June 21, 2024

QUICK HITS

• CBO report projects $1.9T budget deficit for FY24: The deficit totals nearly $2 trillion this year in CBO's projections.

• Army’s $1B Software Development IDIQ: Here’s what we know.

• An exit interview with OMB's customer experience guru: Meet the woman who first took on the role of CX lead at the White House.

• FAR Part 44: Learn about “Subcontracting Policies and Procedures” in Wednesday’s webinar.

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

What the future may hold for USAF's next-gen fighter jet.

Delays in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program and Boeing’s lackluster performance on its defense efforts could be driving recent—and unexpected—comments from Air Force leaders that it might not build a next-gen fighter jet. Read more

What’s the right balance between precision fires and “dumb” mass deep attacks?

In Paris, military leaders are weighing in on mass fires versus precision fires. “Most nations, on their own, would prefer to buy exclusive, exquisite stuff that promises to win quickly," said US Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. “Smaller numbers gotta beat larger numbers—use precision to defeat mass.” Read more

Advantage enjoyed by small combat drones but "a moment in history," says French Army chief.

According to French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill, the advantage now enjoyed by small aerial drones on battlefields, including in Ukraine, is but “a moment in history." In fact, 75% of drones on the battlefield in Ukraine are lost to electronic warfare. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: DISA’s DoDIN Risk & Situational Awareness Picture (DRSAP)

• RFP: AFRL’s Ephemeral Paragon (E-Gon), an advanced software suite of tactical single-ship EW capabilities for the warfighter.

• Army to conduct pilot program of a generative AI tech next month.

• New memo offers guidance on registering metadata in Army data catalog.

• Here’s how DIU will spend almost $1B this year.

• Do you work with awesome DOD tech talent? Help them get awarded!

Defense Contract Awards

• Duke Energy Progress LLC was awarded a $248M DOD Carbon Pollution-Free Electricity contract.

• Merlin won a $105M C-130J Super Hercules Military Transport Aircraft System Development deal.

• Lockheed Martin won a $283M MDA contract extension for the Objective Simulation Framework modeling and simulation system.

Follow Defense Leaders

• The BAE Systems Board of Directors has a new Chair.

• Rear admiral retires as DLA logistics operations director.

• Space Force chief tech & innovation officer retires from gov’t.

• SpiderOak has chosen a former Xage Security VP to be its CRO.

Defense Job Openings

• DSCA is hiring an Assistant Director for Administration.

• Army wants a Director, SOUTHCOM.

• NAVSEA needs a Surface Systems Contract Division Director.

• Army National Guard is seeking a Plans, Operations, and Training Assistant Director.

CHART

The chief technology trends that procurement plans to implement or evaluate in the next 12-18 months.

Economist Impact, “Across the procurement-verse: Changing trends in the procurement function.” (Source)

INTEL COMMUNITY

Batteries as a military enabler.

Batteries, often overlooked, could quietly tilt the balance of military power. Yes, it’s true. Batteries have military implications, creating difficult tradeoffs for policymakers balancing strategic, economic, and decarbonization priorities. While mainland China’s lithium-ion storage batteries are useful for meeting economic and decarbonization goals across the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, its battery complex poses potential security risks, especially in the event of a contingency over Taiwan.) Read more

OIG: Improvements to asylum seeker and noncitizen screening required by DHS.

The OIG’s new report indicates that DHS’s technology, procedures and coordination are not fully effective for screening and vetting non-citizens applying for admission into the U.S., nor asylum seekers with applications pending for an extended period. Through its audit, the OIG uncovered four significant challenges that must be addressed in order to reduce the risk of dangerous or potentially dangerous individuals entering or remaining in the United States. Read more

ICYMI:

• Listen: Meet the legendary Black CIA officer who made Cold War history.

• US blacklists the sale of Russia-based Kaspersky products.

• D-Fend Solutions appoints a new VP and a new BD manager.

• The CISO at TIH has been appointed to Global BOD at FS-ISAC.

• ODNI’s Office of Engagement and Recruitment needs a Director.

• ODNI wants a National Intelligence Mission Performance Analysis and Collection Deputy Assistant Director.

CIVILIAN

OFPP is seeking feedback on applying cost accounting standards to IDVs.

Application of Cost Accounting Standards to Indefinite Delivery Vehicles (IDVs): The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Cost Accounting Standards Board is soliciting public views on whether and how to amend its rules to address the application of CAS to IDVs. Read more

SSA's on a one-year sprint to save your social security benefits.

Martin O’Malley is on a one-year sprint to save Social Security; the SSA's commissioner says his priority right now is convincing Congress to reinvest in SSA’s administrative overhead, despite having shaken up the culture of one of Washington’s most risk-averse agencies. Read more

The VA is giving older veterans more tools to live independently.

After a smartwatch saved the life of the VA’s chief health technology officer, The department now thinks that “smart home” technology can help save the lives of other disabled vets. Joseph Ronzio, VA’s deputy chief health technology officer, said the department is also taking steps to ensure veterans have a stay in who gets this data and how it may be used. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: Dept of Ed’s Title IV Financial Aid Origination and Disbursement (TIVOD) System and Customer Services Transition Services.

• Why you need to understand the GSA view of buying SaaS.

• TMF invests in DOE, FEC, Bureau of Indian Education.

• NASA researchers put next-generation technologies to the microgravity test.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Lockheed snags $2.3B NASA deal to develop GeoXO satellite constellation

• Vertex Aerospace won a $265M NASA Labor Support contract.

• Summit Consulting Services was awarded a $3.2M TREAS Financial Services Support deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• VA has selected a new CDO.

• Accenture appointed new executives.

• Auria has a new CEO.

• Smoothstack tapped a senior exec to serve as Federal Market SVP.

• GDIT Engineering Solutions VP is now its Intelligence and Homeland Security CTO.

Civilian Job Openings

• Treasury Bureau of Engraving & Printing is seeking a Deputy CFO.

• DOI’s Indian Health Service needs a Quality Management Director.

• CMS needs a Deputy Director.

• NASA’s Goddard Center wants an Engineering and Technology Director.

M&A CORNER

Synergy ECP acquires SPYROS.

Synergy ECP has acquired SPYROS Information & Technology Consulting. The acquisition will enhance Synergy ECP’s capacity to provide targeted cyber solutions. It broadens its critical national security clients’ reach at the forefront of critical infrastructure defense and cyber tool development. Read more

Luke Holdings has purchased Coastal Clinical and Management Services.

The acquisition expands Luke’s offerings for the DHS and bolsters its capacity to deliver caregiver, behavioral health, and health care worker services to U.S. government agencies. Luke is a portfolio company of investment firm M33 Growth and is focused on providing healthcare staffing support for the U.S. government. Luke holds positions on several contract vehicles for health care staffing support, including for DHA and VA. Read more

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 90+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 50+ upcoming Architecture and Engineering services opportunities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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 🚿

Why will NASA put an “artificial star” in orbit around Earth?

The recently revealed Landolt NASA Space Mission will deploy an “artificial star” satellite about the size of a breadbox, simulating the giant balls of hot gas by directing lasers toward ground-based telescopes. Can this revolutionize the way we study the universe? Read more

Let’s talk about the scary “Sci-fi” bug in the ISS.

NASA made a horrific discovery on the ISS: They found 13 strains of a multidrug-resistant bacterium known as Enterobacter bugandensis. In other words, the mega bug’s existence and incredible resistance to earthly medicine post a stark health risk to astronauts. It sounds like a sci-fi horror novel plot, don’t you think? How will this affect the astronauts on the ISS? Read more

Can internet satellites deplete the ozone layer?

Researchers from the University of Southern California’s Department of Astronautical Engineering have raised concerns about the harmful chemical reactions in the atmosphere that internet satellites can cause. In what way can these machines deplete our ozone layer? Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

$658 billion — In 2023, the federal government spent $658 on net interest costs on the national debt. That total, which grew by 38 percent from $476 billion in 2022, was the largest amount ever spent on interest in the budget and totaled 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The major drivers of interest costs are the Fed’s interest rates—which are about 5.25%—and debt held by the public, which is $26.2 trillion. (Source)

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SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

Why will NASA put an “artificial star” in orbit around earth?

Our goal here is to provide a BLUF approach to the readers with a bit of humor. We want the reader to know the main point of the story, provide some entertainment (if possible), and have a portion of the data in the story. All the minor details the reader will pick up on the linked article. Goal is (200 - 400 characters (3-5 lines) Read more

What is the source of the E-coli outbreak?

Our goal here is to provide a BLUF approach to the readers with a bit of humor. We want the reader to know the main point of the story, provide some entertainment (if possible), and have a portion of the data in the story. All the minor details the reader will pick up on the linked article. Goal is (200 - 400 characters (3-5 lines) Read more

Can internet satellites deplete the ozone layer?

Our goal here is to provide a BLUF approach to the readers with a bit of humor. We want the reader to know the main point of the story, provide some entertainment (if possible), and have a portion of the data in the story. All the minor details the reader will pick up on the linked article. Goal is (200 - 400 characters (3-5 lines) Read more

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