June 13, 2025

QUICK HITS

• FAR Council scraps Small Biz rule: Agencies no longer have to set aside certain task and delivery orders under MACs.

• Bid protests at GAO: When are you an interested party.

• DOGE data call: Many contract management systems are inadequate at delivering precise, on-demand contract-level data.

• Dell’s AI blueprint: A roadmap to AI tech dominance.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

GAO report: DOD weapon programs still stuck in slow gear.

GAO’s 2025 assessment finds the Pentagon’s $2.4T weapons portfolio is still plagued by delays, cost overruns, and low-tech maturity—even in programs meant to move fast. The Air Force’s Sentinel missile alone added $36B to the tab. Innovation may be the goal, but inertia seems to be winning.

Pentagon’s SWFT framework: Faster software, fewer bureaucratic speed bumps.

The Pentagon is set to release its final Software Fast Track (SWFT) framework in July, aiming to replace sluggish approval processes with AI-driven automation and real-time security checks. With over 500 industry responses already in, DOD wants to make digital ATOs the new normal—no more waiting on humans to say “go.”

DOD 2026 budget: F-47 and drone wingmen take flight.

The Pentagon’s $3.5B ask for the F-47—a sixth-gen stealth fighter—and $804M for AI-powered drone wingmen (CCA) signals a bold pivot toward air dominance. SecDef Hegseth says it’s about outpacing adversaries, not just upgrading gear.

ICYMI:

• Army Sources Sought: IO for High Performance Computing – Scientific, Engineering, Analysis, and Outreach Support Services.

• Army greenlights XM30 Milestone B after brief delay.

• F/A-XX next-gen fighter requirements remain intact despite cuts.

• Sierra Space launched its defense business.

Defense Contract Awards

• NOBLE got a $500M Army JPEO CBRND Commercial Solutions IDIQ.

• Cubic won a $399M USAF P5CTS Logistics Support follow-on contract.

• ASEC inked a $294M USN Airborne Anti-Sub Warfare Eng. Support deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Boeing welcomes a former Google team member to become their new Defense, Space & Security CIO.

Defense Job Openings

• USPACFLT needs a Production Resources Nuclear Director.

• USAF wants a Review Boards Director.

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.

INTEL COMMUNITY

Claude and Llama: Cleared for sensitive tasks in AWS GovCloud.

AWS just became the first cloud provider to get FedRAMP High and DOD IL4/5 approvals for Claude and Llama, unlocking their use in high-sensitivity government environments. Translation: agencies can now deploy these AI models for mission-critical work without sweating the compliance checklist.

ICYMI:

• DOD can scale innovation enterprise-wide by leveraging INDOPACOM network success.

• DNI Gabbard asked AI to decide which JFK assassination files to release.

• Might the CIA get…AI agents?

• Plans were leaked: US government’s AI strategy exposed.

• SecuriGence booked a $174M DARPA IT Multi-Network Service contract mod.

CIVILIAN

Draft proposal looks to put EHR reform measures back on the table.

A draft proposal seeks to reinstate oversight and governance measures for the VA EHR modernization program, which were removed from the Dole Act earlier this year. The proposed legislation includes requirements for the VA to report to Congress on the program, establish standardized clinical workflows, and enhance protections around veterans' personal data.

IRS struggles with AI oversight, GAO finds.

GAO says the IRS is doing fine with privacy checks on identity vendor ID.me, but falls short when it comes to AI oversight. Despite facial recognition in the mix, the agency hasn’t documented performance goals or verified compliance with its own AI policies.

Industry urges more investments in U.S. AI leadership strategy.

Private sector leaders are urging the federal government to boost investment across a range of tech sectors shaping U.S. AI development—while also calling for national leadership in standards-setting and stronger collaboration between industry and government.

ICYMI:

• CBP RFI: Traveler Processing and Vetting Software (TPVS) 2.0.

• ICE wants more blockchain tools to track crypto crime.

• DHS cancels cutter contract and redirects $260M to existing fleet.

• WH plans to overhaul FEMA when hurricane season is over.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• DOE taps four firms to kickstart U.S. HALEU supply chain.

• Micron Tech secured a $275M CHIPS funding.

• Easy Dynamics inked a $50M USDA ICAM and Cloud Modernization contract.

• Coho Federal Solutions JV won a $43B DHS Medical Q-Coded Services 2 deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• ASRC Federal selected its new CSO.

• Guidehouse welcomed its new Partner, Financial Services Growth Leader.

• Tria Federal named its Strategic Initiatives & Market Expansion EVP.

Civilian Job Openings

• FCA is seeking a Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

• US Courts is hiring an Administrative Manager.

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M&A CORNER

Securonix acquires ThreatQuotient: Supercharging threat detection and response.

Securonix acquired ThreatQuotient to create a next-gen security ops platform—one that blends AI-driven behavior analytics with rich threat intel feeds. They’re promising 90% fewer false positives and 70% faster investigations, giving overworked SOC teams a chance to breathe.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Did the Pentagon fuel UFO myths to mask secret weapons programs? Maybe the discourse is veering too far into the paranormal and away from national security concerns. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed. This happened just weeks after Boeing agreed to a $1.1B payout over its earlier 737 Max disasters. SOURCE↗︎

3. Personal info—including decrypted SSNs—of over 86 million AT&T customers was hacked. Hackers uploaded the data on the dark web. SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

B) The 1945 V-J Day Parade in New York City — Some sources suggest up to 4 million people participated in the broader city-wide celebrations, making it by far the largest military parade and public gathering in U.S. history. Crowds numbered approximately 4 million for the 1969 Apollo 11 parade in NYC, but it was not a military parade and had no troops marching. (Source)