- GovBrew
- Posts
- February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
2.7B Navy telecoms RFP, NASA Explore Mars RFP, Complete Streets AI, Ex CIA officer gets 40 years, China has more ships, rocket travel, salary history ban
GovBrew
February 05, 2024
QUICK HITS
Everything that's at stake as Congress hashes out defense budget: A guide to differences between proposals for the egregiously late bill.
Salary history ban to extend to federal contractors: You can’t ask about job applicants’ salary histories and you must disclose the salary range of an open position.
The jobs boom is hitting the federal sector: Agencies have hit their 20-year high for non-census years.
BAE Systems acquires UK quadcopter manufacturer: Malloy Aeronautics will integrate into BAE’s FalconWorks, their R&D arm that specialises in the air domain.
PRESENTED BY JSCHAUS & ASSOCIATES
Mix & Mingle - FEB 12 - GovCon Networking Event
Join JSchaus & Associates at The John F Kennedy Center for a fun evening of networking in Washington, DC's hottest location. Over 300 federal contractors are expected, along with confirmed Federal Government Agencies, DoD: NAVAIR, NAVSEA/NSWC, The VA, HHS, and more. Tickets will sell out. Order now, and don't miss out.
Pertinent Details: Monday, February 12, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Must have a ticket in advance! » Register Now and come shake some hands.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
USAF presses forward to demonstrate point-to-point rocket travel in… a few years, perhaps?
Despite lingering questions related to its feasibility, USAF's rocket cargo initiative is marching forward. The Air Force is hopeful that it can demonstrate its point-to-point rocket travel in the next few years, with optimism stemming from its heretofore fruitful partnership with SpaceX. Read more
US continues strikes on Iran-backed groups through the weekend.
The US military hit more than 85 targets across Iraq and Syria on Friday (Read more), and then the US and the UK launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday. (Read more) The US intends further strikes, too, although it’s unclear when those strikes are likely to occur. (Read more)
China’s winning the shipbuilding numbers game, and it’s becoming a problem for our Pacific Fleet.
China’s military shipbuilding is outpacing the U.S., and the WH’s pick to lead Indo-Pacific Command is concerned, saying that, “we are not overmatched, but I don't like the pace of the trajectory.” China has 79 more ships than the US, including 30 it added in the past year. Read more
ICYMI:
RFP: Navy seeks proposals for $2.7B wireless, telecomms recompete.
USN's upcoming Constellation-class frigate has design risks to primary mission areas.
SECDEF: Americans should know if leaders' health challenges may affect duties.
China’s military modernization is a top focus of US defense planning, budgeting.
Defense Contract Awards
DOD awards $193M in contracts to 7 vendors for critical chemical production through the DPAI Program.
Lockheed Martin awarded $150M contract mod for MH-60R engineering support.
Serco secures $90M USAF NexGen IT development contract.
Raytheon snags $68M mod for joint standoff weapon air-to-ground missiles to Taiwan.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Former Northrop executive takes on CTO, chief revenue officer roles at Defcon AI.
Former Ball Aerospace exec appointed as product VP at SpiderOak.
Leidos chief engineer named VP, CTO for engineering for national security.
Defense Job Openings
SECNAV seeks a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Mgmt Systems
The ACOE is looking for a new Chief of Staff.
The Bureau of Naval Personnel is looking for a Chair, War Gaming.
FUNNY
INTEL COMMUNITY
Ex-CIA officer gets 40 years for largest breach in his agency’s history.
Former CIA cyber intelligence officer Joshua Adam Schulte was sentenced to 40 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material and his role in the Vault 7 leaks in which he transmitted classified CIA data to WikiLeaks. Read more
"A certain ruthlessness" in realizing a vision: The IC must work with defense leaders to confidently enter the age of AI.
Responding to the rush of world events as well as directives within the 2024 NDAA, the DOD is deciding where, how, and when to use AI. As it does, now may be the time for senior leaders to look to the IC to identify some reliable commercial AI tools to achieve "a certain ruthlessness" that UK and US think tanks urge defense leaders to assume if they're to meet the demands of an age of AI. Read more
ICYMI:
RFI: NGA posted an update for its RFI for risk management training.
Deputy SECDEF makes no-brainer statement that DIA intel is, in fact, mission-valuable.
IARPA launches quantum computing program to overcome the field's next big challenge.
The FBI is looking for a skilled Enterprise Architect.
CIVILIAN
Proposal to expand CBO gov't data access gets legs in the House.
A Senate proposal that would ensure the CBO can readily access executive branch data now has a House counterpart. The CBO leverages this data to inform its budgetary and economic analyses, which may soon be exempt from restrictions in the Privacy Act of 1974, the law governing how agencies can use, store, and disclose records containing PII. Read more
After agencies bomb their Section 508 assessments, GSA looks to 'improve and evolve' requirements.
GSA expects to ‘improve and evolve’ on Section 508 assessments after the agency's inaugural assessment showed widespread non-compliance with digital accessibility requirements among the majority of federal agencies. Read more
ICYMI:
RFP: Explore Mars Together with NASA by providing commercial service studies.
FCC wants to add AI-voiced robocalls to its list of illegal telemarketing tech.
ICE no longer using commercial telemetry data, but regulations are scarce.
Complete Streets AI: DOT is allocating $15M in funding to improve your streets.
Treasury sanctions Iranian actors responsible for malicious cyber activities on critical infrastructure.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Carahsoft Technology secures Red Hat subscription renewal task with SSA.
Gartner awarded $14M for GSA GAS research memberships & consulting services work.
Follow Civilian Leaders
Interior Department names OMB's first-ever chief digital experience office.
20-year program manager appointed IRS chief, innovative solutions.
Excella taps its new market VP, strategic growth.
Ardent announces appointment of its first-ever chief ventures officer.
Civilian Job Openings
The Forest Service seeks a new Director, Fire and Aviation Management.
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center seeks a new Director of HR.
FEMA seeks a Deputy Chief Security Officer.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
If you have the Secret Squirrel Sauce (and you're also a billionaire), how hard will the government try to make you contribute to national security?
Among all the billionaires constantly in the limelight of most major media outlets, Elon Musk seems to do the best job of demonstrating why you should shy away from comparing when it comes to clearances; his is a track record of benefitting from the government's often-holistic look at clearances when weighing the benefits and risks to our national security. Read more
What's the quickest way for government to get started with generative AI?
Create fancy computer watches like Inspector Gadget, of course. There are countless scenarios that aren't far from becoming reality - thanks, perhaps ironically, to generative AI's inherent power - that produce invaluable insights for public sector organizations. So, while it may take time no matter what for the government to embrace generative AI, what's the quickest way they can do it that'll still be transparent and trustworthy? Read more
Why is the Apple Vision Pro going to be a game-changer?
The Apple Vision Pro was released to those lucky enough to pre-order, and the reviews are a bit mixed, although most refer to it as “spectacular” and “a game changer.” But according to one article from the summer—old, yes, but definitely still relevant—the “pro” part of the name is a signal that Apple is attacking one of the most lucrative markets for high-end VR headsets: the military. Read more
GROW WITH GOVBREW
Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help you:
#1: Are you serious about finding the next opportunity? Become a GovBrew Insider member to keep your pipeline full. Weekly opportunities, recompete reports, agency forecasts, and much more.
#2: Promote your brand to over 6,200 GovCon professionals by sponsoring this newsletter. Apply here
#3: Follow us on LinkedIn for more GovCon coverage.
Did you learn something new from today's newsletter? |
