October 9, 2024

QUICK HITS

• DOD updates Other Transaction Regulations: Here’s what you need to know.

• DOJ unveils new cybercrime strategy: CCIPS co-hosted the AI symposium in Washington, D.C.

• AI to streamline contract transitions for greater efficiency: Retrieval-augmented generations (RAGs) offer ways to mitigate program risks.

• A tool for startups: Having a hard time bagging a Pentagon contract? This one is for you!

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

DOD pilots data tagging to boost Zero Trust implementation.

This new DOD initiative focuses on tagging sensitive data to improve its visibility and control, ensuring enhanced security across networks. By automating tagging, the DOD hopes to strengthen its cybersecurity framework and reduce risks. Read more

Space Force turns to “TAP Labs” to close tech gaps.

If the Space Force is going to figure out how to get eyes on orbital bogies, it needs the most advanced software devs working on the challenge. Can the USSF’s new innovation hubs—known as TAP labs—bring together government, industry, and academia to solve pressing challenges in space operations? Read more

Pentagon tightens oversight as costs skyrocket.

With rising costs across major defense contracts, the Pentagon is pushing back to ensure they aren’t overpaying. A new emphasis on scrutinizing invoices and increasing transparency aims to keep contractors honest and expenses in check. As inflation continues to impact budgets, the DOD is determined not to get swindled. Read more

ICYMI:

• New AI-enhanced command system to boost army's counter-drone defense.

• DOD puts “Zero Trust Concepts” under the microscope.

• Autonomous Black Hawks: The Army's next step in drone evolution.

• Booz Allen put generative AI in space. It’s for US defense.

Defense Contract Awards

• American Systems won a prime contractor spot on the $33B DTIC-IAC deal.

• Anduril secured a $250M Pentagon Drone Defense System contract.

• Leidos booked a $303M Digital Infrastructure contract.

• Impulse Space inked a $34.5M USSF SSC deal.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• BigBear.ai welcomed a new COO.

• Honeywell selected an Acting CEO for its EDS Division.

Defense Job Openings

• Secretary of Defense wants a Director, People’s Republic of China Competition Assessment Team.

• USARCENT needs a Director (MTC).

CHART

Selected agencies’ open and conventional topic award amounts in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, by Phase, FY 2022. (Source: GAO. Small Business Research Programs: Agencies Broadly Solicit Ideas, but Clearer Guidance Could Improve DOD Efforts. September 2024.)

INTEL COMMUNITY

ODNI to unveil new data reference architecture for the Intelligence Community.

ODNI’s CDO said that the coming data reference architecture will help all 18 elements of the intelligence community get its data AI-ready. “That will show how we’re going to automate all of this and look at how we break down data silos. It’s based on data mesh principles across a distributed ecosystem.” Read more

ICYMI:

• NRO and Pentagon launched new targeting satellites for enhanced global defense operations.

• Aperio Global appointed a new CGO.

• ODNI is looking for a Deputy National Intelligence Officer.

CIVILIAN

Is NASA’s commercial space station program at risk?

NASA's ambitious plan to hand off low Earth orbit (LEO) operations to private space stations faces critical challenges. The slow development of commercial space station prototypes has raised concerns that the U.S. may be left without a LEO presence post-2030. With ISS funding winding down, questions remain: can the private industry step up in time? Read more

Securing IoT: The key to managing endpoint growth.

The explosion of IoT devices is pushing the need for “secure-by-design” principles. With millions of new endpoints introduced daily, the focus has shifted to building security into devices from the start. Cybersecurity leaders emphasize that this proactive approach can mitigate risks as IoT adoption grows across industries. Read more

FedRAMP is changing to tackle Cloud Market's growing challenges.

FedRAMP is adapting to keep up with the fast-paced cloud computing market. As federal agencies increasingly adopt cloud services, updates to the program aim to streamline security authorizations and reduce approval times. The next phase could mean faster, more efficient cloud adoption, but hurdles still remain. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: NIST wants information on chemical and biology-focused artificial intelligence model development.

• Competition: DOC’s open competition: do you want to enter the agency’s chip-making materials race? (Go to NIST’s R&D page)

• FTC's antitrust suit against Amazon moves forward after judge tries to derail it.

• HHS tackles AI in healthcare: balancing data and bias.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• 4 contractors won a spot in the $800M DOE HALEU Deconversion deal.

• Ivyhill Technology inked a $9.3M DHA IRMAC NCR Consolidated Call Center/Referral Management Support contract.

• Techtrend won an $8.2M Stratus Basic Ordering Agreement contract.

• Etelligent Group Inc. was awarded a $3.6M GSA Business Support Services deal.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Unissant has a new CGO.

• Former IDEMIA Senior Director of Technology was tapped to be Dignari’s Innovation VP.

Civilian Job Openings

• FDA is seeking a Division Director.

• NRC is hiring a Director.

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M&A CORNER

Newspring Capital acquires advanced radar provider, C-Speed.

Newspring Capital expands its portfolio by acquiring C-Speed, a provider of advanced radar systems and engineering solutions for government and defense customers. The acquisition is aimed at leveraging C-Speed's expertise in innovative radar technologies and positioning Newspring as a significant player in the radar systems market. Read more

ICYMI:

• Boeing weighs options for raising cash as ratings downgrade looms.

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. American Water Works: We got hacked! The massive utility said its systems were breached. Billing has been paused. SOURCE↗︎ 

2. [WATCH] Meta introduces Video Gen. Its a groundbreaking AI that generates hyper-realistic videos with sound. SOURCE↗︎

3. Metal-eating thrusters? A new Magdrive-developed rocket uses metal as a source of fuel. Once deployed, they can be refueled on the go by mining asteriods and comets, giving it near-infinite range.  SOURCE↗︎

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