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

Defense contractors push back against tax law provision on research and development

Some of the largest defense contractors say they're seeking to work with Congress to change or reverse a portion of the 2017 tax legislation that would, effective in 2022, require companies to delay writing off research and development costs.

Kratos to buy CPI ASC Signal Division

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions said today it will acquire Communications and Power Industries' ASC Signal Division for $35 million in cash.

SOSi consolidates two groups

SOS International said it has consolidated its defense information technology and intelligence solutions business units into a new defense and intelligence solutions group, led by Ed Bachl.

GAO denies General Dynamics' protest over NGEN contract

The Government Accountability Office denied General Dynamics Information Technology's bid protest of a major Navy contract award to Leidos to manage the service's intranet.

ManTech reorganizes, promotes Tait

ManTech International said it has named Matt Tait chief operating officer and reorganized its two business groups into three sectors.

Novetta acquires WaveStrike

Novetta said it has acquired Annapolis Junction, MD-based WaveStrike in a bid to "deepen its capability development expertise for shared customers" and create "new growth opportunities for employees."

SparkCognition taps Boeing HorizonX executive to lead government unit

SparkCognition has named Logan Jones general manager of its new government systems business, the company said this week.

Accenture Federal hires Marion

Accenture Federal Services said it has named Bill Marion, the former Air Force deputy chief information officer, managing director of growth and strategy within its defense and intelligence practice.

The week ahead

Senior defense officials are scheduled to participate in several hearings and online events this week.

Inhofe, Reed open to DOD supplemental to help contractors cover COVID-19 costs

The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee said they support Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord's assessment that the Defense Department will need billions in supplemental funding to reimburse contractors for costs related to COVID-19.

DOD acquisition chief says low 'double-digit' billions needed to reimburse contractors for COVID-19

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord told lawmakers the Defense Department will need to spend low, "double-digit" billions reimbursing contractors disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she asserted DOD does not have the resources to so do without supplemental funding.

Senate defense authorizers seek DOD cost estimate, independent review of FCC's Ligado order

The Senate Armed Services Committee's fiscal year 2021 defense authorization bill would bar the Pentagon from complying with the Federal Communications Commission's decision to approve Ligado Networks' L-band network until the Defense Department submits cost estimates associated with potential GPS interference.