GovConJudicata Weekly Debrief (6/13–17)
This week's Weekly Debrief covers IT modernization, Defense spending, the Air Force's flying car, SSC's "buy first" attitude with procurement, small business and category management, and Dcode to build bridge between start-ups and federal government.
IT Modernization
"$100 million from the federal Technology Modernization Fund will be allocated toward improving customer experiences for civilian end users interacting with U.S. government digital services."
Defense
"Defense spending for fiscal 2023 will likely increase beyond the White House's proposal, according to a top Democratic lawmaker. But the key will rest in how Pentagon leaders use acquisition authorities to put extra funds to good use."
"The Air Force is on track to buy and start fielding its first electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft that could carry passengers or cargo under the Agility Prime program in 2023. This year, the service is bringing these “flying cars” to more exercises and demonstrations as it gets airmen — and the public — used to the concept."
"Space Systems Command is still not even a year old, however it is trying to find quick ways to procure space products so the Defense Department’s need for those weapons increases. Space Systems Command (SSC) is adopting a “buy first, build last” approach to acquisition for space products in hopes of rolling them out faster than relying on the military’s slower procurement system to remake the wheel."
Small Business
"Small business owners and experts implored Congress to take action against the rapidly declining rate of small businesses within the federal marketplace, testifying that the increased use of category management policies and practices has shut out competition and reduced overall innovation in government."
Tech
TechCrunch – Dcode Capital raising $50M fund to build bridge between startups and federal government
"The U.S. federal government needs better tech, but implementing new systems is more complex than the nuclear launch codes. The internal process to build new tech moves at a slow enough pace to ensure the government remains behind the commercial sector. While startups could serve as a lifeline of innovation, the process to get a government contract is thorny and long. Dcode wants to help."
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