Bob Kipps

🛡️📄 Until now, regulatory scrutiny of mergers involving US #defense contractors has been limited. This is likely to change soon. Pressure Mounts for Broader Regulatory Oversight of Defense Industry Mergers: https://bit.ly/3Xxymik #MergersAndAcquisitions #GovernmentContractsAndGrants

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Opportunities for Industry w/ CRG's Advisory on Key Differentiators: The potential cancellation of the Sentinel program opens up opportunities for industry to pivot towards more cost-effective and technologically advanced solutions. CRG advises clients to focus on the following high-level differentiators to secure future work: 1. Cost-Efficiency and Budget Management: --Technical Approach: Develop modular, scalable systems that can adapt to changing requirements without substantial cost increases. Emphasize lifecycle cost savings and robust financial planning. --Operational Methods: Implement agile project management and continuous improvement processes to enhance efficiency and mitigate delays, thereby building trust with the Department of Defense (DoD). 2. Advanced Technological Integration: --Technical Approach: Invest heavily in R&D for emerging technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, and advanced materials. Ensure these innovations can be seamlessly integrated into existing defense frameworks to enhance operational capabilities. --Operational Methods: Foster partnerships with tech startups and research institutions to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge solutions that meet the DoD’s stringent requirements. 3. Resilient and Secure Supply Chains: --Technical Approach: Strengthen supply chain resilience by diversifying suppliers and incorporating robust risk management frameworks. Focus on localizing critical supply chains to reduce dependence on foreign sources and mitigate geopolitical risks. --Operational Methods: Develop strategic partnerships and alliances to create a more resilient and responsive supply network, capable of withstanding disruptions and ensuring continuous delivery of essential components. CRG’s Expertise: Leverage CRG’s expertise in defense technology, cost management, and supply chain optimization to navigate the complexities of modern defense contracting. Our proven strategies in winning and managing defense projects ensure that clients can effectively meet the DoD’s needs while staying ahead of technological and operational challenges. Visit crgroupinc.com or reach out to us at contact@crgroupinc.com to learn more about how CRG can empower your organization. #IL - #VA - #DC - #Dubai, #UAE. #CRG #DefenseInnovation #ICBM #SentinelProgram #DefenseContracting #MilitaryTech #SupplyChainResilience #CostManagement #DIB #Pentagon #AdvancedTechnology #CRGExpertise #Aerospace #DoD #NuclearDeterrence #EmergingTechnologies #BudgetEfficiency #FY #FYBudget #Modernization #Integration #Hardware #Software

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Pentagon technology hub sees lower transition rate, higher value deals Read more on the link below. #defense #sbir #military #jointwerx @jointwerx @blackhaysgroup #governmentcontracts #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #consulting #strategy #leanstartups #startup #growthhacking

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🚨 #AUKUS news 🚨 The Bureau of Industry and Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce has issued an interim final rule reducing CCL licensing requirements for the UK and Australia. From the BIS announcement: "BIS is removing Commerce Control List (CCL) license requirements to allow Commerce-controlled military items, missile technology-related items, and hot section engine-related items to be exported or reexported to Australia and the UK without a license. As a result, many Commerce-controlled items, including certain satellite-related items, will now be eligible for export or reexport to Australia and the UK without a license." From Commerce Assistant Secretary Thea D. Rozman Kendler: “We support the principles of AUKUS, and look forward to the joint innovation that will come from this move. This rule also enables BIS to further focus our resources on scrutinizing high-risk exports to countries of concern.” Quick take - At first glance, this is much needed progress. Reducing the regulatory barriers with the UK and Australia via the CCL is very much welcome. The International Team at the Aerospace Industries Association is looking through the proposed rule now for industry feedback and comments. The (next) long pole in the tent will be the expected ITAR regulatory changes. Those will come shorty via the Department of State. Watch this space. Federal Register notice: https://lnkd.in/e8uvDsep BIS: announcement: https://lnkd.in/euSPaE4C #aukus #pillar1 #pillar2 #submarines #advancedcapabilities

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A fiscal 2025 defense appropriations bill was released by the House Appropriations Committee including more than $1.3 billion for Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and “select Defense-Wide innovation efforts to deliver capabilities from nontraditional sources, including small and medium-sized businesses” This includes $400 million to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program to help bridge the so-called valley of death in the acquisition system and “transition cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter in an accelerated timeline,” according to the summary. A $100 million increase from FY24. Also, $125.9 million would be allocated for the Office of Strategic Capital to maximize the use of private capital to advance emerging technologies and manufacturing, including through private investment funds. The defense appropriations bill has to clear many hurdles before becoming law, including passage by the House Appropriations Committee and the full House. The House version must also be reconciled with the Senate version through a conference process, and the reconciled version must be approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by the president. #DIU #APFIT #OSC #innovation #DoD

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WATCH: Strengthening the middle ground of the defense-industrial landscape. Our CEO and former Dep. Defense Secretary, Bill Lynn, discusses the critical role of mid-sized companies in the defense ecosystem. https://bit.ly/44ytjzN #NationalDefense

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We are pleased to announce that shareholders chose to reject the anti-Israel shareholder proposal filed at RTX (Raytheon–the corporation behind Israel’s Iron Dome defense), receiving only 5.48% of votes cast in favor. In March, JLens filed a Notice of Exempt Solicitation with the SEC, urging investors to vote against the proposal because it included false and misleading language, could embolden antisemitism in society, and we believe it seeks to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Please join us and Anne Herzberg from NGO Monitor and Steven M. Pantina from Proxy Analytics LLC for a webinar tomorrow from 12-12:45pm EDT / 9-9:45am PDT to learn more about the importance of combating anti-Israel shareholder proposals, and to discuss the upcoming May 22nd vote on the anti-Israel shareholder proposal at Amazon. https://lnkd.in/gJQfQf2J

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Major changes are required for America to fund and manage its military to address the pressing threats of the 21st century. Mackenzie Eaglen focuses on streamlining defense budgeting and defense operations to maximize efficiency. Roger Zakheim takes a bigger view, arguing only major hikes in defense spending can deliver the capabilities to deter our adversaries. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gvuU9DKb

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Hat tip to Jerry McGinn, Ph.D. for this one, and appreciation for his referencing work the Aerospace Industries Association has done on #AUKUS and defense trade modernization. There's a clear need for enhanced international defense industrial base cooperation with U.S. partners and allies. Some structural change within the United States Department of Defense could lead to more focused outcomes for all stakeholders. There's always debate about what office(s) should go where and report to whom. I'm sure that'll be the case here as we talk about this proposal. But what's important is that enhanced industrial base cooperation (not talking #FMS, but true international armaments cooperation) is imperative as we respond to the global threat environment. #fms #partners #allies https://lnkd.in/ehj_uKhm

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Project Vanguard, a program delivered by the AFWERX Capital Initiatives division, represents that opportunity for warfighter and industry teaming, helping to buy down risk of the government customer's acquisition through the intervention of private capital. During his keynote speech at the South by Southwest conference in March 2024, Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of the Air Force, noted that the department’s transition to an enterprise focused on Great Power Competition will require a pipeline of cutting-edge technologies from startups and military personnel to AFWERX. “We need to quickly move [technologies] and get them into the hands of somebody who can do something with them,” Leigh said. “That gives [warfighters] an advantage – what I like to think of as an unfair advantage over their adversaries in a wartime environment.” Due to resource or connection challenges, small businesses often find it difficult to proceed from a prototype project to a full production contract with a government or outside investor. AFWERX Project Vanguard aims to connect these strategic opportunities with additional funding resources. Project Vanguard is uniquely partnered with the NSIN - National Security Innovation Network / Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to help overcome those challenges for all involved. Luke W. Helena Krusec #AFWERX #NSIN #DIU #GPC

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Earlier this evening, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (#OFAC) designated Oko Design Bureau, a St Petersburg-based company involved in the manufacture of military materials designed to support the Russian military industrial base. The designation was contained in a series of updates targeting Russian companies involved in the manufacture, supply and proliferation of weapons and military hardware.  Included within the personal identifiers of Oko Design Bureau were three cryptocurrency addresses: one each on the Bitcoin, Ethereum, and TRON blockchains. OFAC alleged that these addresses are controlled by Oko Design Bureau. The addresses are now tagged and searchable on Hoptrail's platform. #sanctions #crypto #bitcoin #ethereum #tron https://lnkd.in/gTX6pHzM

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Nicholas Nelson, Senior Fellow for Emerging Tech & Policy at CEPA and is a Partner at MD One Ventures. Andrew Stiles, advisor on emerging technologies as a management consultant for nearly a decade. Kyra Terenzio, Management consultant specialising in emerging technology at a leading professional services firm. "Domain awareness is an ongoing challenge in countries with large Arctic land masses such as Alaska, where strained connectivity, power access, and extreme weather all hinder unmanned systems. NASA’s drone, Vanilla, flew for six hours in the Arctic totaling over 130 miles. Unique technology such as its internal heating system and anti-icing coating, if adapted to other robotic systems, could help make them more resilient, durable, and interoperable within the Arctic. Additionally, space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (SB-ISR) sensors are critical. However, satellites historically struggle with connectivity, signal fidelity, and resolution quality due to snowfall, cloud coverage, wind, and precipitation. To tackle these, Canada funded the Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar (ESCP-P), which will enable narrowband and wideband satellite communications including beyond line of sight. Polar-orbiting satellites, and the infrastructure to launch them, are also increasingly vital. Russia launched its Arktika-M satellite in December, the second of nine it plans to send into orbit by 2026. The seven NATO countries in the High North will need to expand their own space-based and ground-based communications, such as durable and portable 5G systems and polar-orbit satellites, to provide ubiquitous, rapid data transmission for NATO activity in the High North."

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MDEX 2024 is almost here! Stop by booth C13 next week and learn how DornerWorks solutions support the future of #defense including: ✅ Mission Critical Networking: TSN ✅ Cybersecurity: seL4-Based Hypervisor ✅ AI / ML Deployment #security #seL4

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Decision Lens and Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) published their initial #PPBE survey findings, which reveal remarkably positive attitudes toward the importance and feasibility of PPBE reform across the DoD FM workforce. Click the link below to see the results! https://lnkd.in/eM2cw7HB #DoD #financialmanagement #modernization #reform

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ITAR Update – The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has published its latest regulatory agenda listing its intended revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the U.S. Munitions List. Please see the firm's latest article summarizing those regulatory proposals and revisions that may take place in 2024. https://lnkd.in/e9uViptJ #itar #exportcontrols #ddtc #usml #defensetrade

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We are pleased to share our latest publication, "Leveraging the Relationship" by Shane Mason. This high-level paper explores the strategic opportunities and challenges in utilizing the US-UK special relationship for defense market expansion. Although not exhaustive, it is essential reading for understanding key considerations and formulating questions necessary for developing a successful UK-to-US market strategy. #StrategicInsights #DefenceIndustry #USUKRelations #ThoughtLeadership

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