What KES does

KES Inc. (legal name Koam Engineering Systems Inc.) is a San Diego-headquartered, employee-owned defense engineering services firm founded in 1994 by John S. Yi. The company specializes in C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems integration and engineering for the U.S. Department of Defense, with a heavy orientation toward Navy, Marine Corps, and Missile Defense Agency programs. Its service portfolio spans Systems Engineering, Network Integration and Engineering, C4I-SR Technical Support, C4I-SR Operations/Testing and Evaluation, Program/Project Management, CMMI-based quality services, In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) fleet support, and Logistics and Depot Support. Notable technical assets include operation of dedicated test beds for MDA (Ballistic Missile Test Bed San Diego), JTRS (JTRS Test Bed San Diego), and SHF/EHF communications supporting the Combined Test Bed, and the documented execution of more than 3,500 C4I-SR events annually.

The company monetizes exclusively through U.S. federal contracting, earning professional-services revenue via competitive task orders under multiple-award IDIQ vehicles including SEAPORT-e, Seaport Next Generation (Seaport NxG), GSA OASIS+ (awarded January 2026 in both Unrestricted and Small Business tracks), and the Missile Defense Agency SHIELD IDIQ (awarded January 2026, $151B ceiling). Pricing is governed by Federal Acquisition Regulations and contract values are determined through competitive bidding rather than published price lists; discrete contract ceilings disclosed include $123M (NIEF for SSC-Pacific), $71M (TDL support for NIWC Pacific through March 2027), $76M (Norfolk Naval Shipyard), $46.3M (SEAPORT-e PEO C4I), $34.3M (NAVWARSYSCOM design support), and $25.5M (BMD T&E), with a $10B potential cumulative value on Seaport NxG through December 2028. KES is ISO 9001:2008 certified, operates under CMMI Maturity Level 2 processes, and maintains Facility Security Officer coverage for SAP/SCI, COMSEC, and FOCI programs. Operationally the firm runs from a San Diego headquarters plus offices in Gig Harbor, WA and Chesapeake, VA, with a workforce of 101–250 employees and an ESOP ownership structure with no identified institutional investors or parent company.

Name

KES

Legal name

Koam Engineering Systems Inc.

Website

https://kes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KES Inc. (Koam Engineering Systems Inc.) is an employee-owned San Diego defense contractor providing C4ISR systems engineering, network integration, tactical data link support, and logistics services to the U.S. Department of Defense, primarily the Navy and Missile Defense Agency, via IDIQ contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: KES generates revenue primarily through professional services contracts with U.S. Department of Defense agencies including systems engineering, technical assistance, requirements analysis, software design and development, systems integration and testing, independent verification and validation, and operational and logistics support.
2. IDIQ Contract Task Orders: Revenue is earned through multiple-award IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contracts where KES competes for individual task orders. Major contract vehicles include SEAPORT-e, Seaport NxG, OASIS+, and various NIWC/SSC-Pacific contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KES (Koam Engineering Systems Inc.) is an employee-owned defense contractor that provides systems engineering, technical assistance, requirements analysis, software design and development, systems integration and testing, independent verification and validation, and operational and logistics support—centered on C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and tactical data link capabilities—for the U.S. Department of Defense and federal government customers. The company competes for and delivers work under multi-award IDIQ vehicles such as SEAPORT-e, Seaport NxG, OASIS+, and MDA SHIELD.

Product overview

KES (Koam Engineering Systems Inc.) is an employee-owned defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California, providing technology innovation and systems integration services. The company operates as a services organization rather than a product software company, offering a unified portfolio of interconnected engineering and technical services organized around core competencies: Systems Engineering, Network Integration, C4I-SR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) Support, and Logistics/Depot Support. The KES Capabilities platform serves as the umbrella service encompassing database management, rapid prototyping, IV&V, software development, systems integration/testing, and supply/value chain management. Supporting modules include ISEA Support (fleet technical and engineering assistance), CMMI consulting, Program/Project Management, Network Integration and Engineering, Systems Engineering, C4I-SR Technical Support, C4I-SR Operations/Testing and Evaluation, and Logistics and Depot Support. These services collectively address the full lifecycle of defense systems from requirements analysis through deployment and sustainment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KES Capabilities Comprehensive portfolio of defense engineering services including database management, systems engineering, rapid prototyping, independent verification and validation (IV&V), software design and development, systems integration and testing, and logistics services. Targeted at U.S. Department of Defense and federal government customers.
• In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) Support Technical, engineering, and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) services supporting fleet support activities including CASREP resolution, system installation and integration, training curriculum development, and engineering documentation (TDP, IRD, ICD, SIDS). Targeted at U.S. Navy fleet support programs.
• Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Services Management services based on Top Ten Best Practices and CMMI principles, including configuration management, version control, and quality assurance/quality control. Targeted at defense program offices seeking CMMI-aligned process maturity.
• Program/Project Management Project lifecycle management encompassing stakeholder needs gathering, scope methodology, WBS development, risk planning, expense forecasting, and project plan execution. Targeted at DoD and federal customers with more than 90 parallel delivery/task orders delivered on schedule, scope, and budget.
• Network Integration and Engineering IT/network solutions spanning LAN/WAN design, legacy-to-modern migrations, system and network administration, help desk support, information assurance, database management, vulnerability assessment, mechanical/electrical shipboard design, environmental testing, and pre-installation test and checkout (PITCO). Targeted at U.S. Navy and DoD network programs.
• Systems Engineering Full-spectrum systems engineering including requirements analysis, architecture and design, software and hardware engineering, circuit board/patch panel/cabling/fiber-optic fabrication, integration, installation/de-installation, waveform design, and modernization planning for C4I-SR projects. Targeted at DoD C4ISR programs.
• C4I-SR Technical Support Technical support for global organizations including satellite communication troubleshooting, combat system assistance, cryptographic/engineering support, and allied/NATO force support (Taiwan, Israel, NATO AWACS testing). Targeted at U.S. and allied C4ISR customers.
• C4I-SR Operations/Testing and Evaluation Operations and testing support for over 3,500 C4I-SR events annually, covering combat systems, communications equipment (HF/UHF/EHF/SHF), tactical data links (Link 4/11/16/22, satellite TDL), modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, IV&V, certification and accreditation, and data extraction/analysis. Targeted at DoD test and evaluation programs.
• Logistics and Depot Support Depot-level maintenance and logistics including Voyager Repair Teams, integrated logistics support, supply chain management, warehouse management, material management, and Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (N-ERP) tracking. Targeted at DLA and U.S. Navy depot and logistics programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500+ C4I-SR events supported annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alion ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner relationship in information technology and defense systems integration.
• General DynamicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner relationship in defense technology and systems integration.
• TEAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner relationship for defense systems integration.
• DEL REY SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner relationship in defense technology integration.
• AT&T Government SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in government information technology solutions.
• QinetiQ North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in defense technology and security solutions.
• Syzygy TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner for defense systems integration.
• RaytheonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense contractor partner for systems integration.
• American SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in government systems integration.
• L3 ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense technology services partnership.
• CenturumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInformation technology partner for defense solutions.
• COLSA CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense engineering and technology partner.
• Booz Allen HamiltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor consulting and systems integration partner.
• Knowledge Made SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology solutions partner.
• TASCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and technical services partner.
• Northrop GrummanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense contractor partnership for systems integration.
• Lockheed MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense contractor partnership for defense systems.
• BAE SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense technology partnership.
• AerotekminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStaffing and recruitment services partner.
• DRT StrategiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense technology solutions partner.
• Kratos DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense technology partner.
• AMSEC LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaval engineering and logistics services partner.
• Deloitte ConsultingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services partnership.
• Ki LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense technology partner.
• ARINCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and defense communications partner.
• SAICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor defense technology partner with shared customer base.
• Epsilon SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense engineering partner.
• CACIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInformation technology and expertise services partner.
• Space and Naval Warfare Systems CommandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor customer providing continuous contract support for C4ISR systems engineering.
• SPAWAR Systems Center PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary sponsor providing major contract awards and ongoing work in C4ISR systems integration.
• DLA North Island/NADEPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor for logistics and depot support contracts.
• NA VSEA PMS 470coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaval Sea Systems Command Program Executive Office sponsor.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CACI International: Large defense IT and engineering services prime supporting Navy, intelligence community, and federal civilian customers. Listed as a KES partner and a direct competitor on Seaport NxG and OASIS+ task orders.
• SAIC: Large publicly-traded defense and federal IT services prime with a broad Navy and DoD portfolio. Directly competes with KES on Seaport NxG, OASIS+, and multiple NAVWAR/NIWC task orders, and is a KES partner.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Major defense and federal consulting prime with deep Navy, Marine Corps, and federal agency footprint. Competes with KES for higher-end systems engineering and program management task orders on the same contract vehicles.

Direct peers

• Centurum: Defense IT and engineering services contractor supporting C4ISR, fleet modernization, and information assurance programs for Navy and DoD customers. Listed as a KES partner with overlapping Navy customer footprint.
• COLSA Corporation: Mid-tier defense engineering and IT services company supporting Army, Air Force, NASA, and DoD agencies with systems engineering, software, and test & evaluation. Listed as a KES partner and competes on similar engineering services vehicles.
• INDUS Technology: Defense IT and engineering services contractor focused on Navy, Marine Corps, and federal C5ISR programs. Competes with KES on similar IDIQ vehicles and is a former employer of KES's Director of Strategic Initiatives John Shope.
• DRT Strategies: Mid-sized defense and federal IT services company providing program management, systems engineering, and logistics support. Listed as a KES partner and competes on overlapping contract vehicles.
• Epsilon Systems: Mid-sized defense engineering services firm specializing in naval systems, technical services, and logistics support. Direct competitor to KES on Navy engineering contracts and a former employer of KES's COO Jonathan Kuo, indicating closely overlapping capabilities.
• AMSEC LLC: Subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries providing naval engineering, logistics, and modernization services. Directly comparable to KES on NAVSEA and shipyard contracts such as Norfolk Naval Shipyard work.
• Syzygy Technologies: Defense engineering and technology services firm focused on C4ISR, systems integration, and tactical data links. Listed as a KES partner and operates in adjacent portions of the same Navy C4ISR market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kes_inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koam-engineering-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KES