May 17, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Army needs flexibility in its IT contracting: PEO C3T pushes to build flexibility into our programs so commanders don't have to make static decisions.

• For returning citizens: Starting a business is now easier with the new SBA rule, aimed to benefit those starting over in life.

• Five percent contracting goal for WOSB: The government failed to reach it…again.

• The ultimate teaming event: Third Annual Prime Another Day Govnates event on June 12 in Tysons Corner. You don’t want to miss this!

PRESENTED BY GOVPRO AI

AI for Proposal Writing: Hype or Game-changer?

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TRIVIA 🤔

Just click the choice you think is right & the correct answer will be shown. Scroll down to the bottom of this email to learn more about the correct answer.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Space Force has plans for AI and data analytics.

The Space Force has unveiled its 2024 strategy, detailing how the military service will leverage data and artificial intelligence to enhance operations in challenging environments. Read more

Fate of $22B Microsoft IVAS deal rests on upcoming tests, says AFC boss.

US Army Futures Command head Gen. James Rainey has said that "if [IVAS] does not work, then I think we would have to take a very hard look at whether we continue down that path or use that money for other critical aspects of our night-vision strategy." A poor showing for Microsoft's $22B Integrated Visual Augmentation System production deal may indicate it's time to redirect money elsewhere. Read more

USAF's top weapons buyer says the service needs more in-house coders.

The Air Force needs experts on staff who are capable of making the government a better software consumer, according to the service's top weapons buyer, who said that “while we still rely on industry to produce the vast majority of our software, we need enough government expertise to be a good customer for that." Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: USAF seeks info on portable interrogator; responses due June 11.

• Sources Sought: DISA seeks sources for ID3 endpoint integrator support.

• Army inches closer to having global access to secret network.

• Air Force picks homes for 'Air Task Forces' to prepare for a fight against China.

• DARPA funds military-grade Quantum Laser Prototype Development.

Defense Contract Awards

• EchoStar awarded $2.7B Spiral 4, USN 5G Smart Devices deal.

• Georgia Tech’s research arm was awarded a $339M MDA contract extension.

• Deloitte awarded $88M IDIQ supporting Navy C4I training virtual environment.

• Sigma Defense secures $4.7M US Army VTE task order.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• DISA appoints director of its J9 Hosting and Compute Center to lead J6 directorate.

• Northrop Grumman elects finance executive as incoming CFO.

• AI/ML expert joins Cohesity as new CTO.

Defense Job Openings

• OSD needs a Strategic Resources and Analysis Director.

• USAF is seeking a Deputy Director.

• DOD is hiring a DTMO Deputy Director.

CHART

F-35 Engine Contractor Delivered All Engines Late in 2023. (Source)

INTEL COMMUNITY

Intelligence Community priorities for 2024.

The Intelligence Community is frequently anticipated to provide strategic insights and to operate ubiquitously. Despite the significant geopolitical challenges, there are opportunities for the IC to leverage technology effectively. Let’s examine the community’s priorities for this year. Read more

Ad tracking data: How is the CIA planning to use it?

Data brokers have been selling private citizens' information to the U.S. government for years. Recently, American spymasters have acknowledged that this data is sensitive, but they have not given instructions on how spy agencies should utilize it. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: NGA seeks to usher in $1.5M program for maritime domain awareness.

• IARPA wants innovative SoURCE CODE program solutions.

• FBI can now award its $7B ITSSS-2 Pact.

• Security Industry Association honors two homeland security leaders.

• ODNI is hiring an IARPA Chief of Staff.

• ODNI wants a Chief Functions and Collections Group Deputy.

• DHS wants a Technical Director.

CIVILIAN

Lawmakers want VA to critically examine the new EHR.

In 2023, the rollout of Oracle Cerner's EHR system, which has been deployed to six VA medical facilities, was temporarily halted by the agency due to software problems. The VA secretary will be forced to terminate the modernization program and the contract with Oracle Cerner if the system does not improve significantly. Read more

WH’s FY25 VA budget request would cut 99% of this year's development initiatives.

The WH's FY25 budget request for the VA, which the head of the VA Subcommittee on Tech Modernization called "the most unusual VA information technology budget that we have seen since this Subcommittee was formed," proposes cuts to the agency's IT services, including a 99% reduction in its development initiatives from FY24. Read more

Senate’s AI roadmap: We need $32B for AI programs.

To drive substantial AI advancements in focus areas such as privacy, liability, and national security, the Senate’s working group proposes allocating $32 billion in federal funding for non-defense AI innovation projects, as outlined in the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence's 2021 report. Read more

ICYMI:

• GSA is focusing on cloud procurement efforts for agencies.

• NASA collaborates with Voyager Space for Mars transit vehicle airlock.

• File it under “ALIEN.” New NARA instructions make UFO recordkeeping easier for feds.

• FAA’s reauthorization bill includes short-term learning period extension, targeting its regulation of commercial spaceflight.

• White House's nerve center for procurement marks 50 years.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Colossal Contracting, an SDVOSB, won a $2.8M USDA APHIS Cohesity Support deal.

• USCG awards $10M SAS solutions services contract to Executive Information Systems.

• Dignari awarded $6M Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) task for CBP.

• DOC awards $2.3M Microsoft licenses and support tasks to Dell Federal Systems.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Integral Federal appoints a new chief growth officer and SVP of operations.

• CRDF Global appoints 30-year federal executive as VP of security assistance.

• Accenture appoints its first chief responsible AI officer.

• Xcelerate Solutions has a new president.

Civilian Job Openings

• DOJ needs a Director.

• USDOT is seeking a Volpe Center Director.

• NASA is hiring a Center Operations Directorate Director.

M&A CORNER

Quantic Electronics acquires M-Wave Design.

Quantic Electronics, an Arcline Investment Management company, has acquired M-Wave Design, a manufacturer of radio frequency and microwave components for aerospace, defense, and quantum computing applications. Read more

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 75+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• Our team uncovered 35+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 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 🚿

As ISS nears the end of service life, how does America stay strong in space?

Three leaders and experts in defense argue in this op-ed that, now that the International Space Station is nearing the end of its service life, the United States must seek out new orbital destinations to remain the international leader in outer space. This is about more than just astronauts. Read more

Is light-speed travel within our reach?

If something similar to Alcubierre’s superluminal warp drive worked, it could revolutionize interstellar travel, potentially enabling us to reach Alpha Centauri—a star system four light years away—in days or weeks. A new discovery is said to have given birth to a light-speed travel manual. Are its instructions feasible enough to make traversing galaxies achievable? Read more

AI is now becoming a deception “savant.” What risks come along with it?

Making AI more "human-like" includes giving it the ability to lie like one as well. Some critics claim that AI platforms are getting skilled in deception and manipulation. What consequences could this have in store for humans? Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

According to a GAO report issued in 2023, the federal government spends about $2 billion a year to operate and maintain federal office buildings. Additionally, the federal government spends about $5 billion annually to lease office buildings. However, it’s estimated that those same office spaces are only about 35% occupied by “actual butts in seats.” This is an old resource, but you can check out the map of Excess Federal Buildings.

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

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