NEWS AND RESOURCES

Below you will find the following

• Job Postings and Internships
• Contracts Awarded By The U.S. Defense

                As well As The following

• NCMA-LASB Original Articles
• Industry News (Articles and Videos)​
• FAR and DFAR News

Job Postings and Internships
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Contracts Awarded By The U.S. Defense Of Defense (DOD) For The Month Of June 2025
Is your company on this list?
As each month passes contracts are awarded to various companies by the Department Of Defense (DOD).
Members who wish to see their companies appear when contracts are assigned can email me at...
[email protected]

Welcome to 2025. Looks like the DOD is kicking tires and lighting fires. I'll highlight the biggest for each day for those in California, but know that many, many more are listed and are accessible by clicking on the dates. Lots of contracts were for companies in California so click on that date to see if your company is listed.

** Highlights of Contracts Awarded for the month of June 2025

Contracts for June 25, 2025- 9 Contracts awarded (click on the date to view them all for this day)
Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $250,000,000 modification (P00006) to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target), cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001922D0004). This modification increases the contract ceiling to provide for the ongoing production of the F-35 logistics information system, which encompasses both the Autonomic Logistics Information System and Operational Data Integrated Network (ODIN) and Mission Planning Environment (MPE) hardware, as well as associated support necessary to field the F-35 ODIN, MPE, and components of any future ODIN and MPE retrofits for the F-35A, F-35B and F-35C aircraft in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and F-35 Cooperative Program Partners. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (95%); and Fort Worth, Texas (5%), and is expected to be completed in August 2027. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Contracts for June 24, 2025 - 7 Contracts awarded (click on the date to view them all for this day)
Sierra Nevada Corp., Sparks, Nevada, was awarded a $471,590,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H9224125D0002) with firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost reimbursement terms for production, sustainment, and contractor logistics support of Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System units without the IR camera lens sensor in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Technology Applications Program Office. The contract has a maximum ceiling of $471,590,000. At the time of award, $52,892,515 is obligated, comprising $8,064,279 for Task Order One (contractor logistics support); and $44,828,236 for Task Order Two (B-Kits). Work will primarily be performed in Sparks, Nevada, and is expected to be completed by June 2030 with an optional six-month extension to November 2030. USSCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded June 20, 2025)

Contracts for June 23, 2025 - 8 Contracts awarded (click on the date to view them all for this day)
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $1,500,941,451 ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the operation of the Software Engineering Institute Federally Funded Research and Development Center. This contract provides for research, development, and prototyping of advanced technology to meet the Department of Defense and national security needs. Work will be performed primarily at facilities located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2030. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $416,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8702-25-D-B003).

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Other Contracts for June, 2025
Contracts For June 20, 2025
Contracts For June 18, 2025
Contracts For June 17, 2025
Contracts For June 16, 2025
Contracts For June 13, 2025
Contracts For June 12, 2025
Contracts For June 11, 2025
Contracts For June 10, 2025
Contracts For June 9, 2025
Contracts For June 6, 2025
Contracts For June 5, 2025
Contracts For June 4, 2025
Contracts For June 3, 2025
Contracts For June 2, 2025

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NCMA-LASB Original Articles

 NOTE: Make sure to sign up and attend the Free Virtual workshop Other Transactional Authority (OTA) March 26, 2025 at our Event Page.

The Future of AI in Defense and Aerospace Government Contracts: 2025 and Beyond
Contract Managers can remain very relevant in an ever changing career environment.
By Harold Salas March 10, 2025
As of March 10, 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to redefine the defense and aerospace industries, particularly within government contracts. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) projects AI investments to surge, with non-defense AI spending potentially doubling to $32 billion annually by 2026, per a Senate AI Working Group proposal (Federation of American Scientists, 2024). In defense, AI enhances capabilities like autonomous drones, predictive maintenance, and cybersecurity, as seen in the DoD’s AI Rapid Capabilities Cell launched in December 2024 (Defense.gov, 2024). In aerospace, government contracts are driving innovations like AI-piloted KC-135 testing and hypersonic testbeds, supported by agencies like the U.S. Space Force (AIAA, 2025). These advancements, tied to contracts under FAR and DFARS, demand agility in procurement—shifting toward modular contracting to integrate cutting-edge AI solutions rapidly.
Professionals in this field can capitalize on this AI boom by upskilling to stay relevant. Roles in government contracting increasingly require expertise in AI implementation, compliance with DFARS cybersecurity mandates (e.g., CMMC 2.0), and understanding AI-driven project management. Certifications like the Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner (CertNexus) or AI Engineering Professional (IEEE) offer practical skills in AI deployment, while NCMA’s Contract Management Standard certification ensures mastery of FAR/DFARS intricacies. These credentials position individuals to influence billion-dollar contracts, such as the $895 billion DoD budget proposed for 2025 (CSIS, 2025), by bridging technical and regulatory expertise.
To pursue this education, look to reputable sources: Coursera and edX host university-backed AI courses (e.g., Stanford’s AI offerings), while DAU (Defense Acquisition University) provides free, DoD-specific training on AI in acquisition. For hands-on certification, CertNexus and IEEE programs are accessible online, often with government contractor discounts. Industry events like the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit (Carahsoft, 2025) also offer networking and insights into AI trends. By leveraging these resources, professionals can remain competitive, shaping the future of AI in defense and aerospace government contracts beyond 2025.

Below is a short list of 10 defense and aerospace companies actively working on AI implementation, particularly in the context of government contracts and innovative acquisition methods like Other Transaction Authority (OTA), as of March 10, 2025. Following that, I’ll outline NCMA certifications that complement this knowledge, enhancing expertise in AI-driven defense and aerospace contracting.
10 Defense and Aerospace Companies Working on AI Implementation

1. Lockheed Martin
   • AI Focus: Through its Advanced Technologies Laboratories (ATL), Lockheed Martin develops AI for autonomous drones and convoy systems, often under DARPA contracts. It leverages OTA for rapid prototyping, as seen in its $1.2 billion R&D spending in 2017, with a portion allocated to AI initiatives.
2. Northrop Grumman
   • AI Focus: Known for the X-47B autonomous aircraft and AI-driven aerospace systems, Northrop invests heavily in AI (e.g., $639 million in R&D in 2017), using OTA to expedite projects like the B-21 Raider, aligning with DoD’s innovation goals.
3. Boeing
   • AI Focus: Boeing’s Aerospace & Autonomy Center advances AI for autonomous aircraft, such as the F-15EX, supported by OTA through consortia like the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), enhancing its $32.7 billion defense segment.
4. General Dynamics
   • AI Focus: While less vocal about AI, General Dynamics applies it in IT services and combat systems (e.g., Virginia-class submarines), using OTA for flexible R&D, contributing to its $33.7 billion defense revenue in 2024.
5. Raytheon Technologies
   • AI Focus: Raytheon integrates AI into missile defense and surveillance systems, leveraging OTA via consortia like S2MARTS for rapid prototyping, aligning with DoD’s AI push in its $35 billion+ defense portfolio.
6. BAE Systems
   • AI Focus: BAE develops AI for electronic warfare and autonomous systems, utilizing OTA to bypass FAR constraints, enhancing its global defense offerings and U.S. contracts.
7. L3Harris Technologies
   • AI Focus: Focused on AI-enhanced communication and jamming tech, L3Harris uses OTA for contracts like the Glide Phase Interceptor, supporting its $15.6 billion defense revenue in 2024.
8. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
   • AI Focus: Kratos specializes in affordable unmanned systems with AI, frequently using OTA consortia (e.g., SpEC) to secure DoD contracts, emphasizing rapid deployment.
9. Amentum
   • AI Focus: Amentum applies AI in cybersecurity and logistics for DoD missions, leveraging OTA for its $5.7 billion defense revenue, focusing on technical services innovation.
10. Booz Allen Hamilton
    • AI Focus: A leader in AI consulting for DoD, Booz Allen uses OTA (e.g., IWRP consortium for LARCS) to deliver AI solutions, enhancing mission-critical technologies like data encryption.

Complementary NCMA Certifications To complement knowledge of AI implementation and OTA in defense/aerospace contracting, the following NCMA certifications are highly relevant:

1. Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
   • Benefit: Covers comprehensive contract management, including OTA nuances, FAR/DFARS compliance, and innovative acquisition strategies. It equips professionals to oversee AI-related contracts, ensuring regulatory and strategic alignment.
2. Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
   • Benefit: Focuses on federal acquisition processes, including OTA’s role in bypassing traditional FAR constraints. Ideal for understanding government-specific AI project requirements and DoD priorities.
3. Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)
   • Benefit: Enhances skills in commercial partnerships, critical for OTA consortia involving non-traditional contractors. It supports managing AI collaborations between industry and government.

Why These Complement AI and OTA Knowledge? These certifications deepen understanding of flexible contracting mechanisms like OTA, which are pivotal for AI implementation due to their speed and adaptability (e.g., DoD OTA obligations rose to $11.5 billion in 2021, per Federal News Network, 2022). They also align with the technical and regulatory demands of AI projects, ensuring professionals can navigate complex government contracts, as emphasized in the upcoming NCMA workshop on OTA by Tom Mahoney.
This list and certification guidance are tailored to current trends, drawing from industry activities and acquisition insights as of March 2025.

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Industry News-Click the headlines for the full articles
Defense Articles
        Title: Lockheed Martin, KAI to expand partnership to future defense, aerospace tech            
           KAI to intensify marketing efforts with Lockheed Martin for the US Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System         
         By Jongwoo Cheon Jun 19, 2025

• Summary: Global defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) on Tuesday agreed to expand their collaboration into future defense and aerospace technologies.
  Lockheed Martin and KAI said they signed a memorandum of understanding at the 2025 Paris Air Show to expand their current partnership on air systems to include rotorcraft manufacturing and next-generation platform development, space systems, crewed-uncrewed teaming, uncrewed aerial vehicles, training devices, and sustainment.
  "The extension of our collaboration with KAI reflects our commitment to advancing global security by partnering with US allies to develop, manufacture and sustain 21st-century deterrence solutions," said Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John in a statement.
  The US aerospace and defense manufacturer and KAI, South Korea’s sole military aircraft manufacturer, have cooperated on various projects such as the joint development of the FA-50 light attack aircraft for more than 30 years.

         
         Title: Fighting for Information: A Theory of Tactics for the Next Army
          Commentary by Benjamin JensenPublished June 11, 2025

• Summary: The U.S. Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) should be anchored in a simple yet powerful idea: Whoever wins the fight for information wins the fight overall. Future combat won’t be about massing formations to penetrate defense lines—it will be about dislocating adversaries through sensor dominance, deception, and speed of decision. As the Army considers major cuts to air cavalry squadrons and legacy aviation elements, it must resist the urge to restructure without first reimagining how air-ground, manned-unmanned teams win the future fight for information. Along these lines, the Army should pair upgraded attack helicopters like AH-64s with enhanced capabilities like AESA radar, runway-independent armed drones like the Gray Eagle STOL, and AI-enabled systems like TITAN (Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node) to achieve decision advantage in the most contested part of the battlespace: the air littorals. To counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS), this modern day skirmisher force will need novel solutions, such as cannon-based air defenses, built for speed, flexibility, and fungibility.

Aerospace Articles
Title: Rethinking Rules of Engagement for Space

• Summary: As described in the Space Warfighting framework released by the U.S. Space Force in April 2025, counterspace capabilities give U.S. military commanders a suite of combat options having attributes that are very different from traditional weapons. Historically, the authority for military commanders to use space capabilities for anything other than routine operations has been held at very high levels, making space difficult to incorporate into rules of engagement (ROE), which outline a military commander’s ability to use force without specific orders. Efforts to loosen and delegate authorities to use certain counterspace capabilities—efforts reportedly already underway to some degree—should be encouraged, with the main goal to fold space into well-defined standing and mission-specific ROE. Not doing so hinders the ability of U.S. forces to protect themselves from space threats and limits the freedom of U.S. commanders to use space most effectively for joint operations.
  

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Title: Reuters Aerospace & Defense News | Today's Top Stories

• Publication Date: March 4, 2025 (Updated through March 8, 2025)
• Summary: This Reuters roundup includes a March 7, 2025, report on the U.S. Space Force’s expedited GPS mission launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, part of approved government spending to enhance satellite navigation technology. It also notes the FAA’s efforts to streamline commercial space launch approvals, facilitating innovative projects like SpaceX’s Starship, which faced disruptions on March 7, 2025, but remains tied to DoD-backed advancements in reusable rocket tech.
• Link: Reuters Aerospace & Defense News | Today's Top Stories

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Changes to FAR and/or DFARS Since the beginning of 2025
Since January 2025, several updates have been made to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Below is a summary of the key changes based on available information up to the current date, March 26, 2025:
Changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

1. Proposed Amendment on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Program
   • Date: January 15, 2025
   • Details: The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposed an amendment to implement the National Archives and Records Administration’s Controlled Unclassified Information Program. This change stems from an Executive Order titled "Controlled Unclassified Information" and aims to standardize the handling and protection of sensitive but unclassified information across federal acquisitions. While this is still a proposed rule, it indicates a significant upcoming shift in FAR requirements once finalized.
2. Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
   • Date: January 17, 2025
   • Details: The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Cost Accounting Standards Board (CAS Board) released an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to seek public comments on aligning CAS with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), particularly related to CAS 404. This is an initial step toward potential updates to FAR cost accounting provisions, though no final changes have been implemented yet.

Changes to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

1. Editorial Changes
   • Date: January 15, 2025, and ongoing updates noted by March 24, 2025
   • Details: DoD amended the DFARS to incorporate editorial corrections and clarifications. These changes are administrative in nature, ensuring consistency and readability without introducing substantive policy shifts.
2. Validation of Proprietary Data Restrictions
   • Date: January 17, 2025
   • Details: A final rule was issued to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012. This amendment addresses how proprietary data restrictions are validated, enhancing protections and processes for contractors submitting proprietary information to DoD.
3. Definition of "Material Weakness" for Contractor Business Systems
   • Date: January 17, 2025
   • Details: Another final rule implemented sections of the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2021, defining "material weakness" in the context of evaluating contractor business systems. This replaces the term "significant deficiency" with "material weakness," providing clearer criteria for assessing contractor compliance and system reliability.
4. SBIR/STTR Data Rights Implementation
   • Date: Effective January 17, 2025
   • Details: DoD issued a final rule amending DFARS to incorporate data rights provisions from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Policy Directive (April 2, 2019). This update clarifies and strengthens intellectual property protections for small businesses involved in DoD contracts.
5. Annual List of Federal Prison Industries Market Share
   • Date: March 24, 2025
   • Details: DoD published an updated annual list of product categories where Federal Prison Industries’ share of the DoD market exceeds five percent. While not a regulatory change per se, this update influences procurement decisions under DFARS by highlighting areas where competition or sourcing may be affected.

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