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- March 20, 2024
March 20, 2024
VHA 14B IHT RFP drops, Cisco acquires Splunk, FedRAMP chief steps down, DHS AI Roadmap, trains on the moon, DOD modernization gets a D
GovBrew
March 20, 2024
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QUICK HITS
RFP hits the streets: VHA has released the much-anticipated $14B Integrated Healthcare Transformation RFP.
Research it now: Check out this helpful SeaPort NxG Recompete research deep-dive.
CISA’s repository for software sharing: The Repository for Software Attestation and Artifacts will help feds with procurement.
FAR Part 17: Learn about “Special Contracting Methods” in this Friday’s webinar.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Northrop Grumman envisions “trains on the moon” for DARPA.
Northrop Grumman will be giving DARPA a "lunar railroad" concept study as a part of the 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) Capability Study for the DOD. This could make human, supply, and resource transportation on lunar surfaces a reality in the future. Read more
Spy satellites for the DOD? Make them, SpaceX will.
SpaceX will be developing and manufacturing a huge spy satellite constellation called "Starshield" for the NRO. By working as a coordinating swarm to monitor the targets on the ground, the constellation will reshape USA’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. This network has the potential to render concealment virtually impossible. Read more
The National Security Innovation Base report card is out, and defense modernization gets a “D” grade.
The National Security Innovation Base card, which indicates the measurement of the Pentagon's potential to leverage work, showed that the DOD did not show significant progress in transitioning innovative gear into mass-produced equipment for the battlefield. DOD also got a D in “customer clarity,” which measures how well DOD communicates priorities with industry. Read more
ICYMI:
RFI: The Air Force wants engine options for NGAS tankers. (SAM)
SASC Chair: The lack of $105B supplemental could put Pentagon operations at risk.
Vista Equity + RTX’s Forcepoint gets blockchain patent.
Amidst staffing problems, DOD will launch Cyber Policy Office.
Aviation Week announced its Grand Laureate Awards.
RTX’s Collin Aerospace released a new product: Venue Smart Monitor.
Defense Contract Awards
EchoStar wins DOD 5G contract extension.
Parsons won $62.9M Air Force Laser Systems and Vehicles mod.
Rolls Royce bagged a $7.6M NAWCAD Research, Development, Technology, and Engineering contract.
Pergravis was awarded a $250M Air Force Maintenance and Federal Installations contract.
Follow the Defense Leaders
DOD names new head of DCSA.
ManTech’s new CDO was previously CTO of Accenture Federal.
Former Proprietary President was appointed as QinetiQ’s new EVP/GM Intelligence, Cyber and Information Advantage BU.
The new member of Peraton’s Advisory Board worked in the CIA.
Comtech’s Board of Directors has selected a new Interim CEO.
Defense Job Openings
Army National Guard is seeking a Deputy USP & FO.
NAVSEA is looking for a Program Manager.
SECARMY is hiring a Management and Control Director.
Army Joint Activities needs a Program Manager.
CHART: IRS’s Modernization Program Status
INTEL COMMUNITY
ICYMI:
HII gets $305M DIA contract to protect the regional interests of the USA in South Korea.
ODNI needs a Private Sector Partnerships Program Director.
CIVILIAN
The eclipse is not the only stellar news—NASA will “almost” land a spacecraft near the sun.
NASA is sending a spacecraft near the sun. Hopkins Laboratory engineers want to know more about the star's volatile atmosphere, and different government agencies are concerned about a potential repeat of the 1859 Carrington Event—a time in history when a coronal mass ejection hit our planet. Read more
Buying SaaS is now easier through GSA’s new policy.
GSA is soon to permit its contracting officers to buy cloud services “by the drink,” or through a consumption-based model. The new acquisition letter skirts the Anti-Deficiency Act prohibition by highlighting the requirement for contemporaneous delivery of the software. Read more
DOE will collaborate with industry partners for quantum technology.
The goal of the Quantum and Space Collaboration of the energy department is to make use of innovative technologies for essential advancements. The project has attracted participants from various industries. Check out what leaders at Office of Technology Transitions and Accenture Federal are up to. Read more
ICYMI:
Trimming 10,000 medical jobs is part of the VA’s plan this year.
IRS has old tech. It’s time for an update. (See “Chart,” above)
DHS rolls out its first ever “AI Roadmap.”
IMF emails—they have been compromised.
Civilian Contracts Awards
DroneShield got a $4.3M handheld C-UAS systems contract.
CGI wins $72M HHS Online Medicare contract.
SAIC wins $2.3M TSA ESM Rates and Standards Validation, Modeling and Simulation Support contract.
Identity proofing technology BPAs worth $194M were awarded by the GSA to: Aderas, Carahsoft, Celerity, Diamond Capture, Experian Info, Idemia Identity & Security, LexisNexis, and TransUnion.
Follow Civilian Leaders
FedRAMP Chief is stepping down; interim leadership TBD.
Ericsson Federal Technologies has been established and its new CEO was a Booz Allen Hamilton EVP.
There’s a new National Security & Safety Sector Dir at RELI Group.
Former DRT Strategies Business Development Director has been appointed Infotrend’s new Assistant VP of Growth.
Unqork has promoted a new Federal Executive Director.
Civilian Job Openings
HUD needs an Office of Public Housing Director.
DOL is seeking a Supervisory Contract Specialist.
VHA is looking for a Chief Financial Officer.
M&A CORNER
Cisco acquires Splunk.
Cisco has acquired Splunk for $28 billion. Cisco plans to use Splunk's AI, security, and observability capabilities to its maximum advantage to complement Cisco’s solution portfolio. Read more
Precise Systems has acquired Jardon & Howard Technologies.
Precise Systems, a portfolio company of Bluestone Investment Partners, has acquired Jardon & Howard Technologies, a provider of advanced training and simulation services to defense and civilian agencies. JHT is a VOSB with two decades of experience in delivering virtual training simulations, interactive courseware and human performance improvement tools to customers across the DOD and the federal government. Read more
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
You’ve heard about the eclipse on April 8, but did you know that a “devil comet” may be observed then, too?
A rare and massive comet with a devilish nickname is set to pass by Earth for the first time in 71 years and may be visible during the highly anticipated April 8 total solar eclipse. Officially named comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, the cryovolcanic comet is known as the "devil comet" due to its formation of two "horns" made up of ice and gas and periodic explosions. The devil comet is heading for its next perihelion passage, when it will reach its closest point to the sun and shine the brightest, on April 21—Eclipse Day. Read more
Would you hack an e-sports tourney to cheat with extra tools?
During two separate Apex Legends Global Series live streams, hackers were caught dropping so-called "cheat tools" into the game to illegally benefit players. (Some of those players had no idea it was happening.) Electronic Arts, publisher of Apex Legends was then forced to postpone the remainder of the tournament — with prize money totaling $5 million — while they tried to figure out how the cyberattack happened. Read more
It’s bracket season: Could a gambling “error” cost you March Madness?
Online sports gambling platforms are easy and abundant these days. But if you actually win your bracket, will your gambling platform honor your bet? There have been stories recently about sports books in the US voiding bets that would’ve paid out big to bettors. The sports books use a clause in the fine print of their regulations saying that if there’s an obvious error with the odds in the bet (a.k.a. “palpable error”), they can cancel your bet. Read more
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