Good morning. In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no GovBrew newsletter on Monday, January 19th. We’ll be back in your inbox Wednesday with the latest GovCon updates and insights.
—The GovBrew Crew
QUICK HITS
Federal contracting insights: Navigating policy shifts under the current administration.
Zero trust implementation: NSA releases Primer and discovery phases.
The $250M wargame lesson: Every GovCon CEO needs to apply this to their digital transformation. (Spoiler: Communication trumps technology.)
Pentagon AI push: CDAO calls for stronger industry innovation.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Pentagon realigns innovation to accelerate tech delivery.
The DOD has initiated a comprehensive realignment of its innovation ecosystem, consolidating fragmented efforts to improve the speed and coherence of technology delivery. DIU is now a designated field activity, and new leadership is positioned to strengthen the transition of commercial technologies to the warfighter.
Senate directs DOD to address persistent cyber workforce gaps.
The Senate’s bipartisan legislation directs the DOD to formally assess gaps in its 2023–2027 Cyber Workforce Strategy and develop a comprehensive plan to recruit, train, and retain cyber talent. With an estimated shortage of 25,000 cyber professionals, lawmakers seek improved data, clearer workforce metrics, and stronger partnerships to support national security missions.
Navy opts for conventional power on new battleship.
The Navy’s flagship “Golden Fleet” battleship won’t go nuclear after all—the reactors would slow construction far beyond operational needs. Instead, the 35,000‑plus‑ton behemoth will run on gas turbines and diesel while packing lasers, railguns, and hypersonics.
ICYMI:
DIU Challenge: $100M for voice‑controlled AI drone swarm orchestrator.
Lockheed test‑fires next‑gen stinger replacement.
Valkyrie Enterprises joins elite few with CMMC Level 2 certification.
U.S. military completes its first-ever kinetic drone swarm mission.
Defense Contract Awards
GDIT bagged a $120M USAF Zero Trust Delivery deal.
Slingshot Aerospace got a $27M USSF Warfare Scenario TA Modernization deal.
ManTech was awarded a prime position on MDA’s SHIELD IDIQ.
L3Harris won a USN, USMC EOD Disposal Robot award.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Everfox appointed a new Chairman, CEO.
DOD’s former CIO takes on a new role as IonQ’s new CIO.
Lockheed Martin selected a NASA alum as its new Global BD, Strategy SVP.
Defense Job Openings
NAVSEA is hiring a Manager.
USN is seeking a Program Manager.
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INTEL COMMUNITY
Congress reviews U.S. cyber posture as foreign threats escalate.
Congress is examining how the U.S. can sharpen its cyber toolkit as foreign actors probe critical infrastructure. Emily Harding noted that U.S. Cyber Command’s offensive capabilities can disrupt adversaries, but only when authorized and woven into broader national security planning.
ICYMI:
FBI RFI: Identity-based Biometric System.
USSOCOM RFI: Small Arms Training Simulator.
FBI raids Washington Post journalist’s home amid contractor investigation.
OpenAI bagged a USCYBERCOM AI Platform Training prototype OTA deal.
ODNI is looking for a CIO.
TRIVIA 🤔
What event most directly led Congress to create the National Archives and Records Administration in 1934?
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.
CIVILIAN
Senate advances three‑bill funding package toward presidential approval.
The Senate is preparing to approve a three‑bill appropriations package funding the DOE, DOC, DOI, and DOJ, along with NASA, EPA, and key federal programs. With House passage already secured, the measure now moves to the president for final approval as Congress works to prevent a Jan. 30 funding lapse.
Coast Guard aims to spend $25B by 2027.
The Coast Guard plans to obligate its full $25 billion in reconciliation funding by January 1, 2027, outlining major investments in icebreakers and future cutter requirements. With $7.7 billion already committed, the service emphasizes timely execution to meet urgent operational needs.
GAO reports annual federal fraud losses up to $521B.
A recent GAO report finds the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud, with improper payments reaching $162 billion across 68 programs in FY 2024. The majority of losses stem from major programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. GAO notes that while AI may assist in mitigation, robust data quality and human oversight remain essential.
ICYMI:
DOC RFI: Data Verification & Validation Link Analysis Software Platform - AI Solutions for Network Performance Analytics and Data Validation.
DHS RFI: Scientific and Technical Support Services.
DOE opens applications for Industrial Tech Validation program.
Emergency return: SpaceX crew splashes down off California.
HHS brings back entire NIOSH workforce.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Civilian Job Openings
DOT needs a Chief Counsel.
IRS needs a Deputy Associate Chief Counsel.
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M&A CORNER
Parsons expands intel portfolio: $375M Altamira acquisition announced.
Parsons is adding serious weight to its defense and intelligence lineup with a $375M acquisition of Altamira, bringing in 600+ cleared specialists and new strengths in SIGINT, cyber, missile warning, and space operations.
Cherry Bekaert expands with acquisition of Tarsus.
Cherry Bekaert is adding horsepower to its outsourced accounting and CFO advisory work by acquiring Tarsus, a DC-based firm with deep govcon and tech-sector expertise. With offices from DC to Bangalore, Tarsus strengthens the firm's reporting, bookkeeping and strategic finance capabilities.
GOVBREW INSIDER
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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️
C) Massive record losses from fires, floods, and poor storage — By the early 20th century, millions of federal records had been destroyed or scattered across unsafe facilities, prompting Congress to establish a centralized national archives during the New Deal. (Source)
