April 10, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Streamlining the Federal Procurement Processes: Bipartisan Senate bill introduced to make the federal procurement process easier.

• Future spy satellite architecture begins: NRO sending a mix of large and small satellites to multiple orbits next month

• USAID updates IT strategic plan: Tech is a driver of mission, not compliance, CIO says.

• FAR Part 24: Learn more about “FOIA and Privacy Protection” in this Friday’s webinar.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Air Force wants to move Guard Units to Space Force.

Air Force officials are aiming to move 14 Air National Guard space units from seven states into the Space Force. They are seeking to bypass the law that requires them to obtain a governor’s consent before making changes to a National Guard unit. Read more

Commercial space strategy: A warfighting edge essential.

Competitors have developed capabilities to disrupt space usage and diminish America’s edge. The military relies on space for a range of critical functions, including navigation, positioning, targeting, timing, and surveillance of potential threats. How can the U.S. leverage outer space to win against its adversaries? Read more

DOD's quantum efforts are set to expand with new bill.

Lawmakers will propose a bill to expedite the DOD’s adoption of quantum information science. This includes areas such as sensing, navigation, and more ambitious quantum computing goals for AI applications. Read more

ICYMI:

• SkyFi and Enabled Intelligence collaborate to change military and IC missions.

• Marine Corps resumes MV-22’s operation after safety reviews finish.

• Space agencies want Public-Private Partnerships.

Defense Contract Awards

• SAIC bags an AI-powered small satellite contract, along with GomSpace.

• Kraus Hamdani Aerospace will provide the Navy with its first eVTOL capable UAS.

• Skyloom Global won an $18M USAF Hybrid Space Optical Satellite Communications contract.

• Lockheed to help develop microelectronics for the Pentagon.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Former L3Harris VP was selected as Draper’s new CFO.

• Booz Allen’s Principal was chosen as the new VP.

• Former USAF IM & Chief Information Office Director tapped to be the Department’s new Director of Enterprise IT.

Defense Job Openings

• Air Force needs an Executive Director.

• Army Installation Management Command is seeking a Plans Training Mobilization & Security Director.

• NAVFAC is hiring a Supervisory Contract Specialist.

• NAVAIR wants a Supervisory Program Manager.

INFOGRAPHIC

Diagram from CISA’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program Architecture data model document.

INTEL COMMUNITY

The fate of America’s largest spy program teeters on the edge.

A vote to reauthorize the expiring Section 702, a foreign surveillance program targeting terrorists, criminals, and narcotics traffickers, may occur this week. Many Americans remain unaware of the full extent of the surveillance they are subjected to. Is the U.S. ready for Congress’s decision? Read more

Top intel office to unveil ethics guidance on commercial data purchases.

DOD associate deputy general counsel for intelligence Lindsay Rodman said ODNI is “nearly complete” with the framework that aims to help the IC identify privacy concerns that may arise when it purchases datasets sourced and aggregated by data brokers, who sell the information to other entities for marketing or intelligence purchases. The nine principles are set to be released “any day now.” Read more

ICYMI:

• ODNI to release ethical guidelines on buying commercial data.

• US intel warms of possible terrorist threats at public gatherings.

• Hardwire was awarded an FBI ballistic shields contract.

• SDVOSB Enprovera bagged a $57M FBI Administrative & Professional Services deal.

• ManTech has a new Intelligence Sector GM & EVP.

• ODNI needs a Chief Technology Officer.

CIVILIAN

ACCESS Act: Pushing government contractors toward skill-based hiring.

The proposed ACCESS Act will not allow minimum experience or educational requirements in contracting solicitations. This bill lines up with the skill-based hiring initiative, which focuses not on degrees and educational attainment, but on the skill set of the potential workers. Read more

TSMC Arizona and Samsung to get $6.6B CHIPS Act incentives.

Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Arizona have been chosen as the third and fourth recipients of substantial funding under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, following GlobalFoundries and Intel. Read more

HHS Grants QSMO asks for feedback on commercial IT market.

The HHS Grants Management Quality Service Management Office is seeking input from the vendor community regarding the current state of the commercial grants IT market. Grants QSMO functions as a government storefront within a specific marketplace. It oversees technology solutions in accordance with governmentwide standards. Read more

ICYMI:

• Sofia Health’s protest was dismissed due to untimely proposal submission. Get your proposals in early!

• NASA & DOL gets $47M from the TMF to enhance security.

• FTC announces the victors of the AI Voice Authentication Challenge.

• DOJ and 5 other agencies vow to protect civil rights from AI-fueled discrimination.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Astrolab, a Venturi partner, won a $1.9B NASA Lunar Exploration Vehicle contract.

• Rocket Lab gets $14.4M NASA Space Test Program Experiment deal.

• eSimplicity was awarded a $5.8M DOI USGS OAG Agile Software Development contract.

• Lynker Corporation bags $5M NOAA SUAD IT Security Services contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Former S2 Analytical Solutions VP tapped to be ITC Federal’s new Business Development VP.

• CGI’s former director is now the USDA’s DSC Division Director.

• A CMS Contracting Officer was promoted to Division of Beneficiary Support Contracts Director.

Civilian Job Openings

• CBP needs an Assistant Field Director.

• TSA wants an Executive Director.

• Census Bureau needs an Economic Management Division Chief.

• HUD is hiring a Program Manager.

M&A CORNER

Tyto Athene has acquired Microtel.

Tyto Athene, LLC a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners, has completed its acquisition of Microtel. The purchase of Microtel enhances Tyto’s customer connections and capabilities in the space sector. Read more

Realm One has completed the acquisition of Torin.

RealmOne, a portfolio company of Enlightenment Capital has acquired Torin Consulting. The inclusion of Torin contributes to RealmOne’s momentum and growth, reinforcing its standing as a major middle-market technology solution provider for the IC and DOD. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

Another “Mars speech” from Musk. Is his vision reachable?

Musk reiterated the critical importance of expanding consciousness beyond Earth and making life across different planets—but how feasible are his plans to achieve his goals? Can we reach his goal of an initial one million humans on Mars, to make the civilization there self-sustaining? Read more

Neuralink has a rival. Will its product be better?

Synchron, a Neuralink rival with investors like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, is gearing up to recruit patients for a clinical trial needed for the commercial approval of its product. Will this company’s device have an edge over its competitor’s? Read more

How useful can “programmable metafluid” be?

Harvard researchers have developed a programmable metafluid that can adjust its properties in response to pressure. It has wide-ranging applications in fields like robotics, energy dissipation, and optical devices, marking a significant advancement in metamaterial technology. How useful can this invention be? Read more

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