The INSIDER daily digest -- Jan. 16, 2020

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on a possible new Joint Strike Fighter contract, the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification effort, plus coverage from the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium and more.

Lockheed Martin later this week will brief Defense Department officials on a new contract for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter:

Pentagon working through details of F-35 PBL proposal

The Pentagon will hear a briefing Friday on Lockheed Martin's proposal for a five-year, fixed-price performance-based logistics sustainment contract for the F-35 -- a deal that could set the stage for a future multiyear sustainment deal.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification effort:

DOD-backed cyber certification accreditation body readies for February launch

An accreditation body that will certify third parties to audit the cybersecurity practices of Defense Department contractors is expected to form its complete board of directors by the end of next week, clearing the way for signing a Memorandum of Understanding with DOD acquisition officials by the beginning of February, according to officials involved in the effort.

The Navy thinks not having a vertical launching system on an unmanned surface vessel is doable:

Navy says it will adjust to LUSV restrictions; new plan will be part of next budget

Navy officers this week expressed confidence the service can adapt to new legislation that prevents it from including a vertical launching system on a major unmanned surface vessel concept design.

The Marine Corps' top uniformed officer spoke this week at the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium:

Berger: MEFs will not mirror each other in future force design outcome

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger today forecasted changes to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force as a result of the service’s ongoing force design effort.

(Follow our ongoing coverage of SNA 2020 here.)

The Pentagon's inspector general is looking into Defense Department cyber vulnerabilities:

Watchdog to audit whether DOD is addressing cyber gaps in weapon systems

The Defense Department inspector general will audit whether the Defense Department is addressing cyber vulnerabilities discovered during the test and evaluation of its weapon systems and other acquisition programs.

Document: DOD IG memo on cyber gap audit