November 1, 2024

QUICK HITS

• Contractor pricing misconduct: Why does it endure?

• DOE grant awards: Top 10 awards to for-profit businesses in FY 2024.

• Smoke and magic at CIA: The magic of spycraft.

• The Hash Act: An election season guide for federal employees.

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 60+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• In this week's recompete report, our team uncovered 50+ upcoming IT services opportunities at the Department of the Interior (DOI).

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

• Stay up to date on the upcoming events.

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Google to be final JWCC partner authorized for Secret-level cloud work in 2025.

By the beginning of next year, all four JWCC providers will have reached Impact Level 6 (IL-6) security authorization, as Google becomes the last to join the pack. According to the DISA program lead, having the four cloud service providers that can operate in the IL-6 environment is a “massive help” in JWCC’s development. Read more

Pentagon launches “JWCC Cloud Accelerator Initiative.”

The Pentagon is rolling out the JWCC Cloud Accelerator Initiative to speed up cloud services adoption across the DOD. This move is designed to streamline processes and enhance operational capabilities in an era where cloud computing is becoming essential. Read more

Former defense contractor employee charged with bribery.

A defense contractor (Cask Technologies) and its ex-employee face indictment for allegedly bribing a Navy official to secure lucrative contracts. This case highlights potential vulnerabilities in procurement processes and the ongoing battle against ethical lapses within government contracting. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: Navy seeks Training & Education Command statistical analysis support.

• Ninth AF brings next generation air refueling to CENTCOM.

• USSF aims to invest billions in satellite security upgrades.

• Navy prolongs the service lifespan of 12 destroyers.

Defense Contract Awards

• ManTech was awarded a $98M USAF TACAEM II Services contract.

• UDC USA was awarded a $50M Army contract for Battlefield Effect Simulators.

• Gilat secured SATCOM contracts worth $5M from defense organizations.

• HanaTek inked a $2.2M USN Installations Command CITADEL & HPU TAV Training Exercises deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Xcelerate has a new CIO.

• Sentar welcomed a new Civil Space Director.

Defense Job Openings

• ONR is hiring a Science Director.

• NAVFAC is seeking a Business Director.

TRIVIA 🤔

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

INTEL COMMUNITY

Data brokers’ practices draw security warnings from federal, intel, and military groups.

Federal, intelligence, and military groups are raising alarms about data brokers who collect personal data on U.S. citizens—data that foreign actors could exploit. The report highlights risks to national security, calling for tighter control over data-sharing practices and better awareness of potential vulnerabilities. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: DISA is seeking FORSCOM Cybersecurity & Communications Security (COMSEC) program support.

• NRO gave BALISTA contracts to three startups.

• Censys secured an ODNI Internet Intelligence Platform deal.

• Echelon Services won a $1.4M FBI SharePoint Support Services contract.

CIVILIAN

Closer Starlink satellites? NASA gives it a two thumbs up.

NASA is throwing its support behind a proposal to position Starlink satellites closer to Earth, promising to boost broadband connectivity. While this move could revolutionize internet access, experts warn of potential interference with astronomical observations. Read more

Navigating the not-so-new construction regulations.

Recent changes in construction regulations may have a familiar ring, but they hold critical implications for contractors. Experts discuss how new interpretations of existing laws can complicate compliance, making it essential for industry professionals to stay informed. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: HUD is seeking Technical Suitability of Products (TSP).

• RFP: NASA launched its Contract for Organizing Spaceflight Mission Operations and Systems (COSMOS).

• Government pushes forward on path to carbon-free electricity by 2030.

• R&D overlap: GAO is calling for a policy change to avoid it at DHS.

• USAID is helping Philippine space agency investigate satellite internet.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Fearless secured a GSA Login.gov Data Analytics Support deal.

• WOSB Contracting Resources Group booked DOS contracts worth $33M.

• Markpar Corp. won a $4.4M IRS OCIO 8(a) STARS III Generalized Mainline Framework support task deal.

• NAVA inked an OPM Customer Experience Modernization contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Google Public Sector has a new Federal VP.

• Artemis ARC has chosen a new Communications and Marketing VP.

Civilian Job Openings

• USDA wants a Deputy State Executive Director.

• NNSA needs a Program Manager.

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M&A CORNER

Lockheed Martin acquires Terran Orbital to boost SmallSat production.

Lockheed Martin’s acquisition of Terran Orbital solidifies their SmallSat ambitions with a strategic move to in-house manufacturing. This deal, valued at $2.4 billion, expands Lockheed's capabilities for compact satellite development, complementing a partnership that’s been building since 2017. Read more

CACI strengthens defense portfolio with Azure Summit acquisition.

CACI has officially acquired Azure Summit Technology, enhancing its foothold in signal processing and radio-frequency technologies for the defense sector. This acquisition bolsters CACI’s tech offerings in mission-critical areas like surveillance, electronic warfare, and secure communications. Read more

ICYMI

• OceanSound buys Antenna Research Associates, a provider of RF and advanced communications products for DOD and aerospace customers.

• Siemens could sell off part of its stake in Siemens Healthineers, Siemens Energy, and Fluence.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. Nuclear radiation-detecting chip: We now have one and it can fit in phones and drones! SOURCE↗︎ 

2. Meta’s Llama AI update: It’s currently training on a massive GPU cluster. SOURCE↗︎

3. Ballot boxes were targeted. Hundreds, destroyed. Are the incidents in Oregon and Washington connected? SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

District of Columbia — D.C. topped the list with 23 poll workers per site in the 2022 general election. Colorado (15 per polling place), Nevada (14), New York, Maryland, and Minnesota (12 each) rounded out the top six. (More info)