Sector team up to deliver cloud, AI for government.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
[Watch] Afraid of spiders? 3500 venomous spiders were found at a US Marine Corps Air Station in Japan. SOURCE↗︎
Is Rivian’s ALSO TM-B e-bike the cool Christmas present for your spouse? $3500 will get you 180Nm of torque, a pedal-by-wife DreamRide drivetrain, over-the-air updates, swappable batteries, and modular frames. SOURCE↗︎
For the first time in history, an “AI artist” has topped the US charts. “Walk My Walk” has surpassed 3.5 million streams on Spotify. SOURCE↗︎
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