March 6, 2024

USAF $988M IDIQ, VA spending bill, Small Business guide, AFWERX's collab program closed, Avion acquired Synectic Research & Analysis

QUICK HITS

  • NAICS Code appeals: Can be a powerful tool for altering the competitive landscape?

  • USAF awards $988M IDIQ: USAF picks six for a contract that focuses on how humans work with weapons systems.

  • ReadyOne Digital Engineering Ecosystem Solution: SAIC powered it with Aras.

  • NASA's multibillion-dollar satellite servicing demo: Canceled 

  • Understanding FAR part 13: Check out this Friday’s seminar on “Simplified Acquisition Procedures.”

PRESENTED BY GOVTRIBE

Small Business Guide to Federal Contracts

The federal government is reserving substantial contracting funds for qualified small businesses, making them sought-after partners for larger companies. Is your team equipped with the latest tools to discover partnerships and potential contract awards?

Inside this guide, you'll uncover:

  • Why is the government seeking small businesses?

  • How is the government leveraging small businesses?

  • How do I know if my company is eligible?

  • How do I get started?

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Due to lack of funding, AFWERX’s private-sector collab program was closed.

The Defense Ventures Fellowship program has been discontinued due to insufficient funding. This initiative involved embedding officers, enlisted personnel, and DOD civilians with startups and venture capital firms, with the goal of bringing the Pentagon innovation and making it better as a customer. Read more

US invests $26B annually in simulation for future threats.

The United States is preparing for a significant increase in military simulation and training expenditures. Forecasts suggest an annual investment exceeding $26 billion until 2028. This initiative is driven by the dedication to bolstering military readiness and response capabilities. Read more

Army Vice Chief discusses network evolution and priorities.

Network will be focused on by Senior Army leaders. Two umbrella terms will be used to emphasize network improvements: “C2 Fix” and “C2 Next”. C2 Fix aims to ensure the soldiers’ ability to communicate and engage in combat on the modern battlefield. C2 Next is the army's prototyping effort, conducted in collaboration with industry partners, to explore a data-centric system. Read more

ICYMI:

Defense Contract Awards 

Follow the Defense Leaders

  • The new Deputy Naval Inspector General was a former IRS Deputy Commissioner.

  • The new CGO of DecisionPoint was the CGO at Integrated Management Strategies.

  • RPI Group’s new CEO was a Navy Officer.

  • Chief Staff of to the Assistant Secretary of the Army is now a Brigadier General.

Defense Job Openings

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INTEL COMMUNITY

General Dynamics wins two USAF contracts for battlefield information collection and exploitation systems.

General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc. was awarded two contracts by the U.S. Air Force for enhancing battlefield information systems. A $239.3 million contract supports global coalition operations through a secure information sharing network, while a $39.97 million contract covers the development and support of this network. Read more

USSOCOM hosts industry engagement day for ISSJ III.

USSOCOM is organizing an Industry Engagement Event from April 9-12, 2024, at the SPA Crown Center in Lorton, VA, to discuss the upcoming Special Operations Forces ISSJ III contract. This event outlines the requirements for intelligence services supporting USSOCOM globally, covering a wide range of intelligence functions such as All-Source, HUMINT, SIGINT, and more. The engagement will include briefings, Q&A sessions, and one-on-one meetings for potential prime contractors, with a focus on transitioning from the current ISSJ contract ending in September 2024. Read more

ICYMI:

CIVILIAN

VA Spending Bill: Less for EHRM, $6B for IT.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have unveiled their package of fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills. Among these bills is one that allocates $6B IT funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Notably, it also includes a reduction in the VA’s electronic health records program funding. Read more

The impact of AT&T Outage on national emergency communications.

The recent AT&T outage exposed the vulnerability of wireless networks and critical internet infrastructure. It emphasized the nation’s reliance on these services for emergency communication, prompting a comprehensive examination of resilience and preventive measures to avert future disruptions. Read more

New weak points as federal managers rely on AI—is PLI needed?

Federal agencies are keen to adopt Artificial Intelligence technology following a recent executive order on AI issued by the White House. However, with new practices come new vulnerabilities. Will Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) protect federal managers? Read more

ICYMI:

Civilian Contracts Awards

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

M&A CORNER

BigBear.ai completed the acquisition of Pangiam Intermediate Holdings.

BigBear.ai has successfully acquired Pangiam Intermediate Holdings, LLC. This strategic step enhances BigBear.ai’s mission to provide clarity for decisions across three key markets: national security, supply chain management, and digital identity. Read more

Triumph Group’s product support business has been purchased by AAR.

AAR CORP has successfully acquired Triumph Group’s Product Support business. This acquisition strengthens AAR’s repair capabilities, expands its presence in the APAC region, and improves the company’s ability to serve global customers. Read more

Avion acquired Synectic Research & Analysis.

Avion Solutions has successfully acquired Synectic Research & Analysis. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed. This strategic move reinforces Avion’s dedication to improving its service in critical defense sectors.
Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

Why did the US Government seize $922M worth of Bitcoin from two wallets?

The transfers aligned with a bitcoin price surge. Bitcoin briefly reached $64,000 on certain exchanges before going down to approximately $60,000. The Department of Justice reported that it retrieved approximately 95,000 of the stolen bitcoin from crypto wallets controlled by the defendants— but where is it from? Read more

Will quantum computing reshape the future of the pharmaceutical industry?

Quantum computing, a technology that functions by using the principles of quantum mechanics, holds the promise of enabling more precise and rapid calculations. How can this be used in developing new drugs and what are the challenges that could come with using it to make new medicine? Read more

Is AI now capable of stabilizing nuclear fusion?

Numerous scientists hold the view that nuclear fusion can become the most environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source on our planet. In order to achieve a stable fusion reaction, one must also maintain plasma, which is a state of matter consisting of intensely hot gases and free electrons. High temperatures can cause issues, so how did Princeton's AI solve this problem? Read more

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