What Applied Development does

Applied Development, LLC is a privately held, Maryland-domiciled federal services firm founded in 2011 by Kimberly Citizen and Biffrey Braxton, operating as an Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). The company delivers a portfolio centered on communication access and accessibility compliance for U.S. federal agencies and, to a lesser extent, private-sector clients, organized around four practice areas: reasonable accommodation services (ASL interpreting, Communication Access Real-Time Translation, and the proprietary Applied Direct Connect™ direct video communication platform), Section 508 compliance services, strategic communications, and staffing solutions (including TS/SCI-cleared placements). Its core technology asset is Applied Direct Connect™, an FCC-approved Direct Video Communication service that routes Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers directly to live bilingual agents and delivers calls 81% faster than traditional Video Relay Service, supported by a proprietary Best Match Interpreter Matching System and a network of 200+ nationally certified interpreters holding a 99% fill rate.

The business operates primarily through long-cycle federal procurement vehicles — GSA Multiple Award Schedule #47QTCA19D000L, a VA VECTOR prime contract, a VA Integrated Healthcare Transformation IDIQ subcontractor role, and Blanket Purchase Agreements with NASA and USDA Forest Service — which together reduce friction for agency buyers and create a defensible distribution footprint. Revenue mechanics are quote-based managed services and professional services delivered under multi-year contracts and BPAs, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Named federal customers include the Department of Defense (DCPAS and DISA), USAID (32,000+ interpreting hours annually), HUD, NASA, USDA Forest Service, VA, NIH, DTRA, and the Department of State; ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications support eligibility for sensitive and healthcare-adjacent engagements. The firm also runs ancillary ecosystem programs — ADEPT professional training and the CORE Interpreter Mentorship sponsorship — to reinforce interpreter supply.

Applied Development is founder-controlled, with no disclosed outside private equity or venture capital investment, and is bootstrapped and profitable based on available signals. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, supported by a 200+ interpreter contractor network, with operational scale demonstrated through 4,500+ pages of Section 508 content remediated in the first year of its DCPAS contract and 32,000+ annual interpreting hours for USAID. The company is actively hiring via its careers portal and pursuing adjacent market expansion through Universal Design Services, staffing solutions for cleared roles, and participation in the Disability:IN Global Conference to access Fortune 500 buyers.

Name

Applied Development

Legal name

Applied Development, LLC

Website

https://applied-dev.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Applied Development provides ASL interpreting, CART, Section 508 compliance, and strategic communications services to U.S. federal agencies and select private clients, leveraging an FCC-approved direct video platform and a 200+ certified interpreter network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessibility and Communication Services

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Public Relations Agencies (541820)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH)

Keywords

• ASL interpreting services
• Section 508 compliance
• Communication access services
• Strategic communications consulting
• Federal staffing solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracting: Revenue generated through federal government contract vehicles including GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) #47QTCA19D000L, VA VECTOR (Prime contract), VA Integrated Healthcare Transformation IDIQ (Subcontractor), and Blanket Purchase Agreements with NASA and USDA Forest Service.
2. Professional Services - Staffing: Providing security-cleared staff including TS/SCI-cleared professionals for government and global roles, covering technology, telecommunications, hospitality, and government projects.
3. Strategic Communications Services: Fee-based strategic communications, branding, marketing campaigns, technical writing, website development, and conference/event planning for federal and private sector clients.
4. Communication Access Services: American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) services provided to federal agencies and private companies for reasonable accommodation compliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Applied Development provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and its FCC-approved Applied Direct Connect (ADC) video communication service to connect Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals with bilingual agents. The company also delivers Section 508 digital accessibility compliance (auditing, remediation, training), strategic communications and branding, universal design consulting, and cleared staffing solutions to U.S. federal agencies and corporate clients under GSA, VA, NASA, and USDA contract vehicles.

Product overview

Applied Development provides a suite of communication access and compliance services designed to eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities. The core offerings include ASL Interpreting Services (with a network of 200+ nationally certified interpreters achieving 99% fill rates), CART real-time transcription, and Applied Direct Connect (ADC) - an FCC-approved direct video communication service that is 81% faster than traditional VRS. These are complemented by training programs ADEPT (professional interpreter development) and the CORE Interpreter Mentorship Program. On the technology compliance side, Section 508 Compliance Services provide auditing, remediation, and training for federal accessibility standards. Strategic Communications services support messaging, branding, and digital content, while Universal Design Services and Staffing Solutions complete the portfolio. The company operates as an Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Applied Direct Connect™ (ADC): FCC-approved Direct Video Communication (DVC) service that delivers direct, bilingual support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers, connecting them directly to live bilingual agents.
• ADEPT (Applied Development Ethical & Professional Training)
• CORE Interpreter Mentorship Program

Products and services

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Services Professional ASL interpreting services connecting Deaf and hard of hearing employees with nationally certified interpreters (RID, NAD, and state-credentialed) for federal agencies and corporate clients, achieving a 99% fill rate and including security-cleared interpreters for sensitive assignments.
• Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) Real-time transcription service that converts spoken English into text displayed on monitors, presentation screens, or streamed remotely to Deaf, hard of hearing, or learning-disabled individuals in meetings, medical settings, and agency proceedings.
• Applied Direct Connect (ADC) FCC-approved Direct Video Communication (DVC) service that connects Deaf and Hard of Hearing callers directly to live, bilingual (sign language and English) agents without third-party relay operators, with documented call handling that is 81% faster than traditional Video Relay Service.
• Applied Development Ethical & Professional Training (ADEPT) Professional development program offering workshops on technical proficiency, ethical decision-making, and experiential learning for ASL/English interpreters, with a portion of workshop profits donated to Deaf community non-profits.
• Section 508 Compliance Services End-to-end Section 508 support that includes compliance testing and auditing, remediation of digital content, ongoing compliance maintenance, accessible document creation, and accessibility consulting and training for federal agencies and corporate organizations.
• Strategic Communications Strategic communications services covering strategic brand development, digital content creation, workflow optimization, and event planning for federal agencies and private companies, including communications support for DCPAS and HUD.
• Universal Design Services Consulting services that apply universal design principles to transform organizational operations through agile implementation, data-driven insights, and transformative strategy that improves flexibility, scalability, and inclusion.
• Staffing Solutions Workforce staffing services spanning technology, telecommunications, hospitality, and government sectors, including security-cleared professionals (TS/SCI) for government and global roles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% interpreter fill rate achieved
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CORE Interpreter Mentorship ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApplied Development partners with CORE Interpreter Mentorship Program to offer sponsorship to ASL interpreters committed to growing their skills through mentorship, community-based learning, and partnership with the Deaf community. Interpreters accepted to CORE mentorship cycles can apply for sponsorship through Applied Development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Convo Communications: VRS and on-demand ASL interpreting provider serving deaf and hard of hearing customers. Directly comparable in the FCC-regulated video relay and interpreting space that Applied Direct Connect addresses.
• Sorenson Communications: Largest U.S. provider of Video Relay Service (VRS) and on-site ASL interpreting. Direct competitor in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communication access market where Applied Direct Connect also competes.
• Deque Systems: Digital accessibility firm offering audits, remediation, and assistive-technology expertise. Direct peer in the Section 508/ADA digital compliance market that Applied Development serves for federal agencies.
• Level Access: Specialist in digital accessibility and Section 508/WCAG compliance testing, remediation, and training. Direct competitor in Applied Development's Section 508 compliance services line.

Broad incumbents

• Language Line Solutions: Largest U.S. spoken-language interpretation and translation provider with significant federal and enterprise penetration. Overlaps with Applied Development's interpretation and reasonable accommodation services, with much broader language and geographic coverage.
• Maximus: Federal contractor with significant work in HHS, VA, and other civilian agencies on citizen-services and accessibility-adjacent programs. Comparable as a large incumbent competing for the same federal contract vehicles Applied Development pursues.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Large federal contractor that bundles digital accessibility, Section 508, and communications services into multi-agency programs. Indirect competitor for prime contract vehicles where Applied Development participates as a subcontractor or set-aside.
• Stratus Video (AMN Healthcare Language Services): Video remote interpreting and language services provider serving healthcare and government. Overlaps with Applied Development's ASL interpreting and CART services, especially in healthcare settings.
• CyraCom (Lionbridge): Major provider of interpretation and translation services, including healthcare-focused offerings. Comparable as a professional services firm delivering language access at scale to regulated industries.

Emerging players

• TPGi (The Paciello Group): Accessibility consultancy providing audits, remediation, and training. Comparable in the digital accessibility and Section 508 space, primarily serving enterprise and government clients.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AppliedDevelopmentllc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/applied-development-llc
• Xx.com/applieddev

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Applied Development