January 22, 2025

QUICK HITS

• NASA’s cybersecurity initiative: Important new requirements for spacecraft manufacturers.

• Closing the “Software Gap”: CISA’s new report aims to help the USA secure geopolitical advantage and harden critical infrastructure.

• DOGE is born: In-person work is now mandatory for federal employees.

• Federal hiring freeze: There will be no new fed civilian hires, but the military and immigrant enforcement is exempt. Contracting to dodge this is prohibited.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Bio-hybrid robots could lead to self-healing military tech.

Researchers are exploring bio-hybrid robots that combine living cells and machines for self-healing capabilities. This technology could significantly enhance military robotics, providing systems that can repair themselves after damage. Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn. Read more

POTUS and Musk eye Pentagon overhaul.

POTUS and DOGE leader Musk propose a bold vision for Pentagon reform, targeting inefficiencies with private-sector strategies. They see a path forward but acknowledge the challenge of overcoming institutional resistance. Read more

Air Force, Marines present “Force Design” for future missions.

Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin introduced the Air Force’s new Force Design, marking the service's future operating concept. However, the Air Force isn’t alone—other military branches also have their own plans for modernizing their capabilities. The critical challenge now is aligning these strategies for cohesive execution across military and civilian leadership. Read more

ICYMI:

• NORTHCOM plan to “seal” the US borders.

• Navy is making a big investment in the next-gen DDG(X) destroyer.

• DOD watchdog scrutinizes CMMC 2.0 assessment gaps.

• Navy accelerates production of Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft.

Defense Contract Awards

• Lockheed Martin wins $93M Navy contract for AEGIS combat system support.

• Deloitte and Touche inked a $26M Army SaaS deal.

• Mercury Systems secured a $25M DOD Data Processing deal.

• RCF Information Systems won a $17M USAF GDSS Help Desk contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• POTUS names new Acting SecDef, names active service secretaries.

• Galt Aerospace has a new COO.

• DecisionPoint named its new CGO.

Defense Job Openings

• Army is seeking a Financial Management Officer.

• DSCA is hiring a Supervisory Program Manager.

CHART

Army PEO Enterprise comparison chart of contract vehicles. (Source)

INTEL COMMUNITY

NGA eyes commercial tech adoption, faster development cycles.

Over the course of the past year, the research and development arm of NGA has been reorganizing, placing a greater emphasis on fast research-to-production cycles. As such, the NGA team is adopting best methods for transitioning their experimentation into usable systems. Their work includes: analytics and modeling, software engineering, AI/ML, and data management. Read more

ICYMI:

• Intermap Technologies won a $200M NGA Luno B Commercial Data deal.

• SOSi names a new VP of Business Development.

• DIA is seeking a Contract Specialist.

• ODNI is looking for an IMO Deputy Chief.

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CIVILIAN

POTUS rescinds AI executive order.

The new POTUS has overturned the Former-POTUS’s executive order on AI governance, signaling a major policy shift. This move resets federal priorities on AI. The EO aimed to set guardrails for AI development; the rescinding should remove any real or perceived hindrance in AI innovation. Read more

• Related: POTUS pledges up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to AI by investing in a new partnership called Stargate, which is a partnership by OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank.

“Drill baby, drill!” National energy emergency backs fossil fuel sector.

POTUS has declared a national energy emergency, rolling out policies to prioritize fossil fuel industries. The soaring demand for data centers and digital infrastructure is one crucial factor for this announcement. According to the DOE, data centers are expected to consume between 6.7% and 12% of total US electricity by 2028. Read more

National emergency declared at the border; US military called in to “repel forms of invasion.”

The U.S. armed forces have been ordered to repel "forms of invasion" at the U.S.-Mexico border, including illegal migration and drug trafficking. The administration also plans to use the military to target drug cartels as "global terrorists" and use troops to combat them. Read more

ICYMI:

• NASA RFP: Space biology and physical sciences research.

• DHS rolls out AI policy, bans risky applications.

• Microsoft, GSA collaborate to streamline federal IT acquisition.

• POTUS, Musk want to send humans to Mars: NASA has yet to develop tech to make this possible.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Alliance for Advancing Biomedical Research booked a staggering $89B NIH FFRDC Operation contract.

• 10 companies secured a spot on the $20B PROTECTS Cyber Support BPA.

• AB Evergreen Analytics inked a $171M VA Studies Data Analysis Services deal.

• SemanticBits won a $5M GSA CloudGov Supplemental Support Services deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• POTUS unveiled the list of officials who will assume “acting” leadership roles in key cabinet and cabinet-level positions.

• Accenture has selected a new Cyber Security Practice Associate Director.

Civilian Job Openings

• DOE wants a Chief Research Officer.

• DOS needs an Office Director.

M&A CORNER

Redwire acquires Edge Autonomy.

Redwire is set to acquire Edge Autonomy in a strategic cash-and-stock deal aimed at bolstering satellite tech and autonomous systems capabilities. The move aligns with Redwire’s mission to expand space solutions and innovation. Read more

IBM to buy Applications Software Technology.

IBM has agreed to acquire Applications Software Technology for an undisclosed sum to broaden its capabilities in supporting public sector customers’ digital transformation efforts with Oracle Cloud Applications. Read more

Prescient Edge announces Edge Analytic Solutions acquistion.

Prescient Edge Corp. has acquired Edge Analytic Solutions to strengthen its presence in the defense intelligence market and expand its capabilities in data sciences, C5ISR and systems integration and portfolio of intelligence analytics platforms for government customers. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Organic solar cells: Is it the better choice for space missions? Evidence suggests that carbon-based and organic solar cells can outperform silicon and gallium arsenide in generating electricity outside our planet. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. No-code technology. What future awaits modern programmers? SOURCE↗︎

3. Earth has a lot of space junk. Scientists want the United Nations to clean up the mess. SOURCE↗︎

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