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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: September 18, 2026
DoD moves to replace government-unique accounting standards with GAAP
(Federal News Network) The Pentagon is moving away from government-unique Cost Accounting Standards to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, more commonly known as GAAP, that are used in the commercial sector to make it much easier for commercial firms to do business with the department. In a memo released on Tuesday, Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg said the department will shift from CAS to the “accounting every American company already uses and push those benefits to every tier of the supply chain.” The new memo, however, appears to be at odds with the controversial directive Feinberg issued in August that suggested that the Pentagon could install its own software in company data systems “to pull cost information directly.” Read More
Economic Development Administration: Additional Collaboration with Other Agencies Could Reduce Risks Associated with Overlap
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) Regional and local communities use federal economic development programs to create job opportunities and promote economic growth. Multiple federal agencies run 140 economic development programs. The Economic Development Administration is the only agency focusing solely on economic development. It must coordinate with other agencies on its activities. Agency collaboration efforts, however, have stalled in recent years—even though collaboration could help the agency better manage resources and avoid duplicating efforts. Our recommendations address this issue. Read More
AI for air traffic control won’t be like concerning advanced models, Transportation head says
(NextGov/FCW) Artificial intelligence tools have a major role to play in ongoing efforts to modernize the nation’s outdated air traffic control systems, but those technologies will operate differently — and with vastly more human oversight — than the powerful models that have raised new safety concerns in recent weeks, the Transportation Department’s top official said on Tuesday evening. Speaking at a dinner hosted by the National Artificial Intelligence Association, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy discussed the role that AI is set to play in the Federal Aviation Administration’s ongoing push to overhaul management of the nation’s airspace. Read More
USDA launches new interactive data insights tool
(FedScoop) A new data dissemination tool is coming to the Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the agency announced Wednesday. Deemed “AgInsights,” the tool is designed to “enhance” the data provider’s products and services with streamlined information and a more efficient, dynamic and interactive experience, a press release said. “AgInsights is an important step forward in how producers interact with agricultural statistics,” said NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons. The update to NASS, which publishes official U.S. data on crop production and prices, was reportedly previewed earlier this summer. Read More
ICEAA’s NewsBrief is a collection of articles relevant to the cost estimating and analysis community that is delivered weekly to current ICEAA members. To advertise in NewsBrief, contact [email protected].