August 16, 2024

QUICK HITS

• DLA is supporting small businesses with mentor-protege program: DLA will help SBs compete for contracts with large contractors.

• DISA’s DODNet’s network optimization: This next phase is all about the user experience.

• EVENT: GMU Baroni Center for GovCon & the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum (SECAF) are cohosting the second annual Small Business Summit on Sept 10. Reserve your spot now.

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 65+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• In this week's recompete report, our team uncovered 50+ upcoming Heavy Construction (Non-Residential) opportunities at multiple agencies.

• 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.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Pentagon proposes new CMMC contracting rules.

The DOD has released a proposed rule that will inject CMMC requirements into the contracting process. Under the CMMC program, DOD plans to require contractors to either self-assess that they comply with cybersecurity requirements or obtain a third-party certification. Read more

The Space Force’s new defense plan: COTS products.

In this commentary piece, one industry leader and executive argues that satellites are vital for the U.S. military infrastructure, making it critical for the Army to partner with more commercial providers. Read more

DOD has a new weapon rule to protect users against BOP risk.

The DOD is spelling out new requirements to counter risks to brain health from blast overpressure. The new policy includes policies and procedures, training, identifying at-risk personnel, consider BOP hazards, and establish procedures to maintain oversight of BOP risks. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: DARPA is seeking Scalable Analog Neural-networks (ScAN).

• RFP: USAF is seeking User Experience Monitoring.

• RFI: Army is looking feedback on AI Layered Defense Framework.

• Army to screen laser weapon proposals in 2025 competition.

• DARPA holds a qualifying round for the AI Cyber Challenge.

• Navy’s fast-attack submarine USS Idaho launches into Thames River.

Defense Contract Awards

• SIT Trustees won a $520M DOD Systems Engineering Research contract.

• SAIC inked a $120M Navy Tactical Training War Game Support deal.

• Salient Federal scored a $46.4M DCSA Case Processing Operations and Enhancement Support contract.

• Raytheon won a $9.3M DARPA Quantum Optical Sensors deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• MEDCoE names a new Deputy CIO.

• USAF CDAO names a new Deputy Chief and AI Officer.

• DHA recruits a new IM/IT Customer Support Chief.

• Navy names a Deputy Asst. Secretary of Navy, Financial Mgmt Sys.

Defense Job Openings

• DISA wants a Hosting & Compute Center Director.

• OSD needs a Defense Research Enterprise Director.

• NAVSEA needs a Principal for Ship Survivability Protection & Maritime Lethality.

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

A telegram bot has been collecting compromised DNC credentials.

Security researchers have identified stolen login info from Democratic-aligned accounts ahead of the party’s presidential nominating convention but noted that some records “were previously observed in private threat actor-operated repositories." Read more

Intelligence agencies are concerned about US arms policy as Ukraine moves deeper into Russia.

A U.S. official said the USA’s weapons policy was not designed for Ukraine to invade Russia, although Kyiv was technically in compliance. As a result, POTUS has not taken a strong public stance in support of or opposition to the assault. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: AFRL asks for industy input for EPIC, warfighter tech prototypes.

• BAA: DHS seeks project proposals to address US security challenges.

• Leidos won an $86M NGA Analytics System Management deal.

• NGA, SLU prepare for Geo-Resolution 2024 Conference on Sept 12.

• ODNI wants an OPE Deputy Director.

CIVILIAN

Agencies are under mounting pressure to improve federal hiring.

The OMB and the OPM have published guidance urging agencies to do better when it comes to recruiting; the 'call to action' says agencies should adjust their approaches to recruitment and improve the federal hiring process by reducing unnecessary burdens. Read more

NASA deploys new quantum-based tool at the International Space Station.

NASA’s science team has deployed a new quantum-based tool at the ISS’s Cold Atom Lab to measure forces such as gravity and magnetic fields that could support advancing technologies for aircraft and shift navigation. Read more

Commerce wants revisions to OSC’s approach to traffic coordination in space.

The OIG within the Department of Commerce has recommended revising the Office of Space Commerce’s processes to speed up the development of the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). Read more

ICYMI:

• NASA holds a competition for cryogenic-based human landing systems.

• NASA has probed 200+ potential instances of devices brought abroad without authorization.

• Dept of State aims for 52 bureau chief data officers in next 5 years.

• GSA unveils 3rd cohort of 70 Digital Corps fellows.

• NIST releases three post-quantum encryption standards & algorithms.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• CADMUS bagged a $200M USAID Digital Forward deal.

• GDIT inked a $13M NIH NIAID CISS contract.

• Sdvo Solutions was awarded a $3.2M OCIO AppSecaaS deal.

• Bodwé Federal Services won a $1.9M DHA-FE Project Support contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• The HUD COO was tapped to be NIST’s AI Operations & Strategy Executive Director.

• CLEAR has a new Aviation and Regulatory Affairs Director.

• Seasoned national laboratory scientist appointed to a dual leadership role at PPPL.

Civilian Job Openings

• The VA needs a Design and Construction AE Director.

• DHS wants an Associate Director.

• USDA still needs an Executive Director for Codex Alimentarius.

M&A CORNER

Everfox acquired Garrison Technology.

Everfox has completed the acquisition of Garrison Technology Ltd. This acquisition melds Garrison’s hardware-enforced security and software features into Everfox’s cross-domain, insider risk solutions and threat protection suite. Read more

Redwire acquires Hera Systems.

Redwire has agreed to acquire spacecraft developer Hera Systems to expand its national security mission capabilities. Hera Systems‘ advanced platform is expected to strengthen Redwire's spacecraft portfolio, stated the company. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Japan will launch a DARPA-inspired defense tech research center. It will be used to make cutting-edge defense technology. SOURCE↗︎

2. The monkeypox outbreak is now a global emergency. It’s rapidly spreading in the DRC, and it just spread outside Africa and into Europe. WHO declared it an international concern. SOURCE↗︎ 

3. xAI launched Grok-2 on X: Word on the street is it has already outperformed models from other big companies. SOURCE↗︎ 

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

Boston, MA — The first post office in British North America was in Boston, MA. To prevent “the miscarriage of letters,” on November 9, 1639, the General Court of Massachusetts designated Richard Fairbanks’ tavern as the official repository for mail brought from or sent overseas. (Source)