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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: May 22, 2026
Financial Management Systems: DHS’s Modernization Plans Should Fully Incorporate Key Practices
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is modernizing its financial management systems for the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through three financial systems modernization programs. Reliable cost estimates and schedule assessments are essential to managing major system modernization efforts. GAO’s review of cost estimates for two of the system modernizations found that one substantially met all four characteristics of a reliable cost estimate; the other substantially met three of four characteristics. Read More
HS2 cost estimated to exceed £100bn and trains not due to start for at least 10 years
(New Civil Engineer) The transport secretary Heidi Alexander has said the cost estimate to finish Phase 1 of HS2 has exceeded £100bn and the first trains will not run until at least another decade. Alexander’s announcements were made in the House of Commons today, 19 May, and are the result of a reset of the project’s programme by HS2 chief executive Mark Wild. The new budget range brought forward will now see the project estimated to cost between £87.7bn and £102.7bn in 2025 prices. When HS2 was initially tabled in 2010 it bore a price tag between £15.8bn and £17.4bn. This new estimate represents £70.9 – 82.2bn in an equivalent 2019 mixed price base, roughly double the previous cost range of £35 – 45bn (2019 prices) set under the previous government. Read More
Air Force could save millions by reducing PCS moves, but culture could complicate reform
(Federal News Network) The Air Force could save hundreds of millions of dollars each year by moving service members less frequently and extending assignment lengths, according to a new RAND study that also warns such changes would require a major cultural shift across the force. The study, commissioned by the Air Force Personnel Center, examined how longer assignments and fewer Permanent Change of Station moves would affect Air Force budgets, readiness and retention. Researchers found the service could achieve substantial savings by extending overseas tours and lengthening many stateside assignments. Read More
Naval Postgraduate School Unveils AI Master’s Degree Program
(Executive Gov) The Naval Postgraduate School has launched a new master of science in artificial intelligence degree program with an inaugural cohort of 20 sailors and Marines from Naval Information Forces, Federal News Network reported Monday. Vice Adm. Michael Vernazza, commander of Naval Information Forces, established the one-year pilot program for officers who already possess programming experience or undergraduate degrees in computer science, Randy Pugh, NPS vice provost for warfare studies and director of the Office of Warfare Studies, said in an interview on FNN’s Ask the CIO. 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 iceaa@iceaaonline.org.