//
Air Force BAA Sets Potential $100M Technology Supply Contracts
Published on
Air Force BAA Sets Potential $100M Technology Supply Contracts

The Air Force Research Laboratory has issued a broad agency announcement, or BAA, soliciting white papers on new hardware and software for secure, robust and cost-efficient information processing systems for cyber technologies and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. 

The AFRL will select and invite formal proposals from qualified vendors responding to the open, two-step BAA with a total five-year estimated funding of about $99.9 million, according to the lab’s solicitation posted on SAM.gov on Monday. 

Submission Deadlines

For alignment with the projected fiscal year funding, the AFRL suggests white paper submission on or before Dec. 18 for FY 2025; Sept. 1, 2025 for FY 2026; Sept. 2, 2026 for FY 2027; Sept. 3, 2027 for FY 2028; and Sept. 4, 2028 for FY 2029.

Multiple awards are expected under the solicitation, with each contract’s term typically under 36 months and value ranging from $100,000 to $5 million. An individual vendor may be awarded several other transaction contracts. 

The solicitation is a follow-on of an earlier BAA entitled “Foundations of Trusted Systems” issued in May 2020. The AFRL updated the BAA in June, with the iteration closing in September.

Air Force BAA Sets Potential $100M Technology Supply Contracts

Register here to attend the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 23 and hear defense leaders, researchers and experts discuss the latest developments in the field of military technology.

/
GAO Issues Report on DOC Semicon Export Rules Implementation
Published on
GAO Issues Report on DOC Semicon Export Rules Implementation

The private sector has worked to comply with the rules promulgated by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security concerning the export of advanced semiconductors and equipment related to manufacturing them, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office.

Semiconductor Export Controls

The first of these rules was issued in 2022 by BIS with the aim of addressing U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, GAO said Monday. The rule also sought to prevent China from gaining access to advanced computing technologies it could use for military and artificial intelligence-related applications.

In 2023, BIS released two new rules that updated the controls of the 2022 rule. The bureau also offered updates to technical specifications and provided information as requested by the public.

Afterward, BIS conducted reviews of its export controls, including collecting public comments on existing rules. These reviews resulted in an update to rules in April this year and other subsequent changes, including an update to the Commerce Control List in September.

Challenges to Compliance

Though businesses have taken steps to comply with the issuances, challenges remain. Nevertheless, GAO reports that BIS has worked to address them. Such corrective actions include engaging with the private sector, refining definitions and soliciting feedback.

BIS also plans to conduct periodic reviews and updates to the rules not only to improve them but also to address advances in technology.

//
DOD’s CUPID Program Addressing Challenges in Legacy Systems
Published on
DOD’s CUPID Program Addressing Challenges in Legacy Systems

The Department of Defense has introduced a new approach to improve visibility across acquisition and financial management systems. Called the Centralized Unique Program Identifier, or CUPID, the new approach is addressing challenges in sharing data from legacy systems across the department, officials said at a recent forum hosted by George Mason University.

Pentagon’s Problem With Legacy Systems

In March, a government committee called the Commission on Planning, Programming Budgeting and Execution Reform published the results of its years-long review of the DOD, which found that the department has many disparate, siloed and antiquated data sets, systems and tools. According to the review, the complex and aging business systems at the Pentagon hinder information-sharing, preventing leaders from making informed and timely decisions. 

According to Mark Krzysko, principal deputy director of enterprise information at the Defense Department, CUPID provides authoritative data about all elements of the Pentagon’s programs, right down at the investment level. He compared it to having a birth certificate for programs. 

“We don’t argue when it occurred — whether they’re going to high school, whether they’re going to college, but we know the program exists,” he shared. 

The DOD now requires a CUPID code for every reportable contract action and to register them on the Defense Acquisition Visibility Environment, or DAVE. 

Krzysko said the integration of CUPID into DAVE creates traceability within the acquisition process, allowing leaders to see what exactly is causing delays in a program and make changes where necessary.

“The techniques that we now have are profound for us to better have insight and guide the department, and those that execute need to have that same mindset,” he commented.

Department-Wide Disconnect

However, Yousra Fazili, chief of staff at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), acknowledged that CUPID is an “amazing initiative” in solving the issue of systems that do not “talk to each other” but noted that it addresses only part of a wider enterprise problem. She pointed to DOD’s misevaluation of security packages sent to Ukraine. 

“The problem really came down to an enterprise problem of us not having systems that talk to each other from acquisition and sustainment, from the comptroller, and from policy,” Fazili said. “So it’s a people problem and an enterprise problem.”

/
QinetiQ US Wins $42M Army Task Order for Imaging Tech
Published on
QinetiQ US Wins $42M Army Task Order for Imaging Tech

The U.S. Army has awarded QinetiQ U.S. a $42 million task order to support the military branch’s modernization initiatives in sensor processing and imaging technologies.  

Through the four-year task order, QinetiQ will deliver advanced imaging capabilities, including aided target recognition, or AiTR, technologies and enhance signal and image processing algorithms for the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center, the McLean, Virginia-based company announced Monday. 

Jonathan Riksen, executive vice president and general manager of national and global security solutions unit for QinetiQ U.S., said, “This award reflects QinetiQ’s commitment to advancing sensor technology innovation while directly supporting the Army’s critical modernization priorities.”

“By leveraging our expertise in intelligent sensor processing and imaging systems, we’re helping the Army develop and field next-generation capabilities that support key initiatives, including Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift and Soldier Lethality programs. Our focus on research and development in these areas ensures warfighters have access to the most advanced technologies for maintaining tactical advantages,” Riksen added.

QinetiQ’s Recent Work With the Army

QinetiQ was previously tapped by the Army under a $41 million contract to help advance the C5ISR Center’s threat detection capabilities. In October, the military branch also awarded QinetiQ a $95 million contract to develop aerial target systems to enhance the military branch’s training and testing programs.

/
GovCon Index Ends November With Positive & Negative Trends
Published on
GovCon Index Ends November With Positive & Negative Trends

Executive Mosaic’s GovCon Index ended in the green for the week of Thanksgiving, increasing 0.5% to lift its average to $5,203.60. 

GovCon Index is a tool that records stock market data from 30 key government contracting organizations in real-time. This information allows site visitors to gain insights into each company’s financial status and provides a look into the foremost trends shaping the GovCon landscape. 

Although the GovCon Index ended positively for the last period of November, the index still sustained its third straight monthly loss. Potential policy changes throughout government contracting under the incoming administration are seen as a potential culprit for the substantial decline in GCI defense stocks.

GCI’s Mixed End-of-Month Results

With November’s highs and lows, the GovCon Index recorded its best and worst weekly performance during the month.

GCI’s 2024 top performer, Palantir Technologies, notched a 61.4% gain in November, ending the month with an average of $67.08. Market analysts think Palantir’s artificial intelligence platform has fueled the company’s continued growth.   

Boeing came in second place to Palantir after recording an 8.39% increase. BAE Systems had the worst performance of the period, declining 6.76% in five days and 4.22% on Friday.

To gain insight into daily GovCon Index trends and access the complete list of tracked companies, visit GovConIndex.com.

/
FDIC Seeking Portfolio Investment Management System Proposals
Published on
FDIC Seeking Portfolio Investment Management System Proposals

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is soliciting proposals to provide a comprehensive cloud-based investment management system that will replace the existing Portfolio Reporting, Trading, and Investment Analysis system.

A notice recently posted on SAM.gov said the new cloud-based application, referred to as the Portfolio Investment Management System, or PIMS, must enable the FDIC to effectively manage cash and investments, review daily and historical pricing data of all securities held, and integrate with Bloomberg to obtain financial information, among other related business processes.

Specifications of the RFP

According to the PIMS statement of work, the selected contractor must provide a scalable and flexible commercial-off-the-shelf application that can be accessed from users’ authorized vDesks; professional services for system implementation, including application stand-up, configurations, data migration from legacy systems, application testing and user documentation; and hosting and operations, maintenance and enhancements for the new system.

The FDIC requires the PIMS to integrate security and privacy controls compliant with related federal laws, regulations, policies and standards.

Interested companies have until Dec. 9 to submit questions to the FDIC and until Jan. 3 to send their proposals.

/
OMB Guidance Seeks to Help Improve Federal Procurement Forecasts
Published on
OMB Guidance Seeks to Help Improve Federal Procurement Forecasts

The Office of Management and Budget has released new guidance for federal agencies to strengthen procurement forecasts.

Priorities to Strengthen Procurement Forecasts

In a memorandum published Friday, OMB said agencies should improve forecast content quality by establishing a standardized set of data elements, improve timeliness of forecast information and enhance access to forecasts by making forecast data available through a centralized view.

According to OMB, a public crowdsourcing campaign carried out by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy has helped inform such priorities. OFPP worked with hundreds of small businesses and large companies to better understand the needs of vendors.

The document was signed by Christine Harada, senior adviser at OFPP who currently performs the duties of administrator for federal procurement policy.

Agency Responsibilities

Within three months of guidance’s release, agencies should designate a forecasting lead to serve as the primary point of contact for agency onboarding, compliance and resolution of forecast data issues as well as work with the General Services Administration’s Forecast of Contracting Opportunities team to schedule agency onboarding into the FCO tool.

By the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, agencies should update tools, policies and processes to capture the required core data elements of the management guidance.

They should establish the procedures and processes needed to gather and report forecasts on a quarterly basis by the end of the first quarter of FY 2026.

Agencies should also ensure forecasts are fully available on GSA’s FCO tool and take measures to ensure all data is consistent across existing tools by the end of the third quarter of FY 2026.

What Is the FCO Tool?

FCO is a forecasting platform hosted on AcquisitionGateway.gov. It enables potential offerors to evaluate forecast information from any federal agency that shares its information on the website.

To advance a centralized view of forecasting opportunities, agencies may choose to either use the FCO as their forecasting tool or use their own platform and upload their standardized forecasting information to the FCO.

/
Pentagon Issues New Directive on Military Intelligence Program
Published on
Pentagon Issues New Directive on Military Intelligence Program

The Department of Defense has issued a new directive establishing policy and assigning responsibilities for the Military Intelligence Program, or MIP.

The updated DOD directive issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security took effect Wednesday, Nov. 27, and was approved by Deputy DOD Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

The Defense Intelligence and Security Integration Council or other oversight organizations as directed by the defense under secretary for intelligence and security, or USD(I&S), will review MIP capabilities, resources and issues.

Decisions related to MIP planning, programming, budgeting and execution will reflect all elements of guidance documents issued by Congress, the Office of Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Responsibilities of DOD Officials

The USD(I&S) will serve as the MIP executive, provide MIP oversight for DOD intelligence, counterintelligence and intelligence-related activities through a structured business process and approve proposed resource changes affecting MIP programs, capabilities and projects through the PPBE process, among other functions.

The document also outlines the responsibilities of the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the heads of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and Defense Information Systems Agency, secretaries of military departments, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the head of U.S. Special Operations Command.

The DIA director, for instance, should prepare programmatic guidance, oversee annual program budget development for combatant command intelligence directorates and joint intelligence operations centers capabilities and activities and coordinate annual budget requests for MIP resources.

//
DLA Exploring Use of Digital Twins for OT Systems Security
Published on
DLA Exploring Use of Digital Twins for OT Systems Security

The Defense Logistics Agency is integrating artificial intelligence and zero trust into cyber digital twins to help protect operational technology systems from cyberattacks through two Phase 1 contracts under the Small Business Innovation Research program.

DLA said Wednesday the first SBIR contract, which concluded in September, integrated AI into the cyber digital twins to help detect anomalies associated with potential cyberthreats.

“By continuously analyzing this operational data, AI can recognize deviations and alert DLA personnel to unusual activities that may suggest a cyberattack in real time,” said Barry Humphrey, Logistics Technology Research program manager at DLA.

Under the second contract, DLA is combining zero trust with cyber digital twins to mitigate unauthorized data access and improve the overall security of OT systems. This SBIR contract is expected to be completed by September 2025.

“The insights we learn from cyber digital twins can help DLA continuously strengthen security measures for the agency and our partners,” Humphrey noted. “This helps us build a more resilient cybersecurity posture.”

//
State Department OKs TECRO’s Potential $65M FMS Deal for IMSE
Published on
State Department OKs TECRO’s Potential $65M FMS Deal for IMSE

The State Department has approved the foreign military sale request of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, or TECRO, for Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment, a.k.a. IMSE, follow-on support and related items.

TECRO’s IMSE Contract Scope

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday the proposed deal is valued at an estimated $65 million with General Dynamics Mission Systems as the principal contractor. The agency had already notified Congress of the possible sale.

Under the potential sale, the TECRO office in the United States will procure an additional two years of support services previously provided under an initial $41.6 million FMS, which included follow-on support for the IMSE and Experimental Force, or EXFOR, system. This involved repair and return of equipment, management services, replacement and repair services, contract engineering and technical support, logistics and U.S. government liaison support.

Furthermore, the proposed deal covers contractor operation and management of the depot, which is outside of the contiguous United States. This includes repair and replacement and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The FMS request is intended to strengthen relations between the U.S. and Taiwan. The latter also expects the proposed sale to modernize its armed forces and enhance its national security, political stability, military balance and economic growth.

The potential deal will require three contractor Technical Assistance Representatives to be assigned in Taiwan to supervise equipment fielding and training.

TECRO’s F-16 Spare Parts and Support FMS

In another FMS request, TECRO asked to purchase spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft and active electronically scanned array radars and related equipment valued at an estimated cost of $320 million and expected to be delivered starting in 2025.

1 … 134 135 136 137 138 … 2,597