CISA Faces Major Budget Cuts!

Big cuts, bigger questions. The White House just rolled out its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal and let’s just say, CISA and friends didn’t make the favorites list.

If passed as is, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (aka CISA, the government’s frontline cyber defense squad) would lose nearly 1,000 employees. That’s almost a third of its workforce gone, shrinking from 3,292 to just 2,324. The budget also slices a hefty $495 million off its total funding. Operational cash alone would drop from $2.38 billion to $1.96 billion. Rough Monday, right? Now, while a few infrastructure security initiatives within CISA get a little love, the rest of the agency is looking at deep cuts. Cybersecurity operations? Cut. Stakeholder engagement? Trimmed. Mission support? Slashed. And the Election Security Program? Its being completely eliminated, 14 jobs and nearly $40 million gone. CISA already started phasing out support in March, so this part feels more like the final nail.

And it’s not just CISA feeling the squeeze. The FBI, which tackles cybercrime on home turf, is set to lose $560 million and nearly 1,900 staff.
The Department of Energy’s cyber office would take a 30% staffing hit and lose $43 million. The National Science Foundation’s computer science research budget would nosedive from $952 million to $346 million. That’s not a dip, that’s a plunge.
Meanwhile, cyber education and strategy programs aren’t safe either. The Cyber Defense Education and Training initiative is getting cut by $45 million. And CISA’s National Risk Management Center, the team behind critical infrastructure threat assessments, would lose 35 positions and $70 million.

There’s one very small bright spot: The Intelligence Community Management Account, which supports coordination across the 18 Intelligence agencies, gets a modest bump from $687 million to $700 million. Now let’s zoom out. These sweeping cuts come right when cyber threats from state actors, ransomware gangs, and election meddling are ramping up. Critics see this budget as less about streamlining and more about score-settling. CISA has had a rocky relationship with the Trump camp ever since 2020, when it publicly shot down election fraud claims and called out disinformation. That move didn’t exactly win them any favors.

The future of federal cybersecurity is suddenly looking very uncertain. Congress still has the final say, but if this budget sticks, the cyber landscape in 2026 could look very different and not in a good way.

📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES

Quantum computing’s coming fast. Now is the perfect time to supercharge your cybersecurity! Here’s a seven-step plan to keep federal agencies secure. NIST rolled out Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards in 2024.

With quantum computers storming in by 2030, we’ve got to move. Hackers are already grabbing data to crack later, so getting cybersecurity smart is the key! Start by mapping your cryptographic systems per the 2023 National Cyber Director mandate. Forget manual lists, automate cybersecurity discovery to track new crypto as it pops up. Use tools to get it right, then set up a PQC test environment to check how hefty quantum keys perform. Stay crypto-agile by blending old and new algorithms, as NIST’s 2025 paper advises. Finally, tap quantum random number generators for bulletproof keys and adopt NIST’s PQC algorithms. Industry’s already on the move, so let’s not lag automate, test, and secure high-risk systems to make your cybersecurity quantum ready. Jump in now to stay ahead!

Task Order Triumph: Protest Denied

Catalyst Solutions, LLC, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business in Stafford, Virginia, challenged the United States Marine Corps. The challenge was based on  corrective action following a task order awarded to Alexandria Insights, Inc. under RFP No. M67854-24-R-3014 for program management support. Catalyst argued that the agency’s plan to amend the solicitation with a price realism provision and request revised price proposals would harm its competitive edge. The reason stated is  due to exposed pricing. However, the decision underscores that ensuring a fair task order process trump concerns over price exposure. Citing precedent, the ruling emphasizes the integrity of the task order competition, affirming the agency’s corrective actions as reasonable to maintain impartiality. Catalyst’s protest was denied, reinforcing the priority of equitable task order evaluations over individual competitive concerns in the task order landscape.

🔓 Contract Types and How to Know Which Is Best for You (Part 2)

You’re negotiating the price of a new car. You know what model you want, but now comes the tricky part—figuring out financing, warranty options, and final costs. Federal contracts work in a similar way. Understanding contract types is great, but negotiating the terms is what really makes the difference between a good deal and a bad one.

Negotiating the Right Contract

Once you’ve determined which contract type suits your project, it’s time to secure favorable terms. Government agencies have strict requirements, but businesses can still shape contracts to work in their favor.

1. Know Your Worth

Before entering negotiations, assess your strengths:

• Do you have unique expertise that adds value?
• Can you offer cost efficiencies that competitors can’t?
• Have you successfully completed similar contracts before?

Example: If a cybersecurity company has developed advanced threat-detection technology, they should emphasize how their expertise reduces risk for the government, potentially justifying higher compensation in a cost-reimbursement contract.

2. Master the Art of Pricing

Many businesses lose contracts due to unrealistic pricing, either too high or too low. Underpricing may win the bid but lead to losses, while overpricing can scare off decision-makers.

Strategy: Research historical contract values for similar projects. Government databases like SAM.gov provide records of past contract awards.

Example: A construction company bidding for a government office renovation can look at previous contracts for similar projects to gauge standard pricing.

3. Don’t Overlook Risk Management

Each contract type comes with risks. Successful negotiation means identifying potential pitfalls and adjusting terms accordingly.

• Fixed-Price Contract: If material costs are unpredictable, negotiate escalation clauses to adjust pricing based on market conditions.
• Cost-Reimbursement Contract: Ensure clear reimbursement guidelines to avoid disputes over what counts as “allowable costs.”
• Indefinite-Delivery Contract: Clarify minimum and maximum order commitments to prevent workload surprises.

Example: A logistics company negotiating an IDC for military supply transport could request guaranteed minimum shipments per year to avoid revenue fluctuations.

4. Strengthen Your Proposal

A strong proposal isn’t just numbers—it’s a persuasive story showcasing why your business is the best choice.

Include:

• Clear, concise scope of work.
• Proof of past success and expertise.
• A competitive but realistic budget.
• Strategies to handle challenges proactively.

Example: A disaster recovery firm bidding for a federal emergency response contract should demonstrate how they’ve successfully managed past crises, using statistics on response times and efficiency.

Choosing the right contract type isn’t just about fitting into a predefined box—it’s about leveraging your strengths, mitigating risks, and negotiating terms that align with your business goals. By understanding pricing, risk management, and strategic negotiation, businesses can turn contracts into valuable long-term opportunities.

Federal contracting may seem like a maze, but with the right approach, it becomes a well-mapped journey. Now that you’re armed with knowledge on contract types and negotiation strategies, are you ready to win your next bid?

💰 Pacific Defense Secures $18M Navy Cyber-EW Contract!

So, another win from Pacific Defense! They aren’t just riding the wave of next-gen electronic warfare , they’re helping shape it. The El Segundo, California-based defense innovator just secured an impressive $18.3 million contract from the Department of Defense to develop and deliver cutting-edge Cyber-EW capabilities under the Navy’s ambitious CMOSS (C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards) initiative.This isn’t your average plug-and-play project. The contract is focused on creating open architecture, edge-aligned electronic warfare systems that can operate in contested, high-threat environments. It’s part of the DoD’s broader push to modernize and integrate electronic warfare, communications, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities which is essential ingredients in today’s data-driven battlefield.

And where it gets interesting is Pacific Defense’s work will center on hosting and optimizing electronic warfare algorithms on Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA)-enabled systems. These are modular, software-defined platforms that allow different sensors, systems, and tools to “talk” to each other more easily. Yes,exactly what’s needed when someone is  fighting for dominance in the crowded and contested electromagnetic spectrum. Think of it as a high-tech toolkit for warfighters that can evolve in real time, adapt to new threats, and interoperate across branches and theaters. The goal? Theater-level superiority. And with peer competitors like China and Russia investing heavily in electromagnetic and spectrum warfare, the U.S. military is betting on agility, interoperability, and innovation and Pacific Defense is right in the middle of that strategy.

About funding, the project is being funded with FY24 Navy research, development, test, and evaluation dollars, with $15.8 million obligated upfront, and will run through December 2026. The contract falls under the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). So a competitive, rolling solicitation designed to tap into the best and brightest ideas in defense tech throughout the year. This isn’t the company’s first rodeo in the world of open architecture systems. Pacific Defense has been steadily building its reputation as a leader in modular, mission-ready solutions tailored to emerging threats. This win adds serious momentum and major credibility to that trajectory.

So what’s next? Expect to see Pacific Defense help the Navy push the envelope on edge computing, cyber resilience, and rapid tech integration. Congrats to Pacific Defense on securing a contract that’s as strategic as it is technical. In the ever-evolving world of Cyber-EW, they’re not just keeping up,they’re setting the pace!

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🗣️ UPCOMING EVENTS

Event: Unlocking the Secrets of Debriefings, Government Evaluation of Proposals and Protests
Date: Sep 11, 2025

Event: Impact of the Trump Administration on Government Contracts
Date:  Sep 12, 2025