What Science Systems and Applications does

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) is a privately held scientific, engineering, and information technology services firm founded in 1977 by Om and Sara Bahethi and headquartered in Lanham, Maryland. The company delivers mission support to federal civilian agencies (NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH, USDA, USAID), federal defense clients (DoD), and — more recently — state, local, education, and commercial buyers. It organizes its offerings into three verticals: Civilian (Earth science, space exploration, AI/ML, data management and analytics, software engineering, modeling and simulation), Defense (cyberspace and digital defense, precision domain intelligence, GPS/APNT operations, AI/ML, engineering and manufacturing, space and strategic operations), and SLED/Commercial (data analytics, AI/ML, cloud, modeling and simulation). Notable technical assets include domain expertise from supporting 160+ NASA and NOAA missions, a NIST-traceable spectral and radiometric calibration capability (PICARD/GLAMR) validated to 3-5% agreement with RadCalNet, and AI/ML applications layered onto defense and scientific data pipelines.

SSAI generates revenue almost entirely as a government contractor, operating as a prime on small-business set-asides (NAICS 541715) and as a subcontractor through teaming arrangements. Pricing is set via competitive bidding against multi-year IDIQ vehicles including GSA MAS (contract 47QRAA23D0014), OASIS+, OASIS SB, NASA HBG Support Services, and agency-specific task orders; state-level access is through NASPO, LAWA, and LAUSD procurement frameworks. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting federal and state procurement officers, complemented by conference presence (AGU, AMS, JACIE), YouTube/podcast content, and direct BD outreach ([email protected]).

The business is differentiated by regulatory and security credentials (ISO 9001:2015 with zero nonconformances, CMMI Maturity Level 2, SBA Certified, Top Secret Facility Clearance), entrenched position on multiple IDIQ vehicles, and a 40+-year workforce of cleared scientists and engineers. Ownership remains with the founding Bahethi family (current CEO Dr. Shilpa Bahethi) with no disclosed external private equity, venture capital, or institutional investors. The company operates one disclosed wholly owned subsidiary, Elucidation Concepts, providing integration and test (DT&E/OT&E) services for software-intensive government programs.

Name

Science Systems and Applications

Legal name

Science Systems and Applications, Inc.

Website

https://ssaihq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Science Systems and Applications (SSAI) is a privately held federal science and engineering services firm delivering AI/ML, data analytics, remote sensing, cyber, and modeling and simulation support to NASA, NOAA, DoD, and other agencies via prime IDIQ contract vehicles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lanham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Contracts: SSAI primarily generates revenue as a prime contractor on small business set-asides within the 541715 NAICS code, providing scientific, engineering, and technical services to federal agencies including NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH, USDA, USAID, and DoD. Work includes research and development, data management, software engineering, and mission support.
2. SLED and Commercial Services: Revenue from state, local, education, and commercial partnerships through various contract vehicles including LAWA, LAUSD, and NASPO. Services include data analytics, AI/ML, cloud computing, and modeling and simulation solutions.
3. Teaming Arrangements: SSAI also serves as a subcontractor supporting multiple areas of science, engineering, and information technology through teaming arrangements with other prime contractors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) provides scientific, engineering, and IT services to federal civilian agencies (NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH, USDA, USAID) and the Department of Defense, with secondary services to state, local, education, and commercial clients. The company delivers AI/ML modeling, cybersecurity, remote sensing, data management and analytics, software engineering, modeling and simulation, and high-performance computing through contract vehicles. It is a small-business prime contractor holding Top Secret Facility Clearance, ISO 9001:2015, and CMMI Level 2 certifications.

Product overview

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) is a scientific, engineering, and technical services provider serving federal civilian agencies (NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH), defense clients, and state/local/education/commercial sectors. The company operates as a solutions portfolio organized into three main segments: Civilian Solutions (science R&D, AI/ML, data analytics, software engineering with contract vehicles like HBG, OASIS+, OASIS SB, and GSA MAS), Defense Solutions (cyberspace/digital defense, precision domain intelligence, GPS/APNT, AI/ML, engineering/manufacturing, and space operations), and SLED/Commercial Solutions (AI/ML, research, and other services for non-federal clients). SSAI primarily delivers services through contract vehicles rather than standalone software products, with a focus on remote sensing, intelligence gathering, data integration, modeling/simulation, and cloud computing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geophysics (HBG) Support Services Contract Prime contract supporting NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center through Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geophysics (HBG) Support Services, delivering research, data analysis, modeling, and instrumentation support across key Earth science disciplines.
• OASIS+ (One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services – Plus) IDIQ contract suite providing flexible access to professional, technical, and environmental services for federal agencies across management/advisory, technical/engineering, and environmental service categories, with five-year base and option periods.
• OASIS Small Business (OASIS SB) 100% Small Business Set-Aside contract providing integrated professional services in management, engineering, science, logistics, and finance for federal buyers.
• General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) IDIQ contract providing mechanical and electrical engineering services under GSA contract 47QRAA23D0014, enabling federal agencies to procure services through established government pricing.
• Defense Solutions Suite (Cyberspace & Digital Defense; Precision Domain Intelligence; GPS & APNT; AI/ML; Engineering & Manufacturing; Space & Strategic Operations) Suite of advanced defense solutions for federal agencies covering cyberspace & digital defense, precision domain intelligence, GPS & APNT operations, AI/ML, innovative engineering & manufacturing, and space & strategic operations, supporting national security missions.
• Civilian Solutions Suite (Science R&D; AI/ML; Data Management & Analytics; Software Engineering) Integrated scientific, engineering, and IT solutions for federal civilian agencies (NASA, NOAA, EPA, NIH) covering scientific research and development, AI/ML, data management and analytics, software engineering, and modeling and simulation.
• SLED & Commercial Solutions (AI/ML; Research & Evaluations; Other Services) AI and machine learning, research and evaluation, and other technology services for state, local, education, and commercial partners seeking to modernize operations, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and adopt innovative technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting over 160 NASA and NOAA missions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.

• Adnet SystemsminorOthers · 9 February 2026Adnet Systems was awarded the $85 million GLOMAS small business contract for Earth science support work. SSAI filed a formal protest with GAO on February 9 alleging conflict-of-interest issues with the source selection board chairperson, including biased ground rules and unequal access to information during evaluation.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partner for over 40 years. SSAI provides scientific, engineering, and IT support across multiple NASA centers including Goddard Space Flight Center, Langley Research Center, and others. Supports over 160 NASA missions in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and advanced technology solutions.
• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner supporting NOAA missions with expertise in Earth science, atmospheric research, and satellite data processing. Contributes to NOAA's operational environmental monitoring and climate research capabilities.
• Department of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced defense systems partner providing AI/ML solutions, cyber operations, GPS/APNT operations, and mission-critical national security support. Draws on 50 years of government contracting experience.
• Leading Research InstitutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations with leading research institutions to advance scientific research and development across Earth science, space exploration, and advanced technology domains.
• National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSAI holds awarded categories under NASPO contracts for Risk Assessment and Mitigation Services and Incident Response Services, enabling state government procurement.
• Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLAWA procurement framework provides opportunities for goods, services, and capital projects through Requests for Bids and Requests for Proposals. Unique value-based contractor evaluation model promotes small and diverse business participation.
• Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough LAUSD's IT contracts, SSAI supports acquisition of technology-enabled goods and services for the District with procurements aligned with official processes in the Procurement Manual.
• General Services Administration (GSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSAI participates in GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) providing mechanical and electrical engineering services through IDIQ contract. Contract Number: 47QRAA23D0014. Enables streamlined procurement across federal government.
• Government Accountability Office (GAO)supportingOthersSSAI filed formal protest with GAO in February 2026 regarding $85M GLOMAS contract awarded to Adnet Systems, alleging conflict-of-interest issues in the source selection process.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Leidos: Leidos is a Fortune 500 federal science and technology services prime with deep NASA, NOAA, and DoD programs in Earth science, atmospheric research, and defense IT. It is a broad incumbent that competes with SSAI on recompetes and on larger task orders.
• SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation): SAIC is a large federal scientific, engineering, and IT services prime that supports NASA, NOAA, DoD, and intelligence agencies with IT modernization, data analytics, and mission support. It is a broad incumbent competing with SSAI on task orders across the same federal civilian and defense customer set.
• Peraton: Peraton is a large federal IT and mission services prime (formed from the Perspecta/XM/Harris IT services portfolio) that supports NASA, NOAA, DoD, and intelligence agencies with systems engineering, data analytics, and cyber services. It is a broad incumbent competing for overlapping task orders.
• CACI International: CACI is a large federal IT and engineering services provider serving DoD, intelligence, and civilian agencies with systems integration, modeling & simulation, and AI/ML work. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same defense and civilian federal services opportunities as SSAI.
• ManTech International: ManTech is a mid-to-large federal technical services contractor focused on DoD, intelligence, and civilian agencies with capabilities in systems engineering, cyber, and data analytics. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in defense IT and mission support work SSAI pursues.
• KBR (KBR Wyle / Science Applications): KBR's Government Solutions segment is a major NASA and DoD mission support prime, including integrated science, engineering, and IT services across space and defense programs. It is a much larger broad incumbent in SSAI's core Earth science, space, and defense services markets.

Direct peers

• COLSA Corporation: COLSA is a similar-sized small-business federal contractor providing engineering, IT, and scientific support to NASA, DoD, and missile defense agencies. It shares SSAI's small-business set-aside contracting model and competes for the same pool of cleared scientific talent and federal task orders.
• ASRC Federal: ASRC Federal is the government services subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, providing IT, engineering, and scientific support across NASA, DoD, and civilian agencies. It is a directly comparable small-business-to-mid-tier federal services contractor serving the same agencies as SSAI.
• ERC (Engineering Research and Consulting) Inc. ERC is a small-business scientific and engineering services firm supporting NASA, DoD, and aerospace customers with mission systems, modeling, and analysis work. Its NASA mission support footprint and small-business set-aside posture are directly comparable to SSAI's federal civilian business.
• Adnet Systems: Adnet Systems is a small-business federal IT and scientific services contractor that focuses on NASA, NOAA, and Earth science support — directly competing with SSAI, most recently winning the $85M GLOMAS contract that SSAI protested. The two firms go head-to-head on recompetes in the same Earth science mission support space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ScienceSystemsandApplicationsI
• Facebookfacebook.com/SSAIHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/166110

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Science Systems and Applications