January 12, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Often asked question: As a protege, can I use my mentor’s Facility Security Clearance? (No, you cannot.)

• Army MAHC-III Industry Day: January 16 online.

• $183B in small biz fed contracts in FY24: It’s a $29B increase from FY21.

• DOD SBIR/STTR Program Office Funding Opps: SBIR 25.4 and STTR 25.D, Release 4.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

DOD “concerned China will instigate” avoidable conflict.

Says DepSecDef: “Even if deterrence is what we intend, it behooves us to consider how our actions might be perceived behind closed doors on the other side,” Hicks said, adding, “and it behooves China to do the same.” But the U.S is not “trying to bait or trick them into a war,” she added. Read more

Amphib suppliers say multi-ship buy will yield “immediate benefits” in the coming year.

An industry group representing 650 companies supplying parts for the US Navy’s amphibious warships says more than half of its members expect the recent multi-ship buy will lead to “immediate benefits” starting in 2025 or 2026. The service in September awarded contracts to HII valued at $9.4B for three San Antonio-class (LPD) ships and one America-class (LHA) vessel. Read more

FAR Council withdraws mandatory climate disclosure rule for contractors.

The FAR Council has withdrawn the proposed rule requiring federal contractors to disclose their climate impact. This move comes amid pushback and political concerns about the rule's potential consequences. Read more

ICYMI:

• [Event] Defense Acquisition Uni Seminar: Basic Cyber Hygiene: FAR 52-204.21 and CMMC Level 1.

• “Distrust and verify.” Marines warily embrace GenAI with new guidance.

• RocketLab: SDA T2TL Beta Satellites’ preliminary design has been completed.

• Secure sourcing of critical minerals: It’s a must for national security.

Defense Contract Awards

• Firestorm labs won a $100M USAF Small UAS contract.

• Modern Technology Solutions (MTSI) secured a $99.9M USAF Phase III Small Business Innovation Research deal.

• ↑ MTSI also won a $640M SSC for the Digital Bloodhound program.

• The USSF awarded BlackSky a TacSRT Pilot Program deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• DIU names a new CIO.

• ManTech DTC appointed a new CTO.

• Capella Space welcomed a new IBD Executive Director.

Defense Job Openings

• MDA needs a Comptroller CFO.

• USAF wants a Director of Staff.

FUNNY

INTEL COMMUNITY

NRO launches first satellite mission of 2025.

The National Reconnaissance Office has kicked off 2025 with the successful launch of NROL-153. This satellite aims to bolster national security and intelligence gathering. The NROL-153 mission is a critical step in maintaining the U.S.'s space-based capabilities. Read more

Mending fences: Strengthening homeland defense through integrated civil-military air surveillance.

A 1953 advertisement for the U.S. Air Force’s civilian Ground Observer Corps described America’s air defenses as a “10 mile high fence full of holes.” Seventy years later, the U.S. again finds itself unable to reliably detect and identify threats from the air. From weather radars to 5G towers and FM radio stations, U.S. territory has thousands of transmitters and receivers that could contribute to aerial surveillance. Read more

ICYMI:

• DHS RFI: Desktop Support Services 3.0.

• DOS leader takes role as acquisition strategist at US Digital Services.

• ODNI is looking for a Deputy CTO.

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CIVILIAN

El Capitan supercomputer is ready to handle nuclear stockpile and AI workflows.

The El Capitan supercomputer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was officially dedicated to U.S. national security missions and nuclear stockpile management. During the dedication ceremony, stakeholders in both the public and private sector highlighted El Capitan’s distinction as the world’s fastest supercomputer, boasting the ability to compute over 2.79 exaflops of data. Read more

IRS Direct File to open on January 27.

The IRS Direct File tool is scheduled to open across 25 states on Jan. 27. The free IRS tool to file directly with the government online will feature the option for taxpayers to import data the tax agency already has about them from their IRS account into the tool — things like their biographical information, identity protection pin and W-2 form. Still, the long-term future of Direct File is murky. Read more

ICYMI:

• GAO highlights privacy gaps in brain signal devices.

• IRS chief predicts that “performance will backslide” if funds and staffing are cut.

• Starship Flight 7: SpaceX is prepping the world’s largest rocket for its January 13 launch.

• WH introduced the US Cyber Trust Mark for internet-connected devices. This list can help you answer: Can I trust this cool new gadget?

• The global space economy is tracking toward $944B by 2033.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Columbus Technologies won a $1 billion NASA contract for electrical and electronic engineering support.

• Metas Solutions inked a 4M CDC VTRCKS IV & V and Technical Support deal.

• DAO Consulting secured an ezFedGrants Help Desk Support deal.

• Arlluk booked a $3M MRPBS USDA O&S Support contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• NASA names a program manager for the Commercial Lunar Payload program.

• Take2 Consulting named its new President, Federal and COO.

• A former CACI VP was chosen to be the new Akima MC&GR VP.

Civilian Job Openings

• DHS is seeking an Assistant Federal Security Director.

• USCG is hiring a Contract Specialist.

M&A CORNER

CSS acquires Riverside Technology.

CSS, a provider of scientific expertise in environmental resource management, emergency response and safety and health services, has acquired Riverside Technology, a science and information technology company. Read more

Anduril buys Numerica’s radar and command and control business.

Anduril Industries has acquired Numerica’s radar and command and control businesses for an undisclosed sum to expand its portfolio of mission systems and air and missile defense capabilities. The defense technology company said the acquisition provides Adnduril with access to the Numerica team’s expertise in scientific computing, advanced mathematical algorithms, and hardware engineering. Read more

System One acquires Tech USA companies.

Workforce services provider System One has acquired the three-unit Tech USA Companies to support its focus on providing comprehensive staffing services to critical infrastructure, technology, life sciences and government sectors. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. AI cameras are watching the California hills to detect the spread of wildfires. Here’s some tech being deployed in California right now. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. World Economic Forum: Here’s how the Top 10 emerging technologies of 2024 will change the world. It’s about connectivity, AI, and health. SOURCE↗︎

3. NATO’s backup plan: satellite internet for emergency connectivity. The growing fears over the potential sabotage of undersea cables are raising concerns. SOURCE↗︎

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