March 22, 2024

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QUICK HITS

• UN votes to adopt historic AI safety resolution: A coalition of 193 countries will pursue the potential of AI systems while mitigating risks.

• Key lessons for success from a retired Navy admiral: From making the bed to taking risks, see if you can apply a lesson to your career.

• Technology Modernization Fund, USDS hit with cuts: A funding package includes steep cuts for key gov’t tech accounts.

• Watch: Neuralink’s first human subject demonstrates the brain-computer interface while playing chess. So amazing!

TRIVIA 🤔

Just click the choice you think is right & the correct answer will be shown. Scroll down to the end of the newsletter for more details about the right answer.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

DARPA seeks ultra-efficient AI chips, platforms at the "tactical edge."

DARPA’s OPTIMA program is seeking ultra-efficient AI chips. The program is seeking super-compact AI compact to function on what the military calls the “tactical edge”—such as drones, manned aircraft, ground vehicles, forward command posts, and individual kits that have to work in Ukrainian mud, Arctic snow, or desert sands. Read more

Commentary: 'Hedge forces' can break the Pentagon's force-structure death spiral.

Two senior fellows at the Hudson Institute argue that while many have criticized POTUS’s FY25 defense spending proposal as insufficient to its time, these critics—and the administration officials who say Congressional budget caps have tied their hands—are also missing the bigger picture: that America’s military is in a force-structure death spiral. Read more

Defense leaders detail conditions in Middle East, Africa crises.

The situation in the Middle East and Africa has changed dramatically over the past year, and the DOD is moving to address the challenges in these vital areas. Sustainable security, partnerships and alliances, and respect for fundamental freedoms propel the mission. Read more

ICYMI:

• The DOD is driving more STEM talent through internships, scholarships.

• Committees unveil their final FY25 defense appropriations bill.

• SECDEF shares views on Gaza with Israel's defense minister.

• Two of QinetiQ’s Rattlers, brand-spanking-new supersonic target drones, fly for the first time.

Defense Contract Awards

• Caci wins a $239M U.S. Army High Security Unified Computer Network contract.

• PCX Aerosystems awarded a $22M U.S. Army Aircraft Parts contract.

• OSI bags Ship-To-Shore Connector Program contract.

• Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Spacebuilt win DIU Space Logistics Technologies contracts.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• DOD’s Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment was selected as its new Chief AI Officer.

• USAF taps a new Deputy Chief Data & AI Officer.

• Former Assistant Secretary for Defense Readiness was appointed as Red Cell Partners’ National Security Practice President.

Defense Job Openings

• USAF is seeking a CIO/Deputy Director of Plans & Integration.

• OSD needs an Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program Director.

• NAVSEA is looking for a Supervisory Program Manager.

• DOD is hiring a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Infrastructure & Resilience.

INTEL COMMUNITY

ICYMI:

• RFI: DCSA seeks AI tools to support contracting processes.

• RFI: NGA posts RFI for in-place monitoring system for Next NGA West.

• BAE Systems secures $182M NGA GEM Cutter contract to provide advanced modeling.

• South River Federal recruits recent AF Cyber Intel Division chief.

• ODNI is looking for an MI Resources Deputy Director.

CIVILIAN

Implementation of AI has started, but key requirements are needed.

AI is transforming our planet rapidly and it could enhance government operations. However, protective measures are essential to mitigate its potential risks. There are many stipulations in federal law and guidelines for agencies adopting AI, but not all have been fulfilled. Until all that's required are met, agencies can't efficiently manage the risks and advantages associated with it. GAO’s 35 recommendations address these issues. Read more

Commerce's head of industry gives answers HELL NO when asked if his office has the IT resources it needs.

The head of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security gave lawmakers “an emphatic no” when asked if his office has the IT resources it needs to carry out its mission. Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security office’s licensing workload has doubled from roughly 20,000 per year in 2012 to more than 40,000 per year in 2023. Read more

Automation is where it’s at! Automation helps cyber preparedness at the VA, CFPB, and DOD-CX Office.

Automation technologies have helped the VA stop more than 800 cyberattacks this fiscal year. The executive director for enterprise command operations said that leveraging automation has allowed the agency to intercept the attacks before they cause network outages at VA clinics and negatively impact customers. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: DOI’s IDIQ for GIS and IT Services, Alaska.

• RFI: NNSA, Software Development & Support Services for the Asset Readiness Management System (Small Biz Set Aside).

• Critical infrastructure defense tips against Chinese hackers? CISA has a helpful 4-page tip sheet for you.

• Congress seeking details on federal telework as part of latest spending agreement.

• USDOT announces privacy review of the country’s top airlines.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Grove Resource Solutions gets $139M NIH NCI Desktop Management and User Support contract.

• $10M GSA FAS Identity Verification Solution contract was awarded to Celerity Government Solutions.

• Airbus bags NASA GRACE-C Twin Spacecraft Development contract.

• Intel has reached a non-binding preliminary agreement with the Dept of Commerce for an $8.5B CHIPS contract.

• Agile Six wins VA OIT Sitewide Product Team Support task.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• US Census Bureau taps AI/ML SME to be CDO.

• Former Chief of ITL’s Applied Cybersecurity Division is now a Director in NIST’s IT lab.

• Okta’s first Public Sector CTO was previously FBI’s CTO and CIO.

• Former DOS Director joins Globally’s Board of Directors.

Civilian Job Openings

• VBA needs an Office of Administrative Review Executive Director.

• CBP is seeking an Executive Director, Procurement.

• DOL’s Employment & Training Administration is looking for a Supervisory Program Manager.

• VA is hiring an SSD Chief.

M&A CORNER

LMI acquired JJR Solutions.

Through the integration of JJR Solutions, LMI has reinforced its pledge to deliver rapid, innovative, human-centered design solutions for their customers. Together, they will bring about change for the constituents they cater to, including their nation’s service members and veterans. Read more

Alteryx finalizes sale to Clearlake Capital Group, Insight Partners.

Alteryx, a provider of AI software for enterprise analytics, has completed its sale to affiliates of global private equity firms Clearlake Capital Group and Insight Partners. The company said it now operates as a private company after delisting from the New York Stock Exchange as part of the agreement. Read more

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 55+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 75+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in this week's recompete report.

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

• Stay up to date on the upcoming events. Also, check out the GovBrew Insider discount on the upcoming GovCIO Women Tech Leaders Summit. 

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

Want to become a GovBrew Insider member? Join here

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

Which reforms should you know about in the final FY24 spending package?

Now that lawmakers have finally unveiled the second and final spending package for fiscal 2024 - and with Congress now facing a tight timeline to pass the measure before funding expires at the end of the day Friday - read about the 9 biggest agency and program reforms the package includes. Read more

How are S&T efforts prepping DHS for upcoming challenges?

As the DHS evolves to combat the wide array of new threats posed by rapidly advancing technologies and extreme climate events, it has adopted a forward-thinking approach focused on what the DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology called “over the horizon challenges.” Read more

What does it mean when the Navy says to "go out and innovate?”

One's interpretation of the word "innovation"—especially when the Navy says it—can often be blurred when it comes to tech. Here's what the Navy means when it asks tech contractors to go out and innovate, per a discussion at an industry panel. Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

A. 150 — CBP has 158 television grantees, which represents 357 public TV stations. They also have 391 radio grantees, which represent 1,207 public radio stations.

CPB, PBS, and NPR are independent of each other and of local public television and radio stations. CPB distributes funds to support programming, and they help to support PBS and NPR financially. CBPs funds come from the federal government as well as private and non-profit sources.

Want to submit a trivia question for the next edition? Reply to this email.

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