Defense Business Briefing -- March 19, 2024

Welcome to today's Defense Business Briefing, your weekly roundup of the latest defense industry news.

This week's top story

Pentagon issues final rule to expand defense industrial base cyber program eligibility

The Defense Department has finalized a rulemaking to expand eligibility requirements for its defense industrial base information sharing program.

News & notes

Small business advocacy office identifies areas for more guidance in CMMC proposed rulemaking

The Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration has outlined four areas of concern in the Pentagon's proposed rule to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

Electric sector group seeks clarity on addressing CUI in DOD contracts with CMMC requirements

The Edison Electric Institute is making recommendations for how controlled unclassified information should be addressed in Defense Department contracts with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements in a manner that aligns with current practices for sharing sensitive data in the electric sector.

Wireless group seeks clarity on CMMC exemption for telecom providers, role of harmonization to address other agency requirements

Wireless group CTIA supports the Defense Department's decision to create an exemption for telecommunications providers under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, while asking for more guidance on the trigger for applicability in the response to a proposed rule on implementation.

What's happening

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak at several congressional committee hearings this week. Meanwhile, Congress has until midnight Friday to avert a partial government shutdown.

For Inside Defense subscribers

INDOPACOM sends Congress $11B unfunded priorities list

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has sent Congress a list that identifies $11 billion in "unfunded priorities," including a range of weapon systems, munitions, sensors and military construction projects, according to a document obtained by Inside Defense.

Navy estimates $3.8 billion for new ship class to create anti-access problems for China

The Navy has unveiled a $3.8 billion blueprint to begin buying a new fleet of 18 relatively low-cost warships to ferry Marines -- particularly units armed with ship-killing guided missiles -- from shore to shore in a highly contested environment during a fight against China.

Marine Corps prunes ACV procurement quantities, citing loss of buying power

The Marine Corps is trimming its Amphibious Combat Vehicle procurement plans for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, reducing acquisition quantities by 48 vehicles across the two years due to spending caps under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, inflation and a higher-than-expected vendor proposal.