GovConJudicata Weekly Debrief (3/27–31)
This week's Weekly Debrief covers artificial intelligence, General Dynamics' new CENTCOM win, DOD's new cyber policy office, and small business commentary.
AI
"With the release of ChatGPT and other large language models, generative AI has clearly caught the public’s attention. This new awareness, particularly in the public sector, of the tremendous power of artificial intelligence is a net good. However, excessive focus on chatbot-style AI capabilities risks overshadowing applications that are both innovative and practical and seek to serve the public through increased government transparency."
"The Office of Management and Budget issued new guidance on the government’s use of artificial intelligence on Thursday that it says is meant to establish safeguards to protect the public when the government uses AI, as well as push agencies to use the technology to their benefit. The new policy is one of the deliverables mandated by President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI, signed in October 2023."
Defense
"The General Services Administration awarded General Dynamics Information Technology a $922 million contract to modernization US Central Command’s technical infrastructure, the company announced Thursday. The contract, which was awarded in February, has a one-year based period and five option years. Under the deal, GDIT will “operationalize enterprise data through artificial intelligence/machine learning technologies to improve decision-making, transition CENTCOM to a new cloud environment, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its networks,” according to a company statement."
"The Pentagon has officially established the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, it announced in a release Friday. As mandated by the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress directed the Pentagon to create the office, elevating cyber policy within the Office of the Secretary of Defense."
Small Business
"The Federal Government’s small business strategy dates back to 1953, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Small Business Act, establishing the Small Business Administration. President— and General — Eisenhower recognized that equity dictates that small businesses be given a fair opportunity to compete for government contracts. However, he also recognized the importance of small businesses to national security. From experience, he knew that small businesses can be more nimble and less bureaucratic, allowing them to develop capabilities faster and shift focus more rapidly. Over the years, the Department of Defense (DoD) has significantly benefited from its small business efforts."
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