The INSIDER daily digest -- May 2, 2017

Budget coverage dominates this Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest.

Continued budget coverage:

Tea leaves unclear on FY-18 as Congress crafts last-minute spending deal

Congress is poised to avert a government shutdown this week with a fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill that boosts the Pentagon's warfighting account by $15 billion, which is only half of what the Trump administration had sought, setting the stage for yet another partisan battle over spending in FY-18.

Mulvaney departs from political past and backs OCO increase

In a break from his previous stance, White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney on Monday praised the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill Congress is poised to pass later this week -- even though its central feature is a $15 billion plus-up to a Pentagon account he once decried as a "slush fund."

Army budget news:

FY-17 omnibus bill increases funding for Army aviation, RDT&E

The consolidated appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 adds millions to fund key Army priorities, from aviation procurement to ground vehicle modernization and network improvements.

Army prepping contracting decisions in anticipation of budget

As the Pentagon awaits final congressional action on the fiscal year 2017 budget, the Army is drawing up plans so it can make quick contracting decisions once that information is received, according to the director for contracting in the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology.

More Army news:

ACC looking to reduce acquisition time line with 'black belt projects'

Army Contracting Command is working to shorten and streamline the service's acquisition process, according to Kristan Mendoza, executive director of ACC in Warren, MI.

Army official outlines procurement process observations

Over the last year, the Army has been examining ways to improve its acquisition process, according to a service official.

A new Trump executive order is out:

Experts tell contractors to prepare for Buy American executive order's effects

Defense contracting experts say President Trump's Buy American and Hire American executive order could have repercussions for contractors, but note it's too early to say for certain.

Navy/Marine Corps news:

Navy, Marine Corps conduct 10-day exercise on getting troops ashore

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA -- Over 10 days ending April 28, the Navy and Marine Corps conducted an advanced technology exercise looking at various ways to get combat troops ashore using cutting-edge technologies.

Future advanced naval tech exercise will focus on urban environment ops

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA -- The next advanced naval technology exercise for the Navy and Marine Corps, held possibly in the fall, will focus on operating in an urban environment, according to a Marine Corps official.