Public Knowledge

What Public Knowledge does

Public Knowledge, LLC is a U.S. national management consulting firm founded circa 1990 (formerly SLI Government Solutions and The Center for the Support of Families) that delivers systems, programs, people, and learning services to government agencies at federal, state, and local levels. The firm specializes in child support enforcement (engagements spanning 45 states), child welfare (29 states), health and Medicaid (48 states), and government transformation (49 states), with additional practices in courts, education, human services, transportation, gaming, and workforce. Core offerings include Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), Quality Assurance on large technology implementations (notably Medicaid Management Information Systems and ACA-compliant eligibility systems), e-procurement consulting, organizational development, and workforce training, executed through a model built around consensus-building, technology procurement oversight, and outcome-driven implementation support.

The firm's underlying technology consists of proprietary consulting methodologies rather than a software platform. SpARC™ (Strategic Protocol for Agile in a Regulated Context) provides a structured Agile-oversight framework with Process Guidelines, Process Observation Reports, and training materials developed during the Iowa ELIAS project. DITDAH is the firm's internal project management methodology, configured per engagement while maintaining adherence to ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards (recently re-certified from ISO 9001:2008). These methodologies, combined with consultant credentials (PMP, CSM, Lean Six Sigma, PROSCI, JD, CWLS, CPHIE, CPHIMS, CPHIT) and prior front-line public-sector experience, constitute the firm's primary intellectual property.

Public Knowledge generates revenue through professional services engagements sold primarily to government buyers via state contract vehicles, Master Services Agreements, the NASPO ValuePoint PASS Cooperative Agreement, and GSA schedules. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadences, and engagements are typically large, multi-phase projects (e.g., NC Tracks MMIS processed 200 million claims and $10.3 billion in its first year; Oregon Origin completed with 8% cost variance; Iowa redetermination synchronization saved $2.6M per biennium). The go-to-market is consultative and relationship-based, leveraging industry conferences, a podcast series (Modern IV&V), vertical-specific email digests, and SEO-driven thought leadership. The firm is privately held, with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or acquisition activity.

Name

Public Knowledge

Legal name

Public Knowledge, LLC

Website

https://pubknow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Public Knowledge is a U.S. national management consulting firm founded ~1990 that delivers systems, programs, people, and learning services to federal, state, and local government agencies, with deep specialization in child support, child welfare, health/Medicaid, and IV&V on large public-sector technology implementations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting

NAICS

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF)

Keywords

• Management consulting services
• Public sector consulting
• Government project management
• Organizational development consulting
• IV&V quality assurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheyenne

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. Management Consulting Services: Public Knowledge generates revenue through professional management consulting engagements across systems, programs, people, and learning services. Engagements are structured through state contract vehicles, Master Services Agreements, and direct contracting with government agencies and private organizations. Revenue is project-based and relationship-driven.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Public Knowledge is a national management consulting firm that helps government agencies solve complex operational and technology challenges through four integrated service areas: Systems (technology planning, procurement, and implementation oversight, including IV&V and QA), Programs (process improvement, evaluation, and innovation), People (leadership and organizational development), and Learning (custom training and workforce development). The firm also delivers specialized services such as Agile oversight using its proprietary SpARC™ protocol, DITDAH project management methodology, e-Procurement consulting, and Test Management for Medicaid systems.

Product overview

Public Knowledge is a national management consulting firm offering four core consulting service areas: Systems (strategic technology partner consulting for planning, procurement, and implementation of transformational technology projects), Programs (integration of people, processes, systems, and structures to improve service delivery), People (leadership and organizational development), and Learning (custom training solutions). The firm also provides specialized services including IV&V, Quality Assurance, Project Management (using the proprietary DITDAH methodology), SpARC Agile oversight protocol, e-Procurement consulting, and Workforce Development & Coaching. Their expertise spans government, health, human services, child welfare, child support, courts, education, and transportation sectors across state and local government agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Systems Consulting Services Strategic technology partner consulting that helps government teams plan, procure, and implement transformational technology projects, including IV&V, QA, and project oversight for systems such as Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) and child support enforcement systems.
• Programs Consulting Services Integration of people, processes, policies, systems, and structures to improve delivery of products or services through evaluation, procurement, and innovation. Targets government agencies seeking to modernize program operations across health, human services, child welfare, child support, and related domains.
• People Consulting Services Development of high-impact leaders, teams, and individuals focused on the right outcomes, including organizational development, change management, and team building for government and public sector clients.
• Learning Services Custom learning and training solutions for organizations of all sizes, including eLearning development, virtual training transition, instructional design, adult learning implementation, and workforce development for government agencies.
• DITDAH Project Management Methodology Public Knowledge's proprietary project management methodology applied across client engagements for planning, oversight, and delivery of complex government technology projects. Configurable per project while maintaining ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
• SpARC™ (Strategic Protocol for Agile in a Regulated Context) Public Knowledge's proprietary protocol for Agile oversight in regulated government IT projects. Includes Process Guidelines (PGLs) defining Agile ceremonies, Process Observation Reports (PORs) for real-time feedback, and training materials. Developed during the Iowa ELIAS project.
• E-Procurement Consulting Assistance with e-procurement system selection and transition for government agencies, including supplier management, electronic solicitation, and contract administration support.
• IV&V (Independent Verification and Validation) Technical oversight and risk assessment for complex technology projects, including Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) and child support enforcement system replacements. Delivered to state agencies such as Oregon DCS and North Carolina DHHS.
• Quality Assurance Services Quality assurance and testing management for technology implementations, including Agile project oversight. Delivered on engagements such as Iowa DHS ELIAS Quality Assurance and NC DHHS Test Management for NC Tracks MMIS.
• Workforce Development & Coaching Training and workforce development solutions for child welfare agencies, including learning design, development, delivery, and coaching to address staff capability gaps and supervision quality.

Quantifiable outcome

• Iowa DHS received ACA-compliant eligibility system certification among first states in nation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Feeding AmericaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Public Knowledge partnered with Feeding America for 2025 Corporate Giving, supporting the organization's hunger relief mission through corporate giving program. This reflects the firm's commitment to community impact through its PK Cares initiative.
• NASPO ValuePointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Knowledge is an authorized vendor under the NASPO ValuePoint PASS Cooperative Agreement, enabling government agencies across states to procure management consulting services rapidly through this national cooperative purchasing organization.
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing implementation partner providing Test Management services for the NC Tracks Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). The project successfully received CMS certification ahead of schedule and processed 200 million claims and $10.3 billion in its first year.
• North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSelected as independent third-party consultant to develop Social Services Reform and Child Welfare Reform Plans under Rylan's Law legislation. Multi-year engagement involving assessment, planning, and implementation support across child welfare, adult protective services, public assistance, and child support.
• Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided Quality Assurance services on the Eligibility Integrated Application Solution (ELIAS) project, delivering customized Agile project oversight protocol and staff augmentation. Iowa was among the first states to implement an ACA-compliant eligibility system.
• Washington State Division of Child Support (DCS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with DCS on a federal Intergovernmental Case Processing Innovation Demonstration grant to improve international child support case processing with Canada and Mexico. Developed training curricula, desk aids, and policy recommendations for 320,000+ cases.
• Oregon Department of Justice Division of Child SupportcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided IV&V services for the Origin System Project, a child support enforcement system replacement. The project completed successfully with only one 60-day delay and 8% cost variance from project start.
• Capacity Building Center for Courts (CBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive contributor to the Capacity Building Center for Courts project under the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Provides capacity-building services to state court improvement programs.
• San Joaquin County Department of Child Support ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConducted business process review involving over 85 team members across 11 functional areas. Provided roadmap with 50 recommendations for streamlining operations and enhancing service delivery for families.
• Center for Digital Government and Governing MagazineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Knowledge is a member of an industry group convened to explore MMIS as a Service approach, working with state government, federal government, and MMIS vendors to define a roadmap for rethinking Medicaid Management Information Systems.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ICF International: Public-sector consulting firm with deep practice areas in health, human services, and child welfare/family services. Directly comparable to Public Knowledge in vertical specialization (Medicaid, child support, child welfare) and federal/state client base.
• MAXIMUS: Operates large-scale health and human services programs for state and federal governments, including eligibility, child support, and MMIS-adjacent work. Overlaps with Public Knowledge on Medicaid systems oversight, IV&V, and case-management modernization.
• BerryDunn: Mid-sized consulting firm with a dedicated State Government and Healthcare practice serving Medicaid, child welfare, and public-sector agencies. Closest size-and-vertical analog to Public Knowledge among regional firms.
• Mathematica: Policy research and evaluation firm serving federal and state human-services agencies (e.g., ACF, CMS, child welfare). Comparable to Public Knowledge on regulatory/policy research, program evaluation, and government-only client base.
• Aptive Resources: Government consulting firm supporting federal health and human services agencies (HHS, ACF, CMS). Comparable in size and in mission focus on child welfare, family services, and federal human-services program support.
• Cognosante: Health IT and consulting firm specializing in Medicaid, MMIS, and health-information exchange for state and federal agencies. Direct overlap with Public Knowledge's Medicaid/Health practice and IV&V/QA services.
• CGI Federal: Government IT services arm of CGI, with significant MMIS, eligibility, and child-support systems work for U.S. states. Competes with Public Knowledge for oversight roles on large systems-modernization procurements.

Broad incumbents

• Booz Allen Hamilton: Large diversified government consulting and engineering firm with substantial HHS, CMS, and state-health practice. Overlaps with Public Knowledge on human-services and Medicaid modernization but at far greater scale and breadth.
• Deloitte (Government & Public Services): Big Four consultancy with a dedicated Government & Public Services practice covering Medicaid, child welfare, and human services. Competes for the largest system-modernization and transformation engagements alongside Public Knowledge.
• Leidos: Large federal health and civilian IT contractor (including former lockheed/csc health IT heritage) with Medicaid and human-services work. Adjacent competitor for IV&V, QA, and large-scale eligibility systems oversight.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pubknow

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Public Knowledge