Welcome to this week’s comprehensive breakdown of the federal contracting landscape. From the Oval Office signing major acquisition reforms to massive shifts in the defense healthcare space, this week has been one of the most consequential for the GovCon community in 2025.
Below is your curated summary of the top 15 stories you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.
Acquisition & Procurement Policy
1. FY26 NDAA Signed Into Law President Trump has officially signed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year’s bill is particularly heavy on acquisition reform, aiming to streamline how the Pentagon interacts with non-traditional defense contractors. Read more: Trump Signs FY26 NDAA with Major Acquisition Reforms
2. GAO Reports Stability in Bid Protests The GAO’s latest report for FY 2025 shows that despite a slight decline in total filings, the “effectiveness rate” for protestors remains steady. This suggests that while fewer protests are being filed, the ones that reach the GAO are increasingly substantive. Read more: GAO FY 2025 Bid Protest Trends
3. Accelerating Defense Acquisition In a recent keynote, Michael Duffey emphasized the urgent need for “speed to capability,” highlighting how the current procurement cycle must evolve to keep pace with global technological threats. Read more: Michael Duffey Keynote: Accelerating Defense Acquisition
Major Contract Awards
4. $8.1B TRICARE Contract Options Exercised The Defense Health Agency (DHA) has moved forward with massive contract options for the TRICARE program, ensuring the continuity of healthcare services for millions of beneficiaries. Read more: DHA Awards $8.1B in TRICARE Contract Options
5. MDA Expands SHIELD Awards The Missile Defense Agency has announced the second tranche of its SHIELD awards, expanding the industrial base involved in protecting critical infrastructure from missile threats. Read more: MDA Expands SHIELD Awards with Second Tranche
Artificial Intelligence & Tech Innovation
6. AI Compliance Shakeup for Defense Deals New compliance standards are causing ripples across the industry, specifically impacting a suite of defense deals valued at $674M. Companies not meeting the new AI ethical and security frameworks risk being sidelined. Read more: AI Compliance Shakeup: $674M Defense Deals
7. BigBear.ai and C-Speed Partnership BigBear.ai is joining forces with C-Speed to integrate advanced AI into threat detection systems, a move that signals the increasing reliance on automated surveillance in ISR missions. Read more: BigBear.ai and C-Speed Partner for AI Threat Detection
8. The 5G and AI Revolution The integration of 5G and AI is no longer a “future” concept; it is actively changing how government agencies handle data at the edge. Read more: The Unseen Revolution: 5G and AI in Government Contracting
Department of Defense & Global Security
9. Navy Issues $350M RFP for ISR Support The Navy is seeking industry partners for a new “Seabed-to-Space” ISR support system. This $350M effort aims to create a seamless intelligence web across all domains. Read more: Navy Issues $350M RFP for Seabed-to-Space ISR
10. War Department Accelerates Unmanned Systems Focusing on “drone dominance,” the War Department is fast-tracking the deployment of unmanned aerial and ground systems to maintain a tactical edge in modern conflict zones. Read more: War Department Accelerates Unmanned Systems
11. Taiwan Tactical Network Support The State Department has greenlit a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Taiwan, focusing on enhancing their tactical networks—a move that carries significant geopolitical and industrial weight. Read more: State Department Approves Taiwan FMS Request
Executive Moves & Corporate Strategy
12. SAIC Appoints Ravi Dankanikote as CGO In a strategic move to bolster its business development engine, SAIC has named Ravi Dankanikote as its new Chief Growth Officer. Read more: SAIC Appoints Ravi Dankanikote as Chief Growth Officer
13. Intel Strengthens Government Affairs Intel has appointed Robin Colwell as SVP of Government Affairs, a critical hire as the company navigates CHIPS Act implementations and federal domestic manufacturing goals. Read more: Intel Appoints Robin Colwell as Government Affairs SVP
M&A Activity & Healthcare IT
14. Arcfield Closes Rite-Solutions Acquisition Arcfield has finalized its acquisition of Rite-Solutions, adding significant depth to its undersea warfare and technical services portfolio. Read more: Arcfield Closes Rite-Solutions Acquisition
15. HHS Interoperability: The Main Event For those in the Healthcare IT space, HHS’s push for interoperability is becoming the central focus for new contract requirements and technical standards. Read more: Why HHS Interoperability is the Main Event for GovCon
