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QUICK HITS
[Watch] Legal risks in contracting: Guidance for cleared employers and candidates that ranges from Mrijuana, CBD, finances, and conduct.
Defense acquisition reforms: Legal considerations for industry.
DEA’s tech surge: AI is driving enforcement innovation.
Tax inflation adjustments for FY26: IRS released its annual adjustments.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
DOD enforces CMMC 2.0 compliance across all contracts.
The DOD has mandated CMMC 2.0 cybersecurity compliance for all contracts, marking a significant shift from prior delays. However, many defense contractors remain unprepared, facing challenges due to lingering confusion and implementation gaps.
DOD diverts SDA Tranche 3 funds amid acquisition shake-up.
The Pentagon is reallocating funds originally intended for the SDA’s Tranche 3 programs, signaling a shift in priorities and raising questions about SDA’s independence. The move could impact satellite procurement and industry contracts tied to the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
DOD’s commercial-first push opens doors for new players.
The Pentagon’s acquisition chief emphasized that a “commercial-first” contracting strategy aims to increase competition and attract non-traditional vendors. In short, the Department is opening the door wider for innovative startups—though entry will still require meeting rigorous standards.
ICYMI:
NAVSEA RFI: SSDS Sustainment/Production Hardware.
USAF RFI: C-SUAS Sustainment, Engineering, & Integration Services (SEIS).
Why contractors must track acquisition reform.
Northrop Grumman integrates spacecraft for next-gen robotic servicing.
Just one prototype won’t cut it anymore, says MARFORPAC commander.
Defense Contract Awards
CACI was awarded a $136M USAF IBS-NS system support deal.
Red River Resources bagged a $104M NAVWAR 8.0 CEBO and Data Analytics support contract.
Thundercat won a $12M DLA interos. ai software deal.
Navy awards GD $1.7B contract for two more fleet oilers.
XTEND booked a DOD AI one-way attack drones contract.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Orbit Fab named its CEO.
DOD appointed a Deputy CFO.
Defense Job Openings
ANGU needs a Program Manager.
USACE wants a Program Manager.
CHART
Fortune Business Insights. User Experience (UX) Research Software Market. October 2025. (Source)
INTEL COMMUNITY
Here’s how the USSF is planning to jam Chinese satellites.
The USSF is developing advanced electronic warfare systems capable of jamming or disabling Chinese satellites in the event of a conflict, aiming to protect American space assets without creating orbital debris. This strategy reflects a shift toward non-kinetic, reversible counterspace operations that can disrupt adversary systems while minimizing escalation risks in space.
ICYMI:
WHS Sources Sought: RDT&E and Technical Support.
The Defending International Security by Restricting Unlawful Partnerships and Tactics (DISRUPT) Act aims to hurt cooperation among adversaries.
UK suspends intelligence sharing with the US over boat strike concerns.
NGA announced its new Director.
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CIVILIAN
Senate spending bill sets VA staffing targets during reorganization.
The Senate approved a $133 billion spending package for the VA, including a 3% funding increase and directives to maintain adequate staffing during its ongoing reorganization. The measure emphasizes timely care and benefits processing, aiming to prevent workforce reductions that could impact veterans’ services.
Interior finalizes 2025 critical minerals list.
The DOI released its 2025 Critical Minerals List, naming 60 minerals vital to U.S. economic and national security. Ten new additions—like copper, silver, and uranium—reflect updated supply chain risk assessments. The list aims to reduce foreign dependence and boost domestic production.
Shutdown bill revives cyber info-sharing law—for now.
Congress tucked an extension of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 into the bill to end the government shutdown. The law, a cornerstone for industry-government threat data sharing, had expired during the impasse—raising alarms about liability gaps and national security risks.
ICYMI:
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Longtime Agriculture tech exec departs government, joins ACT-IAC.
DLH has a new Health IT Strategy & Operations VP.
InDev welcomed its new DHS Project Manager.
Civilian Job Openings
DOI is seeking a Flight System Manager.
US Courts is hiring a Procurement Supervisor.
M&A CORNER
Arcline to acquire Novaria Group in $2.2 billion deal.
Arcline Investment Management will acquire aerospace components manufacturer Novaria Group from KKR for $2.2 billion. The transaction includes cash payouts for over 1,600 employees and reflects Novaria’s significant growth—tripling in size and serving 3,000+ customers globally under KKR’s ownership.
Intuitive Machines joins the military contractor club with the purchase of Lanteris Space Systems.
Intuitive Machines, best known for its NASA-funded lunar landers, is expanding into defense work through a new subsidiary called Intuitive Machines Federal Services, which will pursue contracts with the U.S. Space Force, Air Force, and other national security agencies. The move marks a major diversification for the space company as it leverages its lunar and autonomous flight expertise to enter the military space market.
BigBear.ai strikes $250M deal for Ask Sage.
BigBear.ai has agreed to acquire Ask Sage, a generative AI platform designed for secure deployment of AI models and agentic systems across defense, national security and other highly regulated sectors, for approximately $250 million.
ICYMI:
Rheinmetall and ICEYE officially launched their Space Solutions JV.
Raytheon, Avio agree to develop new SRM facility in the US.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Is the robot chef revolution finally here? For just €6, this AI kitchen will cook, clean, and serve 120 meals per hour. SOURCE↗︎
Commerce suspends affiliates rule expansion until 2026. China agrees to pause rare earth export controls as U.S. suspends affiliates rule for a year. SOURCE↗︎
What does the quantum satellite breakthrough mean? Scientists just dif the impossible uplink…and it’s a game changer. SOURCE↗︎
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