QUICK HITS
OMB proposes new grant rules: The changes are focused on oversight, accountability, and award eligibility.
From a CO’s perspective: These are common compliance mistakes that can kill an otherwise legitimately winning proposal.
DIU and Navy launch prize: $10M mine countermeasure modernization prize challenge.
NIST AI consortium re-emerges: New name, new scope, call for members.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Software patches from Army hackathon are going straight to troops in CENTCOM.
The Army is using large-scale “hackathon” events to identify and rapidly fix software vulnerabilities across operational systems, bringing together soldiers, developers, cybersecurity experts, and vendors to accelerate patching and improve resilience. Army leaders say the approach shortens remediation timelines from months to days.
DOD proposes $2B investment to streamline CJADC2 systems.
The Pentagon’s FY27 budget request includes more than $2B to consolidate CJADC2 capabilities into a unified architecture. Over $1.5B is directed toward expanding the Maven Smart System, signaling a strategic shift toward integration, scalability, and fewer standalone solutions across the enterprise.
Pentagon plans $50B investment to scale drone warfare.
The Pentagon is preparing to invest up to $50B in drone capabilities, prioritizing scalable systems, rapid adoption, and broader industry participation. Rather than betting on a single solution, officials aim to integrate diverse platforms.
ICYMI:
USAF RFI: Kessel Run Marauder.
HII, Saronic included in first MUSV Navy prototype tests.
Navy plans to use Ford-class aircraft carrier to power Naval Station Norfolk.
Army pushes first “Jailbroken” defense systems to CENTCOM.
Defense Contract Awards
Spatial Front bagged a $346M Army Integrated Personnel and Pay System Maintenance and Modernization contract.
ECS Federal won a $19M DISA WCF-EBI Engineering and Program Management Support deal.
GCS secured an $18M USN SURFLANT Headquarters IT Support deal.
Deloitte won a $3M USN NKSK, GATC Support Services contract.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Parry Labs named its new executives.
Fortem enlists former military leaders to guide new advisory board.
Defense Job Openings
FUNNY
INTEL COMMUNITY
SOUTHCOM commander meets with Cuban military officials.
The commander of SOUTHCOM held a rare meeting with senior Cuban military officials to discuss perimeter security, force protection, and operational readiness, marking the highest-level military engagement between the two countries in recent years. The talks come as the W.H. increases diplomatic and economic pressure on the island while both sides agree to maintain military-to-military communications.
ICYMI:
DHS RFI: Cyber Technology Services.
CYBERCOM leans on quality over quantity in China cyber competition.
PSI bagged an FBI BG Investigation and Analytical Support contract.
USSF awards SpaceX $4.2B for satellites to track airborne targets.
Top White House cyber policy official set to leave her position.
ODNI is looking for a Deputy Director.
GET SEEN
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CIVILIAN
IRS cleared potentially ineligible providers for e-file program.
A TIGTA report found that the IRS allowed hundreds of ineligible tax return preparers and software providers to participate in its e-file program due to weaknesses in screening and oversight processes. Auditors warned that the gaps increase the risk of fraud and improper access to taxpayer data, prompting recommendations for stronger controls and eligibility reviews.
GSA is preparing an AI-specific acquisition reform rule.
GSA is developing an AI-specific acquisition rule that would establish standardized requirements for how federal agencies procure and deploy AI technologies, addressing issues such as risk management, transparency, and performance evaluation. The effort is intended to streamline AI acquisitions while providing agencies and vendors with clearer guidance.
ICYMI:
NASA RFI: Ring Moon System Discipline Node.
DOE RFI: AI Infrastructure on DOE Lands.
U.S. halts Nvidia AI chip shipments to Chinese firms outside China.
DOT announces finalists: top four in $1 million ARPA‑I Ideas Challenge.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
BMNT has a new President.
Leidos appoints former TISTA S&T VP as its new VP of Veterans Affairs.
Civilian Job Openings
M&A CORNER
Computacenter acquires federal IT services provider GAI.
Computacenter, a U.K.-based public technology company, has acquired Government Acquisitions Inc. as part of a push to expand its U.S. presence and support U.S. federal agencies. He added that GAI will provide access to a new growth market in the U.S. while supporting Computacenter’s expanding capabilities and infrastructure.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Did we finally get a plan to combat Lyme disease? HHS just announced a plan to strengthen the response to Lyme, including a pilot program focused on tick control. SOURCE↗︎
Potential risk to US troops: How everyday phone location data enables tracking by apps and advertisers. SOURCE↗︎
Anthropic—the most valuable startup. It topped OpenAI, nearing a $1 trillion valuation in latest round. SOURCE↗︎
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