QUICK HITS
FY26 NDAA: Higher thresholds for CAS and TINA rules.
8(a) program: Five tips to survive your year‑end 8(a) audit.
GAO guidance: When to file an OCI protest.
OASIS+ Ph2 Update: Draft Domain Qual Matrix and Scorecard posted.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
THAAD shortfall: U.S. faces interceptor gap until 2027
Missile defense experts warn that the U.S. faces a serious interceptor gap, with no new THAAD deliveries expected until 2027. After expending roughly a quarter of its stockpile defending Israel in 2025, the Pentagon is left juggling deterrence with a thin arsenal.
Related: Anduril, Boeing partner for a new interceptor for U.S. Army.
DOD sets 2027 deadline: ban on Chinese parts.
The Pentagon is telling contractors to start planning now for a 2027 deadline that will ban Chinese-made parts from defense systems. Officials warn that waiting could mean costly redesigns and supply chain headaches—because nothing says “holiday cheer” like a looming compliance cliff.
Senate NDAA 2026: $901B bill, major acquisition reforms.
The Senate passed the FY26 NDAA, authorizing $901B in defense spending with the most sweeping acquisition reforms in six decades. Highlights include a 3.8% troop pay raise, $26B for shipbuilding, and new programs for drones and uncrewed maritime systems.
ICYMI:
Army wants intellectual property for next-gen mapping contracts.
DISA contracts: $600M enterprise storage recompete ahead.
Industry calls for standardized rules for software attestation processes.
E.O. affirms 2028 moon landing goal, development of lunar nuclear reactors.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
DOD AI leader departs to join the Golden Dome project.
Pentagon CIO confirmed, plans to rework DOD’s IT enterprise.
ASD for SO/LIC confirmed.
Navy names an acquisition chief for robotics and autonomous systems.
Air Force acquisition: leadership shakeup, fewer stars, big programs.
Defense Job Openings
ANGU is seeking an Inspections Director.
USMC is hiring a Director.
END OF YEAR RECAP
Top 10 Largest Dollar Value Contract Winners of 2025
Here’s where the Big Money went in 2025. These are the contracts that made headlines, rattled competitors, and locked in multi-year momentum. The 10 largest awards of 2025 weren’t just big, they were strategic. Here’s who walked away with the heavyweight titles this year. Explore the full list here.
INTEL COMMUNITY
NATO approves nearly $3B military budget for 2026.
NATO allies approved nearly $3B in common-funded budgets for 2026, including a $2.42B military budget and $623M civil budget. The funds aim to boost readiness, interoperability, and crisis management.
ICYMI:
DIA RFI: Enterprise Logistics Services.
NGA RFI: Common Operations Release Environment (CORE) Modernization.
SSA Atlantic won a $11M TRANSCOM Stevedoring, Terminal Services contract.
Government cybersecurity: Three biggest threats looming in 2026.
TRIVIA 🤔
Which FBI system became the nation’s first computerized, nationwide criminal justice information database?
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.
GOVBREW INSIDER
Check out this week’s 120+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.
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CIVILIAN
GAO report: FY25 bid protests down six percent.
GAO reports bid protests dropped 6% in FY25, with 1,688 cases filed—continuing a downward trend after last year’s 11% dip. Still, agencies took corrective action in over half the cases, proving contractors don’t always need a gavel to get results.
Coast Guard: Congress probes drone and autonomy regulations.
Congress pressed the Coast Guard on how it plans to regulate drones and autonomous vessels, with lawmakers worried about safety, oversight, and industry readiness. Officials admitted the tech is racing ahead of policy, leaving contractors to navigate choppy waters where innovation meets regulation.
FAA modernization: progress made, staffing still a challenge.
The FAA says its air traffic control modernization is making progress, but staffing shortages remain a turbulence factor. With 1,800 controllers hired this year and plans for more, officials insist modernization won’t stall—though industry knows that without people, even the best tech can’t clear the runway.
ICYMI:
NASA RFI: Unified Network and Navigation Operations.
NASA RFI: Aerospace Testing, Facilities Ops and Maintenance (ATOM-6)
24 AI research partners join Genesis Mission at DOE.
NASA and Microsoft complete tool to monitor global water shifts.
GAO sustains protest because the agency relied on “secret evidence” to justify its award.
DOT announces $1.5B in BUILD grants for FY26 projects.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
FBI’s Deputy Director has submitted his resignation.
NASA confirms a new Administrator.
Civilian Job Openings
VA needs a CFM Executive Director.
IRS wants an Accounts Management Field Director.
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M&A CORNER
Hawkeye 360’s acquisition of ISA expands signal processing capabilities.
Hawkeye 360 is acquiring Intelligent Software Analysis (ISA) to expand one of the industry’s most advanced signal processing platforms. The deal strengthens its geospatial intelligence capabilities, giving contractors a clearer picture of global RF activity—because sometimes the best way to cut through the noise is to own the signal.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
E.O. declassifies marijuana: Changing the drug to a Schedule III controlled substance opens doors for medical research. SOURCE↗︎
Securing Chinese elites’ lineages: Surrogate births in America shape their future dynasties. SOURCE↗︎
Astronomers capture first direct images of star collisions. The fireworks-like images of Fomalhaut is 25 light years away. SOURCE↗︎
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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️
C) NCIC — The FBI launched the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in 1967 as the first nationwide computerized criminal justice database, originally running on centralized mainframes to share basic law enforcement records. Over time, it evolved into a modern, real-time system supporting millions of secure queries daily across federal, state, and local agencies. (Source)
