QinetiQ tapped for Marine Corps' battlefield logistics programs

QinetiQ North America will provide a range of support services to the Marine Corps under a three-year contract that has a maximum value of $17.4 million.

FCS to be replaced by smaller modernization efforts

The Future Combat System did not reflect the anti-insurgency lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an acquisition decision memorandum released June 23.

Rockwell Collins to set up software for Special Operations

Rockwell Collins Inc. will provide software technical support to the Special Operations Command under a new contract.

New DOD Cyber Command to defend military cyberspace

The director of NSA will lead the U.S. Cyber Command, which will be a subunit of the U.S. Strategic Command and will reach initial operating capacity in October.

Boeing delivers second WGS satellite to Air Force

Boeing Co. has handed off control of the second Wideband Global Satcom satellite to the Air Force, company officials said June 15.

General Dynamics assists Joint Forces Command

General Dynamics Corp. will provide support services to the U.S. Joint Forces Command under a five-year contract with a potential value of $101.9 million.

SAIC wins $284M technical services contract with Joint Forces Command

SAIC will provide engineering and technical support to the U.S. Joint Forces Command under a five-year contract valued at $284 million.

DOD warns against the dark side of social networking

Two Defense Intelligence Agency experts explain how adversaries can use social-networking tools to gather information on targets.

DOD requests $5.4B for unmanned systems budget

The Defense Department is seeking an increase of 18.4 percent, or $870 million, in funding for unmanned systems in fiscal 2010 over the amount spent for such systems in 2009, Defense Update reported.

Contract management systems broken in Iraq, Afghanistan, says commission

The Defense Department has too few trained acquisition employees to keep up with the increasingly expensive operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, commission states.

DOD seeks commercial satellite guidance from industry

The Defense Department wants information from providers of commercial satellite services regarding their ability to support future military communications requirements.

SRA will upgrade DOD Joint Staff IT functions

SRA International will provide new communications infrastructure for the Joint Staff Information Network under a 31-month contract could be worth as much as $63 million.

Obama turns to tech tools to carry out vision

The fiscal 2010 information technology budget request and the 60-day cybersecurity review reveal how the Obama administration regards information technology as a key factor in moving its agenda forward.

Contract Watch

Defense agency spending for engineering and integration, data-sharing networks, and communications transmission services dominated contract award news in May.

Poaching employees hurts contractors and agencies alike

Government agencies and contractors should set aside their heated competition over skilled workers to keep costs down and prevent excessive turnover.

Economic concerns and new political priorities force contractors to be proactive

A study addressing how to win federal business in lean economic times has a wealth of ideas designed to improve a company's ability to win contracts.

General Dynamics snaps up Axsys Technologies

A General Dynamics unit will acquire Axsys Technologies Inc., a developer of electro-optical and infrared sensors and systems and surveillance and reconnaissance cameras, for $643 million.

SAIC to support DOD information assurance training

SAIC will help the Defense Department meet cybersecurity requirements under a training contract awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Contractors to support Joint Forces experimentation

The Joint Forces Command has awarded two multiple-award contracts with a combined ceiling of more than $1 billion to four prime contractors.

Contractors see promising future as government hackers

The white hot business opportunity that cyber warfare presents has sparked a spirited competition among the largest government contractors.