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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: March 20, 2026
Mullin to revoke Noem’s $100K review policy
(Federal News Network) There are plenty of questions about how big of a change Markwayne Mullin would be as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security compared to his outgoing predecessor, Kristi Noem. But in one area, addressed during his confirmation hearing Wednesday, Mullin was unequivocal. “Absolutely,” Mullin said when asked if he would revoke Noem’s policy that she personally review all DHS awards over $100,000. “That’s called micromanaging,” Mullin continued. “I don’t know if the secretary put that in or someone else did. I’m not a micromanager. We put people in, we empower them to make decisions. What is required to come into my level, we’ll make decisions.” Read More
Energy opens applications for $293 million in research funding
(NextGov/FCW) The Department of Energy is allocating $293 million in funding to advance the work of Genesis Mission by inviting applications from interdisciplinary scientific teams that use novel artificial intelligence models and frameworks to address pressing issues in technical fields. Energy unveiled a Request for Application on Tuesday targeting diverse teams of researchers that use AI for problem solving in critical fields, specifically advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy and quantum information science. In keeping with the Genesis Mission’s goal of accelerating scientific innovation by leveraging the nation’s supercomputer apparatus to run advanced AI systems and spur scientific advances, the RFA seeks applications from researchers within DOE’s national laboratory apparatus, private sector and academia. Read More
U.S. Postal Service: Urgent Action Needed to Fix Unsustainable Business Model and Improve Service Performance
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) continues to be in poor financial condition. It has lost money every fiscal year but one since 2007 (see figure). While accumulating $118 billion in net losses over that time, USPS has maintained enough cash reserves to continue operations. It has done so in part by borrowing from the U.S. Treasury the maximum $15 billion it is allowed by statute and by either not making or only partially making required annual funding payments towards its liabilities for retiree health and pension benefits. With billions in new expenses expected by 2031, USPS’s financial condition is at a critical point. The Postmaster General has stated that USPS could run out of cash in early 2027. Read More
Celebrating 100 Years Since Goddard’s Breakthrough Moment in Modern Rocketry
(NASA Explore) From the voyages of spacecraft to the Moon and beyond, to the launches of satellites that help us navigate, communicate, and understand our planet and the universe, the use of liquid-fueled rockets has been key to humanity’s use and exploration of space. Today marks 100 years since the first successful test of this technology. On March 16, 1926, physicist and inventor Dr. Robert H. Goddard achieved a small but significant success when he launched a liquid-fueled rocket for the first time. His rocket, fueled by liquid oxygen and gasoline, was tested at his Aunt Effie’s farm in Auburn, Massachusetts. Read More
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