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- March 13, 2024
March 13, 2024
IRS Prof Srvcs RFI, Solar power from space, funding decreases abound, 101M more for CBP border surveillance towers, DOD 1B budget for replicator drones
GovBrew
March 13, 2024
QUICK HITS
Watch this hearing: Restoring national security as the focus of Defense Production Act Reauthorization.
TikTok: House will vote Wednesday to ban TikTok in the USA.
Space Force budget: FY25 request dives down $600M lower than FY24 despite looming Chinese threat.
FAR Part 15: Learn more about Contracting by Negotiation in this Friday’s seminar.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
At Booz Allen, data aids soldiers and saves lives.
After completing basic training, soldiers focus on developing operational skillsets and honing situational awareness. As part of its human performance training, Booz Allen is leveraging AR and VR-enhanced simulations, virtual scenarios, and analytics-powered digital solutions to accelerate the progress of the mission readiness of soldiers. Read more
Firm-fixed-price? Defense contractors are saying “NO” to the Pentagon.
The DOD employs cost-plus contracts for developing new weapons systems. Companies secure a fixed profit, while the government handles unforeseen expenses. Once the Pentagon defines its requirements and the weapon is developed, it transitions to fixed-price contracts. This year, defense contractors are having second thoughts on bidding. Read more
Let’s take a peak at America’s latest nuclear warhead.
The production of the B61-13, America’s nuclear gravity bomb's new variant, is estimated to cost around $92 million. The goal is to make a higher-yield nuclear bomb that can go through hardened enemy locations. In the meantime, NNSA is seeking $5.14B for its FY25 weapons activities. Read more
ICYMI:
DOD has a $1B budget for replicator drones, funded in two parts.
DOD needs a new communications platform; its existing, bespoke “secure unclassified network” is hard to manage cyber requirements.
Missile Defense Agency requests a $500M smaller budget for FY25.
GE Aerospace plans to invest over $650M in factories, supply chain in FY24.
Defense Contract Awards
SAIC wins $444M Space Force Spaceport Operations contract.
Amentum bagged a $254M U.S. Navy Microelectronics Capabilities contract.
The University of Birmingham won a $15.5M DOD Concussion Research Program contract.
Maxar wins 4th phase of the One World Terrain virtual map effort for the U.S. Army.
BAE Systems was the sole bidder on a $317M Army contract for technical services related to the M109 family of vehicles.
Follow the Defense Leaders
QinetiQ’s new Capture Management VP was a Senior Director at Peraton.
A retired U.S. Army Colonel was selected to be the Emerging Technologies SVP at Tribalco.
Navy Veteran has joined Core4ce’s Board of Advisers.
BAE Systems Veteran was chosen as the new Defense and Systems Business CSO of GE Aerospace.
Defense Job Openings
The USMC is looking for a Marine & Family Programs Chief.
NAVSEA is seeking an IT Program Manager.
US Fleet Forces is hiring a Deputy Commander.
Army IMCOM needs a Program Manager.
CHART
INTEL COMMUNITY
Dangerous threats at the border, FBI warns.
FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a warning about a diverse range of threats originating from the U.S. border, including drug trafficking, violent gangs, and smugglers linked to ISIS. Read more
DHS wants $101M to upgrade its border surveillance towers.
Buried in the FY25 budget request is a line item to upgrade and maintain the network of surveillance towers scattered throughout the borderlands. DHS expects the system to reach “full operational capacity” by 2034, at which point there will be more than 1,000 manned and unmanned towers along both of the US’s land borders. Read more
ICYMI:
Extremist gamers, watch out: The feds are coming for you.
U.S. citizen that conspired to deliver support to ISIS has been charged.
Three-quarters of the online attack victims are from small businesses.
ODNI needs a Division Chief.
CIVILIAN
From $200M to $75M: The White House wants to decrease funding for modernization.
The $75 million request marks a substantial reduction compared to previous budget allocations: $200 million for fiscal year 2024 and $300 million in fiscal year 2023. The funding drop comes after GSA and OMB struggled to convince lawmakers to meet the bigger request in the last few years. Read more
Generative AI in the government? Trust is needed.
The Whtie House has released an EO on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence to set standards on consumer and worker protection. Federal technology leaders are trying to find the balance between encouraging innovation with generative AI tools and upholding public and employee trust. Read more
IRS previews its plans for $353M professional services competition.
The IRS has given industry a first glimpse at how the agency plans to compete a potential five-year, $353 million contract vehicle covering acquisition support and professional services. Questions and comments on the draft solicitation are due by March 25 and must be filled out as Attachment 11 directs in this Thursday Sam.gov notice. Read more | Go to SAM
ICYMI:
CISA plans to strengthen the security of the open source ecosystem.
Increase in AI usage equates to job satisfaction for VA employees, better health for veterans.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 has returned to our planet.
USDA finalizes a rule on “Product of USA.”
Civilian Contracts Awards
GDIT was awarded a $39M NCI Unified Communications and Audiovisual Support Services contract by the HHS.
CACI bagged a $4.7M MRMSS Functionality Transition contract from the DOI.
Aero-Graphics Inc. won a USDA Stewardship Lands Aerial Imagery AGI contract worth $3.1M.
ATMA awarded a GSA MAS contract.
Follow Civilian Leaders
The Federal Maritime Commission’s new CIO used to work for the USDA FSIS.
Alpha Omega’s former Strategic Accounts VP is the new Allied Mission Group’s SVP.
PSI has chosen former CBDO as new CGO.
IT Digitalization Director is now the Emerging Programs and Initiatives Director at the IRS.
Civilian Job Openings
HUD needs a Deputy Director.
National Endowment for the Arts is seeking a Chief Diversity Officer.
CFPB is seeking a Program Director.
NASA is hiring a Program Manager.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Can Viagra prevent Alzheimer’s?
In a recent study, a large real-world analysis of patient data from two databases showed a 30%-54% reduced prevalence in Alzheimer’s Disease among patients who took sildenafil (Viagra) than those who did not, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. However, there’s a research paper that has conflicting findings with theirs. How effective is Viagra against this disease? Read more
Data brokers are selling data on our location, children, and healthcare. How exposed are we online?
In the pursuit of profit, companies and individuals will stop at nothing to claim their share. Currently, approximately 480 data brokers are registered with the California Privacy Protection Agency. However, that could be merely the tip of the iceberg, as numerous smaller players operate discreetly under the radar. Is there a law that protects internet users from unwanted online information harvest? Read more
Harvesting solar power from space—can it soon become a reality?
It's low maintenance, renewable, and has minimal environmental impact. Solar power has numerous advantages over other energy sources. Although it is freely available, its biggest issues are storage and daytime-limited energy collection. The concept of solar power stations aims to address these problems. Can turning this science fiction idea into reality happen in the near future? Read more
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