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—The GovBrew Crew
QUICK HITS
Defense sector outlook: Follow-on contracts signal growth ahead.
GovCon career paths: Insights from Bogdan, Sampath, Tattersall.
FAR’s inflation adjustment: key spending thresholds stepped up.
Polaris awards: GSA announces initial SDVOSB, HUBZone selections.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Space Force eyes DARPA’s clearance shortcut for small biz.
The USSF wants to break the “no clearance, no contract” loop by scaling DARPA’s BRIDGES pilot—think TurboFCL, plain-language RFPs, and pre-awarded clearances. With 19 small firms already cleared, COMSO’s betting this model boosts speed, innovation, and access to orbit-ready talent.
Pentagon halts Microsoft program using Chinese cloud coders.
The Pentagon has terminated a longstanding Microsoft initiative that allowed Chinese nationals to contribute to DOD cloud systems. Citing national security concerns, Secretary Hegseth ordered a comprehensive audit and vendor review to reinforce trust and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Army scales next gen C2 with ivy sting sprints.
The Army’s top modernization priority—Next Gen C2—is sprinting toward division-level deployment via Ivy Sting exercises with the 4th Infantry Division. Each sprint adds warfighting functions, culminating in Ivy Mass before Project Convergence 6.
ICYMI:
Army RFI: DRAFT CSO Next Generation Trackless Targets.
USAF RFI: Blue TROUT.
USAF says they’re poised to solve the longstanding “Valley of Death.”
Pentagon plans to streamline innovation targets: critical tech list gets leaner.
Army is ordered to create a new joint interagency counter-drone task force.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
DOD named its Director of Contract Policy.
DIU selected a new Acting Director.
Defense Job Openings
ANGU wants a Surface Maintenance Manager.
NAVSEA needs a Program Manager.
TRIVIA 🤔
The Department of Labor enforces the Service Contract Act (SCA), which requires contractors to pay service employees prevailing wages and benefits. In what year was the SCA enacted?
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
DCSA counters espionage threats to DOD research.
China is accessing sensitive DOD-linked research through cyber ops, academic channels, and insider threats, prompting DCSA to tighten vetting across 10K+ contractors and cleared personnel.
ICYMI:
DLA Market Survey: $3.2B C5ISR G2S Contract’s Open Season.
INSCOM RFI: G6/GISA TROJAN Network Operations Support Services.
NGA deploys AI-driven GEOINT to strengthen U.S. border defense.
Dismantling the IC’s Foreign Malign Influence Center.
NDi inked an FBI Voice Operations, Infrastructure, and Comms contract.
CIVILIAN
Commerce Department partners with Pyth for on-chain economic data.
The DOC is collaborating with Pyth Network to publish key economic indicators, such as GDP, on-chain. The initiative aims to enhance data transparency and accessibility through blockchain-based oracles, marking a notable step in federal engagement with decentralized technologies.
CISA previews post-quantum product categories ahead of rollout.
CISA has released an initial preview of product categories eligible for its forthcoming post-quantum cryptography list, expected by December. Solutions must align with FIPS 203–205 standards and encompass areas such as cloud, containers, and network security. The message to vendors: readiness is not optional.
USDOT IT office sees major reorganization.
The USDOT is shaking up its IT leadership with a new structure under the CIO office, introducing roles like Chief Digital and Information Officer, a Deputy CIO for Shared Services, and a pending Deputy CIO for Digital Factories to oversee cloud, cybersecurity, AI, enterprise architecture, and more. This reorg consolidates the CIOs from the FAA, IG, and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
ICYMI:
DHA RFI: Achieving Unified Data Accessibility and Data-Driven Insights.
FDIC RFI: Construction Software.
DOE expands HALEU access.
NIST updates SP 800-53 regarding security and privacy controls.
Civilian Contracts Awards
9 GovCons won spots on $14B VA Healthcare Transformation contract.
NSF’s three investments support advancing 5G and next-gen wireless.
OneOmega secured a $160M USCG Information Assurance, Risk Management Framework Support deal.
Immix Technology booked a $4.8M USDA OCFO GovTA Software Licenses and Maintenance contract.
Follow Civilian Leaders
CISA has chosen a Chief of Staff.
Telos has a new Controller, CAO.
Civilian Job Openings
SBA is seeking a District Director.
CBP is hiring a Program Manager.
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M&A CORNER
Accenture acquires NeuraFlash to boost AI and Salesforce.
Accenture is picking up NeuraFlash to supercharge its gen AI and Salesforce offerings—bringing 500+ certified experts and 1,000+ implementations into the fold. Expect sharper automation, stronger mid-market reach, and fewer field service fumbles.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Why did Meta just pause its expensive AI hiring spree? Does this indicate an “AI bubble?” Meta says no and insists it’s part of internal restructuring and strategic planning for its superintelligence efforts. SOURCE↗︎
When will SpaceX perform a “Starship Catch?” Expect it around flight 13 to 15, depending on how well V3 flights go. SOURCE↗︎
Turkey has deployed its “Steel Dome” air defense system. The mobile system is built to identify and neutralize incoming aerial threats, functioning similarly to Israel’s Iron Dome. SOURCE↗︎
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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️
D) 1965 — The McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) requires contractors and subcontractors performing services on prime contracts in excess of $2,500 to pay service employees in various classes no less than the wage rates and fringe benefits found prevailing in the locality. (Source)
