June 6, 2025

🎖️ New DOD Acquisition chief, SAMOSA Act, foreign satellite capabilities, Apio buys O’Connor Consulting, ARRW program, WOSBs, HHS’s new OCR Director

QUICK HITS

  • DOE AI research: Strengthening defenses for critical infrastructure.

  • WOSB Accountability Act: “Self-certifying” is out.

  • [Listen] Securing key databases: Lessons every agency must learn.

  • Cyber Trust Mark: Strengthening IOT security for manufacturers.

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

  • Stay up to date on the upcoming events.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Lawmakers press DOD on billions lost to procurement fraud.

House lawmakers are grilling the DOD over $10.8B in confirmed fraud from 2017 to 2024, questioning its ability to track spending and prevent contractor abuse. With 71% of defense funds going to contracts, oversight failures could mean big losses for taxpayers—and big headaches for DOD officials.

USAF brings ARRW hypersonic missile program back from the dead.

After a series of test failures and being dropped from the budget, ARRW is back in the mix alongside the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Gen. David Allvin confirmed that both programs are now part of the USAF's hypersonic development efforts, signaling a renewed commitment to advancing these high-speed weapons.

Space Force budget shrinks again despite Golden Dome funding hopes.

The USSF faces another budget cut, with the White House requesting $26.3B—a 13% drop from last year. Officials warn this could hinder space superiority efforts and the Golden Dome missile-defense project, though lawmakers are debating a $150B defense boost that might soften the blow.

ICYMI:

Defense Contract Awards

  • 6 small biz won spots on the $6B Maritime Acquisition Advancement deal.

  • Cardno–Amec Foster Wheeler JV inked an $80M USN A/E contract.

  • Rockwell Collins won a $17M E-6B Software Sustainment and Cyber contract.

  • Telos secured a $14M DISA Organizational Messaging Branch deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

  • DOD swears in a new acquisition, sustainment chief.

  • General Dynamics named several new executives in its leadership team.

  • BAH’s Board of Directors has a new member.

Defense Job Openings

TRIVIA 🤔

Which piece of legislation is considered the foundation of the modern federal procurement system, establishing the framework for competition, contracting procedures, and acquisition planning?

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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

NATO allies debate 5% defense spending as summit approaches.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has formally proposed a 5% GDP defense spending target, but some allies remain hesitant. The plan splits funding into 3.5% for defense capabilities and 1.5% for broader security investments, with SecDef Hegseth pushing for full commitment ahead of the upcoming summit.

U.S. satellite firms look abroad as foreign nations seek “sovereign” eyes in the sky.

Countries around the world are increasingly seeking their own satellite surveillance capabilities, prompting U.S. firms like Maxar, BlackSky, Planet Labs, and Capella Space to expand their services internationally. This shift is driven by nations desiring independent "sovereign" space assets amid global tensions and a growing reluctance to rely solely on American intelligence.

ICYMI:

  • ONCD nominee pledges to prioritize interagency, PPPs.

  • DNI Gabbard assigns a top adviser to the IC’s watchdog office during its probe into “Signalgate.”

  • Quattro Consulting inked a USSOCOM Visual Multimedia and FOIA Support contract.

CIVILIAN

Wrong time for WH to end mobile app security program.

One congressman is criticizing the DHS's decision to end CISA’s Mobile App Vetting (MAV) program, which scans apps on government-issued devices for security flaws. He argues that shutting it down now—especially after recent Chinese cyber intrusions into U.S. telecoms—could create dangerous blind spots in federal cybersecurity.

Senate revives bill to reform federal software purchasing.

A bipartisan group of six senators has reintroduced the SAMOSA Act, aiming to strengthen oversight of federal software purchases, cut duplicative licenses, and save taxpayers millions. With $750 million in projected annual savings, lawmakers hope to modernize outdated procurement practices—but will it finally pass the Senate?

DOGE expands influence across federal agencies post-Musk era.

OMB Director Vought assures lawmakers that the DOGE is here to stay, embedding itself deeper into federal agencies despite Elon Musk’s departure. With leadership decentralizing and funding shifting, DOGE’s role in government modernization and cost-cutting is evolving.

ICYMI:

Civilian Contracts Awards

  • GAMA-1 Technologies won a $9M NOAA 24×7 Cloud Support Services BPA.

  • IT Data Consulting secured a $4M CPSC eFiling System Software contract.

  • V3Gate booked a $3M VA ControlUp Licenses and Support contract.

  • Optiv Federal inked a $2M DOC NOAA Red Hat Enterprise for GOES-R deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

  • GDIT added a CMS Deputy Group Director to its team.

  • HHS selected an OCR Director.

Civilian Job Openings

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M&A CORNER

Aprio acquires O’Connor Consulting to expand nonprofit advisory services.

Aprio, a top U.S. business advisory firm, has acquired O’Connor Consulting Services, strengthening its nonprofit consulting capabilities. With four partners and 25 professionals, O’Connor brings expertise in finance, strategic planning, and grant advisory services, helping mission-driven organizations maximize impact.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

  1. Chinese nationals were caught smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S. The fungus is classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon. SOURCE↗︎ 

  2. The DOJ seized $7.74 million in cryptocurrency linked to North Korean IT workers. They allegedly infiltrated U.S. companies using stolen identities to funnel wages to the North Korean regime. SOURCE↗︎

  3. The WH is investing $130 million to revitalize coal country. The move aims to boost economic growth. SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

A) The Compeition in Contracting Act of 1984 — Each of these laws played a significant role in shaping federal acquisition, but the CICA of 1984 introduced the cornerstone principle of full and open competition—which remains central to procurement policy today. (Source)