January 19, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Congress prevents shutdown with short-term spending approval: The bill comes a day before the deadline to avert a govt. shutdown.

• Gary Gensler’s "macro" concerns over AI-driven financial models: The SEC chair sounds the alarm on reliance on large AI base models.

• The ethical conundrum arising from AI in government: How to navigate a maze of ethical and security-related responsibilities.

TRIVIA

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Space Force's favorite word is still 'MORE' as it seeks to secure cislunar space.

USSF needs more money, more people, and more resources to secure cislunar space according to the Mitchell Institute, which is advocating that from now on Congress bolster the Space Force's budget by "about $250M a year." Read more

The Pentagon wants to make some space-related programs less secret.

Some secret military programs are getting a little less secret as new classification guidance aims to streamline operations within the Pentagon and with foreign partners. Of course, the memo detailing how to streamline everything is, well, classified. Read more

OP-ED: A certain road to a USAF reorganization is bad news for nuclear readiness.

An Air Force shakeup has yet to be confirmed — much less the details of a structural reorganization — but two policy experts believe that one road in particular spells bad news for Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. Read more

ICYMI:

• Pentagon leveraging industry work on concepts for refueling satellites in space.

• RFP: DOD CIO seeks cybersecurity support services.

• RFI: GSA seeks info on enterprise cyber analytics tools that support DOD Zero Trust.

• Three contract opps are shaping the defense R&D ecosystem: (1) $4.2B D3I2; (2) $808.5M TEMPEST; (3) $420M NGMM Ph1 and 2.

Defense Contract Awards

• Northrop Grumman was awarded an MTX-C contract by the DOD.

• Mynaric tapped as key development partner in phase 2 of DARPA's SPACE-BACN program.

• QuSecure bags a U.S. Air Force Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Solutions contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Senior VP for BD becomes Navistar Defense’s CGO.

• Former Head and VP of the Microelectronics Division is now Mercury System’s COO.

• Rolls-Royce Defense's General Counsel was hired as Leidos' General Counsel.

Defense Job Openings

• The OSD is looking for a Land Forces Division Director.

• NASA needs an Aeronautics Directorate Director.

• The USMC is hiring a Regional Director.

• AF is seeking a Director of Mission Support.

GET FREE SWAG…

INTEL COMMUNITY

FBI-sponsored report recommends action regarding facial recognition tech.

A report sponsored by the FBI and DHS says that a proactive approach from NIST and the White House is needed to address facial recognition technology; it recommends that NIST be the "logical home" for regulatory activities and standards. Read more

ICYMI:

• TPG announces $228M strategic growth investment in Sayari.

• ODNI appoints new director's advisor for military affairs.

• NSA director will be stepping down in early February.

• CISA, FBI warn on risks of China-made drones.

CIVILIAN

VA’s IT shop to staff more AI experts to deliver ‘seamless’ service.

The VA is calling on its IT shop to make it easier for veterans to seek VA services online. The VA OIT is planning to overhaul the digital services many veterans rely on to receive health care and benefits. Read more

Witnesses want a more transparent Cyber Safety Review Board from DHS.

Witnesses told members of Congress today that DHS' Cyber Safety Review Board should be an independent entity with a clear and transparent process for how it selects its board members and the incidents it investigates. Read more

Can NIST execute its AI executive order responsibilities?

NIST is a relatively tiny technology agency that's found itself grappling with a big share of the responsibility when it comes to executing Biden's AI executive order. Can it get everything done competently and on time? Read more

ICYMI:

• GAO calls on VHA to set clear performance goals to improve rural veterans’ health.

• Senators press DOT to digitize service animal form.

• GAO report admonishes GSA, OMB on sluggish FedRAMP fixes.

• 17 DOS-focused businesses to know as you plan for this year.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• The AR Group, a WOSB, received a $198K contract from the USDA for climate assessment services.

• David T Scott & Associates won a $462K task order from the DOI’s FWS for support services for the Human Capital Management System.

• The Library Associates of Maryland bagged a $188K contract for communication and training support services.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Former Senior Director of Business and Strategic Capture is now Electrosoft’s CGO.

• MakPar’s Technology and Solutions VP has been promoted to CTO.

• Former Edgewater CGO was named as cBEYONData CGO.

• Graham Technology’s IT and Operations VP was appointed as COO.

Civilian Job Openings

• The USDA is looking for a Deputy State Director.

• EPA needs a Deputy Division Director.

• DOJ is looking for a Senior Deputy Assistant Director.

M&A CORNER

Figure Eight Federal partners with Latent AI.

Figure Eight Federal, Appen’s FOCI-mitigated arm specializing in data enrichment for defense and intelligence applications, has announced a strategic partnership with Latent AI, a leader in DevOps for ML at the edge. Read more

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 100+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 30+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Department of Transportation (USDOT) 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. Also, check out the GovBrew Insider discount on the upcoming GovCIO Defense IT Summit. 

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

Want to become a GovBrew Insider member? Join here

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

How did the USA just expand its territory by a million square kilometers?

The United States has officially expanded its geographical territory by one million square kilometers — an area nearly 60 percent the size of Alaska. The catalyst for this territory expansion lies in the redefinition of the U.S. continental shelf boundaries. By invoking international law, the State Department has outlined new areas under the sea where the continental shelf, a seabed area surrounding large landmasses with relatively shallow waters, extends further than previously recognized. Read more

Are degree requirements hurting AI recruitment efforts?

Federal employment standards for AI-trained employees are discouraging knowledgeable workers from seeking such jobs, according to lawmakers and witnesses during a House Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation subcommittee hearing. Read more

Does transforming the military for the AI age require ruthlessness?

US and UK experts are arguing in a new report that only tough, politically savvy leadership can force the armed services to scrap enough existing systems to free up funds for an AI-driven revolution in warfare. Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER: C - Mines

With the news that the USA just acquired a ton of land, this is your chance to propose a new name for some of these features! The interactive mapping on the website is a fantastic way to waste time at work and go down some fun metaphorical rabbit holes. One thing you won’t find on the maps—names of caves. The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 prevents the locations of these resources from being public. (Propose a name | Protection Act)

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