December 11, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Maximizing AI’s impact for GovCons: Download the white paper to explore what AI can do to make your business more efficient.

• The Space Force Generative AI Challenge: It promotes collaboration and learning for guardians.

• HHS RMADA 3 RFI: Research, Measurement, Assessment, Design, and Analysis (RMADA) IDIQ 3 was released. Responses are due Dec 31.

• M&A impact on GovCon: GAO rules that USAF contractor can meet CMMI certification requirements via a merger.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

In a first, ballistic missile intercept was successfully conducted from Guam.

The MDA and DOD partners successfully conducted a live intercept of a ballistic missile target. During the flight experiment, the Aegis Guam System, integrated with the new AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System, fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, which intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Read more

Space Force grapples with satellite supply chain issues.

The U.S. Space Force is confronting supply chain delays impacting critical satellite programs. These challenges highlight vulnerabilities in maintaining a rapid deployment cadence for space technologies, from sourcing specialized components to coordinating with industry partners. Read more

Aimed at protecting troops’ devices, an examination of spyware appears in the NDAA.

The compromise NDAA would require the establishment of cybersecurity standards, a review of past spyware compromises, and regular reporting to Capitol Hill on incidents involving spyware, including assessments of security impacts and identification of responsible foreign entities. The provision would impact devices used by diplomats, armed forces personnel, and staffers in USAID. Read more

ICYMI:

• CENTCOM RFP: IDIQ Professional Services CHIPS.

• USAF RFP: Modeling & Simulation Support Services.

• Startups and DOGE stole the show at Reagan Defense Forum.

• NDAA will give DOD's procurement for cyber products more flexibility.

• A look at how Lockheed Martin is driving innovation in military tech.

Defense Contract Awards

• Northrop Grumman won an $801M Army Combat Training Services deal.

• Amentum inked a $105M Navy EW & ISR Systems Advancement contract.

• Hive was selected to make a prototype Deepfake Detection, Attribution Tech.

• ASIRTek Federal won a $34M USAF contract for Delta 6 cybersecurity ops.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Alteryx welcomed a new CEO.

• Deloitte Consulting has appointed a new CEO, Chair.

Defense Job Openings

• AFC is seeking a Chief Mission Support Officer.

• DCAA is hiring a Chief of Staff.

END OF YEAR RECAP

SEWP V: Ducking Huge Deals!

The top 3 largest SEWP V contracts of 2024 are here, and these awards are anything but quacky. These contracts prove you can shoot for the stars—and land some seriously out-of-this-world IT wins. Waddle on in and see who made a splash this year! See the list here.

INTEL COMMUNITY

New OSINT standards set by the Intelligence Community.

The IC has adopted new standards for OSINT to enhance collaboration and modernization. The updated guidelines aim to standardize OSINT practices and improve interoperability across agencies and private sector partners. The guidance allows the IC to leverage a wider range of information in its analysis and make it useable across the IC, other government agencies, foreign allies, and industry partners. Read more

ICYMI:

• Get to know the CIA: Here’s an overview of their Mission Centers.

• USSOCOM expands deal with Palantir to provide Advanced AI and Mission Management capabilities.

• NGA is looking for an Aeronautical Navigation Senior GEOINT Authority.

• ODNI is hiring a Deputy Chief Functions and Collections.

CHART

Steps to conduct conflict of interest reviews. From a GAO report entitled “Financial Disclosure: Updates are Needed to the Public Reporting Requirements.” GAO-25-107039. Report to Congressional Committees, December 10, 2024.

GET SEEN

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CIVILIAN

House passes SHARE IT Act aimed at custom code in gov’t.

A bill requiring federal agencies to share their custom code across the government is one step closer to becoming law. Last week, the House passed the Source Code Harmonization and Reuse in Information Technology Act, or SHARE IT Act. The proposal “mandates that agencies publicly list and share their custom code — allowing solutions to be reused across the government. Read more

Inside the SEC’s AI approach: Spotting risks, building on machine-learning past.

When Dave Bottom needs directions, 99.9% of the time, he’ll rely on whatever the navigation system he’s using tells him. But the SEC’s chief AI and CIO, Dave Bottom, didn’t have that level of confidence in the technology when it was fledgling—especially given his experience leading the NGA’s IT services directorate, where he had a front-row seat to work on state-of-the-art mapping tech. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: GSA FAS Digital Accessibility Market Research.

• NASA delays next Artemis Mission to 2026.

• Senate bill seeks binding cyber rules for telecom firms.

• VA’s health system stays on high-risk list due to oversight shortfalls.

• NASA’s Space Tech Payload Challenge: Submit ideas to improve NASA.

• US manufacturing contracts were notably slow last month.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Commerce finalizes $6.1B CHIPS award for Micron Technology.

• Nova Space Solutions won a $823M NASA Operations and Maintenance Support contract.

• NASA, on behalf of NOAA, has selected Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio to make Next-Generation Space Weather Magnetometer.

• Peraton booked a $52M USPTO SIMS contract.

• StartBlue AP secured a $14M NOAA Accelerator Program deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Aretum has a new CGO.

• SMX welcomed a new Federal Civilian VP.

Civilian Job Openings

• NASA wants a Center Operations Director.

• IHS needs a Deputy General Engineer.

M&A CORNER

Cathexis and Paradyme unite for federal market dominance.

Cathexis has acquired Paradyme, recognized for its expertise in AI/ML, DevSecOps, Agile Software Development, Human-Centered Design, and ERP solutions. This strategic move combines consulting expertise with advanced technologies, aiming to deliver greater value and efficiency to federal agencies. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Need a diamond in 15 minutes? It’s now possible to make a real one at normal room temperature. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. For the first time in history, we have a running water engine. Will we bid farewell to EVs soon? SOURCE↗︎

3. Rocket Lab’s secretive launch was a hypersonic test for US military. The test landed under the MACH-TB project. I guess it’s not so secret now! SOURCE↗︎

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