September 15, 2023

CBP’s mesh networks, IARPA SouRCE CODE Proposer’s Day, 2nd Argo spy, Friday trivia, meet 35 innovators under 35, VA EHRM reset, new NASA UAP Director

September 15, 2023

QUICK HITS

  • The CIA may have bribed its COVID-19 origin team: A whistleblower claims the agency wanted the team to reject lab-leak theories.

  • A step-by-step breakdown of how NOT to engage a CISO: Build respect and find that human connection in three easy steps.

  • Meet 35 innovators under 35 driving the next wave of innovation: What does their hard work tell us about where tech is headed?

  • Industry leaders think it’s past time for strict AI regulations: Executives urge Congress to support responsible legislation.

TRIVIA

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

The DOD's unclassified strategy for space protection: resilience, defense, and offense by another name.

The strategy in particular aims to communicate the DOD's commitment to protect the Joint Force from adversary hostile uses of space," said the DOD's space policy czar John Plumb. The strategy emphasizes that the US will not only defend its space systems but will also target enemy space capabilities during wartime. Read more

DOD deterring aggressive threats with innovation in logistics.

The future of military logistics needs innovation to help deter aggression from new and growing threats. "We want our enemy to know that the logistics will be there, that when our warfighter turns to the shelf, those supply parts are there," said the executive director of operational contract support for OUSD A&S. "The uniforms they need are there," said said. "The bullets they need are there." Read more

With Tuberville hold, emboldened Chinese adversaries 'popping' corks.

Military officials spoke out against the hold on officer promotions launched by Senator Tuberville, with the head of Air Combat Command saying, “I’d go so far as say if you drive north of the National Cathedral on Connecticut Avenue, that popping sound you hear is not stray gunfire. It is champagne corks at the Chinese embassy bouncing off the walls.” Read more

ICYMI Snippets

Defense Contract Awards

  • RTX, Lockheed book $730M to upgrade, replace Army stinger missiles.

  • Northrop receives $458M USN order for E-2D advanced hawkeye systems refresh.

  • DHA awards OptumHealth Care Solutions a $60M bridge contract for Global Nurse Advice Line (NAL) Support services.

  • USAF chooses eight companies for $195M support services work.

  • Iridium to provide USSF with broadband connectivity on DISA contract.

Follow the Defense Leaders

Defense Job Openings

  • The USMC seeks a new Executive Deputy for MCRC.

  • Become NAVSEA's new SME on shipboard industrial fire safety assurance.

INTEL COMMUNITY

Stop falling for deepfake threats and just listen to the NSA.

The NSA and other federal agency partners have issued new advice on the synthetic media threat that you may already know as deepfakes. Deepfakes present a cybersecurity challenge for National Security Systems (NSS), the DOD, and DIB organizations, and they've released the joint Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI) “Contextualizing Deepfake Threats to Organizations” to combat deepfakes. Read more

NSA to launch 'innovation pipeline' to spur competition with China.

The NSA's China directorate is preparing to launch an “innovation pipeline” focused on competition with China and solving the agency's most pressing challenges. The NSA’s assistant deputy director for China said the new program will be called “Red Ventures.” Read more

ICYMI Snippets

CIVILIAN

The VA is going 'back to the drawing board' for its EHRM program.

The VA has told lawmakers that it is going “back to the drawing board” to develop a new deployment schedule for its EHRM program, with hopes to resume the program in the summer of 2024. VA and Oracle Cerner are focusing on improvements at the five sites where the system is already deployed. Read more

IRS plans to be "fully operational" if a shutdown happens.

Yeah, even amid a shutdown, we still need to pay our taxes. The IRS is planning to remain “fully operational,” if Congress triggers a government shutdown at the end of the month. In response to a request from the National Treasury Employees Union, the IRS confirmed that if Congress fails to avert a government shutdown this fall, the agency will keep operating and pay its employees on time. Read more

CBP spending $99M to make it easier to communicate where there's no signal.

Mesh networks may very soon become a common sight at the U.S. border. Customs and Border Protection is planning to spend nearly $100M to make it easier for border patrol agents to communicate where there's no signal. Read more

ICYMI Snippets

  • Six small businesses file protests involving five-year, $450M DHS contract.

  • Sources Sought: NARA Facilitation Services (responses due Sep 20).

  • The path is rocky to averting a shutdown is elusive as Senate looks to pass FY24 spending bills.

  • Draft OMB memo details 10 new requirements to manage AI.

  • VA launches new Trustworthy AI framework.

Civilian Contracts Awards

  • AT&T awarded $259M USDA telecommunications support contract.

  • SAIC secures $96M from WHS to provide technical assistance services.

  • Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC awarded $63M USAID contract.

  • Anika Systems (an 8[a] EDWOSB company) won a $4M IRS CIO IES EAD and Tier II Support Services contract.

  • Malbaie Solutions (an 8[a] EDWOSB company) won a $4.5M NIH NCI Digital Services IDIQ.

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

  • Become the Director of the Barack H. Obama Presidential Library.

  • Join the Forest Service's executive staff as a Regional Forester (in Juneau, AK)

M&A CORNER

ManTech wraps up acquisition of Definitive Logic.

ManTech has wrapped up its acquisition of Definitive Logic for an undisclosed sum. In early August, the firm had agreed to buy Definitive Logic in a push to expand its tech service offerings with government customers. and ManTech's president has said, “The acquisition of Definitive Logic builds upon ManTech’s consultative services in Bringing Digital to the Mission in support of our customers." Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

Are we 30 days from a government shutdown?

Google the phrase “government shutdown” and even before you hit the news tab, headlines like "House conservatives flirt with shutdown" (from The Hill) or "Government shutdown this fall? Americans anxious about possibility" (from USA Today) will come up. But are we really so close to a government shutdown? Read more

Commentary: Remembering Al Gore's Reinventing Government 30 years later.

How did Al Gore's Reinventing Government initiative, released on Sept. 7, 1993, help change federal procurement and overcome divisions across party lines to encourage more support for reinvention on the hill? Read more

How does the DOD plan to bring home this WWII bomber crew lost over Germany?

Bringing home the remains of those missing in action is America's sacred duty, said Army Capt. Jordan Smith. Smith, the leader of a 25-member team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, is working to recover the remains of airmen lost during World War II. Read more

TRIVIA ANSWER: D Committee on Public Information

The Committee on Public Information, known as the Creel Committee, was an independent agency of the US government under the Wilson administration created to influence public opinion to support the US in World War 1. Nothing but propaganda, one critic called it “a relentless campaign of manipulation of public opinion thinly disguised as journalism,” including manufactured German atrocities and war crimes. (Source)

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