October 11, 2024

Good morning. In observance of Columbus Day, there will be no newsletter on Monday, October 14th. We’ll be back in your inbox on Wednesday with the latest GovCon updates, news, and insights.

—The GovBrew Crew

QUICK HITS

• GSA's tech radar: Mapping tomorrow’s contracting needs are “on the radar.”

• DHS competition for USCG: The new $100 million BPA is a USCG Business, Logistics Support Services procurement.

• Procuring artificial intelligence: If you are an agency buying AI…what exactly are you getting for your money?

• [Watch] Improved data management: It could create more government opportunities. Hear what CACI and Dell have to say.

GOVBREW INSIDER

• Check out this week’s 50+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• In this week's recompete report, our team uncovered 45+ upcoming IT Services opportunities at the Department of the Navy (NAVY).

• 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

NATO prepares commercial space strategy for 2025.

NATO is developing a Commercial Space Strategy for 2025, seeking to partner with private companies to boost its space-based capabilities. This strategic shift aims to improve situational awareness, communications, and defense by leveraging cutting-edge commercial satellite technologies. Read more

Cost-plus contracts: A defense budget conundrum.

The cost-plus contracting method in defense spending is under scrutiny, with critics labeling it a "boondoggle" that inflates costs and slows innovation. This system often makes contractors prioritize profit over efficiency, leaving taxpayers footing the bill. Read more

New Defense Acquisition Council aims to streamline processes.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment recently chaired the inaugural meeting of the new Defense Acquisition Council, focused on enhancing collaboration among defense stakeholders. The council aims to tackle acquisition challenges, reduce delays, and improve efficiency. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: MDA seeks low-cost innovations for missile defense technology.

• Navy’s goal of 381 ships is impossible under current funding levels.

• DISA says predictive AI will outpace GenAI in DOD, is “more important.”

• Navy EOD develops IED exploitation capabilities with NATO allies and partners at Northern Challenge 2024.

Defense Contract Awards

• Navy awards GD Electric Boat $1.28B in contracts, sub-contract is ongoing.

• Leidos booked a $249M Army Force Protection deal.

• SAIC won a $187M DOD PRISM DRRS Sustainment Seed deal.

• Telecote Research secured a $148M USSF Acquisition and Financial Consulting Support contract.

• HII inked a $75M USN Integrated Training Systems contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Harmonia Holding Groups welcomed a new Chief Innovation and AI Officer.

• Goldman Sachs names a new global head of Aerospace and Defense.

Defense Job Openings

• ONR wants a Country Director.

• Army needs an Operation Deputy 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

Space turf wars: Intel vs. industry.

A turf war between the Space Force and intelligence community is putting industry innovation in a chokehold. While companies race to deliver next-gen space capabilities, inter-agency power struggles are creating frustrating delays. Read more

NRO's proliferated constellation hits operational phase.

NRO has transitioned its new proliferated satellite constellation into operational status. This cutting-edge system is designed to enhance global intelligence collection, providing more frequent data updates. The NRO aims for greater resilience and flexibility in its space capabilities, a key advantage in a rapidly changing threat landscape. Read more

ICYMI:

• Classified network? DIA gets the green light to use MARS capability on it.

• Clarifai & Crimson Phoenix collaborate to make advanced AI, ML and unstructured data labeling in defense, intelligence communities better.

• The FBI created its own token to catch market manipulators: 3 market firms and 15 people were indicted by prosecutors.

• ODNI is looking for a Technical Program Manager.

VIDEO

If tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Navy's priority will be how to neutralize a Chinese aircraft carrier quickly. Enter "Quicksink," a revolutionary weapon demonstrated at RIMPAC 2024. This cutting-edge bomb, launched from the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, sank a massive 39,000-ton ship in minutes, all without human guidance.

GET SEEN

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CIVILIAN

MITRE’s Federal AI Sandbox will focus on critical infrastructure, weather modeling, and social services.

MITRE unveiled plans to train three new AI foundation models in critical infrastructure, weather modeling, and sustainable social services this week. MITRE is specifically focused on training models to help cybersecurity experts prevent and mitigate threats. Read more

HHS is crafting a new AI strategic plan.

Micky Tripathi, HHS’s acting chief AI officer and its assistant secretary for technology policy, detailed the complex web of mission sets, spanning “the value chain of life sciences and health care” that HHS oversees that the new strategic plan will attempt to wrap its arms around. The plan should arrive sometime in January. Read more

White House flags R&D budget woes in latest report.

The White House's latest science and tech report highlights critical challenges in meeting the nation's R&D funding goals. With a tight budget environment, the report underscores the struggle to maintain a competitive edge in innovation while managing increasing costs. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: VA seeks to outsource AI governance amid tech expansion.

• DOE unveils its strategy for carbon management and tech integration.

• FTC withdraws from interagency MOU regarding investigating M&As.

• Deputy DOE secretary sees role in counteracting AI industry’s “profit motive.”

Civilian Contracts Awards

• BAH inked a $33M VA DMC SE&D Support deal.

• Aquia Nava II got a USDA DISC STRATUS BOA contract.

• ITCON won a $3.2M DHS FEMA OC3 Support contract.

• Rocket Lab signed a NASA deal to bring samples from Mars.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• FCC’s Enforcement Bureau names a new CTO.

• Dept of Education names a new CIO.

• Tyto Athene appointed a new CFO.

• ITC Federal tapped a new Federal CFO.

Civilian Job Openings

• USAGM is hiring a Budget Director.

• USDA is seeking a ETSARC Center Director.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. A blind monkey can see again thanks to human stem cells. If scientists can use it to treat a “macular hole” in a monkey to restore its vision, think of the possibilities.  SOURCE↗︎ 

2. Minima: The embedded blockchain approach to DePIN was introduced by this quantum-resistant network. SOURCE↗︎

3. DOJ wants Google Chrome and Android to split up. Let’s check out the details of the agency’s proposal. SOURCE↗︎

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

A) USS Langley — USS Langley (CV-1/AV-3) was the United States Navy's first aircraft carrier, converted in 1920 from the collier USS Jupiter (Navy Fleet Collier No. 3), and also the US Navy's first turbo-electric-powered ship. Langley was named after Samuel Langley, an American aviation pioneer. (Source)