7–Minute Intel
Weekly Intel for the Defense Contracting World.
“Winning contracts starts with winning the follow-ups.”
1 Brief: Evaluating AI for Government Agencies
Agencies are under pressure to do more with less. While the private sector has used AI for years to speed up workflows and reduce costs, the public sector is just beginning to explore it. ChatGPT Gov now gives federal and local agencies a secure way to start using AI. But for it to work in government, each implementation needs to fit the specific needs of the agency.
The best way to do this is by having AI experts work with agency teams to find what tasks can be automated. Once clear, custom AI tools can be built to handle those jobs and make decisions with little human input. Instead of one big system, agencies can start small, test what works, and then scale using subscription models that adapt as needs grow.
To go deeper into this topic, read the full article below.
2 Wins: New Awards
Aviation Systems Engineering Wins $294M ASW Support Contract
Supports Navy airborne anti-submarine warfare systems across the full lifecycle.
- 50% of work in Maryland (Lexington Park, Patuxent River, California, MD)
- Prototype, sustainment, and limited production included
Raytheon Secures $646M Radar Production Contract
Contract for AN/SPY-6(V) radar hardware with Maryland-based manufacturing.
- 9% of contract work in Sykesville, MD
- Supports shipbuilding and radar modernization
2 Signals: Market Movement
Pentagon Cracks Down on Non-Commercial Acquisitions
Pentagon Puts $4B Toward F-47 and Next-Gen Combat Drones
The DoD’s 2026 budget includes over $4B for the F-47 sixth-gen fighter jet and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), as discussed in a June 10 House Appropriations Committee hearing.
- F-47 designed to outpace 5th-gen fighters with stealth, range, and speed
- Over 1,000 CCAs planned—semi-autonomous drones to fly alongside manned jets
- Anduril and General Atomics leading prototype development
AI Startups Gaining Ground in Defense Contracts
Firms like Anduril and Palantir are leveraging AI to win contracts once dominated by big primes—expect more disruption.
- Software-first mindset is winning
- Small tech firms are rising fast
1 Chart: Who’s Winning Work
Top DoD Awards in the DMV (Past 3 Months) | Source: SAM.gov
(Click to enlarge)
1 Edge: ClearOps Story of the Week
In this week’s post, I share the story behind why I built ClearOps — a tool I wish existed during my own journey as a defense contractor. If you've ever lost track of follow-ups, felt unsure about your next move, or struggled to stay connected with your network, this blog is for you.
Read the full post: “Why I’m Building Software for Defense Contractors”
See How ClearOps Works →“Contracting success isn’t about who you know — it’s about who you remember to follow up with.”
Stay Plugged In
See previous newsletters and ClearOps blogs at blog.thebuchananenterprises.com
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