Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Areas of the consolidated financial statements where estimates may have the most significant effect include contractual and regulatory reserves, valuation and lives of tangible and intangible assets, contingent consideration related to business acquisitions and divestitures, impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, accrued liabilities, revenue recognition (including estimates of variable considerations in determining the total contract price and allocation of performance obligations), the remaining costs to complete fixed-price contracts, bonus and other incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, reserves for tax benefits and valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, provisions for income taxes, collectability of receivables, and loss accruals for litigation. Actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates. Revenue Recognition The Company primarily provides services and technology-based solutions for clients that operate in a variety of markets and the solutions may span the entire program life cycle, from initial research and analysis to the design and implementation of solutions. The Company enters into agreements with clients that create enforceable rights and obligations and for which it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration to which it will be entitled as services and solutions are transferred to the client. Except in certain narrowly defined situations, the Company’s agreements with its clients are written and revenue is generally not recognized on oral or implied arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue based on the consideration specified in the applicable agreement and excludes from revenue amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Accordingly, sales and similar taxes which are collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from the transaction price. The Company evaluates whether two or more agreements should be accounted for as one single contract and whether combined or single agreements should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. For most contracts, the client requires the Company to perform a number of tasks in providing an integrated output for which the client has contracted, and, hence, contracts of this type are tracked as having only one performance obligation since a substantial part of the Company’s promise is to ensure the individual tasks are incorporated into a combined output in accordance with contract requirements. When contracts have multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services underlying each performance obligation. The Company generally provides customized solutions in which the pricing is based on specific negotiations with each client, and, in these cases, the Company uses a cost-plus margin approach to estimate the standalone selling price of each performance obligation. Certain contracts contain award fees, incentive fees or other provisions that can either increase or decrease the transaction price. These variable amounts are generally awarded at the completion of a contractually stipulated performance assessment period based on the achievement of performance metrics, program milestones or cost targets, and the amount awarded may be subject to client discretion. Variable consideration is estimated based on the most likely amount. Once the Company selects a method to estimate variable consideration, it applies that method consistently. Estimates of variable consideration will be constrained only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The Company evaluates contractual arrangements to determine whether revenue should be recognized on a gross versus net basis. The Company’s assessment is based on the nature of the contractual obligation to the client. In most cases, the Company itself agrees to provide specified services to the client as a principal and revenue is recognized on a gross basis. In certain instances, the Company acts as an agent and merely arranges for another party to provide services to the client and revenue is recognized on a net basis in reflection of the fact that the Company does not control the goods or services provided to the client by the other party. Long-term contracts typically contain billing terms that provide for invoicing monthly or upon completion of milestones, and payment on a net 30 -day basis. Therefore, the timing of billings and cash receipts may differ from the timing of revenue recognition resulting in either contract assets or contract liabilities. Exceptions to monthly billing terms are to ensure that the Company performs satisfactorily rather than representing a significant financing component. For cost-based contracts, the Company’s performance is evaluated during a contractually-stipulated performance period and, while contract costs may be billed on a monthly basis, the Company is generally permitted to bill for incentive or award fees only after the completion of the performance assessment period, which may occur quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and after the client completes the performance assessment. Fixed-price contracts may provide for milestone billings based on the attainment of specific project objectives rather than for billing on a monthly basis. Moreover, contracts may require retention or hold backs that are paid at the end of the contract to ensure that the Company performs in accordance with requirements. The Company does not assess whether a contract contains a significant financing component if the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between payment by the client and the transfer of promised services to the client will be one year or less. The Company generally recognizes revenue over time as control is transferred to a client, based on the extent of progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation. The selection of the method used to measure progress requires judgment and is dependent, among other factors, on the contract type and the nature of the services provided. For time-and-materials contracts, the Company uses the right-to-invoice practical expedient to recognize revenue earned based on hours worked in contract performance at negotiated billing rates. Fixed-price level-of-effort contracts are substantially similar to time-and-materials contracts except that the Company is required to deliver a specified level of effort over a stated period of time. For these contracts, the Company determines the revenue earned using contract hours worked at negotiated bill rates as the Company delivers the contractually required workforce. For cost-based contracts, the Company uses the right-to-invoice practical expedient to recognize revenue based on the amount to which the Company has a contractual right to invoice. For series-services performance obligations, the Company measures progress using either a cost input measure, a time-elapsed output measure, or the right to invoice practical expedient. Award or incentive fees are allocated to the distinct periods in which they relate to and recognized in that period. For certain fixed-price contracts, the Company uses the percentage-of-completion method to estimate the amount of revenue, based on the ratio of actual costs incurred to total estimated costs, provided that costs incurred (an input method) represents a reasonable measure of progress towards the satisfaction of a performance obligation and transfer of control to the customer. This method provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of value to the client when the Company is satisfying a performance obligation that entails integration of tasks for a combined output, which requires the Company to coordinate the work of employees, subcontractors and delivery of other contract costs. Contract costs that are not reflective of the Company’s progress toward satisfying a performance obligation are not included in the calculation of the measure of progress. When this method is used, the changes in estimated costs to complete the obligations result in adjustments to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis, which causes the effect of revised estimates for prior periods to be recognized in the current period. Changes in these estimates may routinely occur over contract performance for a variety of reasons, which include: changes in contract scope; changes in contract cost estimates due to unanticipated cost growth or reassessments of risks impacting costs; changes in estimated incentive or award fees; or performing better or worse than previously estimated. For fixed-price contracts in which the estimated cost to perform exceeds the consideration to be received, the Company accrues for the entire estimated loss during the period in which the loss is determined by recording additional direct costs. In some fixed-price service contracts, the Company performs services of a recurring nature, such as maintenance and other services of a “stand ready” nature. For these contracts, the Company has the right to consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value that the client has received. Therefore, the Company records revenue on a time-elapsed basis to reflect the transfer of control to the client throughout the contract. Contracts may be modified to reflect changes in contract specifications and requirements, and these changes may create new enforceable rights and obligations. Modifications that are for services that are not distinct from the existing agreement due to the significant integration service that the Company provides are accounted for as part of an existing performance obligation. The effect of these modifications on the transaction price and the Company’s measure of progress in fulfilling the performance obligation to which they relate is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis. Revenue from modifications that create new, distinct performance obligations is recognized based on the Company’s progress in fulfilling the requirements of the new obligations. For performance obligations that are satisfied over time, the Company recognizes the cost to fulfill contracts when incurred, unless the costs are within the scope of another topic in which case the guidance of that topic is applied. The Company evaluates incremental costs of obtaining a contract and, if they are recoverable from the client and relate to a specific future contract, they are deferred and recognized over contract performance or the estimated life of the customer relationship if renewals are expected. The Company expenses these costs when incurred if the amortization period is one year or less. Unfulfilled performance obligations represent amounts expected to be earned on non-cancellable contracts or those that the are cancellable but the Company has determined to have substantive termination penalties, and do not include the value of negotiated, unexercised contract options, which are classified as marketing offers. Indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity and similar arrangements provide a framework for the client to issue specific tasks, delivery or purchase orders in the future and these arrangements are considered marketing offers until a specific order is executed. Some of the Company’s contracts include variable consideration, which requires the Company to estimate and, as necessary, revise the most likely amounts that will be earned over the respective performance assessment periods. For these obligations, changes in estimates result in cumulative catch-up adjustments and may have a significant impact on earnings during a given period. The Company’s operating cycle for long-term contracts may be greater than one year and is measured by the average time between the inception and completion of those contracts. Contract-related assets and liabilities are classified as current assets and current liabilities. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash on deposit and any highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted Cash The Company has restricted cash representing amounts held in escrow accounts and/or not readily available due to contractual restrictions. Contract receivables, net Contract receivables represent amounts billed and due from clients in accordance with respective contractual terms. The amounts due are stated at their net realizable value. The Company estimates an allowance for estimated credit loss to reflect the amount of receivables that will not be collected. The Company considers a number of factors in estimating the amount of the allowance, including knowledge of a client’s financial condition, its historical collection experience, and other factors relevant to assessing the collectability of the receivables. The Company writes off specific contract receivables when such amounts are determined to be uncollectible. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from two to seven years . Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the economic life of the improvement or the related lease term. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and any intangible assets acquired in a business combination that are deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over such lives and reviewed for impairment if impairment indicators arise. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 of each year. As its business is highly integrated and all of its components have similar economic characteristics, the Company has concluded it has one aggregated reporting unit at the consolidated entity level which it perform the assessment at. The Company have the option to perform a qualitative assessment that determines if it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of goodwill is greater than its carrying value and, if so, the Company may conclude that no impairment exists. If the Company concludes that an impairment exist, a quantitative test is performed by comparing the reporting unit’s fair value to the carrying amount and recognizing the difference as an impairment loss. Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, and definite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the long-lived asset group may not be fully recoverable. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group being evaluated, a loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset group. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 , the Company recognized impairment losses of $ 6.8 million, $ 8.4 million, and $ 7.9 million, respectively, related to operating facility lease right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $ 0.9 million related to an amortizable customer-related intangible asset from a prior acquisition. The impairment losses were included in indirect and selling expenses on the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Leases The Company leases facilities and property and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at its inception and recognizes a right-of-use asset and lease obligation for all leases greater than twelve months based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments as of the commencement date, excluding any lease incentives and initial costs incurred to obtain the lease. Since most lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as of the commencement date, based on publicly available yields adjusted for company-specific considerations and terms, in estimating the present value of future payments. Lease terms, for the purpose of determining each lease’s present value, include options to extend or terminate the lease if it is reasonably certain and economically reasonable that the Company will exercise that option. Lease costs from minimum lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The leases may contain both lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For office equipment leases (primarily copier leases), the Company elected to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component and not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term less than twelve months. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities (current and non-current) and finance leases are included in property and equipment, net and finance lease liabilities (current and non-current) on the consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized Software The Company capitalizes certain costs to develop enhancements and upgrades to internal-use software that are incurred subsequent to the preliminary project stage. Amortization expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the expected economic life of the software, typically lasting three to five years . As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $ 12.8 million and $ 19.0 million , respectively, and is included as part of “other assets” on the consolidated balance sheets. Stock-based Compensation The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense to employees and non-employee directors, including grants of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and cash-settled restricted stock units (“CSRSUs”) on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Company recognizes expense for performance-based share awards (“PSAs”), which have both performance and service conditions, on a straight-line basis over the three-year performance period. Non-employee director awards are granted annually for Board-related services and therefore expensed over the service period. Stock-based compensation expense is based on the estimated fair value of the instruments on the grant date and the estimated number of shares the Company ultimately expects will vest. The Company estimates the rate of future forfeitures based on factors which include the historical forfeiture experience for each applicable employee class. In addition, the estimation of PSAs that will ultimately vest requires judgment based on the performance and market conditions that will be achieved over the performance period. Changes to these estimates are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The fair value of stock options, restricted stock awards, RSUs, PSAs, and non-employee director awards is estimated based on the fair value of a share of common stock at the grant date. The fair value of PSAs is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. CSRSUs are settled only in cash payments. The cash payment is based on the fair value of the Company’s stock price at the vesting date, calculated by multiplying the number of CSRSUs vested by the Company’s closing stock price on the vesting date, subject to a maximum payment cap and a minimum payment floor. The Company treats these awards as liability-classified awards, and, therefore, accounts for them at fair value estimated based on the closing price of the Company’s stock at the reporting date. Derivative Instruments Derivative instruments include interest rate swaps, foreign currency hedges, and forward contracts. Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value as of the reporting date and reclassified to earnings in the period that the hedged instruments affect earnings, and the effective portion of the hedge is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of tax, on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Management reviews the effectiveness of the hedges on a quarterly basis. Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company evaluates its ability to benefit from all deferred tax assets and establishes valuation allowances for amounts it believes will more likely than not be unrealizable. For uncertain tax positions, the Company uses a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the income tax position taken. Income tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured in order to determine the tax benefit recognized in the financial statements. Penalties, if probable and reasonably estimable, and interest expense related to uncertain tax positions are not recognized as a component of income tax expense but recorded separately in indirect expenses and interest expense, respectively. Treasury Shares Treasury shares are accounted for under the cost method. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments due to fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, the gain on the sale of an interest rate hedge agreement designated as a cash flow hedge, and the changes in fair value of interest rate agreements designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes. The financial positions and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are based on the local currency as the functional currency and are translated to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. Assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss included in stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Acquisition-Related Costs Costs related to acquisitions include professional fees for legal, financial, and other advisory services and are expensed in the period that they are incurred. Segment, Customer, and Geographic Information The Company operates in one segment based on the consolidated information used by its chief operating decision-maker, currently the Chief Executive Officer, in evaluating the financial performance of its business and allocating resources. This single segment represents the Company’s core business, which is providing professional services. Although the Company disaggregates its revenue by client markets and client types, the Company does not manage its business or allocate resources based on client market or type. No customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenue during the years ended 2023, 2022, and 2021. The Company provides services to U.S. and international clients, and revenue is attributed to a particular geographic area based on the administrative location of the client that awarded the contract. The Company’s revenue generated from international clients as a percentage of total revenue was approximately 7 % , 8 % , and 11 % for the years 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, long-lived assets held internationally were 6 % and 7 % of total long-lived assets, respectively. Foreign currency expense, net of impact of hedges, was $ 1.2 million, $ 0.2 million, and $ 0.6 million, for the years ended December 31, 2023 , 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fair Value The Company measures and reports certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Generally, fair value is based on observable quoted market prices or derived from observable market data when such market prices or data are available. ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy used to estimate fair value by which each level is categorized based on the priority of the inputs used to measure fair value: • Level 1: Quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; • Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g. interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, and implied volatilities); and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and • Level 3: Uses inputs that are unobservable and require the Company to make certain assumptions and require significant estimation and judgment from management to use in pricing the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, contract receivables, and accounts payable are carried at cost, which, due to their short maturities, approximates their fair values. The carrying value of the Company's long-term debt approximates the estimated fair value for debt with similar terms, interest rates, and remaining maturities currently available to companies with similar credit ratings (Level 2). Risks and Uncertainties Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments, and contract receivables. The Company’s domestic bank accounts are insured up to $ 250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $ 0.3 million in its accounts that exceeded the insured limit. The majority of the Company’s cash transactions are processed through one U.S. commercial bank. Cash held domestically in excess of daily requirements is primarily used to reduce any amounts outstanding under the Company’s Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company held approximately $ 8.5 million and $ 8.4 million , respectively, of cash and restricted cash in foreign bank accounts. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments with financial institutions that meet certain credit guidelines and limits its risks by continuously monitoring the credit rating of the institutions. The Company’s receivables consist principally of amounts due from agencies and departments of the federal government, state and local governments, and international governments, as well as from commercial organizations. The credit risk, with respect to federal and other government clients, is limited due to the creditworthiness of the respective governmental entity. Amounts due for work performed as a subcontractor also represent limited credit risk when the client is performing as the prime contractor on a government contract due to the ultimate creditworthiness of the end client. Receivables from commercial clients generally pose a greater credit risk, and, as a result, are subject to ongoing monitoring. The Company extends credit in the normal course of operations and does not require collateral from its clients. The Company’s contracts with the federal government are subject to audit by agencies and departments of the federal government. Such audits determine, among other things, whether adjustments to invoices previously rendered are required under regulations as well as the underlying terms of each respective contract. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Pronouncements Adopted Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The standard is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease accounting and financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The provisions of this ASU are elective and apply to all entities, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have debt or hedging contracts, among other contracts, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. Entities can elect to not apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. Also, entities can elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue to apply hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. This guidance was effective beginning on March 12, 2020 and entities may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022, the sunset date. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 which extended the sunset date from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company completed its adoption of the provisions of ASU 2020-04 during the second quarter of 2023 upon amendment of its last interest rate swap from LIBOR-based to SOFR-based pricing. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Segment Reporting In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, that required additional segment disclosures for public entities currently required under the Segment Reporting (Topic 280) of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). ASU 2023-07 enhances the current segment reporting disclosures of Topic 280 by requiring significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), the amount and description of other segment items, and interim disclosures of reportable segment's profit or loss and assets. ASU 2023-07 also requires public entities that have a single reportable segment to provide all the disclosures required in Topic 280, as amended. The ASU is effective for the Company for the 2024 fiscal year and interim periods within the 2025 fiscal year on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2023-07 but does not expect the adoption to have a material impact, if any, on the consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, that require greater disaggregation of income tax rate and amounts paid by entities. ASU 2023-09 specifically requires all entities to disclose, on an annual basis, disaggregated domestic and foreign pre-tax income or loss from continuing operations and the disaggregated income tax expense or benefit by federal, state, and foreign components, and a tabular rate reconciliation, using both percentages and reporting currency amounts, of eight specific categorie |