January 6, 2025

QUICK HITS

• Tech bills passed in the 118th Congress: Here’s what you need to know.

• Major growth ahead for cloud contractors: After criticism from GAO, a few companies are strategically well-positioned to cash in on the cloud push.

• PdM Army Data Platform Virtual Industry Day: Register for the January 16 event for information on the upcoming RFP.

• Agencies to share custom software: New law gives agencies 210 days to share code in a public repository or private listing.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

DOD Strategic Capital Office sets FY25 tech support strategy.

The FY2025 Investment Strategy outlines the DOD’s plan to issue loans and loan guarantees to eligible technology companies. Some technology areas highlighted in the strategy include autonomous mobile robots, cybersecurity, data fabric, microelectronics manufacturing equipment, sensor hardware, spacecraft, Open RAN, edge computing, among others. Read more

For Space Force, terrestrial turf wars and rising budgets await.

In 2025, the USSF is expected to experience budget growth and an expansion in personnel and mission areas; the Force is expected to want to double or triple its budget. The establishment of a Space National Guard remains uncertain. Additionally, the USSF plans to launch new capabilities, including the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) and the Oracle spacecraft for cislunar domain awareness. Read more

ICYMI:

• Defense tech will be scaling new heights in the coming months.

• 2024 in review: Here’s an overview of DOD’s top defense systems.

• Contractors made false defense deal bids: They will pay the price—$1M.

• 7 soldiers inducted into Hall of Heroes after receiving Medals of Honor.

Defense Contract Awards

• Collins Aerospace won an Army (MAPS) GEN II Design and Construction deal.

• Northrop Grumman secured a $481M IBCS Software Updates deal.

• BAE Systems awarded prototype base defense artillery cannon contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Boeing taps former top DOD official as CIO.

• Astrion welcomed a new CCO.

Defense Job Openings

• DOI is hiring a Program Manager.

• USAF is seeking a Contract Specialist.

DID YOU KNOW?

GSA has a Fine Arts Collection, and you can view it on your computer from home. Yes, you, browsing from Oklahoma in your pajamas. Check it out here.

INTEL COMMUNITY

DARPA sets the stage for a new quantum sensing program.

The Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) program aims to “develop and demonstrate quantum sensors that resist performance degradation from platform interferers, showcasing them on government-provided platforms,” the Special Notice on SAM reads. Read more | See the Special Notice

ICYMI:

• Auditors uphold Sierra Nevada’s contract for new US Army intelligence jet.

• Here are the top reasons security clearances were denied and revoked in 2024.

• Did the CIA betray President Jimmy Carter?

• The Intelligence Community has a new Acting CIO.

• ODNI needs an IC Data Plans Officer.

GET SEEN

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CIVILIAN

HHS’ 2024 AI use case inventory shows a move toward internal chatbots.

Of the HHS’s 271 use cases from 2024, “59 are ‘Initiated,’ 57 are in ‘Acquisition and/or Development,’ 35 are in ‘Implementation and Assessment,’ 104 are in ‘Operation and Maintenance,’ and 16 are ‘Retired.’” Of note in theinventory is the number of use cases related to chatbots, with more than two dozen of the reported solutions looking at using generative AI to streamline public engagement with the department and to help its employees better access and retrieve information. Read more

The next FEMA administrator isn’t going to have an easy job.

In light of recent weather-related disasters in Florida, the next FEMA administrator is going to have a difficult road ahead. The position requires a candidate with expertise in emergency management and the ability to navigate complex bureaucratic landscapes. Given the frequency of hurricanes, the ideal candidate might need to be part meteorologist, part diplomat, and perhaps even part superhero. Read more

AI will have a major impact on labor markets. Here’s how the US can prepare.

AI is poised to significantly impact labor markets by creating new job categories and rendering some existing ones obsolete. To navigate these changes, the U.S. needs to develop better labor market information systems, including a data-focused nonprofit to analyze AI's effects on employment and skills. Read more

ICYMI:

• [Watch] James Turgal, former FBI and now at Optiv, talks about the Chinese hack on the US Treasury.

• A new flexible “metamaterial” can help us build shapeshift space habitats and telescopes.

• POTUS’s blockage of the proposed takeover of US Steel by Nippon Steel will have repercussions for foreign investors.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Four companies were chosen to expand NASA’s Near Space Network’s commercial direct-to-Earth capabilities services.

• Leidos was awarded a $2.6B TSA Checkpoint Maintenance deal.

• Koniag inked an $81M CMS Dara Warehouse IT Support Services contract.

• Constellation New Energy won the GSA’s historic Electricity contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• OSTP, tech, crypto policy appointments—announced.

• Connsci appointed a new CHTO.

• System High named its new President.

Civilian Job Openings

• DHS wants a Director.

• DOT needs a Program Manager.

M&A CORNER

Gladstone Investment and Proteus Enterprises acquired RDI.

Ricardo PLC has finalized the sale of Ricardo Defense to Proteus Investment and Proteus Enterprises. The sale is part of Ricardo's ongoing transformation strategy to realign its portfolio with the growing focus on environmental and energy-transition solutions. Read more

Avion Solutions expands expertise with acquisition of TVRG.

Avion Solutions, a prominent name in aerospace engineering, airworthiness, modeling and simulation, and integrated product support, has acquired Tennessee Valley Research Group (TVRG). Renowned for its expertise in laser systems, tactical missile targets, and hypersonic weapon testing, TVRG enhances Avion’s technical and programmatic capabilities in these vital areas. Read more

Gallant Capital to buy Navient’s Government Services business.

Private equity firm Gallant Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Navient’s government services business, or NGS, that provides technology-enabled outsourced business processing support for U.S. federal, state and local government agency customers. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. The concept for the next generation stealth fighter has been revealed. Let’s take a look at GCAP’s idea. SOURCE↗︎

2. Tesla’s Juniper, “Model Y,” will reach production soon. The upcoming Tesla vehicle plans to change the EV industry (again). SOURCE↗︎ 

3. Do you actually need a Real ID to fly in 2025? The deadline is MAY 7! Here’s details about the rule change. Make your DMV appointment now! SOURCE↗︎

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