QUICK HITS
Preparing data for AI: A guide for federal agencies.
GAO throws shade on fake citations: Another protestor got caught citing bogus cases.
SBA proposes upping some $$ thresholds: Mid-size IT firms might now qualify as “small,” giving agencies a bigger pool of companies to choose from.
AI in action: Accelerating defense acquisition for modern warfare.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Coast Guard wings MQ-9 drone pilot, expands unmanned careers.
The U.S. Navy’s top flight commander expressed optimism about Congress restoring funding for the F/A-XX 6th-gen fighter program, noting that the down-select decision will be “very exciting” because achieving air superiority is essential for global sea control. The program is poised to proceed, with Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining contenders after Lockheed Martin’s departure from the competition.
Army is using incremental “sprints” to scale NextGen C2 to division level.
The Army is expanding its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype to the division level through a series of iterative “Ivy Sting” sprint exercises. These events will culminate in Project Convergence Capstone 6 in 2026, where the service will evaluate how the system supports large-scale, multi-domain operations.
Intel lands $8.9B boost: chips, stock, and strategy.
Intel just scored an $8.9B investment from the U.S. government—yes, in common stock—to supercharge domestic chipmaking and secure its role in national defense. The deal folds in CHIPS Act grants, a 9.9% equity stake, and a five-year warrant.
Related: W.H. mulls taking stakes in defense firms, including Lockheed Martin.
More about CHIPS: Commerce reclaims $7.4B from Natcast over legal dispute.
ICYMI:
Army RFI: SDN Enabled Transport Diversity.
Navy and RTX conduct successful live test of SPY-6(V)4 radar.
USSF launches L3Harris’ NTS-3 satellite.
Defense Contract Awards
Air Force CyberWorx partners with WWT: $100M IT overhaul begins.
UD Research Institute got a $44 USAF Hybrid AI and Autonomy R&D deal.
Total Computer Solutions won a $15M Army Programmatic Support contract.
Hexagon won an $87M Navy contract for Ship Situational Awareness.
Follow the Defense Leaders
DOD’s CTO takes the helm at DIU.
We now have a 34th Chief of Naval Operations.
Amentum has chosen an SVP, Program Director SFRC.
Defense Job Openings
NAVSEA needs a Manager.
JMC wants a Financial Manager.
CHART
Changes in state-level formal volunteering rates from 2019-2023. Americorps, Renewed Engagement in American Civic Life. December 2024. (Source)
INTEL COMMUNITY
SPACECOM urges global partnerships to counter space threats.
With China and Russia stirring up trouble in orbit, SPACECOM’s Gen. Whiting is calling for stronger international alliances and a $42M investment in space domain awareness. From jamming signals to nuclear-capable satellites, the threats are real—and the U.S. is betting on teamwork to stay ahead.
DHS has met nearly all Geospatial Data Act responsibilities.
DHS has checked off 10 of 13 responsibilities under the Geospatial Data Act, according to the latest OIG audit. From privacy protections to smarter data sharing, the agency’s geospatial game is strong—though a couple of recordkeeping and standards boxes still need ticking.
ICYMI:
NATO’s new space strategy calls for adaptable contracting, funding models.
How GEO is evolving to secure its place in the multi-orbit puzzle.
SpaceX offers a rare peek inside a Starlink satellite factory.
OneZero/Alpha Omega JV win $160M USCG IA Risk Mgmt Framework gig.
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CIVILIAN
CMS launches a “chili cook-off competition” to source AI that can detect fraud.
CMS wants AI to catch Medicare fraud, which is serious work — but they’re calling the competition the “Crushing Fraud Chili Cook-Off.” Nothing says “thrilling tech challenge” like pretending fraud detection is a county fair.
FedRAMP fast-tracks AI tools for federal approval.
The CIO Council wants FedRAMP to speed up security reviews for AI cloud services—especially those used by at least five CFO Act agencies. With Gemini already authorized and ChatGPT and Claude in the wings, the feds are racing to deploy trusted AI tools before the paperwork catches up.
DOE launches consortium to strengthen nuclear fuel supply chain.
The DOE is forming a Defense Production Act Consortium to tackle America’s uranium dependency and patch gaps in the nuclear fuel cycle. First meeting’s set for Oct. 14—because nothing says “energy security” like a voluntary agreement and a calendar invite.
ICYMI:
DHS RFI: Intervention Software Development.
NASA RFI: Artemis II Orion One-Way Doppler Measurements Tracking.
Starship delayed again: Weather woes stall launch.
We need to modernize SBIR and STTR to fuel America’s innovators.
Lawmaker is calling for an independent review of cybersecurity in US courts.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Constellis named its Sales and Business Development VP.
Acuity has a new National Security Managing Director.
Civilian Job Openings
CBP is seeking a Program Manager.
VHA is hiring a Facility Program Manager.
M&A CORNER
Thoma Bravo bets $2B on Verint.
Thoma Bravo is shelling out $2B to acquire Verint and merge it with Calabrio, aiming to build the broadest AI-driven customer experience platform in the biz. The deal includes an 18% share premium and a reverse-triangular merger.
Pasteur Labs acquires FOSAI to boost defense AI simulation.
Pasteur Labs just snapped up FOSAI to supercharge its AI-driven physics simulation platform for space and defense. With ties to DARPA and Space Force, FOSAI brings plug-and-play integration chops to Pasteur’s Simulation Intelligence tech.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
FedGov to seek death penalty in D.C. homicides. D.C. outlawed the death penalty for local crime, but it remains permissible under federal law. SOURCE↗︎
Florida will deploy armed drones to prevent mass shootings. They will carry cameras, of course, and nonlethal projectiles. SOURCE↗︎
More artificial islands in the South China Sea? Vietnam has expanded its island-building activities in disputed maritime areas. SOURCE↗︎
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