QUICK HITS
NASA announcement: 2,115 awardees named for SEWP VI IT contract vehicle.
Looking to do business with HHS and IHS? Join a free July 30 Power Hour.
Quantum compliance is coming: DOD signals PQC push for contractors.
FAR overhaul advances: first 17 sections enter formal rulemaking.
PRESENTED BY UNANET
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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Pentagon arms sales overhaul: slow rollout, long game.
FMS reform is coming, but don’t expect a sprint. Pentagon officials say initial changes will land later this year, with a “single tracking system” and new sales catalog in play. With timelines stretched and priorities shifting, contractors should expect steady tweaks and not a one-and-done overhaul.
Executive order speeds Pentagon quantum sensor development.
Quantum just moved from lab talk to marching orders. A new E.O. directs DOD to deliver three operational quantum sensors by 2028, accelerating timelines and funding. Contractors should brace for rapid prototyping, and faster pushes into real-world deployment.
POTUS pushes defense industry to ramp up munitions production.
Stockpiles running low? Summon the defense contractors! POTUS is convening top firms to boost production of critical munitions like Patriots, even tapping automakers for help. But funding hurdles and slow production timelines may keep this ramp-up from shifting into high gear soon.
ICYMI:
T‑7 sustainment clash: Boeing, USAF battle over data rights.
Iran conflict costs: Pentagon prepares $80B funding request.
Rocket Lab launched a military payload that reached orbit Friday.
Army will “open up” ranges for defense vendors to speed up testing.
Defense Contract Awards
Follow the Defense Leaders
White House selected 20 Air Force brigadier generals for promotion.
SAIC named the Enterprise Growth SVP for its AF, Space, Intel Business.
Endurion has chosen new executives.
OSS has a new Business Devt., Growth VP.
Defense Job Openings
USAF is seeking an FSS Director.
DOD is hiring a Program Manager.
CHART
GAO. “Cloud Computing: Federal Government Needs to Address Procurement Challenges.” GAO-26-10750. June 23, 2026.
INTEL COMMUNITY
AI testing exposes gaps: simulated breach reaches NSA systems.
Anthropic AI model Mythos reportedly penetrated nearly all NSA-classified systems within hours during a controlled test. The incident prompted immediate restrictions and policy scrutiny. While intended as a red-team exercise, the speed and depth of access raised serious concerns for federal cybersecurity resilience.
Related: Some NSA units lose access to Mythos 5 amid vendor dispute.
Pentagon reallocates funds to support E-7 Wedgetail program.
The Pentagon is shifting $1.55B largely from classified Air Force accounts to sustain the E-7 Wedgetail program. The funding includes significant transfers from both secret programs and Navy procurement accounts. The move underscores continued priority for airborne battle management, even as budget details remain largely non-public.
ICYMI:
FBI RFI: High Performance AI Computing Infrastructure.
ODNI establishes interagency board for UAP oversight.
How the CIA helped shape Ukraine’s intelligence edge.
Valiant Shield 26: allies sharpen joint force edge in the Indo-Pacific.
Red River names two new Invictus Government Services Unit leaders.
ODNI is looking for an AI Technical Director.
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CIVILIAN
DOE advances quantum strategy with Genesis initiative.
A new E.O. is accelerating federal quantum efforts, with DOE launching its “Quantum Genesis” initiative to lead delivery. The program targets a fault-tolerant quantum system within the next several years and expanded R&D capacity. For industry, this signals increased funding opportunities—and heightened competition for emerging quantum contracts.
House advances SBA AI support and oversight legislation.
The House passed bipartisan legislation to expand AI resources for small businesses while strengthening SBA oversight. The bills include AI training through small business centers and new reporting requirements on agency use. The effort aims to balance innovation support with accountability as AI adoption accelerates.
DOE backs nuclear expansion with $17.5B supply chain financing.
DOE is committing up to $17.5B to fund long-lead nuclear components, aiming to jumpstart construction of up to 10 AP1000 reactors. The financing targets supply chain bottlenecks and could accelerate timelines by as much as three years.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Tripoint Solutions won a $9M NIH NHLBI SMART contract.
Alvarez & Marsal Federal secured a NASA Project Ignition Phase 1 Data Foundation and Operational Improvement Support deal.
USPTO was awarded a 3.1M USPTO Okta Professional Services deal.
Kiliuda Consulting booked a $2M DOI BIE Acquisition Support Services deal.
FCN inked a $2M Engraving and Printing Inks Tenable Security Licenses and Services contract.
Follow Civilian Leaders
Halcyon names former DHS secretary as its Strategic Advisor.
Axonius taps Fortinet executive as its Chief Product Officer.
Civilian Job Openings
M&A CORNER
MDA strengthens U.S. presence with Blue Canyon acquisition.
MDA Space is acquiring Raytheon’s Blue Canyon Technologies for $620M to expand its U.S. footprint and defense contracting position. Blue Canyon brings an established smallsat portfolio, with dozens of missions and thousands of systems delivered. The move signals MDA’s push to compete more directly for prime contracts in the U.S. market.
Booz Allen to acquire Ultra I&C Mission Solutions.
Booz Allen Hamilton has signed an agreement with Cobham Ultra Group, a portfolio company of private equity firm Advent, to acquire Ultra I&C Mission Solutions for $720 million as part of a push to expand its technology offerings for national security missions.
Shield AI closes deal to acquire Aechelon Technology.
Shield AI announced that it has completed the acquisition of simulation software company Aechelon Technology in a deal worth up to $12.7 billion. The transaction was finalized three months after Shield AI made the public aware of its buyout plans in March.
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