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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: February 13, 2026
DoD expects AI-powered database of patents ready for industry by year’s end
(Breaking Defense) The Pentagon plans to jumpstart a new generation of public-private partnerships by making much of its high-tech research readily available to industry through a new AI-augmented database, with an “alpha” version going online by the end of the year, the official leading the effort told Breaking Defense. Currently, a federally funded non-profit called TechLink hosts an online database with patents and other data for over 5,400 technologies from DoD labs, with over 500 new ones added every year. Anyone can search the database and follow up with TechLink’s on-staff experts for free. Read More
MITRE Study Finds Acquisition Security Rules Slowing Defense Procurement Timelines
(Executive Gov) A new MITRE study concludes that the Department of War’s acquisition reforms aimed at accelerating fielding timelines could be undermined by industrial security processes that have not kept pace with modern program execution or the push to expand the defense industrial base. The Fast-tracking Acquisition Security Transformation study, which MITRE released Friday, found that acquisition security-related delays are increasing the cost and schedule burden for companies supporting classified and sensitive programs, particularly small businesses and nontraditional contractors that cannot absorb lengthy clearance and compliance timelines. Read More
DOJ ramps up AI for legal work, crime predictions, surveillance, inventory shows
(FedScoop) From litigation to federal prisons to criminal investigations, artificial intelligence appears to have touched nearly every corner of the Department of Justice in the past year. Just two years ago, the DOJ reported four use cases of AI at the agency. In its most recent 2025 use case inventory, the agency logged 315 cases, a 31% increase from last year. The use cases varied widely in function, though technology and privacy experts took particular note of instances where AI was deployed at the agency for crime prediction, public surveillance, and litigation. Read More
CIA emphasizes speed under new acquisition framework
(Federal News Network) The CIA is emphasizing speed under a new acquisition framework aimed at tightening partnerships between the spy agency and private technology companies. The CIA announced the new framework in a Monday press release. The agency said it would “accelerate and streamline CIA’s collaborative efforts with U.S. commercial partners to harness the cutting-edge innovation of America’s private sector.” “We’re optimizing our approach to working with the private sector,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement. Read More
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