Good morning and quick note: If you missed it, we just released a new co-branded report on the future of proposal writing and how AI and humans can actually work together in GovCon. Give it a quick look if you haven’t already.
—The GovBrew Crew
QUICK HITS
Pentagon RDT&E funding surge: Priorities revealed include hypersonics, space-based ISR, and EW and UAS.
Procurement and AI: Deciding government’s success or failure.
Program managers’ weekly intel: PMs have details that competitors would kill to know….and you need to find out for that recompete.
Covenant against contingent fees: Back-to-basics guide for contractors.
COMPLIANCE CORNER
GSA MAS Refresh 30 + New Drone Rules
GSA’s MAS Refresh 30 is here, cleaning up clauses, renumbering sections, and rolling out Mass Mod A907. Schedule holders should update proposal templates, pricing files, and internal checklists so outdated language doesn’t sneak into bids.
Meanwhile, new federal rules banning FASC-prohibited drones and components take effect Dec 22, 2025. Any contractor using UAS for inspections, mapping, training, or data collection must inventory their fleets now and phase out non-compliant systems.
Bottom line: expect tighter supply-chain scrutiny and cleaner contract structures across FY26. Stay current, stay compliant, and stay competitive.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
NDAA directs Pentagon to use AI for mental health
The FY2026 NDAA includes a directive for the Pentagon to prioritize AI in addressing military mental health needs. Lawmakers cite the “unacceptably high” suicide rate and want AI tools to improve access and responsiveness.
Golden Dome effort could rival Manhattan Project scale.
The Pentagon’s “Golden Dome” initiative is being pitched as an industrial call-to-arms that could rival the Manhattan Project in scale. With billions in RDT&E funding and urgent demand for layered missile defense, leaders say industry must mobilize fast.
Key acquisition reforms dropped from 2026 defense bill.
Congress promised “the most significant acquisition reforms in a generation,” but several big-ticket items didn’t survive the final 2026 NDAA. Proposals on pricing transparency, oversight of major programs, and OTAs were cut, leaving Pentagon with more studies than solutions.
ICYMI:
USAF RFI: sUAS for Ground/Maritime Search and Rescue.
USAF RFI: Identity, Credential, Access Management (ICAM) Enterprise III.
China, Russia are experimenting with stealth satellites, USSF warns.
USSF unveils new naming system for satellites and weapons.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
Defense Job Openings
DLSA needs an SCO Director.
NAVSEA wants a Manager.
TRIVIA 🤔
The Largest Single IT Contract in U.S. Federal History (Non-VA)
Just click the choice you think is right & the correct answer will be shown. Scroll down to the bottom of this email for more information about the correct answer.
INTEL COMMUNITY
Denmark labels U.S. a security risk in intelligence report.
Denmark’s defense intelligence just made headlines by listing the U.S. alongside Russia and China as a potential security risk. The report cites Washington’s willingness to flex tariffs and even military muscle against allies, raising doubts about America’s role as Europe’s security guarantor.
ICYMI:
DIU, USINDOPACOM chooses 10 startups for Blue Object Management Accelerator.
LeoLabs secures contract to provide object catalog access.
USSOCOM halts Next-Gen Machine Gun program.
NRO and USSF’s SSC launched the NROL-77 Mission.
Lukos won a $4M USSOCOM G8 OSINT-DR Analysis Support contract.
ODNI is looking for a Operations Group Chief.
NORTHCOM is seeking a JTE Director.
GOVBREW INSIDER
Check out this week’s 100+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.
Our team uncovered 50+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Department of Justice (DOJ) 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.
Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.
Become a GovBrew Insider member to receive new reports weekly. Join here
END OF YEAR RECAP
SDVOSBs on the Rise: 2025’s Top Wins
This year’s most impressive SDVOSB awards highlight one thing: veteran-owned businesses are scaling fast and winning bigger than ever. These top three firms drove innovation, delivered capability, and secured contracts that every prime wished they’d chased. Meet the standout winners of 2025.
CIVILIAN
DOT advances modernization with Salesforce AI agents.
The USDOT has initiated a department-wide modernization effort leveraging Salesforce AI agents. The initiative is designed to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and reduce administrative burdens. By automating routine tasks, DOT aims to reallocate staff resources toward higher-value mission priorities.
NASA JPL opens Rover Operations Center for AI partnerships.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has launched a new Rover Operations Center to support upcoming Moon and Mars missions while expanding industry partnerships in autonomy and AI. The facility consolidates decades of rover expertise, offers digital engineering tools, and even tested generative AI for route planning.
OPM and OMB advance federal HR modernization with Core HCM.
OPM and OMB are leading a government-wide effort to consolidate more than 100 legacy HR systems into a unified Core Human Capital Management platform. The initiative, beginning with agencies such as DHS, USDA, and HHS in FY2026, is projected to deliver significant cost savings and improved workforce management across the federal enterprise.
ICYMI:
HHS RFI: Google Threat Intelligence.
NASA RFI: Materials-Limited Technologies for the Moon and Mars.
DOE investment in AI: supporting Genesis Mission innovation.
OPM, OMB share additional details on a single, gov’t-wide HR system.
Caught! DOJ says a government contractor misled agencies about platform’s FedRAMP compliance.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Alpha Omega has a new Cybersecurity VP.
ASRC Federal named its Procurement SVP.
Civilian Job Openings
The US Courts is seeking a Chief Probation Officer.
DHS is hiring a Division Chief.
GET SEEN
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M&A CORNER
ManTech acquires Elder Research to boost AI capabilities.
ManTech is beefing up its AI game by acquiring Elder Research, a 30-year veteran in data science whose solutions actually make it out of the lab (90% implementation rate—take that, industry average of 20%). The deal folds Elder’s fraud detection, mission analytics, and predictive maintenance expertise into ManTech’s growing AI practice.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Exclusive Citizen Act of 2025. The bill aims to ban dual citizenship between the U.S. and other nations. SOURCE↗︎
U.S. to review foreign visitors’ social media activity. This would affect individuals qualifying for entry through the visa waiver program. SOURCE↗︎
UNESCO added Diwali to the World Heritage list. It was chosen from among 67 nominations for 2025. SOURCE↗︎
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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️
D) Networx— It was awarded in 2007 with a ceiling of $68 billion. (Source)
