J Lee
@washingtonhorizon.com
I write about federal #acquisition, #travel, and #aviation, and edit WashingtonHorizon.com. #hereforit #202horizon #proudAmerican
I grew up in Minnesota surrounded by people proud of their heritage, which was German and Norwegian and Danish, among others, but was never "white."
JD Vance: "In the United States of America you don't have to apologize for being white anymore"
December 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I grew up in Minnesota surrounded by people proud of their heritage, which was German and Norwegian and Danish, among others, but was never "white."
"The New York gaming commission’s facility location board said visitation would be anchored by locals within a two-hour drive, but they also expect the casinos to attract domestic and international tourists."
New York City Casinos Get Final Approval. What Does it Mean for NYC Tourism?
Three full-scale casinos are set to open in New York City after receiving the green light Monday from the state’s gaming commission.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"The New York gaming commission’s facility location board said visitation would be anchored by locals within a two-hour drive, but they also expect the casinos to attract domestic and international tourists."
"The changes at WC Smith come as the development community continues to face challenges. Office occupancies for Class B and C space remain low, and the interest rate climate has made it difficult to refinance maturing debt."
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
"The changes at WC Smith come as the development community continues to face challenges. Office occupancies for Class B and C space remain low, and the interest rate climate has made it difficult to refinance maturing debt."
"The ultrawealthy are able to buy and sell shares of the buzziest private companies via invite-only transactions long before they list their shares on public stock exchanges."
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 10:12 PM
"The ultrawealthy are able to buy and sell shares of the buzziest private companies via invite-only transactions long before they list their shares on public stock exchanges."
"Specifically, it would appear that the 13-year-old jet with the registration code D-ABYD is leaving the fleet in January 2026, while the 12-year-old jet with the registration code D-ABYG is leaving the fleet in the third quarter of 2026."
Surprise: Lufthansa Sells Two Boeing 747-8s... To The US Air Force?!
Lufthansa is reportedly selling two of its Boeing 747-8s, unexpectedly. Could the buyer for these planes be the US Air Force?
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"Specifically, it would appear that the 13-year-old jet with the registration code D-ABYD is leaving the fleet in January 2026, while the 12-year-old jet with the registration code D-ABYG is leaving the fleet in the third quarter of 2026."
Reagan negotiated from strength after building up US power and rejected détente; today’s defense posture and China/Russia concessions don’t match that playbook.
buff.ly
December 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reagan negotiated from strength after building up US power and rejected détente; today’s defense posture and China/Russia concessions don’t match that playbook.
Kyle "then lays it all out in the world’s dumbest blind item, telling us she fell very hard for 'this person' and was deeply in love during a vulnerable time in her life. She acknowledges that they were dating, that it was a relationship, and that there were intense feelings."
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Recap: Finally, Answers
The women finally get honest about what is going on in their lives, including Kyle finally admitting what’s happening in her love life.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Kyle "then lays it all out in the world’s dumbest blind item, telling us she fell very hard for 'this person' and was deeply in love during a vulnerable time in her life. She acknowledges that they were dating, that it was a relationship, and that there were intense feelings."
In announcing #State's return to Times New Roman as its default #font, a new memo does the most with the least.
What’s new is old at State: Times New Roman is back
In Everything Is Semiotics, the Verge reports that the State Department is returning to Times New Roman as its default font. Biden’s SecState Antony Blinken converted State to Calibri, a sans serif…
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I say fuck the halcyon days of Conde Nast et al. The sepia hides the sameness of exclusivity. We are lucky to have pieces like this, available to everyone for free.
Here's my dispatch from a week of pre-trial hearings in the Luigi Mangione case: The supporters, the media frenzy, and the simmering tensions between all factions on how to talk about a case that is maybe too viral for its own good.
www.theverge.com/policy/83905...
www.theverge.com/policy/83905...
One week at the Luigi Mangione media circus
Frog costumes, Luigi hats, and the press frenzy at the viral murder trial.
www.theverge.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I say fuck the halcyon days of Conde Nast et al. The sepia hides the sameness of exclusivity. We are lucky to have pieces like this, available to everyone for free.
In Wedneda's cutting-room, Musk’s DOGE ended early after overstated savings; 26k rehired amid fallout. Army warns of foreign spy recruitment targeting soldiers and families. FAA gives $10k to 776 staff who kept skies safe during shutdown.
Horizon cutting-room links: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Happy Thanksgiving, from the Horizon. We will be dark until Monday, 1 December. See you then. "DOGE 'Cut Muscle, Not Fat'; 26K Experts Rehired After Brutal Cuts," Ars Technica DOGE, created by Elon…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 10:12 PM
In Wedneda's cutting-room, Musk’s DOGE ended early after overstated savings; 26k rehired amid fallout. Army warns of foreign spy recruitment targeting soldiers and families. FAA gives $10k to 776 staff who kept skies safe during shutdown.
GAO backs the VA’s literal reading of bed‑width MTRs and upholds the exclusion of a bidder whose products failed tape‑measure inspection.
Joerns Healthcare, LLC (B-423455.2, B-423455.3, B-423455.4)
You should not care. Category: Technical specifications, physical inspection Date: 9 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423455.2%2Cb-423455.3%2Cb-423455.4 Joerns Healthcare, LLC,…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
GAO backs the VA’s literal reading of bed‑width MTRs and upholds the exclusion of a bidder whose products failed tape‑measure inspection.
GAO backs the Air Force’s holistic past‑performance assessment and cost‑conscious tradeoff in an MQ‑9 trainer award.
SOFIS-TRG, LLC (B-423667)
You should care. Category: Past performance, best value tradeoff, technical evaluation Date: 16 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423667 SOFIS‑TRG, LLC, of Alexandria, Virginia,…
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
GAO backs the Air Force’s holistic past‑performance assessment and cost‑conscious tradeoff in an MQ‑9 trainer award.
SBIR firm lacks standing to challenge Army's $43,342 DocuSign purchase through mandatory CHESS program without demonstrating connection to prior research. buff.ly/AGKd0dg
Inkit Inc. (B-423724)
You should not care. Category: SBIR, standing Date: 9 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423724 Inkit, an SBIR program participant, protested after the Army issued a $43,342 task…
washingtonhorizon.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
SBIR firm lacks standing to challenge Army's $43,342 DocuSign purchase through mandatory CHESS program without demonstrating connection to prior research. buff.ly/AGKd0dg
Musk’s DOGE is gone, but its shadow lingers and new reports of its fall emrege. Power has shifted to OMB and institutional channels—quieter tactics, same goals.
DOGE after Musk: More mess
Politico chronicles Elon Musk’s abrupt exit from the Trump administration and DOGE’s subsequent splintering into rival factions, ending the chaotic drive for “efficiency” and ushering in a quieter,…
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Musk’s DOGE is gone, but its shadow lingers and new reports of its fall emrege. Power has shifted to OMB and institutional channels—quieter tactics, same goals.
In Monday's cutting-room links: Event‑driven CPARS coming?, right‑to‑repair IP clash, smarter USA Hire assessments, and FAA’s Venezuela no‑fly notice. Watch impacts on performance records, lifecycle data, talent funnels, and flight plans.
Horizon cutting-room links: Monday, 24 November 2025
"2026 NDAA: DoD CPARS Changes Coming," SmallGovCon The draft 2026 NDAAs in Congress propose nearly identical changes to DOD’s Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS) to create a more…
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
In Monday's cutting-room links: Event‑driven CPARS coming?, right‑to‑repair IP clash, smarter USA Hire assessments, and FAA’s Venezuela no‑fly notice. Watch impacts on performance records, lifecycle data, talent funnels, and flight plans.
Navy's petroleum facility contract survives protest over key personnel experience requirements after agency changed criteria from mandatory to desired.
Environet Inc. (B-423470.2)
You should not care. Category: Experience, suspense, deadline Date: 5 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423470.2 Environet, a veteran-owned small business, protested the Navy's RFP…
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Navy's petroleum facility contract survives protest over key personnel experience requirements after agency changed criteria from mandatory to desired.
GAO denies Vox Optima's reconsideration request, affirming that GSA Schedule procurements require only brief explanations rather than formal debriefings and that protesters must challenge intervening offers to maintain interested party status.
Vox Optima, LLC--Reconsideration (B-423661.3)
You should not care. Category: Debriefings under Multiple Award Schedules Date: 3 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423661.3 Vox Optima, the incumbent contractor, requested…
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
GAO denies Vox Optima's reconsideration request, affirming that GSA Schedule procurements require only brief explanations rather than formal debriefings and that protesters must challenge intervening offers to maintain interested party status.
GAO denies Resource Management's protest over Navy IT support contract, ruling that agencies may properly include indefinite surge requirements when calculating whether proposals meet mandatory small business subcontracting thresholds.
Resource Management Concepts, Inc. (B-423503.2, B-423503.4)
You should care. Category: Small business participation, calculation methodology Date: 2 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423503.2 Resource Management Concepts protested its…
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
GAO denies Resource Management's protest over Navy IT support contract, ruling that agencies may properly include indefinite surge requirements when calculating whether proposals meet mandatory small business subcontracting thresholds.
GAO denies ASR International's protest of Army quality assurance contract, finding the agency properly evaluated technical proposals using minimum rating criteria as a floor rather than a mandate and reasonably assessed the awardee's pricing.
ASR International Corporation (B-423594, B-423594.2)
You should not care. Category: Technical evaluation, price evaluation Date: 2 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423594 ASR International protested the Army Corps of Engineers' award…
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 2:52 PM
GAO denies ASR International's protest of Army quality assurance contract, finding the agency properly evaluated technical proposals using minimum rating criteria as a floor rather than a mandate and reasonably assessed the awardee's pricing.
In Friday’s cutting-room links: Interior’s Burgum consolidates staff with premium fees; SBA flip-flops on RIF; $1.2B for F100 sustainment; GAO flags public data risks; GOP pushes broadband permit overhaul; Ed Dept starts reassignments.
Horizon cutting-room links: Friday, 21 November 2025
"Doug Burgum Is Charging Interior Department Agencies a Premium to Subsume Their Employees," Government Executive The Interior Department is undergoing a controversial consolidation of employees…
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
In Friday’s cutting-room links: Interior’s Burgum consolidates staff with premium fees; SBA flip-flops on RIF; $1.2B for F100 sustainment; GAO flags public data risks; GOP pushes broadband permit overhaul; Ed Dept starts reassignments.
GAO denies Advanced Computer Learning's challenge to Navy's evaluation of past performance references, finding the agency reasonably assessed relevance through #aggregation and properly supported its best value selection of lower-priced Linchpin Solutions.
Advanced Computer Learning Company, LLC (B-423267.2)
You should not care. Category: Past performance, technical evaluation Date: 2 September 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423267.2 Advanced Computer Learning, the incumbent contractor,…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
GAO denies Advanced Computer Learning's challenge to Navy's evaluation of past performance references, finding the agency reasonably assessed relevance through #aggregation and properly supported its best value selection of lower-priced Linchpin Solutions.
Here we go again, fake citations reveal a likely AI-generated #protest, unsurprisingly denied.
IBS Government Services, Inc. (B-423583)
You should not care. Category: Technical evaluation, past performance, AI brief Date: 29 August 2025 URL: https://www.gao.gov/products/b-423583 IBS Government Services protested the Defense…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Here we go again, fake citations reveal a likely AI-generated #protest, unsurprisingly denied.