GovConJudicata Weekly Debrief (2/12–16)

This week's Weekly Debrief covers artificial intelligence, defense, and space exploration.

Artificial Intelligence

FederalTimes – How government contractors can harness artificial intelligence

• "In the world of government contracting and across the business landscape, AI is proving it can make an immediate and significant impact on a company when it’s tailored to, trained for, and deployed in industry-specific use cases. When a company has access to fresh, relevant and trustworthy data, AI can enable government contractors to capture new efficiencies in key parts of their business."

FedScoop – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announces $70 million contract for AI patent search tool

• "The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said this week that it intends to award an estimated $70 million contract to Accenture Federal Services for its Patent Search Artificial Intelligence capabilities. The notice of intent described the need for a contractor to provide a “full system development effort” to continue maintenance for PSAI capabilities, and “provide new enhancements” for the component. USPTO anticipates negotiating and awarding this responsibility to AFS by April 1."

Defense

C4ISRnet – Del Toro asks Navy contractors to consider taxpayers over shareholders

• "U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has a message for government contractors: Ask not what you can do for your shareholders, ask what you can do for your country. Speaking at the West naval conference in San Diego on Feb. 15, Del Toro, a former businessman, said that in a time of war abroad and political uncertainty at home, the U.S. needs companies to deliver weapons, warships, aircraft and more on time, on budget and without excuses."

RealClearDefense – Insourcing Military Spending Enhances National Security

• "As a former member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, I have personally witnessed numerous contractor disputes and spending problems. It is critical that these issues should not lead to contracting that will have a negative impact on national security. Using U.S. contractors protects national security from supply chain disruptions as well as foreign companies that may have priorities that conflict with protecting America."

Space

Forbes – Meet The Billionaires Helping NASA Return To The Moon

• "Houston-based Intuitive Machines is hoping to become the first private company to land on the lunar surface this month, one of several billionaire-backed companies NASA is tapping to unlock the moon, lower the agency’s costs and grow the budding space economy as it plans missions to the moon, Mars and beyond."

. . .

#govcon