Happy Friday the 13th, Readers! In doing research on the origins of why Friday the 13th became an ominous day on the calendar, I found a lot of theories.  Dr. Simon Bronner, a professor of American studies and folklore at Pennsylvania State University says that Friday the 13th is just a convenient milestone for people who are looking to trace bad luck to a certain cause—but there’s nothing special about the date itself. Apparently, the number 13 is considered lucky in some countries, like Italy, he adds. I’m one who prefers to look at things optimistically so I’m gong to side with the Italians on this one. I hope your Friday the 13th is the best day ever.

Here are some articles covering the happenings in federal government contracting this week. Enjoy, and have a wonderful Friday the 13th and weekend. Wishing you all “buona fortuna” (good luck in Italian).

• NSA Awards Secret $10 Billion Contract to Amazon [NextGov]
• Report: EPA Should Improve Compliance with Blanket Purchase Agreement Requirements [Oversight]
• Straight talk from the Marine Corps [FedNewsNet]
• VA, HHS expand vaccines mandate to nearly all healthcare workers [FedNewsNet]
• Agencies have new deadlines to secure on-premise software [FedNewsNet]
• Cyberspace Solarium Commission warns over slow progress on supply chain risk [FedScoop]
• GAO to decide WildandStormy bid protest outcome by Oct. 29 [FedScoop]
• Protecting Critical Software Through Enhanced Security Measures [Whitehouse]
• Postal Service Looks to Institute Holiday Surcharge as It Fights to Preserve Permanent Price Hike [GovExec]
• READOUT: SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman meets with Leaders in Women-Owned Small Business Community [SBA]
• SBA Awards Grants to 33 Organizations to Help Underserved Communities Succeed with the Small Business Innovation Research Program [SBA]

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