July 26, 2024

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—The GovBrew Crew

QUICK HITS

• Businesses can still compete for SB TOs after size changes: GSA schedule-holders shouldn't worry about outgrowing size standard.

• Gen Z absent from federal workforce: “Youts” under 30 represent just 7% of full-time service despite being 20% of the labor force.

• CrowdStrike…so WTF really happened? An update clashed with a classification framework rolled out in February.

• 1,300+ devices reported missing to USAID: Devices lost by the agency include multiple generations of Apple iPhones and iPads.

TRIVIA 🤔

Just click the choice you think is right & the correct answer will be shown. Scroll down to the bottom of this email for more information about the correct answer.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Lockheed warns of price tag bumps for F-35 Lightning II jets.

After years of declines, the cost of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II jets is being pushed by upgrades, inflation, and a potential decline in sales to DOD customers. While the price tag has been coming down in recent years, officials from the company warn that this may no longer be the case in the production lots currently under negotiation. Read more

Coast Guard on a trajectory to "stop losing people at a greater rate."

The U.S Coast Guard is on track to meet its recruitment goals and "at least stop losing people at a greater rate than we’re onboarding.” USGC is currently 2,300 members short but has enough members who have signed up to go through training at the Cape May training center in New Jersey to meet this year’s recruiting goals. Read more

Space Force Gen. discusses AI's ‘powerful role’ in national security.

U.S. Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein believes that AI and ML “will play a powerful role in the coming years” in national security. He said that one of the key advantages offered by AI/ML is speed, making it possible to anticipate and respond to emerging threats. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: The Marine Corps is seeking Post Deployment System Support (PDSS) services. Due August 12.

• Matchmaker: AI-powered agile talent ID systems supports joint force.

• WH’s investment initiative aims to boost the maritime workforce that produces submarines.

• Witnesses underscore concerns regarding DOD's inefficient spending practices.

• USAF CIO unveils version 1.0 of API reference architecture & roadmap.

Defense Contract Awards

• KBR secures $154M Navy contract to provide aircrew support.

• HunaTek inked a $100M Navy Management Support Services deal.

• SDOVSB Software Engineering Services Corporation bagged a $31M USAF CAPES Support contract.

• Bering Global Solutions won a $25M USAF contract for support of the Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training program.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Assistant director at CISA to take on agency's executive director role.

• Former America Systems Director tapped to be Bae Systems’ Security, Intelligence & Security Sector VP.

• Client Solution Architects has a new CGO.

Defense Job Openings

• Joint Chiefs of Staff is seeking a Strategic Logistics Principal Deputy Director.

• DCAA is hiring a Deputy Regional Director.

• USAF is seeking an Assoc. Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology, and Engineering)

VIDEO

INTEL COMMUNITY

FBI & Mandiant hunting North Korean hacking group that’s stealing US intel.

The North Korean group — currently known as APT45 — has targeted information stored in U.S. government nuclear facilities and research institutions, as well as missile systems, uranium processing, and other R&D intelligence. Read more

ODNI & partners issue warning for U.S. emerging tech startups.

ODNI’s National Counterintelligence and Security Center has issued a joint bulletin with ODNI’s Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technology, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to protect emerging tech startups from investment by foreign threat actors. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: IARPA is seeking Video Linking and Intelligence from Non-Collaborative Sensors (Video LINCS). Due August 9.

• RFP: NAWC is looking for assistance with Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting Follow-On. Proposals due August 12.

• A boom in space-based intelligence is coming. Can ground networks keep up?

• Orbital Insight wins NGA’s first-ever Commercial Solutions Opening.

• ODNI needs a Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning Assistant Director.

• ODNI is seeking an IC CFO Chief of Staff.

• NGA needs a Deputy General Counsel.

CIVILIAN

IRS & Treasury plan ‘absolutely critical’ overhaul of aging HR systems.

The IRS is working with the Treasury Department’s CIO to modernize its HR systems. The agency oversees hundreds of legacy HR IT systems with thousands of workflows but deferred upgrading these systems when the agency faced budget cuts. Read more

Federal AI experts: Generative AI not ready for government to “fire and forget.”

While generative AI technology has come a long way in the past couple of years, some federal AI experts believe that the technology is still not ready for the government to “fire and forget;” it still requires a human-in-the-loop after deployment. Read more

Lawmakers probe challenges with IT system for tracking federal security guards.

The Federal Protective Service is struggling with a new IT system for tracking contract guards; new IT challenges have arisen as multiple agencies are shuttering their doors for hours or even a full day due to a shortage of federal security guards. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI(s): Office of Strategic Capital seeks input on critical technologies loan program.

• NASA is installing antenna dishes in its Near Space Network for Artemis mission.

• NSF launches planning grants for AI test platforms.

• HHS creates new office to oversee cyber efforts.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• ICF won a $17M FEMA Cloud, Analytics Delivery contract.

• A Square Group was awarded a USCIS $7.7M ASDOV II deal.

• MetaPhase Consulting got a USDA Application Operations Maintenance and Development Support contract.

• NIST to award $70M funding to establish AI-focused manufacturing institute.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• CISA’s IOD Assistant Director will become its Executive Director.

• Accenture Federal Services has a new CEO.

• Unissant selected a President, CEO.

• Former Gainwell Technologies’ SVP tapped to be Acentra Health’s Client Experience SVP.

• ServiceNow has a staffing shakeup.

Civilian Job Openings

• The U.S. Courts needs a Deputy Circuit Executive.

• USDA is seeking an Associate Deputy Chief.

• DOJ’s Offices, Boards, & Divisions wants a Deputy Chief.

• SSA is hiring a Deputy Commissioner for HR.

M&A CORNER

Astrion has agreed to acquire Axient.

Astrion has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Axient. The acquisition is expected to broaden Astrion’s presence in the market, create more opportunities for the merged employee base, strengthen the company's capabilities, and to provide more value to its clients. Read more

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 85+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 75+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in this week's recompete report.

• See if your company qualifies for any of the latest grants & competitions.

• Stay up to date on the upcoming events.

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

Want to become a GovBrew Insider member? Join here

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

webXray: A search engine that exposes privacy violations.

There's a new search engine on the web courtesy of an ex-Google engineer: webXray. You can think of it as a digital detective that shines a spotlight on privacy violations committed by countless websites. A lot of sneaks forward our web activity to various companies, and webXray is here to unveil their true colors. What type of data can it provide its users? Read more

Blockchain: Paving a safer road for our whistleblowers of the future.

Decentralized technology doesn’t just stop at revolutionizing finance—it can provide safer ways for people to disclose evidence as well. Blockchain can give us a lot more than money—it can reshape how we handle data. How can it make reporting better and help whistleblowers avoid work loss, legal battles, or even jail time? Read more

Toyota has new drift cars—and they’re powered by AI.

Toyota Research Institute and Stanford Engineering achieved a world first in driving research by successfully training AI in the art of autonomously drifting two GR Supra in tandem. Their project aimed to make driving safer. Were they successful in reaching their goal? Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

20 spills every day — Coast Guard pollution investigators respond to a whopping 20 oil or hazardous chemical spills every (average) day, totalling 2,800 gallons. That doesn’t even count the additional 14,000 oil spills (that’s approximately 38 each day) the EPA responds to as well. The Coast Guard responds to spills in coastal waters, and the EPA responds to spills occurring in inland waters.

(Coast Guard source | EPA source)

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