QUICK HITS
GovCon proposal writing is about to change forever: Are you ready for the skills that will actually matter?
Capital requirements in federal contracting: What new vendors need.
NASA on trial: The Senate vs. the leaked Athena Plan.
1000+ initial winners: MDA makes its first Golden Dome selections.
POLL
What’s your biggest growth priority for 2026 as regulatory changes reshape federal buying (FAR/GSA)?
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
DOD considers reseller price caps for IT acquisitions.
The DOD plans to impose a 5 percent cap on fees that value-added resellers charge for certain IT products. With billions spent annually on software and services, the initiative aims to standardize pricing and strengthen procurement oversight.
Pentagon unveils the Drone Dominance Program.
The DOD has launched the Drone Dominance Program, aiming to acquire 200,000 drones by 2027. The initiative includes “Gauntlet” challenges to test industry capabilities, with up to $1 billion in contracts at stake. The program seeks rapid innovation for strike and payload missions. (See RFP link below)
DOD issues zero trust guidance for operational technology systems.
The Pentagon has released 28 pages of guidance to bring zero trust to operational technology—think power grids, facility controls, and even weapon systems. With 105 activities outlined (84 minimum, 21 advanced), DOD wants OT as secure as IT, despite legacy quirks.
ICYMI:
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
Darkstrike added four new leaders.
Kpler’s names a former Naval Systems Management Activity director to join its Global Defense and Intelligence team.
Defense Job Openings
USAF needs a Director of Staff.
USAF OCSO wants an HR Director.
END OF YEAR RECAP
Small But Spicy: Top 3 Small Business Hot Wins for 2025
Who said small businesses play mildly? The top set-aside wins of 2025 came in with heat, flavor, and surprising firepower. These companies stirred the pot in all the right ways and cooked up some seriously impressive awards. Dig in to see who brought the spice this year.
INTEL COMMUNITY
Space Force plans new surveillance satellites to boost awareness.
The USSF is splitting its “neighborhood watch” duties in GEO. A new surveillance constellation will autonomously scan wide areas, complementing RG-XX reconnaissance satellites that maneuver for close-ups. With 105 tasks outlined, the goal is better tracking of space objects.
ICYMI:
NSA has met its 2,000 person workforce reduction goal.
The House has passed HR-2212 allowing for interagency rotation for intelligence analyst positions.
Deloitte selects Spire to deliver advanced satellite capabilities.
Consulting Services Group names the SEC’s former CIO as its new CISO.
NGA is looking for a Contract Specialist.
GET SEEN
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CIVILIAN
ASCE report gives U.S. dams and water systems failing grades.
America’s dams and water systems just flunked their report card—earning D to D- grades and a nearly $1 trillion upgrade bill. Aging infrastructure and climate risks make this more than a leaky faucet problem. The fix? Massive investment and modernization before things go from bad to underwater.
Innovation in health: ARPA-H outlines priorities for progress.
New ARPA-H Director Alicia Jackson is calling on researchers, startups, and industry to bring bold ideas to the table. Her letter highlights initiatives like automated cyber defense for hospitals and distributed biomanufacturing.
House advances SAMOSA Act to improve software acquisition oversight.
The House has advanced the SAMOSA Act, aiming to reduce duplicative software purchases and strengthen oversight of agency IT spending, which exceeds $100 billion annually. The bill calls for inventories, audits, and improved procurement practices to enhance efficiency and accountability.
ICYMI:
DOC and NIST sign CHIPS R&D LOI with xLight for EUV lithography.
VA scales back massive job cuts: 30K positions to be eliminated, not 80K.
AWS, NVIDIA team up to create new AI “factories” for public, private clients.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Civilian Job Openings
DOJ is seeking a Senior Contracting Specialist.
GSA is hiring a Contract Specialist.
M&A CORNER
Peerless Technologies acquires QED Systems to expand capabilities.
Peerless Technologies just added QED Systems to its roster, aiming to boost engineering and IT services for defense and federal customers. The acquisition strengthens Peerless’ footprint in systems integration and cybersecurity.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Obesity is now a chronic disease. WHO supports the use of weight-loss drugs. SOURCE↗︎
Iron Beam is a Star Wars-esque drone killing machine. Israel is deploying the world’s first 100 kW combat laser interceptor. SOURCE↗︎
Nuclear weapons via AI using poems? It seems guardrails can’t shield a chatbot from the lure of meter and rhyme. SOURCE↗︎
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