Aaron Poynton

Great article coming out of coverage at Space Symposium last week discussing the recently released DoD Commercial Space Integration Strategy and the benefits and challenges of government and commercial space industry working together. #CyberSatSummit dives into this critical discussion in November and tackles the all important information sharing topic as well. Interested in learning more about CyberSat, find out here: https://lnkd.in/emfraRRn DM me if interested in speaking/sponsoring or if you'd like to learn more. #spaceindustry #cybersecurity #informationsharing https://lnkd.in/eNNvAbiP

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Interested in how to protect aircraft, drones, and other autonomous vehicles from cyber threats? Come join us next week for a webinar, as part of MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division events for the Federal Aviation Administration's Safety Day. This won’t be a dry session focusing on IT—we’ll be talking about threats posed against all manner of transportation technologies, and the systems mindset that will enable us to catalyze safe and secure economic activity in the future. Questions? Want to talk about something specific? DM me and let’s chat!

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Heads Up...DoD News related to Architect - Engineering (AE) Services! (1) FINAL RULE Effective 8/26/2024 - DFARS Case 2024-D019 Architect and Engineering Service Fees. This rule changes DFARS to implement Section 2881 of the FY24 NDAA to increase the limitation of the contract price (i.e., "fee") for A-E services for the preparation and delivery of designs, plans, drawings, and specifications from 6% of the project's estimated construction cost to 10%. It is applicable to Army, Navy, and Air Force projects (references in 10 U.S.C. 7540,8612, and 9540). The new 10% limit replaces the 6% fee limitation on contract modifications for work not initially included in the contract and redesign, and applies only to that portion of the contract (or modification) price attributable to the preparation of designs, plans, drawings, and specifications. If a contract or modification also includes other services, the part of the price attributable to the other services is not subject to the fee limitation. (Personally, I've been waiting since the early 1990's for this percentage to change (and yes, I've been doing this THAT long). This makes it easier for small AE businesses to participate in the Federal space. So, YEA!) Permalink: https://lnkd.in/g7vF95R6 (2) PROPOSED RULE Comments due 9/27/2024 -- DFARS Case 2023-D007 Task Order and Delivery Order Contracting for Architectural and Engineering Services. This rules proposes a corresponding change to DFARS Subpart 216.5, Indefinite-Delivery Contracts, to require DoD Contracting Officers (KOs) to use qualification-based selections when awarding task orders and delivery orders for AE services that was previously implemented procedurally under FAR Subparts 16.500, 16.505, and 36.6 procedures in 2005 under the final rule for FAR Case 2004-001 Improvements in Contracting for Architect-Engineer Services. This proposed rule adds DoD-specific statutory guidance (10 U.S.C. 3406(h)(2)) to DFARS directing KOs not to request additional info regarding qualifications unless necessary to determine qualifications for a particular task order or delivery order under a multiple-award contract. There should be little to no impact from this proposed rule since there are no procedural changes, new clauses or provisions, and no new applicability in terms of thresholds or types of contracts. Permalink: https://lnkd.in/gwh2_38J

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With release of Executive Order 14017, the Biden Administration made supply chain security a federal policy and funding priority and signaled that the Administration would expand investment in critical industries and use of the Defense Production Act. This update from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment summarizes current and planned FY25 investments. In February 2020, Federal Budget IQ's forecast predicted that supply chain resilience would become a 10-year multi-billion-dollar policy and funding priority. Chauncey Goss Maureen Holohan Charles KiefferBecky Leggieri Cameron Leuthy Dale Oak Austin Smythe #supplychainresilience #defenseindustrialbase #publicsectorforecast

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New Hub-and-Spokes post! 🚀 Capitalizing on Critical Technologies: DoD's Office of Strategic Capital and its Plan to Secure America’s Strategic Edge Three key stories shaping U.S. defense and Indo-Pacific alliances this week: 1️⃣ DoD's Office of Strategic Capital Unveils 2025 Investment Plan Focused on supporting critical technologies and national security priorities, OSC's new strategy aims to catalyze private investment in sectors crucial to America’s edge. 2️⃣ $3.6B Sale of Air-to-Air Missiles to Japan A significant step in bolstering U.S.-Japan defense cooperation with the sale of AMRAAMs, ensuring the security of U.S. personnel and regional stability. 3️⃣ NSA Jake Sullivan’s Capstone Trip to India Sullivan's visit underscores the growing U.S.-India relationship, focusing on space cooperation, nuclear collaboration, and emerging technologies. #Defense #NationalSecurity #Technology #USIndia #USJapan #Investment #StrategicAlliances https://lnkd.in/euN3a_Bb

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Army SBIR CATALYST unites the Army, integrators and small businesses to create innovative technologies — propelling concepts to final transition and commercialization. With contracts up to eight times larger than typical SBIR awards, small businesses and their Army and industry partners can drive Army priorities and support modernization efforts. Announced at the October 2022 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition by the Under Secretary of the Army, Hon. Gabe Camarillo, the Army SBIR CATALYST Program is one of five initiatives incentivizing the Army’s collaborative efforts with industry. The Army SBIR CATALYST pilot launched in February 2023, followed by the second iteration of the program, unveiled at the October 2023 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition. The Army SBIR Program will select up to five small businesses for new CATALYST contracts — totaling up to $75 million over the duration of their potential awards. To ensure the U.S. can overcome any adversary, the current Army SBIR CATALYST Program prioritizes ecosystems such as artificial intelligence and machine learning; autonomy; climate and clean tech; contested logistics and sustainment; immersive and wearables; and sensors. Learn more here:

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Important reporting by The Wall Street Journal about the economics of shipbuilding, and the people who perform this critical work for the Navy and the nation. We need to support shipbuilders in every way we can. At HII, we are proud to be at the forefront of building the next generation of nuclear submarines, a cornerstone of our national security strategy. Thanks to Greg Ip for your care with the subject, the people, and the facts.

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Boosting, because your time is valuable, & Pete & Matt get right to the point with what you need to know. #acquisition #contracting

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Small unmanned surface vehicles (sUSV) have been one of the priorities for the US Navy, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), United States Department of Defense Deputy Secretary Hicks, and Replicator with contracts recently awarded to a mix of mid-size, non-traditional, and venture-backed companies. According to Hicks, “Replicator is demonstrating from the top and across the enterprise how to deliver all kinds of capability at speed and scale.... What we’ve done in under 12 months can take seven-to-ten years.” In early 2020, Federal Budget IQ identified unmanned as a 10-year multi-billion-dollar national security policy and funding priority driven by the evolution of our National Defense Strategy, its increased focus on near-peer competitors, operational and staffing challenges, and budgetary realities. #defensetech #unmanned #susv #replicator #publicsectorforecast Chauncey Goss Maureen Holohan Becky Leggieri Cameron Leuthy Austin Smythe

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#US military seeks commercial #space technology for strategic edge: The DoD wants to leverage commercial space technology to enhance #military capabilities, even as officials work to address longstanding challenges in government-industry collaboration https://lnkd.in/d4Dnpjt2

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🛡️ Driving Innovation and Growth: Expanding the Defense Industrial Base 🚀 As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, the expansion of our defense industrial base is more crucial than ever. Strengthening our capabilities not only enhances national security but also drives innovation and economic growth. ✨ Why Expand? Expanding the defense industrial base fosters resilience against emerging threats, promotes technological advancement, and creates high-skilled jobs. It's about equipping our forces with cutting-edge capabilities while bolstering our industrial and innovation base. 🌐 Global Impact In a connected world, collaboration and strategic partnerships are key. By expanding our defense industrial base, we foster international cooperation, enhancing interoperability and strengthening alliances to address global security challenges collectively. 🔍 Opportunities Ahead From cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing, expanding the defense industrial base opens doors to new opportunities in technology development, research, and infrastructure investments. It fuels a cycle of innovation that benefits not only defense but also commercial sectors. 🤝 Collaboration is Key By fostering collaboration between government, industry leaders, and academia, we can drive forward-thinking initiatives that propel our defense capabilities into the future. It's about harnessing diverse expertise and resources to build a secure and prosperous future. At Ombra we embrace this pivotal moment to expand our defense industrial base, driving innovation, safeguarding our nation, and creating a resilient foundation for generations to come. Together, we can shape a stronger, more secure future. #DefenseIndustry #NationalSecurity #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #GlobalSecurity #Collaboration #TechnologyAdvancement #FutureReady

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Drones are changing the nature of warfare, but also changing the nature of the post-conflict clean up. SafePro (NASDAQ: SPAI) has artificial intelligence that can be used from any drone with a camera, and the films uploaded to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the AI identifies over 150 types of unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. This is being used real time to clear the area the size of Florida that has been contaminated by unexploded ordnance. What could have taken 800 years using traditional methods, and cost thousands of lives, can now be done in a fraction of the time, more safely and effectively. "To date, Safe Pro’s proprietary AI models have analyzed more than 921,471 drone images in Ukraine, pinpointing over 16,540 explosive remnants of war (ERW) across 4,219 hectares (over 10,424 acres). Operating at lightning speed on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, SpotlightAI™ analyzes each drone image in less than 0.2 seconds. In contrast, traditional human analysis can take several minutes per image–a process that could span decades if done manually."

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TRADOC G-2 leads the OE story. Describing the OE and defining the Threat is a big job.

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🚨 Announcing the New Implementation Plan for Strengthening America’s Defense Industrial Base 🚨 I’m honored to be an integral part of executing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) new National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan (NDIS-IP). Today, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)) unveiled this critical plan, detailing the ongoing and future actions needed to modernize and secure our defense industrial base. This initiative outlines six cross-cutting programs designed to ensure a more resilient defense ecosystem. From collaboration across DoD components and Services to vital partnerships with industry, international allies, and stakeholders, this strategy underpins the effort required to reinforce our industrial base. 📈 The NDIS-IP addresses a unified commitment to strengthening industrial capacity, building resilience, and reducing risks across the board. This will involve: • Key partnerships with private industry, academia, and international allies, • New OTAs under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) for rapid research, including the recently announced request for white papers on “Critical Chemicals for Defense,” • Support from Congress as a cornerstone of sustainable security. For those interested, the unclassified NDIS-IP document is available here: NDIS-IP FY2025. https://lnkd.in/dUmSt7yd I’m inspired by the opportunity to help lead this strategic vision forward, ensuring our nation’s industrial base remains robust and capable. #NationalSecurity #IndustrialBase #DefenseStrategy #Innovation #DoD

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