October 23, 2023

USPS doing cloud right, VA Financial Mgmt RFI, SF MEO missile tracking sat awards, Secret Level MS 365, CenterGate buys Cartridge, York wins 615M SDA sat contract

QUICK HITS

  • At Israel’s northern border, growing concerns about Hezbollah: As Week 3 of war looms.

  • The Iran Nuclear Deal won’t be revived: U.S. imposes new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone programs.

  • Need Mo Money! POTUS asks Congress to approve FY24 Supplemental Request including aid for Israel, Ukraine wars.

  • 14 examples of bad bid decisions: Here’s how they are killing your win rate. This isn’t subjective. This is all about the math.

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Space Force sets sights on small geostationary communications satellites.

The Space Force is exploring the use of small geosynchronous satellites to enhance military communications networks — either through purchased commercial services or government-owned constellations. “We’re trying to leverage new capabilities from the commercial industry,” said Clare Hopper, chief of the Space Force’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office. Read more.

Space Force plans next MEO missile tracking satellite awards by early 2025.

The Space Force’s primary acquisition command intends to award contracts in late 2024 or early 2025 for some 18 “Epoch 2” missile warning/tracking satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to flesh out a constellation that can provide global coverage, according to a senior Space Systems Command (SSC) official. Read more

Army faces logistics and alliance hurdles in the Pacific.

As the Army rushed to send weapons and munitions to Ukraine in February 2022, it had some helpful factors in its favor: ample equipment already stored in Europe, civilian transportation companies eager to help, and relatively short distances to move the gear. In the Pacific, it’s another story. Read more.

ICYMI:

  • Sources Sought: Space Force looks for MicroGEO sources.

  • Sources Sought: AF is seeking Enterprise Data Management IT Support Services.

  • Upgrade networks or suffer on the battlefield, generals warn.

  • In annual report, Pentagon highlights China’s ‘refusal to engage.’

  • NATO to adopt first-ever counter-drone doctrine for member nations.

  • NASA starts reassessment of Mars Sample Return architecture; independent review calls its budget and schedule “unrealistic.”

  • Ridiculous or cool? Robot dog armed with rocket launcher.

Defense Contract Awards

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Defense Job Openings

DAILY FUNNY

INTEL COMMUNITY

How the CIA’s top-ranking woman beat the agency’s men at their own game.

In the early history of the CIA, marked by towering male figures like Allen Dulles, William Colby, and William “Wild Bill” Donovan, few careers proved more remarkable — and unlikely — than that of a Southern blue blood named Eloise Randolph Page. Page anticipated the launch of Sputnik when just about everyone else was taken by surprise. She was the top female officer in the CIA’s clandes­tine service in the 1960s and 70s and the first woman to head a major overseas station. Read more

ICYMI:

  • Secret-level version of Microsoft 365 rolls out to top Pentagon offices this month.

  • NSA publishes zero trust recommendations.

  • HII opens Syracuse, N.Y., facility with ISR focus.

  • RFI: NGA posts public affairs and history RFI.

CIVILIAN

Coast Guard turns to AI to battle illegal fishing white also dealing with workforce challenges.

Short by thousands of personnel, the Coast Guard is turning to technology to help it work more effectively and recruit. The Coast Guard is using technology for some of its activities, like stopping illegal fishing and maritime border control, while also using it to help in its recruitment and workforce efforts. Read more.

WH ISO federal hiring surge and wants to pay for it with $100B emergency funding request.

POTUS is requesting funding for a hiring surge at DHS and other immigration-related agencies, sending the ask as part of a larger $106B emergency spending package that would primarily support foreign allies. Read more.

Bipartisan bill proposed to improve federal agencies’ customer service.

A bipartisan trio of senators has introduced legislation intended to improve and streamline the customer service provided by federal agencies, targeting shorter wait times and better digital services. Read more.

ICYMI:

  • A stopgap budget may benefit some agencies more than an appropriation.

  • How the U.S. Postal Service is doing cloud 'right.'

  • 'Give us the data!' Oversight and anti-fraud experts beg to make existing data analytics center permanent.

  • RFI: VA pre-solicitation: Financial Management Support Services.

  • Fixes could cut months off wait for vets’ fire-damaged service records.

  • Policy experts see missing pieces in agencies' AI use case disclosures.

Civilian Contracts Awards

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Civilian Job Openings

M&A CORNER

Broadtree’s government services provider Cartridge Technologies acquired by CenterGate Capital.

Middle-market private equity firm CenterGate Capital has acquired Cartridge Technologies, a portfolio company of Broadtree Partners. CTI was established in 1990 and has served as a federal government contractor, providing more than 200 clients across all 50 U.S. states with managed print services. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

NASA's Parker Solar Probe smashes record for fastest man-made object.

The NASA Parker Solar Probe has become the fastest human-made object ever recorded — again. On Sept. 27, the probe reached a blistering 394,736 mph/ (635,266 km/h) as it swooped close to the sun's surface, thanks to a little gravity assistance from a close flyby of Venus on Aug. 21. Read more

Are Inspectors General…helpful? Or a hinderance?

The White House’s pick for a watchdog at USAID said that a special inspector general for Ukraine sought by some lawmakers could create bureaucratic confusion and suggested that, instead, oversight offices should find ways to leverage more staff. Read more.

Do hefty service members need less judgment and more treatment?

The Army consistently misses its annual recruitment goals by double-digit percentages. In the most recent fiscal year, it brought in some 55,000 recruits, missing its goal by 10,000. One obstacle: Too many would-be candidates carry too much weight. Army has remedial courses to help chunky recruits survive basic training. Of all Americans of eligible age to serve in the military, less than 25% are suitable, whether because of psychological conditions, criminal records, drug use or weight. Read more

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