April 18, 2025

QUICK HITS

• SBA manufacturing loans surged: Loan approvals jumped by 74%.

• AI fuels investor interest in innovative nuclear power concepts: The Pentagon plans to elevate the best, most innovative ideas.

• Taking a look at FAR 2.0: Major overhaul will keep Buy American Act but much will be rewritten to reduce burdens on contractors.

• FAA postpones $1.2B EPICS II IDIQ: RFP is delayed until further notice.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

POTUS proposes historic $1 trillion Defense budget.

POTUS has proposed the first-ever $1 trillion defense budget, aiming to bolster U.S. military capabilities amid escalating global threats. The plan includes significant investments in modernization and readiness, with potential cuts to civilian defense positions and base consolidations.

Space Force unveils blueprint for future space warfare.

The USSF has released its inaugural blueprint for space warfare, outlining strategies for defending national interests beyond Earth. This plan emphasizes the need for advanced technologies and international collaboration to maintain space superiority.

USAF tests new air-to-air training in Europe, focused on drones.

The USAF's 555th Fighter Squadron conducted air-to-air training in the U.K., focusing on countering small, low-signature drones using cost-effective weapons like the laser-guided AGR-20 APKWS rockets. This European-based exercise resulted in significant cost savings by eliminating the need for transatlantic deployments.

ICYMI:

• USAF RFI: Enterprise Information Services IV.

• DARPA RFP: Lunar Assay via Small Satellite Orbiter (LASSO).

• Microsoft's AI now fully authorized for defense operations.

• Coast Guard asking US, foreign yards for Arctic security cutter pitches.

• In pursuit of “Space Control,” USSF gets first upgraded jammer.

Defense Contract Awards

• Amentum inked a $247M Global Counter-Threat Finance contract.

• Kratos won a $30M Air Defense System Hardware contract.

• NOC won a $15M USAF contract for Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications Rapid Prototyping Special Study #6.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Lockheed Martin replaces its CFO.

• Serco’s board has two new members.

• HII leader joins the Information Warfare Consortium’s executive committee.

Defense Job Openings

• Navy is seeking a Regional Housing Director.

• USAF is hiring an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Infrastructure Director.

TRIVIA 🤔

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

ICYMI:

• FBI Sources Sought: Enterprise Content Manager Solution.

• USAF RFI: Intelligence Systems & Capabilities for Space.

• DOD WHS RFP: Joint Data and Analytic Support Services.

• FBI and DEA show interest in Elon Musk's Starlink.

• China acknowledges its role in U.S. infrastructure hacks during secret meeting.

• ODNI releases corruption report.

• Guilty: Ex-FAA contractor shared US airport files with Iran.

• A Cyber Risk Executive has joined Altamira’s board.

CHART

From: GAO, Defense Health Care: Actions Needed to Address Long-Standing Management Challenges with Medical Facilities. GAO-25-107432. April 2025.

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CIVILIAN

$40B health budget cut proposal unveiled.

The WH’s draft budget proposes a $40 billion cut to the HHS, reducing its discretionary budget by one-third. The plan includes eliminating programs like Head Start and reallocating funds to a new agency, the Administration for a Healthy America.

POTUS tech push to streamline environmental permitting.

POTUS has issued an E.O. directing federal agencies to leverage technology in environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects. The order mandates the Council on Environmental Quality to develop a modernization plan within 45 days.

GSA to consulting firms: Try again on cost cuts.

The GSA is unimpressed with top consulting firms' cost-cutting proposals, calling them "wholly insufficient." Firms like Deloitte and Accenture have until Friday to resubmit more substantial savings plans, including contract terminations and "windfall credits."

ICYMI:

• DOJ RFI: CGI Momentum Financial & Acquisition Software Alternatives.

• FAA RFI: Tower Simulation System Software, Enhancement Two.

• Smithsonian RFP: Digital Experience Initiative.

• Quantum leaps to orbit: DOE explores space networking.

• WH set to end IRS’s Direct File program.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Regenstrief Institute won a $4M NCATS Linkage Honest Broker Support deal.

• Jazz Solutions booked a $3.7M DDI Operator contract.

• WOSB Thorben Consulting won a DOI Archiving, Decommissioning contract.

• Teksynap was awarded a $2M BSEE IT Application Support Services deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Integrated Data Services named its Growth VP.

• SteerBridge selected a Practice Lead for VA Programs.

Civilian Job Openings

• GAO wants a Director, Business Process Analytics.

• DOJ needs a Policy Assistant Director.

M&A CORNER

Shield AI buys Crowdbotics’ DDR software analytics technology.

Defense technology company Shield AI has acquired Crowdbotics’ Data Driven Readiness, or DDR, software tools for an undisclosed sum to expand its capability to deliver end-to-end AI-enabled defense autonomy platforms to customers.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. US slams a 245% tariff on China. The trade war has intensified. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. Will wiping out everyone’s “friends” boost Facebook’s relevance? Forcing everyone to start from scratch has crossed Zuckerberg’s mind. SOURCE↗︎

3. CIA memo: Soviet troops were turned to stone by aliens. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

The Platt Amendment (1901) and 1903 treaty — The Platt Amendment (1901) was added to Cuba’s constitution under U.S. pressure, allowing the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs and lease land for naval bases. In 1903, the U.S. and Cuba signed a treaty leasing Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. “in perpetuity” for use as a naval station.