Women in Combat Debate Reignites

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President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reignited a debate that many thought had been long settled: Should women be allowed to serve their country by fighting in combat? Removing women from contention for jobs, said Lory Manning, a retired Navy captain who works with the Service Women’s Action Network, could force the services to lower standards to bring in more men who have not graduated high school, have criminal records, or score too low on physical and mental tests, reports Navy Times. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) praised Hegseth and said the reality is that certain military jobs “just need brute strength.” But he added, “women have served incredibly well, honorably in combat roles, and I don’t think that policy is going to change, but we’ll leave it up to him.”

On an episode of the “Shawn Ryan Show” podcast earlier this month, Hegseth said, “I’m straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles,” reports Fox News. He asserted that women serving in those roles “hasn’t made us more effective, hasn’t made us more lethal” and “has made fighting more complicated.”

Outgoing DefSec Lloyd Austin, in an interview last week, said that women and racial diversity are vital to the strength of the US armed forces, reports NBC News. “I have spent 41 years in uniform, three long tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, and everywhere I went on a battlefield, there were women in our formation,” he said. “I would tell you that, you know, our women are the finest troops in the world.”

Leaders of Protect our Defenders and Human Rights First fear the dismantling of the Defense Department’s extremism prevention and diversity programs, reports Military Times. These nonprofits have advocated for stronger diversity and anti-extremism policies within DoD, such as required training for troops about prohibited extremist activities and gender-affirming health care for service members. They now expect that Trump and Hegseth will work to roll back those policies and others. Hegseth has compared the Pentagon’s extremism policies to a “purge” and said he wants to fire “woke” military leaders.

Several Republican senators are optimistic about Hegseth’s confirmation, reports The Hill. Hegseth visited the Capitol last week alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance in a bid to help his confirmation process, meeting with Republican senators and Roger Wicker (R-MS), incoming chair of the Armed Services Committee. Wicker said the Army veteran and former Fox News host was in “pretty good shape” for his confirmation process.

Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will chair the Senate Rules Committee as well as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense during the 119th Congress, reports Fox News.

Air Force Times reports the return of Trump as commander-in-chief could mean more hardball negotiations with defense contractors. With a focus on cost cutting, hard deals could run into resistance from the industry, particularly aerospace firms developing aircraft heavily reliant on new, high-risk technology.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) has sponsored the Small Business Cybersecurity Act of 2024, legislation that would grant some smaller businesses a tax credit to help defray the costs of complying with the Defense Department’s impending Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program, reports Federal News Network.

A defense contractor has been placed on the Space Force’s watch list, reports Defense One. The service’s blacklist is intended to hold companies accountable for poor performance and program delays. LT GEN Philip Garrant, commander of Space Systems Command, did not name the contractor. The Contractor Responsibility Watch List was created in 2018 to give Space Systems Command the power to stop underperforming contractors from getting new contracts.

A subsidiary of General Dynamics has been ordered to pay $1.4 million in back wages to 36 Mexican engineers, according to the US Department of Labor, reports Fox 5 KUSI News in San Diego. The company was found to be paying the engineers in Mexican pesos and below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says Trump’s move to bring the military into the deportation of undocumented immigrants’ effort would make a “terrible image,” reports Washington Examiner via MSN. The president-elect has said he would declare a national emergency and use military resources to carry out his campaign promise to deport those in the US illegally.

The Aiviq, an oil exploration support vessel that has worked in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, is being adapted for US Coast Guard use, reports Military.com. The commercial icebreaker will join the Coast Guard’s fleet by the end of the year in an effort to expand the service’s presence in the Arctic.

Maryland was named the number one state for minority-owned businesses, according to a recent analysis by Lending Tree, reports Business Monthly. The state earned top 10 rankings in three of five of the survey’s metrics, including the percentage of minority-owned businesses in the state; the ratio of pay relative to all businesses; and the longevity of business operations.

The House has passed the Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, reports Federal News Network. The bipartisan bill contains an extensive list of changes to how the Department of Veterans Affairs delivers health care and benefits. The Dole Act would expand pay flexibilities for some VA health care workers.

The Food and Drug Administration has OK’d a clinical trial to test whether smoking marijuana can be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, reports The Hill. The trial, sponsored by the nonprofit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, has been blocked by the FDA since 2021.

Under new rules, the more than 4 million veterans who are eligible for certain on-base benefits might have an easier time getting into military installations, reports Navy Times. Vets and their eligible caregivers could enroll for recurring access to an installation, so that once they’ve completed that process, they can go directly to the installation gate and present the same credential to enter the installation at subsequent visits.

Regional business leaders in Western Maryland gathered recently to learn about a treasured talent pool for the labor force: service veterans, reports DC News Now. Many service vets find it challenging to transition to the workforce after being discharged from the military. The Boots to Suits program has proven to be a great way to place veterans with prospective employers, according to the report.

Veterans across Maryland struggle to find a consistent form of transportation after returning from their time in service. Ten Maryland veterans received vehicles, allowing them to have more freedom and reliable transportation, reports Capital News Service TV. The vets received new-to-them cars through Vehicles For Change, a nonprofit that rehabs used cars with the help of Mileone Autogroup, reports WMAR Baltimore.

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs & Military Families Secretary Anthony Woods visited the College of Southern Maryland earlier this month. “Maryland is home to some incredible veterans,” he said, listing examples of veterans successfully working in Maryland government. Woods acknowledged that some veterans have a tough time in the transition from military to civilian life and explained that the Department of Veterans Affairs & Military Families is “laser-focused” on the issue, CSM reports.

Maryland officials approved a permit last week that US Wind needs to begin an offshore windmill project in the Delmarva Peninsula, reports Capital News Service. The decision comes despite objections from Ocean City residents worried about the environmental impact on local wetlands. The application requested to expand a 353-foot-long pier in West Ocean City used by local fishers.

Contracts:

The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $600,306,607 modification (P00036) exercising the five-year option period of a five-year base contract (SPE4AX-20-D-9001) with one five-year option period for V-22 Planned Maintenance Interval consumable market baskets. This is a fixed-price, incentive, performance-based contract. The ordering period end date is Nov. 30, 2029. Using customers are Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2025 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tetra Tech Inc., San Diego, California, was awarded an $8,090,252 modification (P00017) to contract W912DY-22-F-0059 for maintenance and minor repair of petroleum systems. Work will be performed in Windsor Locks, Connecticut; Washington, DC; Dover, Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Chicopee, Massachusetts; Hanscom, Massachusetts; Westfield, Massachusetts; Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; Middle River, Maryland; Bangor, Maine; Pease Army National Guard Base, New Hampshire; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Barnegat, New Jersey; Lakehurst, New Jersey; McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Mattydale, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Scotia, New York; Westhampton Beach, New York; New Windsor, New York; Annville, Pennsylvania; Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Horsham, Pennsylvania; Middletown, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Hampton, Virginia; Burlington, Vermont; Charleston, West Virginia; and Martinsburg, West Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2025. Fiscal 2025 revolving funds in the amount of $8,090,252 were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

KPMG LLP, McLean, Virginia, is being awarded a labor-hour contract option with a maximum value of $62,035,195 for audit services of the Army General Fund and Working Capital Fund financial statements. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an expected completion date of Nov. 30, 2025. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which three quotes were received. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $222,736,191.12 from $160,700,996. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $62,035,195 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-21-F-0005).

Kearney and Co., P.C., Alexandria, Virginia, is being awarded a Labor-Hour contract option for financial statement audit services for the Defense Health Program (DHP), Medicare Eligible Retiree Care Fund, and Defense Health Agency Contract Resource Management. The modification (P00015) is for a maximum face value of $12,185,590 and brings the total cumulative value of the existing contract (HQ042322F9000) to $46,637,996 from $34,452,407. Work will be performed in various locations including DHP headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia; as well as other federal locations in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Colorado, New York, and Maine, with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2025. This contract was the result of a competitive acquisition for which one quote was received. The action is being awarded subject to availability of funds. Fiscal 2025 defense-wide operating and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,185,590 will be obligated when available. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Collins Construction Services Inc., Savannah, Georgia (W912HN-25-D-4000); C&C Contractors LLC, Notasulga, Alabama (W912HN-25-D-4001); Trend Construction Inc., Deland, Florida (W912HN-25-D-4002); Etolin Strait Associates LLC, Norfolk, Virginia (W912HN-25-D-4003); Gideon Contracting LLC, San Antonio, Texas (W912HN-25-D-4004); ACC Construction Co. Inc., Augusta, Georgia (W912HN-25-D-4005); Barber Klein Contractors PLLC, Jacksonville, Florida (W912HN-25-D-4006); G.M. Hill Engineering Inc., Jacksonville, Florida (W912HN-25-D-4007); Outside the Box LLC, Richmond, Virginia (W912HN-25-D-4008); and HDD JV, Leesburg, Virginia (W912HN-25-D-4009), will compete for each order of the $99,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design-build and general construction. Bids were solicited via the internet with 47 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 21, 2029. US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is being awarded $185,800,634 for a ceiling-price, delivery order (N00383-25-F-0NE1) under a previously awarded performance based contract (N00383-25-D-NE01) for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of 160 parts in two of the 13 major subsystems of the Aegis Weapon System: the MK99 fire control system, and the Army Navy Joint Electronics Type Designation Systems Water/Surface Ship, Radar, Surveillance and Control Transmitter Group. The contract includes supply response time performance metrics. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (63%); and Andover, Massachusetts (37%), and work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $139,350,476 will be obligated at the time of award as an undefinitized contract action with a commitment of $46,450,158 for a year’s period of performance. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 US Code 3204 (a)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Marlborough, Massachusetts, is being awarded $174,576,603 for a ceiling-price, performance-based, logistics requirements contract for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of 365 parts within two of the 13 major subsystems of the Aegis Weapon System: the MK99 fire control system and the Army Navy Joint Electronics Type Designation Systems Water/Surface Ship, Radar, Surveillance and Control Transmitter Group. The contractor will also be responsible for inventory management, warehousing and achieving supply response time metrics. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (63%); and Andover, Massachusetts (37%). This contract includes a five-year base period with no options. Work is expected to be completed by November 2029. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $36,877,685 will be issued for delivery order N00383-20-F-0NE0 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and will initially be obligated at the time of award as an undefinitized contract action with a commitment of $12,406,357 for a year’s period of performance. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 US Code 3204 (a)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-25-D-NE01).

J&J Maintenance Inc., doing business as J&J Worldwide Services From CBRE, McLean, Virginia, is awarded $15,566,527 for firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously awarded contract N62470-21-D-0024. This modification provides for the exercise of Option Two for base operating support services at Naval Station Rota. Work will be performed in Rota, Spain, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $46,584,194. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated on individual task orders. No funds will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Europe, Africa, Central, Naples, Italy, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $869,947,066 fixed-price-incentive-firm- target contract to procure long lead materials, parts, components, and associated support in support of the F-35 Lot 20 production aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (59%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Cameri, Italy (4%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); and other various locations outside of the continental US (2%) and is expected to be completed May 2031. Fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $197,529,066; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $172,718,000; non-US DoD partner funds in the amount of $35,400,000; and FMS customer funds in the amount of $464,300,000, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001925C0070).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $20,343,129 modification (P00008) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001923F2501) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0002919G005). This modification adds scope to procure the material and labor required to continue the risk reduction and early integration work to bring the Sense and Avoid Automated Collision Avoidance System Xu Capability to the Triton platform. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (69%); Phoenix, Arizona (26%); Sterling, Virginia (4%); and Rolling Meadows, Illinois (1%), and is expected to be completed in April 2026. Royal Australian Air Force cooperative funds in the amount of $20,343,129 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $129,190,000 ceiling, undefinitized contract action for the F-15 Japan Super Interceptor program. This contract provides for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to incorporate engineering change proposals. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; El Segundo, California; and Hunt Valley, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2030. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Japan. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $44,473,800 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8634-22-C-2705).

Hydrogeologic Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $98,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for environmental remediation services. 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 April 30, 2030. US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, Missouri, is the contracting activity (W912P9-25-D-0001).

Amentum Services Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $27,097,787 modification (P00001) to contract W58RGZ-25-C-0003 for aviation maintenance services. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia; Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Oak Grove, Kansas; Leesville, Louisiana; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Honduras; and Germany, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales funds; fiscal 2024 and 2025 aircraft procurement, Army funds; fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds; and fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $27,097,787, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Matthews Group Inc., Purcellville, Virginia, was awarded a $25,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for minor general construction, maintenance and repair of aqueduct facilities. 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 Nov. 24, 2029. US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912DR-25-D-0002).

The University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, has been awarded a $7,791,661 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, with one option, for the BioLogical Undersea Energy program. This contract provides for successful deployments of an innovative microbial fuel cell system to achieve >0.1 kW continuous power production using marine organic matter as the “fuel” source. Work will be performed in College Park, Maryland (17%); Baltimore, Maryland (11%); Sugar Land, Texas (5%); Columbus, Ohio (44%); Newark, Delaware (4%); Harrisonburg, Virginia (3%); Boston, Massachusetts (9%); and Washington, DC (7%), with an expected completion date of August 2026. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and engineering funds in the amount of $1,583,887 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition under Broad Agency Announcement HR001124S0010 BioLogical Undersea Energy (BLUE), and five offers were received. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR0011-25-C-0004).