September 9, 2024

Astrion buys Axient, new Boeing EVP, Commerce export controls on new tech, Jacobs’s big NASA win, Russia is meddling, SOCOM SBIR speed-up

Author

GovBrew
September 09, 2024

QUICK HITS

  • Adventures in staffing & cost realism: How to keep proposals competitive without freaking out the evaluation board.

  • GSA’s 10x program sets sights on ‘Moonshots:’ It will focus on promising ideas that can deliver transformative value to partners.

  • NSF allocates funds for EducateAI: Nearly $8M in investments will develop a future AI workforce.

  • Size recertification following M&As: Here are some coming changes to small business regulations

DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

SOCOM’s SBIR speed-up: Years cut from Phase 3 awards.

SOCOM is turning up the heat on innovation by slashing years off the SBIR Phase 3 awards process, giving small businesses a faster path to operational contracts. With new technology rolling in quicker than ever, who says government contracting can't move at warp speed? Read more

SECNAV Del Toro’s UK trip draws Hatch Act violation.

A report published by the Office of the Special Counsel has found that the Secretary of the Navy violated the Hatch Act during a trip to the UK when he encouraged Americans to vote for Biden while acting in his official leadership role. Read more

New space tech set to revolutionize military operations.

The SDA is preparing to roll out advanced satellite capabilities, enhancing communication and missile detection for warfighters. This leap in space-based tech promises to deliver real-time advantages on the battlefield. Read more

ICYMI:

  • U.S. approves $250M weapons aid package for Ukraine.

  • Navy supply chain software modernization is underway via new NAVSUP unit.

  • GDIT expands GitLab partnership through strategic collaboration agreement.

  • USSF launches first officer training course for its 'Guardians.'

Defense Contract Awards

  • Navy awards $563M simulation systems contract to J.F. Taylor.

  • Pratt & Whitney awarded $517M in Navy contract mods.

  • The University of Michigan and Rochester Institute of Technology win separate USAF contracts for advanced space power and propulsion technology.

Follow the Defense Leaders

Defense Job Openings

  • USMC seeks Deputy to the Commander for Resources Management.

  • NAVSEA needs a Director, Cost Engineering and Industrial Analysis.

FUNNY

CIVILIAN

NARA’s digital-only milestone paves the way for “zero click.”

The “zero-click” future for records management shift aims to streamline access to federal records, making it easier for agencies and the public to retrieve information without manual intervention. Want to know how this impacts federal recordkeeping? Read more

White House officials see 'a lot of promise' in AI for cyber defense.

The WH is contemplating a new executive order that would focus on AI in cybersecurity. "We see a lot of promise in the AI space," said The White House Deputy National Security Advisor, despite federal cyber pros warning of the risks of relying too much on AI. Read more

Commerce imposes export controls on emerging tech to protect national security.

Under a newly published interim final rule, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has implemented export controls on critical and emerging technologies that U.S. adversaries can use for military applications. Read more

ICYMI:

Civilian Contracts Awards

Follow Civilian Leaders

Civilian Job Openings

  • NNSA seeks a new Deputy Manager for its Y-12 Field Office.

  • NASA HQ needs a Director, Mission Assurance Standards & Capabilities.

INTEL COMMUNITY

US & international agencies publish joint advisory on Russian threat actors.

The NSA, FBI, CISA, and international allies have issued a joint advisory on a group of Russian military cyber threat actors targeting critical infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad as part of efforts to conduct espionage. Read more

ICYMI:

M&A CORNER

Astrion acquires Axient.

Astrion has announced the completion of its acquisition of Axient, a provider of specialized engineering and solutions. Astrion is a portfolio company of Brightstar Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm. Read more

Honeywell closes its purchase of CAES.

Honeywell has finalized its acquisition of CAES from private equity firm Advent International. The company says it expects the acquisition to expand its defense technology platforms across ground, sea, air, and space domains, and drive the growth of its aerospace technologies business. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

  1. How do the smartest scientists study airflow physics? For US and German researchers, it's by launching a flight test at hypersonic speeds. SOURCE↗︎ 

  2. How can the US government advance AI safety? ITI offers recommendations to improve NIST guidance on dual-use foundation model risks. SOURCE↗︎

  3. Could a radio fix have prevented the Trump assassination attempt? “Being able to talk to other agencies real-time certainly would assist in that response,” one official said. SOURCE↗︎

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