The INSIDER daily digest -- Nov. 27, 2024

By John Liang / November 27, 2024 at 1:14 PM

This pre-Thanksgiving INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the latest funding "anomalies" list submitted by the White House to Congress, plus the palpable discomfort in the contracting community driven by the incoming Trump administration and more.

The White House Office of Management and Budget has submitted "anomalies" lists that includes spending exemptions related to Ukrainian military aid and the U.S. submarine industrial base:

Ukraine and submarines headline Pentagon's CR 'anomalies' request

The White House is seeking tens of billions of dollars in spending exemptions related to Ukrainian military aid and the U.S. submarine industrial base when Congress returns from its break to begin debating passage of a stopgap continuing resolution to avert a partial government shutdown slated for next month, according to a document obtained by Inside Defense.

Document: OMB's CR anomalies lists

More submarine funding news:

White House asks for $7.3 billion in additional submarine funding

The White House Office of Management and Budget is asking Congress for an additional $7.3 billion to fund production of the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs with two separate 'anomaly' requests delivered to lawmakers Monday, an administration official told Inside Defense.

Analysts and defense company executives who spoke with Inside Defense said there is palpable discomfort in the contracting community driven by the uncertainty of guessing what could happen to specific weapons programs targeted by Donald Trump, soon to again be the world’s most powerful man, and Elon Musk, the world’s richest man:

Defense contractors warned against 'headline risk' and 'sacrificial lambs' amid Musk tweets

Defense contractors, especially those with highly visible Pentagon programs that are behind schedule and over budget, are being advised to lay low and prepare to make offerings at the altar of President-elect Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency advisory commission led by tech billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Some space launch news:

ULA not ready to launch planned Space Force missions this year

United Launch Alliance won't complete the two scheduled Space Force launches on its Vulcan rocket until early next year, potentially months later than planned, a company spokeswoman confirmed.

Some Army high-altitude electronic warfare news:

Army seeking industry ideas for new high-flying electronic warfare payloads

The Army is asking industry for ideas on possible electronic warfare payloads that could be carried at very high altitudes by an uncrewed system, a step that aims to help refine a requirement for an emerging requirement for a new electronic attack system.

Last but by no means least, the latest from our colleagues at Inside AI Policy and Inside Cybersecurity:

Paladin investment group leader advocates for cyber in tech principles targeted at new administration

Paladin Capital Group leader Michael Steed says technologists and the tech investment community should have a much-needed seat at the cyber and artificial intelligence policymaking table in the incoming Trump administration.

CMMC accreditation body brings in internationally recognized group to assist with achieving ISO needs

The accreditation body behind the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is working with the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) on efforts to meet international standards and authorizations, according to Cyber AB CEO Matthew Travis.

DOD issues proposed rule establishing disclosure requirements for contractors who share source code with other governments

The Pentagon has proposed new requirements for defense companies who are competing for information technology, operational technology and cybersecurity contracts to disclose information on source code and computer code that are being shared with foreign governments as part of the acquisition process.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The next INSIDER Daily Digest will be issued on Monday, Dec. 2.

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