QUICK HITS
Drone dominance program: Pentagon may select only three vendors.
Quantum & nano leap: NSF launches $100M research network.
Spending review: DOGE ends $5.1B in contracts.
[Listen] Future fleet strategy: Marines harness AI for high‑tech readiness.
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Pentagon advances Sentinel Program despite significant cost growth.
The Pentagon is moving forward with the Sentinel ICBM program despite an 81% cost overrun, a Nunn–McCurdy breach, and a deployment timeline now pushed into the early 2030s. Leaders argue the aging Minuteman III requires urgent replacement, prompting a full program restructuring and a revised acquisition strategy to restore schedule and budget discipline.
Pentagon–Anthropic clash over AI use escalates.
The Pentagon is threatening to label Anthropic a “supply chain risk” after months of friction over how its Claude AI can be used, a penalty usually reserved for foreign adversaries. Officials want AI available for “all lawful purposes,” while Anthropic insists on limits around surveillance and autonomous weapons, even as Claude has already supported major operations.
DOD expands BOND Program to advance acquisition reform.
The DOD is expanding its Business Operators for National Defense (BOND) program, embedding more than 70 private‑sector executives to strengthen acquisition processes, accelerate capability delivery, and enhance industrial base resilience. These leaders are supporting efforts to streamline procurement and improve production outcomes.
ICYMI:
FAR Overhaul Phase 2: DOD seeks industry input.
Pentagon moves to scale AI task management across the enterprise.
DLA modernization milestone: C5MI executes largest WMS deployment.
Navy moves to eliminate more than 200 duplicative IT systems.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
Former CDO at Collins was named BAE Systems’s new CIDO.
Northrop’s names a former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to its Board of Directors.
Defense Job Openings
USN needs a CDC Director.
OSD wants and eBusiness Contracting Director.
INTEL COMMUNITY
State Department is gearing up to “roll out agentic AI.”
The DOS is preparing to roll out "agentic AI" as the next phase of its technological evolution, moving beyond standard chatbots to autonomous systems that can complete complex tasks without human intervention. CIO Fletcher highlighted plans to use these AI agents to modernize legacy systems and reduce administrative friction, building on the success of the agency’s internal StateChat tool.
NAVIFOR advances modernization through real‑world operational lessons.
NAVIFOR is taking notes from recent real‑world operations, including January’s high‑tempo mission in Venezuela, to refine how cyber, intel, and electronic warfare capabilities are sequenced for commanders. Vice Adm. Vernazza says the findings will shape upcoming guidance and modernization efforts, even if the most interesting bits stay classified.
ICYMI:
A look at the $1.7 billion National Geospatial‑Intelligence campus.
NRO selects three private firms for new commercial imagery contracts.
Trahan pushes major overhaul of outdated federal privacy law.
ODNI is looking for a Deputy IC Procurement Executive.
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CIVILIAN
U.S. lunar competition intensifies as SpaceX and Blue Origin advance.
The U.S. private‑sector race to the Moon is accelerating, with SpaceX pursuing a proposed lunar base and Blue Origin shifting resources toward its Blue Moon lander, both seeking to outpace China’s 2030 mission. NASA funding, investor expectations, and strategic program pivots are shaping this renewed push for U.S. lunar leadership.
Senators demand to know the IRS’ path forward following the end of Direct File.
Two senators have launched an investigation into the W.H.'s decision to terminate the "Direct File" program, demanding details on the IRS's future plans for free tax filing. The lawmakers expressed concern that the agency is instead "doubling down" on the private-sector Free File program, which they argue has a history of misleading taxpayers into paying for services that should be free.
DHS funding standoff deepens as negotiations stall.
The DHS shutdown continues. Congress remains out of town and negotiations over immigration enforcement reforms show little progress. Lawmakers and the White House appear far apart on warrant rules, agent transparency, and patrol limits, leaving a resolution unlikely in the near term.
ICYMI:
CMS RFI: AI Tools for Medicare Experience Modernization.
DEA RFI: Scalable Cloud-Based Lawful Intercept Platform.
DOE funds new VIG research aimed at cutting building energy loss.
ISS returns to full strength with arrival of four‑member astronaut crew.
Civilian Contracts Awards
BAH won a $281M NOAA NWS AWIPS Data Environment contract.
SAIC inked a $199M DHS CBP ITI 2.1 deal.
EmpowerAI booked a $20M CMS Hearings and Application Support contract.
Nighthawk Cyber brings AI to self driving cars.
Follow Civilian Leaders
HHS has updated its IT leadership, including two new activing officials.
CISA threat-hunting leader to depart for private sector role.
DHS spokesperson is leaving her position.
SAIC named its CEO.
Civilian Job Openings
SBA is seeking a Deputy Director.
DOE is hiring an NETL Director.
M&A CORNER
Booz Allen expands cyber reach with Defy acquisition.
Booz Allen is snapping up Defy Security to supercharge its global cyber offerings, blending Defy’s customer base and vendor ties with its own deep technical bench. Expect beefed‑up services, AI‑powered tools like Vellox Reverser, and a push into EU/UK market
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
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