December 18, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Building strong ethics and compliance programs: Six steps for contractors to follow.

• Final CMMC 2.0 ruling took effect on December 16: Gain strategic insight on the DOD's New Cybersecurity Model Certification and how it could impact your business.

• Good news for small contractors: Because of strategic alliances and government efforts, 2025 may bring big opportunities for you.

• Get the skinny on the $10B MSD IDIQ: Here’s what to expect.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Commercial technology drives the future of defense spectrum management.

The electromagnetic spectrum is essential for all space-based communications, including links between satellites and connections to troops on the ground. Protecting this spectrum for U.S. and allied use increasingly relies on adopting advancements from the commercial sector. Read more

GAO report evaluates U.S. nuclear weapon acquisition programs.

The U.S. is allocating billions of dollars to modernize its aging nuclear weapons. To assess the progress and effectiveness of these programs, GAO reviewed NNSA's documentation, policies, and program baselines, focusing on costs, schedules, and design using the NNSA’s directives criteria, as well as GAO’s Technology Readiness Assessment Guide. Read more

The CMMC cybersecurity program’s final rule is now mandatory for defense contractors.

As of Monday, the framework mandates that defense contractors handling controlled unclassified information (CUI) or federal contract information (FCI) achieve one of three CMMC compliance levels, based on the information's sensitivity. Read more

ICYMI:

• SpaceX has launched the USSF’s “mysterious” GPS mission.

• B-21 Raider: USAF targets 145 Stealth Bombers goal with CCA drones as NGAD fighter development progresses.

• Lockheed formed a subsidiary—Astris AI. You get an extra present in your stocking if you can guess what this company’s service offering may be.

• BigBear.ai and Proof Labs partner to develop USAF CROO solution.

Defense Contract Awards

• SAIC was awarded a prime position on DOD’s $1.8B PRISM contract.

• KBR won a $446M DOD JMETC Capabilities contract.

• Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization inked a $194M USN Engineering, Technical, and Project Management Services deal.

• Summit Technologies booked a $40M USAF Mission Planning Support deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Booz Allen Hamilton has chosen two new Presidents.

• Leidos’ Digital Modernization Sector has a new SGO VP.

Defense Job Openings

• ANGU needs a Military Support Director.

• Army wants a Director.

END OF YEAR RECAP

DLA JETS 2.0: Taking Off in 2024.

The top 3 DLA JETS 2.0 contracts of 2024 are cleared for takeoff, and these winners are flying high. With deals this big, it’s less about turbulence and more about cruising straight to success. Buckle up and see who landed the top spots on this year’s leaderboard! Read more

INTEL COMMUNITY

ICYMI:

• NROL-149 mission: SpaceX launched the 6th batch of NGSS for the NRO.

• Leidos secured a $107M NGA Geospatial Intelligence Production deal.

• NGA welcomed a new Deputy Director.

• ODNI is looking for a Senior Financial Officer.

CHART

Nuclear Triad Systems and Modernization Programs. From GAO’s report: “National Nuclear Security Administration: Assessments of Nuclear Weapon Acquisitions.” GAO-25-106048. December 2024.

GET SEEN

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CIVILIAN

CISA and ONCD reveal new cyber incident response strategy.

The National Cyber Incident Response Plan gets a long-overdue update, sharpening the focus on faster coordination across federal agencies, private sector partners, and critical infrastructure operators. Read more

Federal agencies avoid a partial shutdown.

Late yesterday, Congressional leaders struck a bipartisan deal to keep the government functioning beyond the looming December 20 deadline. The deal just kicks the funding deadline to March 14 to buy more time. Read more

DHS reveals nearly 160 ways it’s using AI.

DHS released the latest version of its AI use case inventory, reporting 158 active applications—a major jump from the 67 it made public last year. In an explanatory blog post outlining how the agency approaches AI, Eric Hysen, the agency’s CAIO and CIO, said that 29 deployed AI use cases and 10 upcoming AI use cases were deemed to be rights- or safety-impacting. Roughly half of those deployed use cases included technologies related to face recognition and face-capture technologies. Read more

ICYMI:

• VA RFI: Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Draft PWS.

• EPA RFI: OAR Web Development and Maintenance.

• CMS RFI: Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Product Development.

• DOE NOI: Biofuels and bioproducts R&D funding.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• FedSync BFS won a $200M NASA Multi-Center Administrative Support deal.

• Concordant won a $15M FAA PATS PMO Support contract.

• IT Works! secured a $14M FAA TEAM Web-Based Application contract.

• TMCI inked a $9M DHA Data Quality Reconciliation and Helpdesk Support deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• A departing congressman is set to become the next OMB Director.

• Apogee named its new Finance, Accounting VP.

Civilian Job Openings

• USDA is seeking a Director.

• Peace Corps is hiring a Country Director.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Many young people are getting colon cancer. Diagnoses in 27 countries are rising to an unprecedented level. What’s causing it? SOURCE↗︎ 

2. Russia's "Starlink Killer," Kalinka: Is it enough to destroy the battlefield dominance of Elon’s satellite internet constellation? SOURCE↗︎

3. Fourth dimension…unlocked? Can photonic space-time crystals let loose a new power over light? SOURCE↗︎

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