QUICK HITS
Interactive dashboard: Exploring OTA spending, FY24 through FY27.
[Listen] Beyond the FAR: How federal procurement systems were designed and for whom.
Selling to DOD: Recent policy changes should change how you make money. Will you build assets, partner with product companies, or sell labor?
DCSA is expanding FOCI reviews: Here are your key takeaways under Section 847 of the FY2020 NDAA and DODI 5205.87.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Bilateral no more: PACOM officials highlight multi-national data sharing network.
INDOPACOM says its new PACOM Mission Network enables the U.S. and allied forces to securely share battlefield data, coordinate operations, and conduct joint targeting through a common platform. Tested during major military exercises, the network includes the AI-powered Maven Smart System, which Japanese forces are now using to support joint strikes and accelerate targeting decisions.
FORTRESS America funding plan: less Capitol Hill, more private partners.
The Pentagon wants industry to help pay for FORTRESS America, its five-pillar plan to harden homeland bases. The ASD(EI&E) said the goal is public-private partnerships, not him going back to Capitol Hill “with my hand out.”
CSIS: Army and Marines face modernization hurdles.
A new CSIS report highlights the Army’s and USMC’ struggle to balance modernization priorities with budget pressures. Key challenges include depleted Patriot and Precision Strike Missile stockpiles, Army personnel costs consuming nearly 40% of its budget, and Marine personnel costs rising from $15.4B to $17.5B between 2024 and 2026.
Related: Army’s SCI: computing infrastructure tops the list.
ICYMI:
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
USN, SBP names a new Small Business Professional.
SAIC welcomed its new Client Executive VP.
Defense Job Openings
FUNNY
INTEL COMMUNITY
ODNI seeks economic data platform.
ODNI is seeking an economic intelligence data platform to consolidate public and commercial financial data, track foreign investments and supply chains, and strengthen national economic security. The RFI seeks capabilities including automated data integration, entity matching, and API access, with contractor responses due November 16. (Go to SAM)
FBI is involved in response to $6.3B Binance hack linked to North Korea.
The FBI is coordinating with government and industry partners after hackers stole an estimated $6.3B from cryptocurrency exchange Binance in what researchers call the largest crypto theft on record. Cybersecurity researchers attribute the attack to North Korean hackers, who reportedly drained most of the funds in just 20 minutes, raising concerns about cryptocurrency theft financing Pyongyang’s weapons programs.
ICYMI:
Pentagon intel budget hits $30.9B.
Former NSA Director says that trusted data, human judgement are key to military AI success.
China is fielding robotic space weapons that can attack other satellites.
ODNI is looking for a Deputy Assistant Director of Enterprise Services.
GET SEEN
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CIVILIAN
Fed watchdog pushes central bank to more streamlined IT operations.
The Federal Reserve’s cybersecurity program received an “ineffective” rating of 2 out of 5 in a new OIG audit, down from 4 in 2024, with decentralized IT operations, inconsistent security policies, and unresolved vulnerabilities contributing to the decline. OIG issued eight recommendations to strengthen oversight, risk management, and security controls, which the Fed has agreed to implement.
VA professional association asks Congress “to pause further deployments” of new EHR.
A professional association representing roughly 20,000 VA physicians and dentists is urging Congress to halt further deployments of Oracle Health’s EHR system until independent patient-safety assessments are completed and critical deficiencies addressed. The request comes as VA expands the troubled system to more facilities and faces congressional scrutiny over a recent $17B contract ceiling increase and ongoing safety concerns.
Related: Check out the VA’s FY27 Budget Submission.
Understaffed CFPB’s security program has foundational “weaknesses.”
The CFPB’s cybersecurity program received an “ineffective” rating of 2 out of 5 in a new OIG audit, citing weak asset tracking, unresolved vulnerabilities, and staffing cuts that have reduced its workforce by nearly 30%. OIG found 10 outstanding recommendations from previous audits and issued eight more, while CFPB officials disputed the findings, citing significant security improvements and a 55% reduction in vulnerabilities.
ICYMI:
DOE just opened its $50M FY26 Fall SBIR/STTR Phase I.
Got a capability to pitch? VA wants to hear it at MDEO.
DHS swaps forecast platforms: email alerts paused until December.
Early PHP bug release draws CISA fire: official calls it “dangerous.”
Civilian Contracts Awards
Follow Civilian Leaders
Civilian Job Openings
M&A CORNER
Oddball buys Synaptic’s Salesforce business.
Oddball has acquired the Salesforce technology and services business of Synaptic Era, adding a delivery practice for Salesforce’s AI agent platform to its federal digital services work. Oddball said the deal is its first acquisition since Falfurrias Management Partners invested in December 2024. Oddball builds digital platforms for the VA, the CMS, USAF, the DHA, and the SEC.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Satellites with some assembly required? A startup is developing spacecraft that assemble themselves in orbit, using LEGO-like tiles. SOURCE↗︎
Military freezers mysteriously defrost: Was it a cyberattack? SOURCE↗︎
Even AI experts can be manipulated by AI. In a study of 50 analysts, researchers found that humans often adopted AI agents’ deliberately planted recommendations without realizing they were being influenced. SOURCE↗︎
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