Good morning. As we gear up for a day of gratitude and gobbling, We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you—our amazing subscribers. Whether you're celebrating with family, friends, or a friendly neighborhood turkey (no judgment here), We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with laughter, joy, and maybe just a little bit of that elusive wishbone luck.
—The GovBrew Crew
QUICK HITS
Pardoning the Turkey: First Ladies Nixon and Carter were the first to send gifted turkeys to live on the (non-metaphorical) farm.
The giving legacy of four modern-day Presidents: Orphans, veterans, sick children, the homeless.
George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation: Primary source Thanksgiving materials at the Library of Congress.
Photo gallery: Presidents and how they celebrated Thanksgiving: Truman’s hunk of Plymouth Rock; GW Bush with troops.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
DOD strategy warns emerging tech is 'at the forefront’ of information threats.
The Pentagon publicly released its strategy for operating in the information environment - which covers both physical and digital sources of information - outlining how the agency plans to modernize its collecting, processing and sharing of data to better counteract adversaries’ weaponization of the Internet and emerging technologies. Read more
ICYMI:
Early success spurs Army to expand contract writing system.
Air Forces Cyber turns focus to information operations.
Navy unveils solicitation for $173M network engineering contract.
Replicator candidates to be chosen by early December, Pentagon says.
Defense Contract Awards
Agile Defense wins TEC II Single Award IDIQ contract supporting DISA.
General Dynamics, HII secure Navy DDG 51 Destroyer Yard Support contracts.
Protest Filed: Air Force Graduate/Training Integration Management System software and architecture support.
Contract Award: $76M US Army Redstone IT Services V (RITS V), Region Network Enterprise Center Support.
Follow the Defense Leaders
SAIC names VP of Business Development for Space.
Army veteran takes on SVP Role at Decision Lens.
CHART
CIVILIAN
State Dept prioritizes ‘AI-ready workforce’ in its first AI strategy.
The State Department, in its first enterprise policy, sees artificial intelligence tools as the key to turning its wealth of data into real-world diplomatic insights, and maximizing the impact of its workforce. Read more
ICYMI:
USDA focused Veteran-owned Small Businesses drawing attention in 2023.
GSA's approach to AI acquisition: Do it once and repeat.
Labor Department CISO somewhat disappointed by lack of appropriations to fund cyber modernization efforts.
VA pauses foreclosures on home loans amid concerns of financial strain.
GAO: Education Department debt relief program lacked fraud risk management.
Fed salary gap continues to widen, jumps 3% in 2023.
CBP seeks consulting support for investment office.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Contract Award: $500M+ DOJ JMD OCIO Service Desk and Incidental IT Support Services BPA.
QinetiQ lands $170M CBP Tethered Aerostat Radar Operations Support contract.
Follow Civilian Leaders
Leidos appoints Finance VP, Dynetics CFO.
Simple Technology Solutions recruits new SVP, Business Development.
TTW Solutions recruits Tim Rehm to be VP of Business Development.
Department of Education hires new chief AI officer.
VA executive director of Employee Experience and Organizational Management exits, takes role with industry.
Redhorse hires General Counsel, VP of Compliance.
Civilian Job Openings
VA hiring an Executive Secretary to the Department.
GSA TTS seeking Centers of Excellence Director.
M&A CORNER
Amentum Agrees To Merge With Jacobs Solutions’ Businesses
Amentum agreed to merge with Jacobs' Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber Intelligence businesses.
Amentum is a leading U.S. federal government contractor. It leads in project management, solutions integration, and global engineering.
Jacobs Solutions Inc. is an international technical services provider. They offer construction services to industrial, governmental, and commercial clients. Its critical solutions business gives data analytics, cyber security, and software application development. It also provides systems integration and other technical consulting solutions to government agencies and selective telecom, automotive, and aerospace customers.
"Upon completion of the deal, John Heller, current CEO of Amentum, will serve as CEO of the combined company and sit on the combined company’s board, and Dr. Steve Arnette, EVP and President of CMS, will serve as COO. Jacobs’ current Executive Chair Steve Demetriou will become Executive Chair of the combined company." - Amentum
SHOWER THOUGHTS
Who Mastered and Who Missed the Mark in October's Bid Protest Drama?
October's "Bid Protest Blunders" by Crowell & Moring showcases a buffet of dismissals and zero sustains. Highlights include Capgemini's premature protest flag and BDO's late-to-the-party filing flop. Key takeaway: in bid protests, timing is not just key, it's king. Read More
Is LPTA in GovCon on Its Last Leg?
GSA is looking at burying Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable (LPTA) contracts, proposing a shift to "best value" acquisition. Jeff Koses, GSA's senior procurement executive, aims to bring clarity and consistency to the industry. Alongside this, GSA plans to bolster training funds for the acquisition workforce and simplify economic price adjustments. Are these changes signaling the end of LPTA in GovCon? Read More
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