Email to DoD Civilians: Justify Your Job Performance

DefSec Pete Hegseth delivers recorded remarks from his office at the Pentagon last month. (DoD photo by US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff.

US Defense Department leaders reversed course last week and have ordered all of its civilian employees to respond to billionaire Elon Musk’s controversial “what did you do last week?” email, reports Marine Corps Times. DefSec Pete Hegseth said the employees should receive the email from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency today, March 3, and have until Wednesday to reply with their five items noting their accomplishments last week and justifying their work performance.

US Navy secretary nominee John Phelan believes the department is in desperate need of reform and promised to bring his outside business experience to refocus naval operations, reports Military Times. The service is “at crossroads, with extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, huge cost overruns, delayed shipbuilding, failed audits, subpar housing, and, sadly, record-high suicide rates,” he told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week. Phelan, an investor and businessman, has no prior military experience but argued that his experience in managing large teams of professionals would translate into managing the Navy’s workforce, reports Medill News Service on MSN.

President Donald Trump on Thursday appointed Hung Cao to serve as under secretary of the Navy, making the special operations veteran the second-ranking civilian leader for the service, reports Navy Times. Cao is a former Virginia Senate candidate. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and deployed with special operations forces to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia during his 25-year military career.

Paul Dabbar, a former nuclear submarine officer, has been nominated as deputy secretary of commerce, reports The Hill.

MAJGEN Joseph Kunkel said an 8% cut to the US Department of Defense budget would be “painful,” but could bring fresh funds for the US Air Force, reports Air Force Times. The two-star general was speaking before the Hudson Institute. Kunkel, the service’s director for force design, integration, and wargaming, expressed hope that the Air Force could still receive additional funding for its top priorities. The White House said last month that it wanted an 8% cut to the DoD budget, Military Times reported. Hegseth ordered senior military officials to develop a plan that would slash defense spending by $50 billion.

Trump is easing the rules on military raids and airstrikes, reports The Hill, repealing restrictions that signal a shift from regulations imposed during the previous administration. The directive broadens the range of people who can be targeted in attacks and no longer solely focuses on striking senior leadership of terrorist organizations.

Transgender troops will be removed from military, reports Military Times. The Pentagon revealed the specifics of its transgender troop policy last week that says any service member or recruit who has been diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria is disqualified from serving — unless they can prove they meet a specific warfighting need and adhere to severe restrictions on their day-to-day behavior. Hegseth had announced last month that the military would no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military, reports Reuters on NBC News.

Five former secretaries of defense — who served in Republican and Democratic administrations — want Congress to hold hearings on Trump’s firings of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several other senior military leaders, reports The Associated Press. A letter from the DefSecs said the dismissals were alarming, raised “troubling questions about the administration’s desire to politicize the military,” and removed legal constraints on the president’s power. The letter was signed by William Perry, Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, Jim Mattis, and Lloyd Austin.

On Wednesday, a memo was sent to all military services requiring that they pore over years of website postings, photos, news articles, and videos to remove any mentions that “promote diversity, equity, and inclusion,” reports WLOX13. The Digital Content Refresh said the removal of the content had to be completed by March 5. Recently appointed Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell said, “DEI is dead at DoD,” during a new weekly video update from the department.

A new version of the Air Force’s service handbook has removed mentions of diversity and deleted entire paragraphs about the service’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a quote from recently fired Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, reports Military.com.

Army LTGEN Telita Crosland retired Friday as director of the Defense Health Agency, reports Navy Times. Officials did not provide details of her departure. Crosland made history as the first Black woman to lead the Defense Health Agency, where she served as its fourth director.

The CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report finds that China-linked cyber operations surged by 150% last year, reports The Hill. Attacks targeting the financial services, media, manufacturing, and industrial sectors increased by 200% to 300% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the report adds.

The Social Security Administration is looking to reduce its workforce by 7,000 employees, reports Federal News Network. SSA is offering up to $25,000 to employees as part of a voluntary separation payment initiative to reach that goal.

NATO trials last month in the Baltic Sea showed off its underwater surveillance capabilities in an unmanned surface vessel demonstration, reports Navy Times. The trials were part of alliance efforts to deter acts of sabotage against critical undersea infrastructure in the area.

The US Army’s permafrost test bed in Alaska is set for a significant upgrade, the facility’s operations manager told Military Times. As warming conditions create new operating pathways in the Arctic region and military training increasingly emphasizes proficiency in the cold, the Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to open a state-of-the-art, $11.4 million center supporting research at its permafrost tunnel research facility.

US Space Force Guardians with the 821st Space Base Group at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland recently saw sunlight for the first time in three months, reports Task & Purpose. Pituffik, the US military’s northernmost outpost, has a unique mission. It operates missile detection devices and early warning systems, while also carrying out several scientific research projects.

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to ban Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek’s products from government devices and networks, reports The Hill.

A recent poll by the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County found that residents want a menu of energy generation options, reports Maryland Matters. The survey comes as lawmakers in Annapolis are scrambling to expand electricity generation in the state, and residents are receiving utility bills with sharp increases.

Contracts:

Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $50,485,603 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. Bids were solicited via internet with two received. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2030. US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-25-C-0005).

Veranox Corp, Annandale, Virginia, was awarded a $24,882,272 firm-fixed-price contract for cybersecurity assurance services for artificial intelligence/machine learning programs and products. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 27, 2030. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-25-D-0009).

Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $9,424,474 modification (P0007) to contract W31P4Q-21-F B004 for technical support for prototype integration facility. Work will be performed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 24, 2026. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Air Force funds in the amount of $9,424,474 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded an $8,319,635 modification (P00170) to contract W31P4Q-21-F-0033 for engineering services for high fidelity aviation system simulators. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 5, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Q.E.D. Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, is awarded a $54,181,740 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N0002424C4201) for specification development and availability execution support requirements for the DDG, CG, LPD, LSD, LHA, LHD, and LCS Navy ship classes. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the amount of $27,090,870 (50%); San Diego, California, in the amount of $16,254,522 (30%); Marysville, Washington, in the amount of $5,418,174 (10%); and Atlantic Beach, Florida, in the amount of $5418,174 (10%), and is expected to be completed February 2026. Total funds in the amount of $6,136,274 will be obligated at the time of award as follows: fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,525,676 (57%) that will not expire at the end of the fiscal year; fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,515,000 (41%) that will expire at the end of the current fiscal year; fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $52,097 (0.8%) that will not expire at the end of the fiscal year; and fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $43,500 (0.7%) that will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (N00024-24-C-4201)

Advanced Acoustic Concepts LLC, Washington, DC, is awarded a $21,202,473 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursement, and firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, test, and delivery of MK48 Sonar Signal Transmitters, MK48 Warhead Electronic System assemblies, and test sets. This contract includes an option which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $21,327,473. This contract combines procurements for various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs (country names withheld per agreements). Work will be performed in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania (83%); Johnstown, Pennsylvania (14%); Reston, Virginia (2%); and Keyport, Washington (1%); and is expected to be completed by November 2027. If the option is exercised, work will continue through November 2027. FMS funds in the amount of $21,202,473 (100%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 US Code 2304(c)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity (N66604-25-C-0203).

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded a $12,312,904 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-20-C-6117) to exercise options for Navy hardware spares to support SONAR systems. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (65%); Clearwater, Florida (32%); Syracuse, New York (2%); and Marion, Florida (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2030. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,312,904 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Corvid Technologies LLC, Mooresville, North Carolina, is awarded a $268,443,030 firm-fixed-price contract for the design, manufacture, and delivery of short/medium range sub-orbital vehicles configurations, including provision of ground test hardware, special test equipment, materials and required engineering support and launch support services. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $268,443,030. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (90%); and the governments of Australia (5%), and United Kingdom (5%), under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Moorestown, North Carolina (37%); White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (24%); Glen Burnie, Maryland (20%); Benbecula, Scotland (6%); Las Cruces, New Mexico (4%); Woomera, Australia (3%); Conroe, Texas (2%); Huntsville, Alabama (1%); San Nicolas Island, California (1%); Kekaha, Hawaii (1%); and Wallops Island, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by February 2026. If all options are exercised, work will continue through February 2030. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $80,000 will be obligated at time of award, of which $80,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov website, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, White Sands Detachment, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity (N6339425C0003).

East Coast Repair & Fabrication LLC of Portsmouth, Virginia (N3220525D4053); Fairlead Boatworks Inc., Newport News, Virginia (N3220525D4049); Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp., Port Arthur, Texas (N3220525D4050); GMD Shipyard Corp., Brooklyn, New York (N3220525D4051); and Rhoads Industries Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (N3220525D4052), are each being awarded a $128,728,618 maximum ceiling across all vendors, firm-fixed-price, multiple-award contract with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity ordering type for a five-year base period to provide lay-berthing services to Military Sealift Command Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels. The contract will be performed in Newport News, Virginia; Port Arthur, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning on Feb. 28, 2025, and will conclude on Feb. 27, 2030. This contract was a competitive small business set aside with proposals solicited via SAM.gov website; with five timely proposals received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Hexagon US Federal Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, is awarded a $30,793,403 firm-fixed-price modification (P00014) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (M67854-23-C-4902) for sustainment of the Consolidated Emergency Response System (CERS) to provide hardware, software, and services to sustain and maintain CERS at Marine Corps installations. The total cumulative face value of this contract is $34,732,868. The contract modification is to exercise Option Year Two for the sustainment of the existing CERS. Work will be performed at Iwakuni, Japan (8.8%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (7.6%); Quantico, Virginia (7.6%); Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan (7.6%); Beaufort, South Carolina (7.6%); Parris Island, South Carolina (7.6%); Albany, Georgia (7.6%); Camp Pendleton, California (7.6%); Barstow, California (7.6%); Twentynine Palms, California (7.6%); Miramar, Florida (7.6%); Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (7.6%); and Yuma, Arizona (7.6%), with an expected completion date of March 31, 2027. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $8,781,053 are obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $8,781,053 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This procurement is a sole source award to a large business in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, authorized or required by statue. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Textron Systems Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland, is awarded a $29,959,409 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle software development, payload integration, and sustainment support. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $100,123,335. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland (60%); Panama City, Florida (30%); and Arlington, Virginia (10%), and will complete December 2025. If all options are exercised, work will continue through December 2027. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,719,886 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 US Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (N00024-25-C-6309).

Moog Inc., Blacksburg, Virginia, is being awarded $28,923,732 for a firm-fixed-price, long-term contract for the repair of the slip ring assembly in support of V-22 aircraft. This is a three-year contract with no option periods and work will be completed by February 2028. All work will be performed in Blacksburg, Virginia. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $5,282,478 will be obligated for a delivery order (N00383-25-F-NU00) that will be awarded concurrently with the contract. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 US Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-25-D-NU01).

Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $13,211,525 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to exercise Option Year One under a previously awarded contract (N6339424C0003) for in service engineering agent services in support of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems and Intelligence system elements specific to the Freedom variant of the Littoral Combat Ship. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $25,950,779. Work will be performed in Mayport, Florida (50%); Moorestown, New Jersey (20%); San Diego, California (10%); Baltimore, Maryland (5%); Oldsmar, Florida (5%); Orlando, Florida (5%); and Virginia Beach, Virginia (5%), and is expected to be completed in February 2026. Fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $178,705 (56%), of which $178,705 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year; fiscal 2025 operation maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $100,000 (31%), of which $100,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year; fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $25,000 (8%); and defense working capital funds in the amount of $15,000 (5%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Port Hueneme, California, is the contracting activity (N6339424C0003).