January 17, 2025

QUICK HITS

• SEWP VI: Batch 8 Q&A has been published.

• AI capabilities: Here’s how government is using AI in cyberdefense.

• Pay-rate increase: It’s within blue-collar feds’ grasp.

• Save the date! DOD Mentor-Protege Summit is April 29-May 1.

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 80+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 50+ upcoming IT Service opportunities at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in this week's recompete report.

• See if your company qualifies for any of the latest grants & competitions.

• Stay up to date on the upcoming events.

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

DOD to test how Gen-AI would perform in a fight with China.

In the next 90 days, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, working with contractors and other Pentagon officers, will take a hard look at how generative AI tools similar to ChatGPT could help commanders make battlefield decisions more quickly against high-tech adversaries like China. Read more

Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk hits production delay.

The Air Force’s next-gen T-7A Red Hawk training jet hits turbulence with a big delay. Boeing faces safety-related hiccups and production snags, shifting the timeline for a program crucial to modernizing pilot training. Read more

Pentagon advisory board urges DIU expansion.

The Pentagon’s advisory board is calling for an expansion of the DIU to improve partnerships with tech innovators. They suggest DIU lead disruptive tech transitions while maintaining autonomy from traditional acquisition systems. Read more

ICYMI:

• DOD RFI: PEO IEW&S MATOC.

• Navy RFP: Corporate Operations Support Services. 8(a) set-aside.

• USAF RFI: User Experience Monitoring.

• Navy leader calls for major changes to meet readiness goals.

• Navy admiral “skeptical” of large USV’s future.

Defense Contract Awards

• Five contractors secured a spot on the $249M USN Construction Projects deal.

• Red Gate inked a $16M OSD Policy and Technical Support deal.

• ThinkTek booked a $5M DISA Assess and Design contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• The new pick for Air Force Secretary comes from NRO.

• SDA Director placed on leave with no statement as to why.

• SAIC has chosen a Navy Business Group CIO.

• Sikich’s CFO is now the company’s COO.

• The Chertoff Group appointed new leaders.

Defense Job Openings

• Navy is hiring a Lifting and Handling Deputy Director.

• USAF is seeking an Installation Support Deputy Director.

TRIVIA 🤔

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.

VIDEO

Parker Hitt: The Father of American Military Cryptology

An irrepressible innovator, Parker Hitt was noted for his careful methods of analysis, intuition, and luck. His manual, cipher devices, and proactive mentorship of Army cryptology during World War I laid the groundwork for the modern American cryptologic system. Though he considered himself an infantryman, Hitt is best known as the "father of American military cryptology."

INTEL COMMUNITY

ICYMI:

• CIA nominee promises to help the country win the tech race.

• The NRO maintains the National Cryptologic Museum in Annapolis Junction. Check out what you can learn there!

• A Chairman of the Subcommitte on Counterterrorism and Intelligence has been appointed.

• ODNI is looking for a Technical Director.

CIVILIAN

FedRAMP tightens cloud authorization standards with new policy draft.

FedRAMP's latest draft policy aims to refine cloud service authorizations by enhancing security requirements and streamlining processes for agencies and vendors. The proposed changes aim to balance robust compliance with operational efficiency. Read more

Last-minute EO focuses on cybersecurity, fed systems, cloud, software steps.

POTUS’s latest cybersecurity-themed executive order issued Thursday aims to engineer security improvements in at least a dozen major areas, with federal agency systems, cloud services, and software emerging as prominent topics on an exhaustive list of security policy items. Read more

Sunita Williams steps out: first spacewalk in seven months.

After more than seven months aboard the ISS, stranded NASA astronaut Sunita Williams finally stepped outside for her first spacewalk. Williams, joined by NASA’s Nick Hague, addressed overdue maintenance tasks as the station orbited 260 miles above Turkmenistan. Read more

ICYMI:

• USDOT NTSB RFI: Incident Management Software.

• CDC RFI: Draft Performance Work Statement.

• VA Pre-solicitation: Sharepoint Online Support.

• Easterly hails CISA’s “world class” talent in final address.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• GSA has awarded two energy savings performance contracts with a combined value of $393M to CEG Solutions and Ameresco.

• Serco booked a $247M Army Holistic Health and Fitness deal.

• REI Systems inked a $4M NASA PETS contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• OPM selected a new CIO.

• USAID has a new CISO.

Civilian Job Openings

• NASA needs a Science Directorate Director.

• DHS needs a Deputy Division Director.

GET SEEN

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M&A CORNER

Xpect Solutions expands with GovDefender acquisition.

Xpect Solutions, a platform company of NewSpring Holdings, has acquired GovDefender to bolster its cybersecurity offerings for government clients. The move enhances Xpect's capabilities in securing critical systems amid rising cyber threats. Read more

Crimson Phoenix acquires Blackspoke to enhance federal IT capabilities.

Crimson Phoenix has acquired Blackspoke, bolstering its position in federal IT services. This strategic move aims to expand support for government clients with enhanced cloud, cybersecurity, and data solutions. The acquisition underscores their commitment to advancing mission-critical technologies. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. MIT Mystery Hunt kicks off. The nerdiest of annual, open-source puzzledom begins today on the MIT campus. Try a past puzzle and check it out. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. Banned: Red dye no.3 can’t be used on food anymore. It’s a potential cancer risk. SOURCE↗︎

3. Zuckerberg announced layoffs, targeting 5% of his workforce. Just last week, he stated that AI could replace mid-level engineers. SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

D. Navajo — The Code Talkers were Native American soldiers who used their languages to create unbreakable codes for secure communication during World War I and World War II. They came from various tribes, including the Navajo, Choctaw, Comanche, and Hopi, with the Navajo Code Talkers being the most well-known for their role in the Pacific Theater. Their efforts ensured critical military operations remained secure, significantly contributing to Allied victories. (Source)