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- February 10, 2025
February 10, 2025
USAF Spark Tank finalists, Applied Intuition buys EpiSci, CENTCOM new CTO, NTSB Incident Mgmt RFI, ICE uses fed prisons, DOD to review SDA, DOJ’s power
GovBrew
February 10, 2025
QUICK HITS
GSA memo looks to cancel all “non-essential” consulting contracts: Agencies were asked to “explain why the consulting contract(s) is essential for your agency to fulfill its statutory purposes.”
How much power does the DOJ have to enforce laws? Questioning the “legitimacy of judicial oversight” can have sweeping ramifications in GovCon.
How will the new 25% steel and aluminum tariffs impact GovCon? Supply chains, pricing, asnd contracts could face significant disruption.
Addressing residual risk over time: Here’s how you can address the potential for risk during the project execution in your proposals.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
SecDef talks DOD priorities during Pentagon Town Hall.
DOD has three core priorities under the new administration: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military to match threats with capabilities, and reestablishing deterrence by defending the homeland. The SecDef advocated for a return to basics, focusing on readiness, lethality, and warfighting. Read more
DOD memo seeks review of SDA’s independent status, plans.
A DOD memo calls for an independent review of the SDA organizational performance and acquisition approach to determine if it meets warfighter needs. The review will assess the health of SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture programs and consider whether the agency should maintain its independent status within the Space Force. Read more
DOGE is heading to DOD.
POTUS has directed DOGE to lead a review of DOD spending, focusing on uncovering inefficiencies and potential mismanagement. The investigation, which intriguingly includes an examination of unconventional elements such as Dogecoin’s involvement, aims to bolster transparency and accountability in defense budgeting. Read more
ICYMI:
DOD wants a review of SDA’s plans and independence status.
Here’s what Google’s return to defense AI means.
USAF announces Spark Tank 2025 finalists, where Guardians and Airmen pitch innovations to top leaders for sponsorship.
Navy stays silent on Panama Canal use as negotiations on fees stall.
Defense Contract Awards
ITC Defense was awarded an $82M Army Programmatic Support Services deal.
Tri Star Engineering was awarded a $8M Navy contract for waterfront support.
Lockheed Martin won a $24M Navy IDIQ for engineering support of electronic warfare systems in submarines.
Southwest Research Inst. won a $15M DARPA contract for HF radio work.
Defense Job Openings
USMC needs a Technical Director.
Army wants a SOUTHCOM Operations Deputy Director.
INTEL COMMUNITY
DARPA eyes protections for common but critical computing system.
DARPA is developing methods to secure data buses—components that enable communication between IT devices, including aircraft and weapons systems—which lack input validation and authentication, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Read more
ICYMI:
FBI RFI: OIA Internal Auditing Software.
Army RFI: Single Source Intelligence INSCOM Technology.
DARPA taps Microsoft, PsiQuantum for scalable quantum computer research.
House lawmakers take another swing at border technology bill.
CENTCOM has chosen a new CTO.
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CIVILIAN
Environmental justice (EJ) programs, staff are the chopping block.
POTUS is cutting environmental justice positions across multiple agencies, signaling a shift away from prioritizing initiatives aimed at addressing environmental disparities in marginalized communities. Critics warn that this move undermines efforts to combat systemic environmental harms, while supporters argue it streamlines agency functions. Read more
Reviews of proposed USPS facility consolidation costs met some best practices but could more robustly analyze risks.
A recent GAO report found that USPS’s Mail Processing Facility Reviews (MPFR) process lacks detailed documentation on cost assumptions, methodologies, and risk analyses, compromising the reliability of its savings estimates. GAO recommended that USPS fully integrate these elements into the MPFR process to enhance oversight and decision-making, though USPS disagreed with the recommendations. Read more
ICYMI:
DOI RFI: ONRR IT Modernization Integrator Support.
NTSB RFI: Incident Management Software.
Booz Allen & AWS expand partnership to boost tech solutions.
DOGE, FAA partner to modernize America’s aging air traffic systems.
OPM asks agencies to identify career positions, low-performing employees.
HHS’s proposed security rule updates will increase needed controls.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
DOE CIO is replaced with SpaceX Engineer.
A3 Consulting has a new CSO.
GDIT named its new Pricing VP.
Civilian Job Openings
FEMA is seeking a Contract Specialist.
USCG is hiring a Contract Specialist.
M&A CORNER
Applied Intuition acquires EpiSci to boost AI-powered defense tech.
Applied Intuition is doubling down on AI-driven defense capabilities with its acquisition of EpiSci. The deal strengthens autonomous systems for military and commercial applications, with a focus on electronic warfare and mission autonomy. Read more
Encora buys elements of a DMI business.
Digital services provider DMI has divested a business segment to digital engineering services firm Encora to strengthen its focus on delivering innovative technology platforms to federal, state and local government agencies and providing managed services for public sector and commercial customers. Encora acquired DMI’s commerce, marketing and strategy and digital engineering services segment. Read more
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Deep is spending billions to build permanent underwater homes. Guess they’re devotin’ full time to floatin’ under the sea. SOURCE↗︎
China’s secret project—a powerful fusion laser. A U.S. satellite has taken snapshots of a big fusion laser facility under construction in the PRC. SOURCE↗︎
The UK wants access to ALL of Apple’s encrypted user accounts. The company was ordered to open an iCloud backdoor for officials. SOURCE↗︎
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