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- July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024
TMF start sorting AI EOIs, tech hubs receive $500M in grants, Thoma Bravo buys Everbridge, intel community’s use of AI, fighter jet upgrades in Japan, DISA wants to automate
GovBrew
July 08, 2024
QUICK HITS
Federal agencies report $235.8B in improper payments for FY23: The GAO says overpayments occurred across 71 programs.
They're not rocks. They're minerals, Marie: DARPA wants to use AI to discover rare Earth materials.
Age and diversity trends in the federal government: Workforce diversity is still lagging in higher-up positions.
Humanity looks ahead to returning to the Moon: And also…future exploration missions may meddle with human biology.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
DISA wants to automate 75% of cyber activities, but still ‘not close at all.’
DISA’s director of the cybersecurity and analytics directorate said the agency wants to automate three-quarters of its cyber activities, saying “It's an aggressive goal for us and something that we're working hard to get after. But we're not real close at all." Read more
OP-ED: NATO needs to get serious about winning the Ukrainian ammo war.
Next week, heads of state and ministers of defense will gather in D.C. for the '24 NATO Summit to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need to discuss supply chain management and defense acquisition. Read more
Pentagon unveils new plan for fighter jet posture in Japan.
DOD has announced new plans for its fighter jet posture in Japan, which would broadly see older US Air Force F-15s and F-16s replaced by newer aircraft like the F-15EX and F-35, as well as changes involving Marine Corps F-35Bs. The modernization reflections $10 billion in capability investments to enhance the US-Japan alliance. Read more
ICYMI:
CISA adds resources to Marine Transportation System Resilience Assessment Guide.
Pentagon’s DPC renamed to Defense Pricing, Contracting & Acquisition Policy.
NIWC produces 5G tech for better service quality for sailors.
Army CIO releases policy guidance for generative AI software.
DOD released the NDIS Interim Implementation Report.
Former DOD employee pleads guilty to defrauding the government in fake invoices scheme.
Defense Contract Awards
Sierra Nevada snags $400M contract for USAF mission networking.
Spectrum Healthcare Resources awarded $373M medical care services contract for DHA.
Lockheed awarded $227M missile system procurement contract for Army.
Mitsubishi Electric to repair F-15 radars for US, allied air forces.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Army vet joins CACI as SVP, corporate strategic adviser.
Lt. Gen takes command of the USAF Special Operations Command.
Defense Job Openings
ONR seeks Superintendent, Electronics Science & Technology.
USAF is seeking an Assistant Deputy for USAF Academy Affairs.
Army Sustainment Command needs a Logistics Management Officer.
FUNNY
INTEL COMMUNITY
DISA's new intel shop will be vital to securing DoDIN.
Last year, DISA announced a sweeping reorganization effort to better align its operations with the Joint Staff and combatant commands the agency supports. Using the J-code system, DISA introduced a J-1 focused on manpower, a J-3,5,7 focused on operations and training, a J-8 in charge of requirements and funding and a J-2, DISA’s first-ever intelligence shop. Read more
IC embracing generative AI for content triage & analysis.
The typically secretive U.S. intelligence community is as enthralled with gen-AI as the rest of the world, using generative AI for purposes including for search and discovery assistance, writing assistance, ideation, brainstorming and helping generate counter arguments. Find out how the the IC and AI providers are working together in recent months. Read more
ICYMI:
CIVILIAN
Balancing innovation and safety with NIST’s AI safety institute.
Back in February, NIST established the AI Safety Institute to create guidelines for evaluating and testing AI models for safety and risk. Now, the institute is working to test models and create guidance to encourage responsible AI use. Read more
IRS to recoup billions in taxes owed from 30,000 whistleblower tip backlog.
The IRS expects that it will recoup billions in taxes owed — just as soon as it sorts through a backlog of more than 30,000 whistleblower claims. And not all claims, the agency expects, will have merit. Since the IRS Whistleblower Office was formed in 2007, the IRS has recovered nearly $7 billion in taxes owed; whistleblowers have received more than a $1 billion cut of that money. Read more
AI EOIs flood into TMF Board.
The TMF Board’s $18 million investment in the DOS’s Gen-AI program is just scratching the surface. The board is expecting a rush of proposals for AI projects, particularly those that are under $6 million dollars or under 18 months in total length. Harrison Smith, TMF board member, said since the call went out to agencies earlier this year for AI proposals or ideas, the board has received about 100 “expressions of interest.” Read more
ICYMI:
The GSA is hosting a Federal AI Hackathon on July 31.
GAO reports facilities under Marshals Service lack proper oversight.
NASA activates autonomous systems payload on Sidus’s satellite.
FCC chair wants better protection for US public warning systems.
Environmental advocacy group sues OPM to implement 7-year-old administrative leave law.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Commerce Department awards $504M in grants to 12 tech hubs.
NSF awards $35M to EPSCoR to enhance STEM research.
Follow Civilian Leaders
TMF deputy executive director elevated to executive role.
NSF names new chief management officer.
State Department welcomes its new Coordinator for International Communications.
Capgemini vice president elevated to CEO of the company.
Civilian Job Openings
USDA’s Ag Research Service seeks Associate Director.
NIST is still looking for a Chief Information Officer.
DOE needs an Associate Director of Project Management-Renewables.
ICE is tracking down its new Field Office Director.
M&A CORNER
Thoma Bravo buys public warning software provider Everbridge.
Thoma Bravo has acquired Everbridge, a Massachusetts-based critical event management and national public warning software provider, for ~$1.8B; Everbridge will no longer be trading on the Nasdaq as part of the deal that secured approval from the company’s stockholders earlier this year. Read more
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
How did the SSA ditch its paper-based past?
Data tracking, AI, and modernization are among the biggest benefits the SSA is enjoying thanks to an ongoing cultural change. One big new project has been SecurityStat, which measures and visualizes various performance metrics critical to the 70 million people reliant on social security benefits. SecurityStat was based on the NYC Police Department’s CompState crime data model. Read more
What mistakes should you avoid when hiring veterans in business development roles?
From service to success in business development, it's important that you invest in the appropriate training as you begin to onboard veterans, writes the co-founder and managing principal of the Hi-Q Group. Read more
How do you spot an AI-generated video?
If you have a hard time figuring out if some of the videos you see online and on tv are real or not, you’re not alone. This article helps you identify some “tells” for a fake video—from bad text, short cuts, bad physics, and more. If we all got more savvy about identifying fake videos, then we can help stop the spread of bad information online. Read more
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