The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has paused fingerprint submissions to the FBI under the 346W SON as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. The temporary suspension, which began October 16, affects National Industrial Security Program (NISP) contractors who rely on these submissions for security clearance processing.
DCSA clarified that contractors can continue to submit fingerprints electronically, but they will remain in a queue until normal operations resume. Importantly, the 120-day submission window won’t start until fingerprints are officially sent to the FBI, preventing contractors from losing processing time during the pause. The agency encouraged industry partners to monitor its website for updates as the shutdown continues to impact clearance-related workflows.
Contract Opportunities: Planet Labs
Planet Labs has secured a $12.8 million contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to deliver AI-driven maritime domain awareness tools under the Luno B program. The award—focused on Advanced Analytics for Maritime Operations and Reconnaissance (AAMOR)—will combine Planet’s global PlanetScope imagery with SynMax’s Theia analytics platform to detect and monitor maritime activity across the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership aims to enhance visibility into illegal fishing, vessel spoofing, and illicit ship-to-ship transfers—activities that pose persistent security and environmental challenges.
Under the Luno B contract, Planet will support NGA’s mission to provide timely, high-quality commercial geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to the national security community. By integrating AI-powered analytics with daily satellite imagery, Planet’s solutions will help decision-makers act faster and more confidently in maintaining maritime security worldwide. The award also includes options for expansion or extension as NGA deepens its use of commercial GEOINT for global monitoring and analysis.
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Cleared Opportunities
Heven AeroTech marked a major milestone in its U.S. expansion with the opening of its new headquarters in Sterling, VA, reinforcing its leadership in hydrogen-powered drone innovation. The facility will serve as a hub for advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) development, customer engagement, and production scaling, aligning with broader national efforts to strengthen America’s domestic drone manufacturing base. The company plans to create 150 new jobs nationwide—40 of which will be at the Sterling site—as it ramps up its work supporting defense, public safety, and commercial customers from the heart of the National Capital Region.
The ribbon-cutting event drew Virginia state officials, defense leaders, and industry partners, underscoring Heven AeroTech’s growing role in advancing U.S.-made unmanned systems designed for endurance, payload, and mission adaptability. CEO Bentzion Levinson highlighted the expansion as a commitment to energy independence and operational flexibility in the most demanding environments. The company also showcased its flagship hydrogen-powered Raider and Z1 drones, emphasizing their potential to redefine endurance and performance in military, border security, and disaster response missions.
