Author | Lightnews

J Lee

J Lee

@washingtonhorizon.com

72 followers 82 following 1.1K posts

I write about federal #acquisition, #travel, and #aviation, and edit WashingtonHorizon.com. #hereforit #202horizon #proudAmerican

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J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · 10d

Edward Forst, President Trump's nominee to lead GSA, says the agency must fix a multi-billion-dollar maintenance backlog and get rid of underused federal buildings. He wants to "right-size" the real estate portfolio, renegotiate leases, and consolidate space to save taxpayer money.

Trump’s pick to lead GSA vows to address ‘delinquent’ condition of federal buildings

Ed Forst, a real estate and financial services executive, says GSA “stands at the tip of the spear” of the Trump administration’s government efficiency agenda.

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · 23d

I understand and agree on the "just mean," and that meanness is often the cheapest and easiest of tones. On the other hand, fashion and style are informed by and complement the body they ride. Body shape is relevant. Bullying people for height, however, just shows the world who's stunted.

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · 23d

On a visual medium, discussion of people's visual representations is fair game. Manners are tools of hegemony, and the feelings of insecure men especially don't interest me. I had practice enough managing during my salad/slut days.

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · 26d

OMB’s memo revives a narrow but real risk: furloughed feds’ back pay may need explicit language in the reopening bill. GEFTA creates the obligation, but startup text turns it into paychecks. #FederalWorkforce #Appropriations

OMB agues backpay for furloughed feds not automatic

American feds are again being leveraged by the Trump administration, now via a draft memo from the OMB’s counsel arguing that back pay for furloughed workers after the current shutdown is not…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · 26d

OFPP gets its first confirmed leader since 2019, IRS governance raises oversight questions, F‑35 engine buys slip to 2026, and a data‑driven program revives Army recruiting—your Cutting-room links for 8 October. buff.ly/wXnoNir

Horizon cutting-room links: 8 October 2025

"Senate Confirms First OFPP Administrator Since 2019," Federal News Network The Senate has confirmed Kevin Rhodes as the first permanent administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy…

washingtonhorizon.com

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 3

The Starlink-powered “T-Satellite” service now supports WhatsApp, Google Maps, X, AccuWeather, and T-Mobile’s customer service app T-Life, alongside the AllTrails, CalTopo, and onX outdoor exploration apps.

T-Mobile’s satellite service now supports Google Maps, WhatsApp, X, and more

Now you can doomscroll tweets in the wilderness.

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 3

#GAO rejects protest of no solicitation #amendments—the Army’s #TRADOC support RFP's place of performance hasn't changed despite rumor mill.

United Defense, LLC (B-423577)

You should not care. Category: Requirements Date: 13 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423577 United Defense protested the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) intelligence…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 3

Hegseth women to be just like men. Or not.

Hegseth rails against “fat” to military leaders, makes no mention of stupid

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a rare, closed-door gathering of flag officers to press a throwback agenda heavy on grooming and fitness mandates and light on the complex realities of modern war,…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 3

In today's cutting-room links, #GSA eyes a 5% cap on #reseller markups, the UK renews a push for an #iCloud encryption backdoor, and the #USAF readies T‑7A Red Hawk training.

Horizon cutting-room links: 3 October 2025

**"Is GSA Attempting to Apply Price Controls to the Reseller Market?"**Federal News Network GSA is reportedly moving to impose a five percent cap on the markup for value-added resellers (VARs). It’s…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 3

Can’t meet agency’s sixty-day delivery requirement? GAO says you don’t have standing to protest other matters. #Protest dismissed and request for #costs denied.

Skyladder Corporation—Protests and Costs (B-423498.2; B-423498.3)

You should not care. Category: Technical compliance, interested party, protest costs Date: 13 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423498.2%2Cb-423498.3 Skyladder challenged DLA Aviation’s…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 2

#Boeing has started clean-sheet development on a #737 replacement after steadying the ship after the MAX crashes. With certification of the #MAX 10 and 777X in process, can the plane-maker plug the hole in its lineup?

Boeing launches 737 replacement program

The Journal is reporting that Boeing has started work on a replacement for its aging 737 narrowbody jets, holding talks with engine-maker Rolls Royce. The so-called “clean sheet” replacement for the…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 2

GAO upholds DLA’s late‑delivery rejections—base access and weather delays don’t excuse missed proposal deadlines. #lateislate

ConnectUP; Labasa LLC; SOFX Inc. (B-423557; B-423557.2; B-423557.3)

You should not care. Category: Late is late, delivery logistics Date: 12 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423557%2Cb-423557.2%2Cb-423557.3 Three SDVOSBs protested DLA’s rejection of…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 2

"Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro life,” said the Pope. www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/266859/...

Pope Leo wades into Durbin debate

Pope Leo XIV said U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin’s record should be considered in its totality and that Americans should search together for the truth on moral questions.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 2

@dgcassidy.bsky.social SmartThings makes it easier to share Matter networks with other hubs. www.sammobile.com/news/smartth...

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 2

In this shutdown edition of cutting-room links, Trump leverages the shutdown to pressure Democrats, agencies prep layoffs, unions sue, USPTO shutters Denver office, GSA halts property disposals, and credit unions offer lifelines to furloughed feds. #shutdown #federalworkers

Horizon cutting-room links, shutdown edition: 2 October 2025

"Trump Uses Shutdown to Maximize Pain for Democrats and Move Forward With Layoffs," New York Times President Trump aims to inflict maximum political damage on Democrats by halting billions in federal…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 1

In today's cutting-room links, the government #shutdown, #CACI and #SAIC settle their long-running feud, more F-35 orders &c.

Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 1 October 2025

From the Horizon, the US government shuts down, and OMB threatens further layoffs as Dems balk. "CACI-SAIC Dispute Over Air Force Contract Payment Comes to an End," Washington Business Journal The…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 1

A #shutdown isn’t just brinkmanship—it’s a lever. With a historic #RIF already underway, OMB’s hardline posture could accelerate a downsizing of the civil service while the parties spar over #ACA subsidies.

Shutdown strategy: OMB threatens further layoffs as Dems balk

The Atlantic reports that “275,000 federal workers—more than a tenth of the workforce—will have voluntarily left the civil service by the end of December,” according to OPM on background. That person…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 1

#SecDef Pete #Hegseth gathers military leadership to complain about the overweight and unshaved, but makes no direct mention of the #stupid. Do haircuts trump military strategy?

Hegseth rails against “fat” to military leaders, makes no mention of stupid

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a rare, closed-door gathering of flag officers to press a throwback agenda heavy on grooming and fitness mandates and light on the complex realities of modern war,…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Oct 1

The US government shuts down. What federal acquisition and travel pros need now. #GovernmentShutdown #FedGov buff.ly/27rlItL

US government shuts down

US government funding lapsed as Wednesday began after the White House and Congress failed to reach a deal on FY2026 appropriations, triggering a shutdown halting federal services and furloughing…

washingtonhorizon.com

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 28

#GAO tosses fuel‑buy protest—#RFP required system #approval by due date; failing to meet that requirement and challenging it after RFP close fails. #onebite #apple

United Capital Investment Group, Inc. (B-423682)

You should not care. Category: Registration, timeliness Date: 11 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423682 United Capital Investment Group protested its exclusion from a DLA RFP for…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 28

#USMC uniform award stands—incumbency doesn't cure missing proposal requirements (here, equipment details); #GAO agrees postproposal exchanges were clarifications, not #discussions. #compliance

Tech Systems, Inc. (B-423547; B-423547.2; B-423547.3)

You should not care. Category: Technical evaluation, past performance, discussions, best value Date: 8 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423547%2Cb-423547.2%2Cb-423547.3 Tech Systems,…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 27

#GAO grants costs after finding uneven CPARS use and an incumbency‑tilted tradeoff; delayed corrective action make PSP’s protest clearly #meritorious and warrants #reimbursement of costs.

Perimeter Security Partners, LLC—Costs (B-422666.2)

You might care. Category: Protest costs reimbursement, past performance, ADR, best value Date: 8 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-422666.2 Perimeter Security Partners, LLC (PSP),…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 27

A NEJM case report spotlights a rare #GLP1 side effect: gastric #bezoar. No worries, it's successfully dissolved with Diet #Coke.

GLP‑1 drug’s rare gastric obstruction dissolved with Diet Coke

A case study in the New England Journal of Medicine, as reported by Ars Technica, highlights a rare side effect of GLP‑1 therapy—formation of a gastric bezoar—successfully treated with diet cola. In…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 26

#GAO dismisses NDi’s scope challenge—no Alliant 2 contract, no #standing to contest Leidos task‑order #modification as out‑of‑scope, sole‑source award.

Network Designs, Inc. (B-423525; B-423525.2)

You should not care. Category: Standing, task-order protest, IDIQ Date: 8 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423525%2Cb-423525.2 Network Designs, Inc. protested DOJ’s transfer of…

J Lee @washingtonhorizon.com · Sep 26

NYMag on unpaid “adviser” Corey Lewandowski’s clout alongside Kristi #Noem, raises questions on firings, access, clearances, and ethics inside #DHS. #DHS

Who runs DHS, asks New York mag

Under the deck “Kristi Noem is the face of Trump’s police state. Corey Lewandowski is the muscle. Who really runs DHS?”, New York **magazine goes Page Six on Homeland Security leadership. The article…