January 27, 2025

Good morning. After an exciting Sunday of football, the Super Bowl matchup is set: the Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of the 2023 showdown. The Chiefs, fresh off back-to-back titles, are looking to make NFL history with a three-peat—can the Eagles stop them? Let the countdown begin!

—The GovBrew Crew

QUICK HITS

• Ending EEO employment opportunities: Contractors will be held responsible for taking “affirmative action” and engaging in workforce balancing.

• Council of Advisors on Science & Technology is re-formed: GW Bush-era advisory panel gets the nod to get back to work.

• FedRAMP Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework gets scrapped: It’s part of rescinding all the previous AI executive orders.

• A whole bunch of IGs get canned: Without proper notice, watchdogs say.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

ChatNC3: Can the US trust AI in nuclear command, control, and comms?

Should the DOD integrate AI in nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) systems? Some say that AI could enhance decision-making by rapidly processing data during crises, thereby improving deterrence posture. However, critics caution against overreliance on AI due to the lack of historical data for training in nuclear scenarios and the inherent unpredictability of such high-stakes situations. Read more

Navy hypersonic missile design unveiled at SNA 2025.

The new design, unveiled during a panel at SNA 2025, shows a new SM-6 Block IB concept with a uniform 21-inch diameter body closely matching the SM-3 Block IIA. The first stage booster is also significantly longer. Read more

Navy opens new training center for next-gen defense manufacturers.

Navy’s new National Trainer Center is a state-of-the-art, 100,000 SF facility on the IALR campus. It supports the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, which was launched in 2021 and has graduated 777 students. Read more

ICYMI:

• USAF RFI: Staffing and Technical Acquisition Support Services III.

• DOD issues a 10-day pause on social media communications.

• DOD needs better planning of “plug and play” weapons management systems.

• 1500 military troops and assets deployed to the southern border.

• USAF looks to upgrade Cyprus airbase as staging post for Middle East.

Defense Contract Awards

• L3Harris won a $300M Army HMS Radios contract.

• Assured Information Security Inc. booked a $300M USAF Multiple Services deal.

• Riverside Research Institute inked a $49M USAF Infrastructure Improvement contract.

• Innovative Defense Technologies secured a $9M USN SONAR Engineering deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• The Senate named the next Secretary of Defense.

Defense Job Openings

• Army is seeking a Military Programs Director.

• DCMA is hiring a Contract Management Deputy.

FUNNY

INTEL COMMUNITY

ICYMI:

• DOS RFI: Customizable Virtual Machine and Cloud Computing Platform.

• “Does anyone have any alibies?” Learn to speak CIA.

• GCS Geospatial develops 3D analytics tools for NGA research effort.

• CIA has a new Director after Senate confirms the nominee.

• DHS welcomes their new Secretary.

• ODNI is looking for an EEO Compliance Director. 🤔

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CIVILIAN

From fusion engines to lunar glass homes: NASA’s vision for 2025.

NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program is funding studies on transformative technologies, including fusion-based spacecraft propulsion and sustainable lunar habitats constructed from lunar glass. These initiatives aim to enable faster interplanetary travel and establish long-term human presence on the Moon. The fusion propulsion concept could significantly reduce travel time to Mars, while the lunar glass habitats propose using in-situ resources to build durable structures for astronauts. Read more

Comprehensive report of FEMA operations due in 180 days.

During recent visits to disaster-stricken areas in CA and NC, POTUS criticized FEMA for bureaucratic inefficiency and proposed eliminating the agency, suggesting that disaster management responsibilities be shifted to state governments. After those comments, POTUS issued an EO establishing a review council to assess FEMA's operations, with a comprehensive report due within 180 days of its first meeting. Read more

ICYMI:

• DHS RFI: Integrated Logistics Division Support Services.

• DOJ RFI: BOP IT Modernization Enterprise Content Management System.

• Industry wants POTUS to appoint a Quantum Czar—it also wants 2018’s National Quantum Initiative Act to be reauthorized.

• OPM creates email account to tattle on your agencies’ DEI initiatives.

• POTUS asks Supreme Court to pause EPA and student debt cases; there are implications on emissions limits and states’ ozone pollution reduction plans.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Leidos booked a $2.6B TSA Logistics contract.

• 9 contractors were chosen to develop NASA’s Artemis Mission capabilities.

• Nationwide IT Services inked a $3M SCAS III IDIQ contract.

• Steampunk won a $2M USDA Operations and Maintenance Support deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Acentra Health has a new EVP, CTO.

• The US Border Patrol has a new Chief.

• New federal CIO on board at OMB.

Civilian Job Openings

• AOC needs a Visitor Services Deputy CEO.

• TSA wants a Transportation Security Manager.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. AI might learn from London cab drivers? Researchers found that London cabbies plan routes by prioritizing the most challenging areas first, a strategy that could enhance AI navigation systems. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. What were some of the coolest takeaways from CES? Standouts include Nvidia’s advanced AI chips, smart classes, and smart rings. SOURCE↗︎

3. Could hardware secure against quantum threats? SEALSQ has launched the world's first hardware designed to resist both current and quantum computer attacks, creating a lock strong enough to withstand these threats. SOURCE↗︎ 

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