The Follow Up

Top themes

U.S. defense contracting and personnel actions.
U.S. space policy and related executive actions.
Diplomatic engagements and bilateral/multilateral statements (Qatar, Nigeria, South Sudan; calls regarding Cambodia–Thailand).
Domestic policy updates: employment claims, HUD confirmations, contractor payroll guidance, and justice actions.

Major DoD contract notices posted Dec. 16–19, 2025 included large awards and contract modifications:
- Dec. 19: DHA TRICARE West Region Option Period Two award valued at $6,812,165,714; a $13,271,550 firm‑fixed‑price option under HT001124C0007; F‑35 logistics support modification (N0001924C0039) for $3,626,277,130; Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. naval nuclear propulsion components modification for $927,583,430; Agile JV LLC awarded $445,321,398 for logistics and engineering support.
- Dec. 18: Rough River Dam Safety Modification Phase II awarded to Thalle‑Bauer LLC (completion scheduled by Dec. 25, 2029); PATRIOT firing unit modification to Raytheon Co. (work expected complete by Sept. 30, 2029); Lockheed Martin HIMARS/MLRS support through Dec. 31, 2027.
- Dec. 17: Humana Government Business Inc. awarded Option Period Two for DHA TRICARE East Region; Evernorth Federal Services awarded $719,426,247 for TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit Program option (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026); Gilbane Japan GK project at Kadena AB expected complete by Dec. 21, 2028.
- Dec. 16: Boeing awarded contract to modify F/A‑18E/F Super Hornets (Block III avionics integration); Amentum extension for base ops support at Naval Station Mayport/Blount Island; Northrop Grumman JCREW Increment One Block One FMS support (Australia); Alabama Shipyard 102‑day availability for USNS Comfort (T‑AH 20); Vertex Aerospace undefinitized action for Iraq F‑16 FMS support.

Warrior Dividend: DoD announced a one‑time, tax‑free bonus of $1,776 to be paid to over 1.4 million service members by Christmas. (DoD weekly update)
Discharge reviews: the War Department directed services to identify and review records of service members involuntarily discharged solely for refusing the COVID‑19 vaccine who received a general discharge; eligible cases will be forwarded to service discharge review boards and some previously filed upgrade requests will be expedited.

Interagency leaders committed Joint Task Force National Capital Region to lead interagency counter‑UAS efforts, emphasize real‑time information sharing, clear incident command/control structures, lessons learned from threat simulations, and optimized resource/procurement planning for future events including 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities.

Administration space directives and fact sheets set targets including returning Americans to the Moon by 2028 (Artemis), establishing initial lunar outpost elements by 2030, prototyping next‑generation missile defense technologies by 2028, and initiating a National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power within 60 days; a consolidated NASA/agency submission was requested within 90 days.
Presidential message marked the U.S. Space Force’s sixth birthday (established Dec. 20, 2019) and highlighted recruiting and budget references.

U.S.–Qatar Strategic Dialogue (Dec. 17, 2025): seventh Strategic Dialogue in Washington; two MOUs signed between Qatar’s Ministry of Interior / Lekhwiya and the FBI to advance training, information exchange, and capacity building; U.S. welcomed Qatar’s procurement of remotely piloted aircraft systems (~$2 billion General Atomics deal) and reviewed an additional ~ $1 billion Raytheon counter‑drone agreement.
U.S.–Nigeria health MOU: a five‑year bilateral health agreement announced to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and expand faith‑based providers; U.S. intent to commit nearly $2.1 billion for prevention and treatment services; Nigeria signaled plans to increase domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over five years.
South Sudan: Troika capitals urged the transitional government to end aerial attacks on civilians, release political prisoners, use public revenue to pay public sector employees and fund essential services, and stop interference with humanitarian operations.
Cambodia–Thailand: U.S. calls for ending hostilities, withdrawal of heavy weapons, cessation of landmine emplacement, and full implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, including accelerated humanitarian demining and border‑issue mechanisms; ASEAN leaders were encouraged to support implementation.

National Defense Authorization Act for FY2026 (S. 1071) signed into law; authorizes FY2026 appropriations for DoD, DOE national security programs, State, DHS, the Intelligence Community, and other agencies; includes SAFER SKIES Act provisions expanding authority for state/local enforcement and creating a new felony offense for a second national defense airspace violation.

Extradition: Rahsontanohstha Delormier (aka “Storm”) was extradited from Canada to the U.S. to face charges in an alleged deadly human‑smuggling conspiracy; prior arrests, indictments, and guilty pleas in related prosecutions were summarized by DOJ.

Employment claims: administration releases during the week reiterated private‑sector job growth and a decline in federal employment since the Administration took office; cited figures included 687,000 private‑sector jobs added and a 271,000 decline in federal employment per White House materials.
HUD confirmations: the Senate confirmed Frank Cassidy (Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner), Joseph Gormley (President of Ginnie Mae), Benjamin Hobbs (Assistant Secretary for PIH), Ronald Kurtz (Assistant Secretary for CPD), and Craig Trainor (Assistant Secretary for FHEO).
Davis‑Bacon Act payroll reporting: Department of Labor updated Form WH‑347 and published an online fillable and annotated WH‑347 to streamline weekly payroll reporting for contractors and subcontractors.

TRICARE option periods referenced in award notices generally run Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026.
Space goals reiterated: Moon return by 2028; initial lunar outpost elements and lunar surface reactor readiness by 2030.