QUICK HITS
GAO tightening bid protest requirements: Allegations must be credible, based in evidence. A “loser pays” rule faces hurdles due to small biz impact.
ManTech vs. Leidos: Early advisory phases can make or break bidders’ chances; winning often hinges on navigating these initial high-stakes steps.
Boards of Contract Appeals: Navigating hearings, shortcuts, and risks.
GSA procurement consolidation: What to know about GSA’s goal to eliminate duplicative contracts and streamline spending on common goods.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Microsoft ends the use of China-based engineers to patch DOD systems.
Microsoft secretly allowed China-based engineers to work on sensitive DOD systems—despite national security risks—until a recent bombshell report exposed the practice. In the wake of the scandal, Microsoft abruptly changed course, banning Chinese engineers from defense contracts, while the Pentagon launched an internal sweep to uncover how deep the foreign access really went.
Navy’s shipyard revamp strategy evolves amid obstacles.
The Navy’s $20 billion shipyard modernization effort has encountered delays, rising costs, and logistical hurdles, leading officials to revise their long-term strategy. Despite the setbacks, leaders remain confident that the upgrades will improve efficiency and accelerate submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance in the years ahead.
Related: WH’s shipbuilding effort moves to OMB.
FY26 defense bill: advancing military strength and readiness.
The House has passed an $831.5B defense appropriations bill that increases military pay, sustains legacy aircraft, and invests heavily in hypersonics, missile defense, and space capabilities. It also reduces 45K civilian roles and codifies several executive orders.
ICYMI:
Army RFI: PEO STRI Support Services.
USAF RFI: AVRA-SAS Cloud Migration Phase.
SecNav says robots won’t replace shipbuilders but could make jobs “easier.”
USAF to buy more KC-46s, skip competition.
Defense Contract Awards
Johnson Controls inked a $378M Army Automation Systems contract.
“Team Anduril” booked a $100M Army NGC2 prototype deal.
Microlink won a $28M USAF contract for lightweight advanced space power.
Honeywell won a DIU Quantum Navigation Systems contract.
Follow the Defense Leaders
The Golden Dome has a new Czar.
CENTCOM has a new Chief Data Officer (CDO).
GDIT welcomes a new VP of Technology.
Defense Job Openings
USAF needs a Deputy Director of Staff.
ANGU wants a Program Manager.
INTEL COMMUNITY
When your personal life becomes a national security concern.
In a scandal that unfolded at a Coldplay concert, the Astronomer CEO was caught on camera in an intimate moment with the company's Chief People Officer, leading to their resignations and sparking a broader conversation about personal conduct in the workplace. This incident underscores how personal indiscretions, even those not involving criminal activity, can raise significant security concerns, particularly in environments where trust and ethical behavior are paramount.
ICYMI:
DISA Draft RFP: Integrated Defense Enterprise Acquisition System (IDEAS) Tier 2/Tier 3 Support.
FBI RFI: EVC Analytical Support Services.
How does E.O. 14306 shift the cyber strategy for government contractors?
Senate intel bill takes on Salt Typhoon, ODNI reorganization.
GDIT awarded a $52M USSOCOM for Intelligence Analysis 3 IDIQ.
Dept of State is seeking an IT Auditor.
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CIVILIAN
NIST launches GenAI evaluation program, releases draft publications on AI risks and standards.
NIST has launched a new program to rigorously test generative AI tools and released draft guidelines to manage AI risks, echoing efforts to keep technology “on the level” like Neo navigating the Matrix. This initiative aims to help distinguish human from AI-created content and ensure responsible AI innovation with transparency and broad feedback.
GSA acting head says nearly half of agency workforce is using GSAi daily.
The GSA’s acting head reports that nearly 50% of its employees are using the internal AI chatbot GSAi daily for tasks ranging from drafting property listings to reviewing contracts and learning code, resulting in an estimated 300,000 hours of work saved in six months. The agency is also exploring integration of multiple external AI models, including Anthropic, Meta, and potentially Grok.
GSA’s “one wallet” strategy reshapes federal buying power.
GSA wants to be the Costco of federal procurement—one wallet, bulk discounts, and fewer pricing surprises. Its OneGov strategy centralizes purchasing for common goods and services, with tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Uber already onboard.
ICYMI:
CBP RFI: Systems and Tech to Support Persistent Wide-Area Air Surveillance.
VA RFI: Modernization of Veterans Canteen Service IT Systems.
House bill aims to speed up the environmental (NEPA) permitting process.
Login.gov looks to accept mobile driver’s licenses in the “near future.”
Civilian Contracts Awards
Tria Federal inked a $174M Software Engineering & Development deal.
ID8Spark, an InfoTek & Sparksoft JV, won a $37M CMS HIOS Mgmt contract.
Anika Systems won a $2.3M IRS OCPO Business Solution Applications and Automation Technical Support Services contract.
BAH awarded $84M CMS Marketplace System Integration (MSI) support task.
Follow Civilian Leaders
USDOT welcomed a new Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs.
Everfox hired new executives.
Civilian Job Openings
The Legislative Branch is seeking a Deputy Executive Director for the Senate.
The Senate needs a Senior IT Manager.
M&A CORNER
SES completes $3.1B acquisition of Intelsat.
SES has finalized its $3.1 billion acquisition of Intelsat, forming a unified satellite operator with a fleet of 120 satellites spanning GEO, MEO, and LEO orbits. The combined entity reports approximately $4.3 billion in revenue, $9.3 billion in contract backlog, and anticipates $2.8 billion in synergy savings.
ICYMI:
Quadsat raises $5.8M as it targets defense market.
SHOWER THOUGHTS đźšż
Australia showed off its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) system. With the capability of destroying precision weapons, jets 49,000 ft above ground, the primary interceptor is the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. SOURCE↗︎
Why does POTUS want sports teams to change their names back? He called on the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to revert to names that were abandoned due to being racially insensitive. SOURCE↗︎
Will South Korea be the first to build a moon base? The nation’s space ambitions now include building a lunar outpost by 2045. SOURCE↗︎
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