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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: May 29, 2026
Artificial Intelligence: A Framework to Assess U.S. Competitiveness and Inform Policy Options
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The potential for artificial intelligence to spur economic growth, enhance social well-being, and improve national security has led to a global AI race. How can the U.S. find out if its AI abilities stack up? And what can the U.S. do to improve its standing in the AI competition? We created a framework that analysts can use to assess U.S. AI competitiveness, which could include comparing to other nations or analyzing the nation’s AI progress over time. The framework helps analysts identify policy options that policymakers could use to improve U.S. competitiveness in AI. Read More
Dept. of Air Force ‘still working’ to sort space programs into acquisition portfolios: Ainsworth
(Breaking Defense) Department of the Air Force (DAF) acting space acquisition czar Thomas Ainsworth said today that work is not yet finished to sort Space Force programs into the new portfolio acquisition executive (PAE) structure mandated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “We’re not done yet. We’re still working it,” he told the State of the Space Industrial Base (SSIB) conference in New Mexico. For example, he said that there has yet to be a decision which of the nine mission-oriented PAEs would be put in charge of programs exploring space debris mitigation. Read More
House Panel Unveils $1.15T FY27 Defense Policy Bill
(Executive Gov) 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
CMS seeks 1,200 new hires as agency ramps up AI-driven fraud prevention
(Federal News Network) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is embarking on a hiring surge after going through a significant staffing reduction last year. CMS officials who spoke at an industry conference said the agency’s hiring efforts are largely focused on recruiting IT talent, as well as new hires who can advance the agency’s crackdown on fraudulent payments. Tiffany Swygert, the acting deputy director of CMS’ Office of Information Technology, said the agency is hiring about 1,200 employees across its operations. About 100 of those new hires will work in OIT. 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.