QUICK HITS
SECNAV launches new office: It’s for robotic and autonomous systems.
Government tech: Ways to balance security and innovation.
SAM.gov registration requirements: Here’s what you need to know.
SB opportunity: USPS is unlocking new opportunities for small businesses in a range of industries.
DEFENSE & AEROSPACE
Restoring USAF to dominance will take sustained $20-30B per year.
The USAF confronts a critical readiness and capacity crisis—pilots are flying as little as five hours per month, well below the “peer war-ready” standard of 16 hours, while aircraft are aging (average fighter age now around 26 years) and mission-capable rates remain worryingly low. Can the the USAF be restored to a posture of dominance?
What to know about US forces sent to Venezuela.
The U.S. has deployed warships, fighter jets, and thousands of personnel near Venezuela as part of expanded operations against drug cartels, a move POTUS tied to designating groups like Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has denounced the accusations, mobilized a volunteer militia, and appealed to the U.N. for support, while opposition leaders frame the U.S. actions as evidence of his weakening rule.
DOD gets rebranded the “Department of War,” but will it stick?
The move to rename the DOD to “Department of War” and to allow SECDEF to use the “Secretary of War” title drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, historians, and defense experts, who warned it could signal a more aggressive posture and undermine longstanding norms. The Pentagon’s legal name remains unchanged, and any official renaming would require congressional approval.
ICYMI:
USN RFI: Electro-Optic/Infrared systems.
Software repository gives fighters access to mission-critical apps on demand.
Boeing says MQ-28 demonstrations prove operational effectiveness.
Navy pauses unmanned systems purchases during major reorganization.
Defense Contract Awards
Army picks startup Rivet to build AI-enabled soldier glasses.
Five companies won contract to develop armed, unmanned carrier aircraft.
RTX won a $205M Navy contract for MK 15 Close-In Weapon Sys Upgrades.
Lockheed Martin won a $132M Navy contract for Conventional Prompt Strike.
Follow the Defense Leaders
Defense Job Openings
NAVSEA needs a Manager.
NAVAIR wants a Program Manager.
FUNNY
INTEL COMMUNITY
CBP releases further details on biometrics for vehicle crossings.
CBP has released privacy documentation detailing its ongoing test of facial recognition technology for vehicle crossings under the Traveler Verification Service. The program captures live facial images of all unobstructed occupants in moving vehicles, temporarily storing them—up to six months—for identity verification and evaluation using a cloud-based testing platform.
ICYMI:
ODNI releases “Safeguarding Academia” bulletin.
The DOD’s software revolution and its testing dilemma.
Army DEVCOM teams up with IQT to close tech gaps.
Koniag IT Systems booked contracts worth a total of $83M from WHS.
CGI awarded $48M FBI Unified Financial Mgmt System support task.
POTUS names the 9th Director of NGA.
Senzing names a new member of the Growth Advisory Board.
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CIVILIAN
Centralization might not be the best model for delivering common government services.
Turns out, centralizing government services isn’t always the hero we hoped for—sometimes it’s more like Thanos snapping away efficiency, leaving agencies scrambling. Experts suggest a mix-and-match approach, letting some services stay local while others are centralized, so the government can actually assemble better outcomes for the public.
Change Healthcare attack delayed EHR testing at Chicago site.
A February 2024 ransomware attack on Change Healthcare disrupted interface testing for the VA and DOD’s new Oracle Health EHR system at Chicago’s VA Medical Center, resulting in delayed testing and inadequate documentation of results. The VA IG’s report notes that the affected interface wasn’t replaced with a functioning system until November 2024—highlighting risks to future EHR deployments.
NASA releases details on revised next phase of commercial space station development.
NASA is advancing its Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program by supporting the development of multiple private space stations, including Vast's Haven-1 and Starlab, through Space Act Agreements. These partnerships aim to establish a sustainable low Earth orbit economy, with NASA planning to procure services from these commercial stations following their development phases.
ICYMI:
ED RFI: FSA Technology Modernization Initiative.
DOJ RFI: BUREAU of ATF Enterprise Optimization of EPS Systems.
[Listen] Health IT reform includes data and making that data move where it is needed.
GAO flags cyber workforce gaps: agencies lack contractor data.
SBA proposes rule: bigger small biz, more set-aside competition.
Civilian Contracts Awards
Kentro-led JV (ITC-DE) beats 4 to win $61M DOC OCRM Support Services task.
CyberESI CG wins $1.3M NIST Cybersecurity & AI Resource Dev task.
RP Professional Services won a TREAS FinCEN Records Mgmt contract.
4 teams will design the Quantum Science Virtual Laboratory.
Follow Civilian Leaders
SSA has a new leadership roster.
OPM’s top IT official has departed the agency.
PNNL named its new Director.
Civilian Job Openings
IRS is hiring a Program Manager.
DHS is seeking a Program Manager.
SHOWER THOUGHTS 🚿
Massive refunds to be issued if the Supreme Court voids tariffs. “Unwinding [tariffs already collected] could cause significant disruption.” Who would collect that money is a different story. SOURCE↗︎
INFORM Consumers Act: FTC has filed its first case against Temu. The company allegedly failed to provide shoppers with required seller info and reporting tools. SOURCE↗︎
Can breakfast time predict how long we’ll live? How can a late breakfast increase the risk of death? SOURCE↗︎
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