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Procurement

All articles tagged with #procurement

From Shahed to Saturation: How LUCAS Drones Rewrote U.S. Warfighting Depth
defense4 hours ago

From Shahed to Saturation: How LUCAS Drones Rewrote U.S. Warfighting Depth

An interview with former Pentagon official Michael C. Horowitz explains how the U.S. developed LUCAS, a low-cost unmanned combat drone reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed‑136 and first fielded in Operation Epic Fury. The program, pushed through under both the Trump and Biden administrations with support from the Defense Innovation Unit, APFIT, and SpektreWorks, aims to flood the force with inexpensive, mass-produced precision munitions to supplement—not replace—high-end weapons like Tomahawks. Horowitz argues this “mass depth” approach could complicate defenses against peers like China, advocates tens of thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of units, and signals a broader shift toward scalable, risk-tolerant defense procurement, though production bottlenecks and operational use questions remain.

via The War Zone|
#defense#defense-innovation#drone
Mamdani flags first NYC DOE cuts as prelude to broader savings
education16 days ago

Mamdani flags first NYC DOE cuts as prelude to broader savings

Mayor Mamdani’s order to trim spending prompts an initial round of NYC Education Department cuts—about $27.5 million this year and $30.3 million next—as officials work toward the 1.5% and 2.5% savings targets; the full plan hasn’t been released, but the department is expected to cut hundreds of millions by pruning duplicative tech contracts, unused consulting, and administrative services, while citywide cuts total around $230 million and the broader effort targets up to $1.7 billion in reductions across agencies.

via Chalkbeat|
#budget#education#governance
NASA advances plan for a dedicated Mars comms orbiter worldwide by 2028
space1 month ago

NASA advances plan for a dedicated Mars comms orbiter worldwide by 2028

NASA released draft objectives for the Mars Telecommunications Network, a dedicated Mars communications and navigation orbiter funded by the 2025 budget bill. The program aims to deliver a spacecraft by end-2028 to provide up to 100 Mbps direct Earth links, navigation timing, and support for missions through 2035, with a minimum five-year operational life and compatibility with the Deep Space Network. The orbiter would focus on communications and PNT rather than science instruments; draft RFPs are forthcoming and comments are due by March 10. Eligibility is limited to companies that received NASA funding in 2024–25 for Mars Sample Return design studies, with bidders including Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and others asserting interest in the project.

via SpaceNews|
#deep-space-network#mars-communications#mars-telecommunications-network
Shipping costs could lift consumer prices in 2026, warns industry body
business2 months ago

Shipping costs could lift consumer prices in 2026, warns industry body

A CIPS survey warns that rising transport, energy and raw-material costs, along with soaring freight rates, could push up prices for computers, electronics and transport equipment in 2026 as volatility and cracks in global trade persist; 22% of respondents reported cost increases above 10% by end-2025, with Dell and Lenovo already raising prices.

via The Guardian|
#business#consumer-prices#inflation
"Congressional Push for Two Submarines Challenges US Navy's Plans"
militarydefense2 years ago

"Congressional Push for Two Submarines Challenges US Navy's Plans"

A House panel is pushing for the US Navy to buy two attack submarines in fiscal 2025, despite the Navy requesting just one. The Navy argues that advanced procurement funds and investments in the submarine-industrial base can compensate for the lack of a second submarine, but lawmakers, led by Rep. Joe Courtney, disagree, emphasizing the need for a consistent demand signal for orders and business. They argue that the industrial base is recovering and expanding, with increased hiring and construction rates, and advocate for continuous procurement at a rate of two submarines per year to support the submarine-industrial base's momentum.

via Defense News|
#defense-budget#industrial-base#militarydefense
"Navy Budget Cuts: Postponed Modernization and Reduced Ship Purchases"
military2 years ago

"Navy Budget Cuts: Postponed Modernization and Reduced Ship Purchases"

The U.S. Navy is postponing the development and purchase of large unmanned systems and next-generation ships and planes in fiscal 2025 due to spending caps, prioritizing current operations and personnel, small unmanned systems, and the Replicator program. The budget request for FY25 seeks six ships instead of seven, with reduced research and development and military construction spending. The Navy is facing unexpected costs from ongoing operations in the Middle East and is concerned about potential future conflicts, leading to the postponement of big-ticket items and a focus on smaller systems.

via Defense News|
#budget-cuts#military#modernization-programs
NASA Delays ISS Deorbit Vehicle Contract, Urges Preservation of Space Station
space2 years ago

NASA Delays ISS Deorbit Vehicle Contract, Urges Preservation of Space Station

NASA has adjusted the timing and requirements for its procurement notice seeking a vehicle to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS). The agency extended the deadline for proposals to February 12, 2024, and updated the desired delivery and launch dates to August 1, 2028, and December 1, 2028, respectively. The required delivery date is now May 1, 2029, with a launch on September 1, 2029. NASA also added the option for both development and production of the vehicle under a cost-plus contract. The new dates align with the expected end of the ISS's life, and the contract award is expected in late May or early June 2024.

via The Register|
#contract#deorbit-vehicle#international-space-station-iss
NASA's New Strategy: Spending $1 Billion to Destroy the International Space Station
space2 years ago

NASA's New Strategy: Spending $1 Billion to Destroy the International Space Station

NASA has revised its contract strategy for the production of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) for the International Space Station (ISS). The agency will now allow companies to choose between firm fixed price or cost plus incentive fee contract structures for both the design and production of the vehicle. The deadline for submitting proposals has been extended to February 12, 2022, with an award expected in late May or early June. The USDV will be used for the controlled reentry of the ISS at the end of its life, and NASA has requested $180 million for the vehicle in its fiscal year 2024 budget proposal.

via SpaceNews|
#contract-strategy#deorbit-vehicle#international-space-station
Germany Commits to Strengthening Military as Europe's Defense Backbone
defense2 years ago

Germany Commits to Strengthening Military as Europe's Defense Backbone

Germany plans to accelerate reforms of its military bureaucracy and make the military the backbone of Europe's defense, according to new defense guidelines presented by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The revamp aims to enhance the military's capability to defend Germany and its allies, with a focus on being ready for war in all areas. The document highlights Russia as the main long-term threat to peace and security and calls for speeding up procurement of much-needed equipment. Germany has set up a special fund for weapon purchases and aims to meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP by 2024.

via DW (English)|
#defense#defense-policy#germany
The Navy's Costly Failure: The Littoral Combat Ship Program Exposed
military2 years ago

The Navy's Costly Failure: The Littoral Combat Ship Program Exposed

The U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship (LCS) program, which was intended to be a technical marvel capable of combatting enemies at sea, hunting mines, and sinking submarines, has turned into one of the military's biggest boondoggles. The LCS program has been plagued by overpriced and underperforming ships, with rampant mechanical failures and a failure to carry out its intended missions. ProPublica's investigation reveals that top Navy leaders repeatedly dismissed or ignored warnings about the ships' flaws, while defense contractors lobbied Congress to build more ships. The LCS program has cost billions of dollars and may reach a lifetime cost of $100 billion or more, leaving taxpayers with fewer than 30 limited-survivability, single-mission ships.

via ProPublica|
#defense-contractors#littoral-combat-ships#military
Maintaining Russia's Western Jet Fleet: A Strategic Approach
aviation2 years ago

Maintaining Russia's Western Jet Fleet: A Strategic Approach

Despite Western sanctions aimed at preventing Russian carriers from procuring parts for their Western-made jets, Russian airlines have managed to import over $1.2 billion worth of aircraft parts since May 2022, according to customs records. The parts range from essential components like navigation systems to more mundane items like coffee makers and toilet seats. Russian airlines have found alternative supply channels through middlemen in countries that have not endorsed Western sanctions, such as Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, and Kyrgyzstan. The sanctions have made life more difficult for Russia's aviation sector, but Russian carriers still have hundreds of Western planes in active service or under maintenance.

via Reuters|
#aircraft-parts#aviation#procurement
Former Equity Director of Minneapolis Reacts to Recent Expo Report
local-news2 years ago

Former Equity Director of Minneapolis Reacts to Recent Expo Report

An investigation into the failed "I Am My Ancestors Wildest Dreams" expo in Minneapolis found no evidence of a detailed plan and revealed that the former director of the city's Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging office struggled with the city's contracting rules. The report recommended better training in procurement and purchasing and exploring the possibility of recovering some of the event's costs. The ex-equity director disputed many of the report's findings, claiming contradictory information from city staff and unfair blame. The report also highlighted minimal training for city employees in procurement and purchasing requirements.

via MinnPost|
#event-planning#expo#local-news