May 1, 2024

Thoma Bravo to buy Darktrace, NOAA IT RFI, Deloitte buys Gryphon Scientific, AI’s WMD, new BD at CACI, satellite orbit risk, critical infrastructure memo

Author

GovBrew
May 01, 2024

QUICK HITS

  • WH’s key AI actions in 170 days: All actions are on schedule; they are working on harnessing AI for good, not evil.

  • The Pentagon slashed funding: the DOD’s funding request for science & technology was 3.4% lower than last year’s request.

  • FAR Part 30: Learn more about “Cost Accounting Standards Administration” in this Friday’s seminar.

  • WH memo on Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience: Prioritizing an approach and establishing minimum requirements.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

“Everything needs to be smaller, lighter.” Marines seek robust, deployable tech for future combat.

Marine Corps acquisition officials are begging industry for a new generation of technology, one better-suited to small units dispersed across austere islands far from friendly support. Everything from sensors to computers to communications must be lighter, more compact, less power-hungry, and less prone to reveal locations to enemy sensors by emitting excessive heat or radio waves. Ease of deployment and sustainment are a must. Read more

More satellites, less space for them: new report highlights risk growth on orbit.

2023 was yet another boom year for space operations with more launches, more satellites deployed, more dead satellites littering the heavens, more satellite maneuvers—and with that increase in on-orbit activity a growth in risks to operators, in part evidenced by “markedly increasing” insurance rates for operators. Read more

“The Pentagon can’t pay for it.” Northrop’s classified satellite program gets canceled.

The classified satellite project of Northrop Grumman was terminated due to the Pentagon’s budget constraints. The requirement “likely still exists” though. Additionally, the CEO stated that the company will not participate in the production of cheap, non-survivable drones. Read more

ICYMI:

Defense Contract Awards

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Defense Job Openings

CHART

(Navy) Systems That Receive and Use Total Force Manpower Management System Data. (Source)

INTEL COMMUNITY

NSA will reveal the identities of thousands through a spy law.

Approximately 20,000 additional US identities were unveiled during investigations using a spying tool. This was driven by numerous attempts from hackers seeking to compromise and disrupt critical American infrastructure. The WH has recently granted a two-year extension of authority. It was stated that this extension increased the compliance of the intelligence analysts in using the tool. Read more

ICYMI:

CIVILIAN

NSF to Congress: Let’s use quantum technology.

The NSF presented some of its quantum IT research projects to Congress as the agency proceeds to work with lawmakers to get enough federal funding in the middle of numerous budget cuts in different sectors. Read more

The FAA faces unique challenges when deploying AI.

Through partners, its own internal research staff, and work with NASA, the country’s aviation safety regulator is looking at a range of AI applications. The FAA has a chief scientific and technical advisor for AI/ML, who is charged with expanding the country’s role in understanding how AI might be deployed in aviation contexts. And the agency is working on a plan, along with NASA, for certifying AI technologies for use in the national airspace system. Read more

Census Bureau needs cost and schedule estimates for IT modernization.

The Bureau has initiated four modernization programs aimed at enhancing systems responsible for data collection, processing, and dissemination. However, the Bureau has not yet fully implemented the best practices for managing requirements, cost, and schedule. This lack of reliable estimates increases the risk of cost overruns and unmet performance targets. Read more

ICYMI:

Civilian Contracts Awards

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Civilian Job Openings

FREE RECOMPETE REPORT

80+ upcoming recompete opportunities

You’re chasing opportunities—every day, all the time—because getting in front of new opportunities is one of the secrets to success in GovCon. Here at GovBrew, we know that and want to help you fill the pipeline. So, we pulled together this Recompete Report to save you some legwork.

This report contains actionable intelligence about potential recompetes and expiring contracts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Sure, all this information is publicly available, but we gathered it from five different sources, so you don’t have to do it yourself.

Now, you can focus on what matters most—fielding opportunities, closing deals and grabbing a few more brews ( ☕️ 🍺).

M&A CORNER

Deloitte buys Gryphon Scientific.

Deloitte has completed the acquisition of Gryphon Scientific for an undisclosed amount. The agreement will result in Deloitte acquiring Gryphon’s team of scientists, programmers, data analysts, public health experts, and strategic planners, all of whom possess expertise in scientific communication, data modeling, and risk analysis. Read more

CASE has merged with CyberKinetics.

CASE and CyberKinetics have merged. The partnership aims to unite the cloud engineering and software development proficiency of CASE with CyberKinetic’s cyber solutions and cloud based services expertise for the betterment of their service to the national security community. Read more

Thoma Bravo will acquire Darktrace.

Thoma Bravo said “yes” to acquiring Darktrace for $5.3 billion. The shareholders have yet to approve the deal, but the board of directors of both companies have already expressed their support for it. Read more

SES is set to acquire Intelsat.

SES will buy Intelsat for $3.1 billion. The two companies have reached an agreement, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction that unites two leading GEO satellite service providers in an industry experiencing heightened rivalry from LEO satellite networks. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

How can SpaceX’s Starship aid in beaming energy from space?

SpaceX’s Starship is set to revolutionize the generation of solar power in space, making the concept of orbital power stations not only economically viable but also more cost-effective than other electricity production methods. How will the company make space-based solar power work? Read more

TikTok ban? They say DJI could be next.

The Countering CCP Drones Act aims to include DJI drones in the Federal Communications Commission’s list of equipment that poses an unacceptable risk to US national security. If this bill is passed, new DJI products would be prohibited from entering the U.S. market, and existing FCC authorizations for DJI could be revoked—but why is DJI a national security risk? Read more

What did scientists do to contain nuclear plasma?

Nuclear fusion stands as a coveted goal in contemporary scientific research. This process entails compelling particles to merge, resulting in a release of a great amount of energy. This same fundamental principle also fuels numerous nuclear weapons. Can this hybrid approach finally power the drive for clean energy? Read more

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