August 30, 2024

Good morning. In observance of the Labor Day holiday, there will be no newsletter on Monday, September 4th. We'll be back in your inbox on Wednesday with the latest GovCon updates, news, and insights.

—The GovBrew Crew

QUICK HITS

• Accountability: Cybersecurity compliance in defense contracts.

• GSA solicits comments on draft MAS CTAs: Questions and comments due NLT Sept. 16.

• Navy needs industry help to cut sustainment costs: Navy Secretary shares thoughts on what his department wants from contractors.

• Can an agency require the protégé in a M-P to have relevant past performance? SBA weighs in.

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 70+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• In this week's recompete report, our team uncovered 65+ upcoming IT Services opportunities at the United States Air Force.

• 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.

Become a GovBrew Insider member to receive new reports weekly. Join here

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Army shifts software cert focus to DevSecOps, not systems.

The Army is a few weeks away from unveiling its new continuous ATO approach for software; the new process is informed by two pilot programs and is slated to be ready for release within the next 30 days. Read more

US must work quicker to replace its vulnerable GPS system.

A former Pentagon space policy leader warns that China is sprinting ahead in GPS development, leaving America playing catch-up. The race is on, but will Uncle Sam find his bearings in time? Read more

Space Force creating systems that are 'allied by design.'

”Every capability that we design, we’re trying to design the relationships and the interfaces in our partnerships,” according to Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein. The new allied space strategy will align with the recently released commercial space strategy, which lays out what the service needs from the space industry. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: Space Tech. Adv. Research: Fast-Tracking Innovative Software & Hardware (STAR-FISH) CALL 014: Space Data Networking Exp.

• DISA wants new vendors and contracting mechanisms in JWCC 2.0.

• OUSD R&E event examines AUKUS Pillar II autonomous capabilities.

• USAF has a new tool to track its AI initiatives and spending.

• Lockheed’s MAKO: The hypersonic missile upgrade that will change F-22 and F-35 attacks.

• USTRANSCOM global household goods contract phases in.

Defense Contract Awards

• AeroVironment won a $990M Army Switchblade Killer Drone deal.

• BAE inked a $177.8M Navy Repair, Maintenance, and Mod contract.

• Camgian got a $23M Army AI-powered C-UAS capabilities contract.

• Army chooses Northrop Grumman for improved threat detection system program.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• A colonel was chosen to be USAF’s Deputy CDAO.

• Former command ops officer named Navy's deputy CIO.

Defense Job Openings

• OSD wants a National Defense IOR Director.

• Navy needs a Navy Race 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

Attrition is cleaving into IC's minority talent representation.

The minority talent pipeline is growing for the intelligence community, but representation is falling. ODNI has found that while the IC has made strong gains in minority applicants, attrition has led to workforce diversity declines over the past two years. Read more

ICYMI:

• Presolicitation: NGA is moving ahead with SEQUOIA.

• Listen: The CIA, Hollywood, and History.

• DIA announces its upcoming Small Business Partnership Forum.

• 15-year NSA veteran to keynote GovCon International Summit.

• US must take offensive approach against Chinese hackers, says FBI.

CIVILIAN

VA surging to handle 'historic' enrollment in its programs.

As House lawmakers call on the VA to make it easier for veterans to transition to civilian life, officials at the agency are busy staffing up and finding new ways to reach out to vets to enroll them in benefits programs. Read more

GSA expands Login.gov reach to local government apps.

According to the GSA administrator, expanding the adoption of Login.gov demonstrates the agency’s capability to provide the public with a secure and easy way to access state or federal government services. Read more

GAO says its advice is improving DHS’ disaster response.

The GAO has released a report that says its recommendations to DHS have led to improvements in the National Flood Insurance Program, disaster response and recovery, noncitizen processing at the southwest border, and IT management, among other areas. Read more

ICYMI:

• USDOT/FRA RFI: Research and evaluation support, rolling stock, track, train control/communications, and human factors.

• NASA wants public feedback on draft LEO human activity objectives.

• Beware of AI-induced problems to data authenticity.

• NASA’s problem with its moon launcher? It’s now pricier.

• CHIPS for America to advance metrology R&D with new community of practice.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• KBR Wyle won an $8.4M USGS Eros Data Center TSSC New to 110 Services deal.

• Valiant Solutions booked a $6.4M OCIO OVMP & OCPP contract.

• Immixtechnology got a $4.8M DHS GOVTA License Renewal deal.

• Bixal Solutions inked a $4.3M GSA Systems Program Operations and Maintenance Support contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• RiverNorth welcomed its new Delivery Chief.

• DOS has a new Acquisition Policy Senior Advisor.

Civilian Job Openings

• IHS needs a Deputy Area Director.

• FAA wants a Deputy Director.

M&A CORNER

Cognizant closes Belcan acquisition.

Cognizant has completed its purchase of Belcan in a cash-and-stock deal worth approximately $1.3 billion as part of a push to broaden its engineering research and development capabilities and expand its aerospace and defense market footprint. Read more

SSATI completes DataSync acquisition.

Sensible Solutions and Technologies Inc. aims to grow its footprint within the intelligence community landscape through its recent acquisition of Data Sync Technologies, a provider of knowledge management and data analysis support. Read more

Check Point to acquire Cyberint.

Cyber security platform provider Check Point Software Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cyberint Technologies Ltd., a provider of external risk management solutions, to enhance its security operations center capabilities. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. A bold mission to go farther into space: SpaceX will be testing out its new space technology in the Van Allen radiation belts. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. India and Japan collaborate on submarine tech: Is this the start of a new military partnership chapter between the two nations? SOURCE↗︎

3. Microsoft to hold a closed-door security summit. With Crowd Strike on the attendance list and other friendly gov’t reps, what will they talk about in this top-secret meeting? SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

Polk | Wilson | Nixon | Trump — These four individuals won the general election but lost the vote in their state of residence. (Trump was registered in New York, not Florida.) Source