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FCC Unveils Proposed Rulemaking to Modernize Space & Earth Station Licensing
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FCC logo. The Federal Communications Commission issued a proposed rulemaking to modernize space and earth station licensing.

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, or NPRM, aimed at overhauling and modernizing the space and Earth station licensing framework.

The Space Modernization for the 21st Century NPRM, which updates the agency’s Part 25 satellite rules to a new Part 100, is central to its “Final Frontiers” agenda, according to a Federal Register post published Friday.

What Is the FCC’s Space Modernization for the 21st Century NPRM?

The initiative seeks to ensure emerging space industries, exploration capabilities and advanced defense systems are developed domestically rather than overseas. Central to the proposal is the creation of a “licensing assembly line,” enabling applications to be routed and segmented for targeted review. This streamlined approach is expected to enhance efficiency, predictability and flexibility, while accelerating the FCC’s licensing processes and enhancing overall quality.

How Will FCC Modernize Its Licensing Process?

The FCC intends to update its Part 25 licensing rules to keep pace with the rapid expansion and complexity of the space industry. The proposed changes include establishing a review process that facilitates “permissionless innovation,” overhauling application materials to streamline processing and expanding the flexibility for applicants and licensees in designing and operating their systems.

The FCC will accept public comments on the proposed rule changes until Jan. 20.

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Congress Releases Text of FY 2026 Defense Policy Bill
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The Capitol building. Congress released the full text of the final National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.

Congressional leaders have unveiled the full text of the final National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.

Congress Releases Text of FY 2026 Defense Policy Bill

Engage with key decision-makers and explore the breakthrough technologies shaping the future battlespace at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. Reserve your seat today!

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act helps advance President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump’s executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement published Sunday.

The Hill reported that the FY 2026 NDAA reflects an $8 billion increase above President Trump’s $892.6 billion budget request for the Department of War.

While the NDAA outlines annual defense policy, it does not appropriate funds. According to the Hill, the House is expected to vote on the measure in the coming days.

What Are the Provisions of the FY 2026 NDAA?

The defense policy measure would give service members a 4 percent pay raise; expand counter-drone defenses and new technologies; advance Golden Dome and enhance U.S. nuclear deterrent; implement guardrails to protect the country’s long-term investments and economic interests; and enhance U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.

The bill aims to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding and broaden the maritime industrial base; reform the defense acquisition process; speed up the development and delivery of space capabilities; and streamline operations by eliminating $20 billion in obsolete weapons, inefficient programs and Pentagon bureaucracy.

In October, the Senate voted 77-20 to pass a $914 billion FY 2026 defense policy bill, paving the way for the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to begin the conference process and work out a compromise between their respective versions of the measure. The House approved its version of the NDAA in September.

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Pentagon Orders Components to Maintain Cryptography Inventory, Designate PQC Migration Leads
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Katie Arrington, performing the duties of the Pentagon's CIO. Arrington issued a PQC memo to all Pentagon components

The Department of War has ordered all of its components to rapidly transition to post-quantum cryptography, or PQC, citing advances in quantum information science and the need to protect its information systems, communications and personnel.

In a new memo, Katie Arrington, a Wash100 winner who is performing the duties of chief information officer, tasked the Pentagon’s senior leaders and combatant command heads to identify cryptography in use across all systems and designate leads responsible for migration activities.

Pentagon Orders Components to Maintain Cryptography Inventory, Designate PQC Migration Leads

Advancing quantum development to maintain U.S. leadership and secure critical systems is one of the topics that defense and industry leaders will discuss at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan 29. Get meaningful insights or engage with key decision-makers and innovators by securing your tickets today.

How Will the Pentagon Migrate to PQC?

According to the memo, the designated component PQC migration lead will oversee PQC acquisition requirements, carry out dissemination of PQC information, implement quantum-attack risk management plans, and tracking of all related tests, evaluations and readiness programs.

The migration lead will also be in charge of maintaining an inventory every form of cryptography used in their systems, including national security systems, business platforms, weapons systems, cloud services, mobile devices, physical access tools, Internet of Things technologies, unmanned assets and operational technology.

The memo also directs components to phase out pre-shared key approaches and symmetric key protocols used for quantum resistance by the end of 2030.

Additionally, the Office of the CIO wants components to submit artifacts for any testing, development, evaluation or acquisition involving PQC-related technology for review of security issues or unmitigated risks.

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Idaho National Lab Picks 5 Teams for MARVEL Microreactor Project
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MARVEL Project. INL tapped five teams to demonstrate several test cases under DOE's MARVEL microreactor project.

The Idaho National Laboratory has selected five teams to conduct initial experiments as part of the Department of Energy’s Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation, or MARVEL, demonstration project.

“With access to MARVEL, companies can explore how microreactors will potentially help us win the global AI race, solve water challenges and so much more. The MARVEL testbed exemplifies how nuclear energy can open the door to a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for our country,” John Jackson, national technical director for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Microreactor Program, said in a statement published Thursday.

The chosen teams are Amazon Web Services; DCX USA and Arizona State University; General Electric Vernova; Radiation Detection Technologies; and Shepherd Power, NOV and ConocoPhillips.

AWS has proposed using and combining the MARVEL reactor with a modular data center. Meanwhile, Radiation Detection Technologies has proposed to use MARVEL to evaluate high-performance sensor systems that could help track the performance of advanced reactors.

The teams will work with DOE and national lab staff members to develop implementation plans for their proposed projects. According to INL, final agreements for the projects are expected to be announced in 2026. 

What Is DOE’s MARVEL Project?

Led by INL under the DOE Microreactor Program, MARVEL is designed to advance the development of a nuclear microreactor demonstration test bed.

The project features a sodium-potassium cooled microreactor that will generate 85 kilowatts of power. INL expects the project to advance the testing of microreactor applications, explore various electrical and non-electrical uses and help develop regulatory processes.

MARVEL will be linked to the national lab’s first nuclear microgrid and is expected to be operational by late 2027. It aims to provide companies with an opportunity to demonstrate new use cases and advance the technological maturity of microreactors.

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DOT Adopts Google Workspace Productivity Tools to Bolster Transportation Modernization
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Jim Kelly, federal vice president at Google Public Sector. Kelly announced DOT's transition to Google Workspace

The Department of Transportation has transitioned its workforce from legacy providers to Google Workspace’s cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools, including the generative artificial intelligence platform Gemini and AI research service NotebookLM.  

DOT Adopts Google Workspace Productivity Tools to Bolster Transportation Modernization

Gain insights into how the government is utilizing AI at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 19. Secure your tickets here. 

How Did Google Support DOT’s Workspace Transition?

Jim Kelly, vice president of federal for Google Public Sector and a Wash100 awardee, wrote in a company blog post published Saturday that, through the company’s collaboration with DOT, deployment of the foundational system was completed within 22 days.

He added that over 50,000 DOT employees across transportation modes, including Federal Aviation Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration personnel, will get access to Google tools under the General Services Administration’s OneGov strategy. So far, around 12,000 users are utilizing the Workspace’s tool suite. The rest will be onboarded in 2026.

“This is a major step forward to support DOT’s mission to ensure the United States has the safest, most efficient, and modern transportation system in the world,” he said. “The successful execution of this transformation, in partnership with Google Public Sector and GSA, demonstrates how forward-thinking federal leadership is actively embracing best-in-class commercial innovation to better serve the public.”

Google Workspace and Gemini have both secured Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program High certification. 

What Is OneGov?

OneGov is the General Services Administration’s strategy to utilize the government’s collective power and broker a deal with original equipment manufacturers to provide agencies with discounted services for advanced technologies.

Google is providing a 71 percent temporary price discount to agencies to use its Workspace business software through the multiple award schedules program under a OneGov agreement announced in April.

The Mountain View, California-headquartered technology company is also providing access to Gemini for Government for only $0.47 per agency.

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8(a) Firms Required to Submit Financial Records Amid Expanded Fraud Oversight
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SBA logo. 8(a) firms must submit financial documents by Jan. 5

The Small Business Administration has directed all companies in the 8(a) Business Development Program to provide financial documentation, as the agency intensifies efforts to identify fraud, waste and abuse across federal small business contracting.

More than 4,300 participating firms must submit bank records, payroll data, financial statements and contracting agreements covering the last three fiscal years, SBA said Friday. Companies that do not comply by Jan. 5 risk removal from the program and additional enforcement action.

Why Is SBA Requiring New Financial Reviews?

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said recent federal investigations and oversight findings point to longstanding vulnerabilities in the 8(a) program, which is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.

Loeffler stressed that there is “mounting evidence” that the program “went from being a targeted program to a pass-through vehicle for rampant abuse and fraud,” noting that the review aims to restore program integrity and protect taxpayer dollars.

What Triggered the 8(a) Audit Action?

The government-wide review follows a Department of Justice case that uncovered a $550 million bribery and fraud scheme involving a former contracting official and two 8(a) contractors. As part of the response, SBA has launched a full-scale audit focused on high-value and limited-competition awards made over the last 15 years.

SBA has already suspended executives and companies linked to alleged misconduct involving more than $253 million in contract awards.

The Department of the Treasury has initiated a parallel audit of preference-based contracting, totaling an estimated $9 billion in awards.

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US National Security Strategy Prioritizes Military Tech Advantage Over China
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White House. The Trump administration releases the 2025 National Security Strategy.

 The U.S. government has released its 2025 National Security Strategy, resetting U.S. defense and industrial priorities around maintaining a technological and military edge over China, identified as the nation’s principal strategic and economic competitor.

The strategy, which the White House published on Thursday, highlights need for safeguarding American sovereignty, defending the homeland against military and foreign-influence threats, and preventing adversaries from gaining leverage over U.S. economic and industrial systems. It underscores that peace through strength and robust border security remain central to preserving national stability.

What Military Capabilities Will the US Strengthen?

To support global deterrence, the strategy directs development of technologically advanced military capabilities, including a modern nuclear deterrent, accelerated defense production and the Golden Dome next-generation missile defense system. The plan further prioritizes leadership in emerging technologies — such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and autonomous systems — to prevent adversaries from surpassing U.S. capabilities.

These key technologies will be a central focus of Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29! Register now to catch 10 expert panels and four keynotes—a packed day of GovCon defense tech discussion and networking.

How Will Industrial Policy Support Military Readiness?

Under the new strategy, rebuilding the defense industrial base is a key pillar. This includes reshoring critical manufacturing, expanding domestic energy production and reinforcing intellectual property protections. Industrial resilience is presented as foundational to both military readiness and long-term economic security.

What Are the US Regional and Global Priorities?

The document reaffirms U.S. opposition to coercive threats against Taiwan and calls for bolstered deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. It also maintains U.S. support for achieving stability and a ceasefire in Ukraine, safeguarding global trade routes to ensure access to strategic resources and preserving navigation security.

“This document is a roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history, and the home of freedom on earth,” U.S. President Donald Trump said. “In the years ahead, we will continue to develop every dimension of our national strength—and we will make America safer, richer, freer, greater, and more powerful than ever before.”

US National Security Strategy Prioritizes Military Tech Advantage Over China
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5 Biggest Defense AI Contracts in FY 2025
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A robot. Check out the the five biggest federal contract awards involving defense AI technologies in FY 2025.

FY 2025 featured some of the largest defense AI contracts awarded by the federal government in recent memory. The top 10 awards had a cumulative value of $38.3 billion, according to GovCon Daily research. 

These awards demonstrate a larger strategic shift in the Department of War. Rather than relying exclusively on traditional defense primes, the DOW is now explicitly reaching for nontraditional firms with broad commercial pedigree. This is changing how deals are structured, featuring faster cycles, different acquisition vehicles and more collaboration across firms.

Discover the latest defense AI business opportunities at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29! Hear directly from leading federal officials and industry experts at our Powering AI at Mission Scale: Energy, Compute and Infrastructure for Defense Innovation panel discussion. Secure your seat for this elite GovCon event today!

For GovCon executives, this means paying more attention to long-term planning and strategic agility. Either position yourself to integrate or partner, or risk being left behind as the DOW’s procurement landscape evolves.

What Is Defense AI?

Leveraging rapidly advancing AI for military use is a top priority for the DOW entering 2026. While most attention focuses on AI’s role in combat, the DOW wants to use AI to improve its business operations, including finance, acquisition, IT and more, according to the Brookings Institute.

Let’s dive into the five biggest defense AI contracts awarded in 2025.

1. What Is the PROTECTS Cybersecurity Blanket Purchase Agreement?

Amount: $20 billion

Date awarded: March 25, 2025

Organization: Department of Treasury

Recipients: 1CyberForce, Delviom, Electrosoft Services, Maveris, Obsidian Global, Pueo Business Solutions, PUNCH Cyber, ShorePoint, Valiant Solutions, Zermount

The biggest defense AI contract award in government in FY 2025 was the massive $20 billion Providing Treasury Enterprise Cybersecurity Technology and Services, or PROTECTS, cybersecurity blanket purchase agreement.

PROTECTS enables the Treasury and its departments and bureaus to access the recipients for cybersecurity services and solutions, bolstering the protection of the department’s data and assets. Featuring a one-year base ordering period and seven one-year option periods, PROTECTS also facilitates innovation and creates cost savings for the Treasury.

1CyberForce is a small-business mentor-protégé joint venture between ECS and Yakshna Solutions, was named to the PROTECTS BPA. With PROTECTS, ECS is using its broad expertise in federal and commercial security, managed security solutions, vulnerability and incident authority and improved adversary-focused operations to progress the Treasury’s security posture.

“This award is a significant milestone for our joint venture. It showcases our unmatched cybersecurity expertise and innovative, AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions,” said John Heneghan, ECS president and a four-time Wash100 winner.

2. $10B Army Commercial Software Award to Palantir

Amount: Potentially $10 billion

Date awarded: July 31, 2025

Organization: U.S. Army

Recipient: Palantir

The Army in August awarded Palantir an enterprise agreement, or EA, worth as much as $10 billion for commercial software. The EA permits the acquisition of data integration, analytics and AI services.

The contracting vehicle also provides the federal government with volume-based discounts for DOW subagencies in addition to the Army. It consolidates 75 awards into a single arrangement to provide necessary capabilities as fast as possible while waiving contract and reseller pass-through fees. 

By streamlining our procurement processes and leveraging enterprise-level discounts, we are not only enhancing our operational effectiveness but also maximizing our buying power, said Leonel Garciga, Army chief information officer and two-time Wash100 winner.

Defense technology executives cannot afford to miss the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. It’s designed just for you! Get actionable business intelligence on AI directly from Emil Michael, under secretary of defense for research and engineering and acting director of the Defense Innovation Unit. Spark collaborations with other GovCon titans and score that big contract. Sign up now!

3. How Much Is Booz Allen’s CWMD Task Order?

Amount: Potentially $1.6 billion

Date awarded: August 14, 2025

Organizations: Defense Intelligence Agency and Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Recipient: Booz Allen

Booz Allen secured a contract potentially worth as much as $1.6 billion when it received a Defense Intelligence Agency award in August for counter weapons of mass destruction, or CWMD, intelligence analysis.

As part of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Analysis, Exploitation and Data Science Support, or WAEDS, task order, Booz Allen will leverage advanced technology and specialized technical skillsets in WMD, data science and language-enabled analysis to contribute to transformative counter-WMD missions across the world.

Booz Allen will also use its skills in missile systems, cyber and other advanced technology capabilities to bolster U.S. national security under WAEDS, which backs DIA’s Defense Counterproliferation Office and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

“This win is the latest example of how Booz Allen is applying advanced technology to solve the nation’s most complicated challenges and make America safer,” said Lisa Bishop, a senior vice president in Booz Allen’s national security business.

4. What Is GDIT’s EMITSA Contract?

Amount: $1.3 billion

Date awarded: October 2, 2025

Organization: U.S. Army

Recipient: GDIT
 

General Dynamics Information Technology in September landed the $1.3 billion Enterprise Mission Information Technology Services Award. This is a contract to secure and modernize IT platforms for U.S. Army Europe and Africa and includes a nearly half-year transition period followed by seven option years.

Under the task order, GDIT will shore up U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s network infrastructure, improve its mission partner network and integrate advanced cybersecurity strategies to protect critical systems.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver a modern digital backbone that will enable our soldiers and commanders to stay connected, coordinate seamlessly with mission partners and act decisively on the battlefield,” said Brian Sheridan, GDIT senior vice president for defense.

5. Exiger $919M SCRIPTS BPA

Amount: Potentially $919 million

Date awarded: April 8, 2025

Organization: GSA

Recipient: Exiger

Exiger in late March landed a position on the potential $919 million Supply Chain Risk Illumination Professional Tools and Services, or SCRIPS, BPA. This contract, awarded by the General Services Administration, allows the procurement of supply chain risk illumination capabilities and analytic support services.

Through the SCRIPTS BPA, the DOW and other federal agencies will be able to tap these tools for cyber hygiene, vendor vetting and other capabilities to help evaluate supplier risks as they happen. The BPA is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

“DOW has, once again, recognized the differentiated strength of our award-winning supply chain AI, selecting Exiger as the highest-ranked unrestricted prime awardee in the SCRIPTS BPA evaluation,” said Exiger President Carrie Wibben Kaupp. Exiger is a lead platinum sponsor of the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. Get your ticket today!

5 Biggest Defense AI Contracts in FY 2025
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HHS Launches Artificial Intelligence Strategy
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HHS logo. The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled its AI Strategy.

The Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a strategy that aims to advance the use of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare delivery, public health, human services, biomedical research and agency operations.

HHS Launches Artificial Intelligence Strategy

Sign up for the Potomac Officers Club’s rescheduled 2025 Healthcare Summit on Feb. 12, to explore the latest in healthcare technology, citizen user experience and innovative solutions transforming federal healthcare.

HHS said Thursday the AI Strategy delivers on the White House’s AI Action Plan, related executive orders and Office of Management and Budget guidance. 

“AI is a tool to catalyze progress,” said Clark Minor, acting chief AI officer at HHS. “This Strategy is about harnessing AI to empower our workforce and drive innovation across the Department.”

What Are the 5 Pillars of the HHS AI Strategy?

The department’s AI Strategy has five pillars: ensure governance and risk management for public trust; design infrastructure and platforms for user needs; promote workforce development and burden reduction for efficiency; foster health research and reproducibility through gold standard science; and enable care and public health delivery modernization for better outcomes.

Each pillar comes with a vision, strategic goals, metric examples and ongoing activities.

To advance the first pillar, HHS recommends establishing standardized minimum risk practices for high-impact AI and developing and maintaining an inventory of AI use cases.

According to the document, the strategy will advance the development of a OneHHS AI-integrated Commons that provides computing power, shared data resources, testbed environments and models to divisions to enable rapid AI innovation.

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DOT Names Peraton Prime Integrator for Air Traffic Control System
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Department of Transportation logo. DOT awarded Peraton a contract to lead the development of an air traffic control system.

The Department of Transportation has awarded Peraton a contract to oversee the development and deployment of a new air traffic control system to improve safety and support the future growth of the National Airspace System.

DOT said Thursday Peraton will work with the department and the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the new system by the end of 2028.

“We are thrilled to be working with Peraton because they share President Trump’s drive to modernize our skies safely at record speed,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

When Did DOT Start Accepting Proposals for the Air Traffic Control Prime Integrator Contract?

In August, Duffy announced that the FAA had started seeking proposals for the prime integrator contract.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill gave us a strong $12.5 billion down payment to start this modernization effort. But to finish the job—and deliver the safer, more efficient system travelers deserve—we’re going to need another $20 billion. This is a long-term investment in the future of air travel, and we’re committed to getting it right,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

What Are the Terms of the DOT Air Traffic Control Prime Integrator Contract?

Under the contract, Peraton will oversee the modernization effort and support the FAA as new technologies and capabilities are deployed across the NAS.

The company will replace telecommunications networks, software and hardware, radar and other core infrastructure. According to DOT, initial priorities include establishing a new digital command center and converting the system’s remaining copper infrastructure to modern fiber.

The contract will include incentives for good performance and penalties for unnecessary delays.

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