September 27, 2024

QUICK HITS

• NASA wants you to design the navigation tech for the Artemis Moon mission: Got ideas? Now is your chance to be a part of history!

• FBI raids Carahsoft HQ: A joint raid was launched amid allegations of price-fixing. (Updated)

• Cyber workforce bill pushing 2-year degrees for gov service: The move would incentivize skills-based training in exchange for gov't service.

• Maximus may take its fight over a $6B contract to the courts: The company weighs next steps after bid protest decision.

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GOVBREW INSIDER

• New Market Intelligence Report: The Expiring 8(a) Certifications Report identifies companies with 8(a) certifications set to expire in the next 36 months.

• Check out this week’s 40+ opportunities from defense, civilian, and intel agencies.

• In this week's recompete report, our team uncovered 45+ upcoming IT Services opportunities at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

• See if your company qualifies for any of the latest grants & competitions.

• Stay up to date on the upcoming events.

• Keep track of the latest Agency Acquisition Forecasts.

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DEFENSE & AEROSPACE

Pentagon briefs lawmakers on improving DOD financial management.

A senior Pentagon official briefed lawmakers yesterday on the Defense Department's progress with improving and modernizing its financial management systems and strengthening the integrity and transparency in its financial reporting. Read more

AFRL exploring ways to reach more small businesses.

The director of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Small Business Office has said there has been a 33 percent drop in the number of small companies partnering with the Department of Defense in the past five to seven years and that his office is working to address that trend by educating such enterprises on how to collaborate with DOD. Read more

Johns Hopkins testing new software platform for Navy USV operating systems.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory are collaborating with the U.S. Navy to validate Autonomy Baseline Library, a new software developed for rapid analysis of uncrewed surface vehicles’ systems and capabilities suited for specific naval needs. Read more

ICYMI:

• DOD highlights financial management progress, outlines details to lawmakers.

• Army seeks a more agile approach to software development and procurement.

• A flaw in the DOD’s aviation contract? Kropp talks about it.

• USN is expanding its submarine capacity with the aid of the private sector.

Defense Contract Awards

• GD Ordnance and Tactical Systems inked a $191.2M DLA Iron Fist Active Protection System B-kits contract.

• Corvid Technologies won a $99.7M Digital Engineering Services deal.

• Outside Analytics was awarded a $25M USSF Satellite Data Integration deal.

• Northrop was selected to continue the Glide Phase Interceptor development.

Follow the Defense Leaders

• Finally! After a nearly 2-month leadership gap, the National Guard appointed a Chief.

• Ibeos, formerly Cubic Aerospace, appoints new CGO & GM.

Defense Job Openings

• Army wants a Deputy Director.

• DOD is hiring a Contract Management Deputy.

TRIVIA 🤔

Just click the choice you think is right & the correct answer will be shown. Scroll down to the bottom of this email for more information about the correct answer.

INTEL COMMUNITY

Agencies breaking down barriers to DOD & IC integration.

To adapt to the fast-paced nature of modern operational environments, the DOD and IC have joined forces to embrace the potential of modern software to help them navigate around the stovepipes they face. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFP: USSOCOM seeks responses for Intelligence Support Services Joint III.

• Space Force awards Resilient GPS agreements to four companies.

• DIA kicks off construction of new intelligence community hub.

• ODNI is seeking a Deputy NIO.

CIVILIAN

Employees joining, staying with the fed because of benefits.

Why do so many employees want to be federal workers? Benefits seem to be a big reason: In a 2023 OPM survey, 90% or more of federal employees said that the availability of health and retirement benefits is important to them. Read more

State Department working to remake acquisition process.

The State Department is advancing category management and streamlining procurement workflows as part of efforts to transform its acquisition process. “For the most part, most agencies are trying to buy smarter these days and use best-in-class vehicles established out there. We’re certainly doing that,” said a senior procurement executive at the State Department. Read more

NASA unveils communication plans for better industry engagement.

NASA has released two new communication plans to reduce the barriers hindering small and minority business enterprises from working with the agency and improve how NASA engages with all businesses before, during, and after contract awards. Read more

ICYMI:

• RFI: CDC seeks information on NIOSH IT support services.

• NSF invests in ethical development of emerging technologies.

• US, United Arab Emirates to partner on artificial intelligence.

• Labor Dept develops framework for integrating AI into hiring tech.

Civilian Contracts Awards

• Omnisolve won a $6.3M GSA PBS Proj. Management Support Services deal.

• Tripoint Solutions got a $4.5M ERM, DAS, AND TOOLS contract.

• ASP Web solutions was awarded a $4.3M OCFO NFC HCD Support deal.

• Razmia inked a $4.2M OCIO Daito Forms Digitization & Systems Modernization contract.

Follow Civilian Leaders

• Tria Federal appoints 30-year federal sector veteran as SVP for BD.

• ASRC Federal has appointed a new vice president and CISO.

Civilian Job Openings

• DOI is looking for a Deputy District Manager.

• FSA needs an Assistant Deputy Administrator (FLP).

M&A CORNER

Codan to buy Kagwerks.

Codan is gearing up to boost its tactical communications game by agreeing to acquire Kagwerks—a company known for its rugged communication gear. This deal is all about expanding Codan's tactical offerings for military and defense markets. With this move, the company looks to solidify its standing in the ever-evolving comms space. Read more

Mythics buys Three Wire’s tech resale business.

Mythics has acquired Three Wire Systems’ technology resale business for an undisclosed sum. It will integrate the purchased business segment into its wholly owned subsidiary Emergent, expanding the latter’s portfolio of open source, cloud, and security technology offerings for public sector customers. Read more

SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿

1. The most powerful laser in history? Caltech demonstrated its space-based solar power breakthrough for energy transmission. SOURCE↗︎

2. Meta just revealed its augmented reality glasses prototype. Will it replace smartphones in future? SOURCE↗︎

3. Congress passes “Stopgap Bill” to avert government shutdown: Overseas Federal pay will decrease by 22 percent. SOURCE↗︎ 

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TRIVIA ANSWER ⭐️

A) The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994 introduced the "simplified acquisition threshold," initially set at $100,000 (later adjusted), which allowed agencies to use streamlined procedures for smaller procurements, reducing the administrative burden and promoting faster acquisition for lower-value contracts.