QUICK HITS
DOD memo outlines review process for IT consulting contracts: Must get approval from DOGE before awarding new unclassified contracts.
Modernizing government IT: ValueOps links strategy to savings.
From data to intelligence: Orgs that master the art and science of transforming raw gov’t data into actionable market intel will WIN.
Cyber and EW in future wars: DARPA pushes for non-kinetic weapons.
GOVBREW INSIDER
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Old guard meets new blood: defense giants back startups.
Legacy defense firms like Oracle are rolling out the red carpet—and secure cloud access—for tech startups aiming to break into federal contracting. Their new “defense ecosystem” offers training, facilities, and acquisition guidance, all in hopes of co-developing deployable solutions the Pentagon will actually use.
Pentagon’s $1T pitch: Cyber, space, and AI take center stage.
The Pentagon’s FY26 budget request hits $1.01T, with $848B in discretionary funds and a heavy lean on reconciliation dollars. Big winners? Cyber, AI, and space—especially the Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
Congress targets speed: DOD acquisition overhaul on the table.
The HASC wants to scrap the Pentagon’s sluggish acquisition system and replace it with something faster, smarter, and more startup-friendly. Their SPEED Act aims to cut capability approval timelines from years to months—because three-year procurement cycles just don’t cut it in a hypersonic world.
ICYMI:
USAF RFP: SABER recompete contract.
WHS RFP: DSCA Irregular Warfare Center Support Services.
ARRW returns: Air Force plans $387M buy in FY26.
USSF ponders shakeup to LEO satellite strategy, potentially hiring SpaceX.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
Calian welcomed a new Defense and Space Unit head.
Kratos has chosen an Advanced Program VP.
Defense Job Openings
NAVSEA is looking for a Manager.
USPACFLT is hiring a Project Manager.
TRIVIA 🤔
In December 1986, NASA awarded a contract to which company to handle Shuttle payload ground processing and Spacelab integration?
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
DeepSeek flagged: lawmakers push bans for feds and contractors.
Federal workers rarely access DeepSeek, but even one USDA attempt was enough to spark action. Lawmakers are now pushing legislation to ban the Chinese AI tool not just from government devices but also from use by federal contractors—citing national security risks and adversarial ties.
NATO’s defense spree: U.S. officers step in to guide.
With NATO allies pledging 5% of GDP toward defense, U.S. military leaders are stepping up to help steer the spending spree. Lt. Gen. Grynkewich, tapped to lead EUCOM and SACEUR, aims to align investments with alliance goals—from air defense to artillery stockpiles.
ICYMI:
Quibbling over words: Senators leave intelligence briefing divided about the effectiveness of the US’s strikes on Iran.
[NATO Summit] UK eyes nuclear skies: F-35A order signals shift.
16 contractors won a spot on the $5B DOS Global Stability Support deal.
Penlink named its Global Business Growth and Strategy SVP.
CIVILIAN
SSA wants to beef up agency tech as it sheds thousands of staff.
The new head of the SSA plans to cut around 7,000 staff through voluntary departures and restructure internal operations. He aims to modernize by investing in technology, hiring skilled IT personnel, and enhancing digital services while maintaining public-facing field offices. “The real issue is bringing technology to make the jobs better, and we will eliminate fraud, waste and abuse through that technology, too.”
FIT Act returns: Congress eyes faster, smarter tech buys.
The FIT Procurement Act is back, aiming to cut red tape and modernize federal tech buying. The bipartisan bill would double key purchasing thresholds—$10K to $25K for micro-purchases, $250K to $500K for simplified acquisitions—giving agencies more flexibility and small businesses a bigger seat at the table.
House panel advances DHS budget: CISA funding trimmed, not slashed.
The House Appropriations Committee approved a $66.36B DHS budget for FY26, including $2.7B for CISA. Lawmakers remain divided over CISA’s mission, but the broader DHS allocation still sees a modest bump.
ICYMI:
IRS RFI: Integrated Talent Management (ITM) Technical Support Services.
Powering up progress: uranium facility enters final phase.
Accelerating FedRAMP: stackArmor, Google, Carahsoft team up.
Nava Labs joins Google.org’s Generative AI accelerator cohort.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Civilian Job Openings
CBP wants a Program Manager.
DOI needs a Program Manager.
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SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Virtual reality’s breakout role: the battlefield. Meta and Anduril are developing develop mixed reality headsets for the U.S. military. SOURCE↗︎
A Chinese research team has used a quantum computer to factor a 22-bit RSA key. What does this say about global data security? SOURCE↗︎
Windows’ Blue Screen of Death is getting a makeover. It’s now going to be the Black Screen of Death and the frownie face is going away, too. SOURCE↗︎
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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️
D) McDonnell Douglas — The contract was worth $327M over six years. (That’s $959M in today’s dollars.) (Source)
