Telos (TLS) 10-Q 15 Nov 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 08, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-08443
Entity Registrant Name	TELOS CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-0880974
Entity Address, Address Line One	19886 Ashburn Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Ashburn
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20147-2358
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	724-3800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	TLS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		66,755,230
Entity Central Index Key	0000320121
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue
Revenue	$ 70,066	$ 47,440	$ 178,383	$ 135,029
Costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses	43,998	30,878	117,400	88,652
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Sales and marketing	5,363	1,491	14,233	4,556
Research and development	5,396	3,598	14,783	11,070
General and administrative	20,562	6,960	69,271	20,769
Selling, general and administrative expenses	31,321	12,049	98,287	36,395
Operating (loss) income	(5,253)	4,513	(37,304)	9,982
Other income (expense)
Other income (expense)	20	2	(1,001)	14
Interest expense	(195)	(2,013)	(583)	(6,026)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(5,428)	2,502	(38,888)	3,970
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	41	(8)	(6)	136
Net (loss) income	(5,387)	2,494	(38,894)	4,106
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	(2,694)	0	(6,284)
Net loss attributable to Telos Corporation	$ (5,387)	$ (200)	$ (38,894)	$ (2,178)
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Telos Corporation, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.06)
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Telos Corporation, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.06)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic (in dollars per share)	66,755	39,002	65,999	38,554
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted (in dollars per share)	66,755	39,002	65,999	38,554
Services
Revenue
Revenue	$ 63,690	$ 44,166	$ 163,366	$ 124,210
Costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses	40,031	28,619	109,134	82,862
Products
Revenue
Revenue	6,376	3,274	15,017	10,819
Costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses	$ 3,967	$ 2,259	$ 8,266	$ 5,790

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (5,387)	$ 2,494	$ (38,894)	$ 4,106
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(13)	(2)	(40)	(1)
Less:  Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	0	(2,694)	0	(6,284)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Telos Corporation	$ (5,400)	$ (202)	$ (38,934)	$ (2,179)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 134,135	$ 106,045
Accounts receivable, net of reserve of $116 and $308, respectively	49,759	30,913
Inventories, net of obsolescence reserve of $849 and $851, respectively	2,025	3,311
Prepaid expenses	5,440	3,059
Other current assets	941	786
Total current assets	192,300	144,114
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $33,805 and $32,057, respectively	14,363	14,977
Operating lease right-of-use assets	1,004	1,464
Goodwill	16,642	14,916
Intangible assets, net	17,102	7,420
Other assets	1,256	926
Total assets	242,667	183,817
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	35,102	20,899
Accrued compensation and benefits	7,955	8,474
Contract liabilities	7,232	5,654
Finance lease obligations – short-term	1,430	1,339
Operating lease obligations – short-term	602	677
Other current liabilities	2,089	1,903
Total current liabilities	54,410	38,946
Finance lease obligations – long-term	13,218	14,301
Operating lease obligations – long-term	516	941
Deferred income taxes	680	652
Other liabilities	2,352	1,873
Total liabilities	71,176	56,713
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 66,755,230 shares and 64,625,071 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	105	103
Additional paid-in capital	354,119	270,800
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4	44
Accumulated deficit	(182,737)	(143,843)
Total stockholders’ equity	171,491	127,104
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 242,667	$ 183,817

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets
Accounts receivable, allowance for credit loss, current	$ 116	$ 308
Inventory valuation reserves	849	851
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, property, plant and equipment	$ 33,805	$ 32,057
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, par or stated value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	66,755,230	64,625,071
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	66,755,230	64,625,071

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (38,894)	$ 4,106
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	47,197	4
Dividends from preferred stock recorded as interest expense	0	2,867
Depreciation and amortization	4,223	4,018
Amortization of debt issuance costs	0	684
Deferred income tax provision	28	28
Other noncash items	14	(25)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	(5,900)	275
Cash provided by operating activities	6,668	11,957
Investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisition	(5,925)	0
Capitalized software development costs	(6,139)	(5,459)
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,645)	(624)
Cash used in investing activities	(13,709)	(6,083)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	64,269	0
Repurchase of outstanding warrants	(26,894)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(1,251)	0
Payments under finance lease obligations	(993)	(907)
Amendment fee paid to lender	0	(100)
Distributions to Telos ID Class B member - non-controlling interest	0	(1,292)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	35,131	(2,299)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	28,090	3,575
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	106,045	6,751
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	134,135	10,326
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	583	2,211
Income taxes	54	50
Noncash:
Dividends from preferred stock recorded as interest expense	0	2,867
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activity
Acquisition holdback	$ 506	$ 0

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Non-Controlling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ (136,622)	$ 78	$ 4,310	$ 6	$ (145,530)	$ 4,514
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	4,106				(2,178)	6,284
Foreign currency translation loss	(1)			(1)
Stock-based compensation	4		4
Distributions	(1,292)					(1,292)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	(133,805)	78	4,314	5	(147,708)	9,506
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2020	(136,009)	78	4,310	7	(147,508)	7,104
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	2,494				(200)	2,694
Foreign currency translation loss	(2)			(2)
Stock-based compensation	4		4
Distributions	(292)					(292)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	(133,805)	78	4,314	5	(147,708)	9,506
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	127,104	103	270,800	44	(143,843)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(38,894)				(38,894)
Issuance of common stock	64,269	2	64,267
Foreign currency translation loss	(40)			(40)
Stock-based compensation	47,197		47,197
Repurchase of outstanding warrants	(26,894)		(26,894)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,251)		(1,251)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	171,491	105	354,119	4	(182,737)	0
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2021	164,700	105	341,928	17	(177,350)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net (loss) income	(5,387)				(5,387)
Foreign currency translation loss	(13)			(13)
Stock-based compensation	12,191		12,191
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 171,491	$ 105	$ 354,119	$ 4	$ (182,737)	$ 0

General and Basis of Presentati

General and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General and Basis of Presentation	General and Basis of Presentation Description of Business Organization Telos Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company", "we", "our" or "Telos"), a Maryland corporation, is a leading provider of cyber, cloud and enterprise security solutions for the world's most security-conscious organizations. We own all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Xacta Corporation, a subsidiary that develops, markets and sells government-validated secure enterprise solutions to government and commercial customers. We also own all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Ubiquity.com, Inc., a holding company for Xacta Corporation. We own a 100% ownership interest in Telos Identity Management Solutions, LLC (“Telos ID”), Teloworks, Inc. (“Teloworks”) and Telos APAC Pte. Ltd. (“Telos APAC”). On November 12, 2020, we amended our charter to effect an approximate 0.794-for-1 reverse stock split with respect to our common stock. The par value and the authorized shares of the common stock were not adjusted as a result of the reverse stock split. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements give retroactive effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented. Public Offerings of Common Stock On November 19, 2020, we completed our initial public offering ("IPO") of shares of our common stock. We issued 17.2 million shares of our common stock at a price of $17.00 per share, generating net proceeds of approximately $272.8 million. We used approximately $108.9 million of the net proceeds in connection with the conversion of our outstanding shares of Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock into the right to receive cash and shares of our common stock, $30.0 million to fund our acquisition of the outstanding Class B Units of Telos ID, and $21.0 million to repay our outstanding senior term loan and subordinated debt. On April 6, 2021, we completed our follow-on offering of 9.1 million shares of our common stock at a price of $33.00 per share, including 7.0 million shares of common stock held by certain existing stockholders of Telos. The offering generated approximately $64.3 million of net proceeds to Telos. We did not receive any proceeds from the shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholders. On April 19, 2021, we used approximately $1.3 million of the net proceeds to repurchase 39,682 shares of our common stock and $26.9 million to repurchase the warrants to purchase 900,970 shares of our common stock owned by certain affiliates of Enlightenment Capital Solutions ("EnCap"). We have used and intend to continue using the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital, sales and marketing activities, research and development, general and administrative matters and capital expenditures. We also may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire complementary businesses, products, services, or technologies. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors. Principles of Consolidation and Reporting The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Telos and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The presented interim results are not necessarily indicative of fiscal year performance for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, the impact of seasonal and short-term variations. We have continued to follow the accounting policies (including the critical accounting policies) set forth in the consolidated financial statements included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. In preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements, we have evaluated subsequent events through the date that these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. Basis of Comparison Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In the current period, we have reclassified and presented intangible assets separately from our property and equipment line item. The reclassification had no impact on our total assets or liabilities nor on our net loss or stockholders' equity. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment resulting in a $1.1 million increase to 'Services' revenue and a $1.0 million reclassification between 'Cost of Sales - Services' and 'General and Administrative' expenses within the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company identified and corrected this error in the current period. This error was not material to any previously filed consolidated financial statements and the impact of correcting this error in the current period is not material to our third quarter 2021 condensed consolidated financial statements. Segment Reporting Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. We currently operate in one operating and reportable business segment for financial reporting purposes. Our Chief Executive Officer is the CODM. The CODM evaluates profitability based on consolidated results. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Recently Adopted In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The ASU also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, which made this standard effective for us on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, where cost is determined using the weighted average method. Substantially all inventories consist of purchased off-the-shelf hardware and software, and component computer parts used in connection with system integration services that we perform. An allowance for obsolete, slow-moving or nonsaleable inventory is provided for all other inventories. This allowance is based on our overall obsolescence experience and our assessment of future inventory requirements. This charge is taken primarily due to the age of the specific inventory and the significant additional costs that would be necessary to upgrade to current standards as well as the lack of forecasted sales for such inventory in the near future. Gross inventory was $2.9 million and $4.2 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, it is management’s judgment that we have fully provided for any potential inventory obsolescence, which was $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Software Development Costs We account for development costs of our software to be sold in accordance with ASC Topic 985-20, “Software – Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed” and for internal use software in accordance with ASC Topic 350-40 “Internal Use Software”. Under both standards, software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility is reached, at which time additional costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers or is ready for its intended use, as appropriate. Technological feasibility is established when all planning, designing, coding and testing activities have been completed, and all risks have been identified. Software development costs are capitalized and amortized over the estimated product life of 2 years on a straight-line basis, which are included as a part of intangible assets. The Company analyzes the net realizable value of capitalized software development costs on at least an annual basis and has determined that there is no indication of impairment of the capitalized software development costs as forecasted future sales are adequate to support the carrying values. Income Taxes We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences and income tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates that are applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized for differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Any change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in net income in the period in which the tax rate change is enacted. We follow the provisions of ASC 740 related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The accounting estimates related to liabilities for uncertain tax positions require us to make judgments regarding the sustainability of each uncertain tax position based on its technical merits. If we determine it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits, we record the impact of the position in our condensed consolidated financial statements at the largest amount that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. These estimates are updated at each reporting date based on the facts, circumstances and information available. We are also required to assess at each reporting date whether it is reasonably possible that any significant increases or decreases to our unrecognized tax benefits will occur during the next 12 months. The provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate against earnings before income tax expense for the period. In addition, non-recurring or discrete items are recorded during the period in which they occur. Goodwill Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for potential impairment annually during our fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate, or (2) a loss of key contracts or customers. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. The Company estimates and compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying value including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the amount of impairment expense is equal to the difference between the reporting unit’s fair value and the reporting unit’s carrying value. Goodwill is amortized and deducted over a 15-year period for tax purposes. Stock-Based Compensation Under our 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2016 LTIP”), we have the ability to award restricted stock units with time-based vesting (“Service-Based RSUs”), and restricted stock units with performance-based vesting (“Performance-Based RSUs”) to senior executives, directors, employees and other eligible service providers. Under the 2016 LTIP, our Board of Directors or, by designation of authority, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the discretion to establish the terms, conditions and criteria of the various awards, including the weighing and vesting schedule of Service-Based RSUs and the performance conditions applicable to the Performance-Based RSUs, including the achievement of certain financial performance criteria or price targets for our common stock. Upon vesting, Service-Based RSUs and Performance-Based RSUs will be settled in the Company’s common stock. • Service-Based RSUs granted to eligible employees as an incentive generally vest in equal installments over two three • Performance-Based RSUs may vest upon the achievement of a defined performance target or at the end of the defined performance period from the date of grant, whichever initially occurs. The grant date fair value per share of these Performance-Based RSUs is equal to the closing stock price on the date of the grant or the fair value of the award on the grant date as determined through an independent valuation, for performance-based RSUs with market condition. Performance-Based RSUs may vest upon the achievement of certain price targets for the Company’s common stock anytime over a three-year period from the date of grant. In order to reflect the substantive characteristics of these market condition awards, the Company employs a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to calculate the grant date fair value and corresponding requisite service period of the award. Monte Carlo approaches are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. This approach allows the calculation of the value of such awards based on a large number of possible stock price path scenarios. We recognize these share-based payment transactions when services from the employees are received and recognize a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The measurement objective for these equity awards is the estimated fair value at the date of grant of the equity instruments that we are obligated to issue when employees have rendered the requisite service and satisfied any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments. The compensation expense for an award is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for an award. Compensation expense for awards with performance conditions is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied. If such performance conditions are not or are no longer considered probable, no compensation expense for these awards is recognized, and any previously recognized expense is reversed. If the performance condition is achieved prior to the completion of the requisite service period, any unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized in the period the performance condition is achieved. Compensation expense for awards with market conditions is recognized over the derived service period, or sooner, if the market condition is achieved. Previously recognized expense for awards with market conditions will never be reversed even if the market conditions is never achieved. We recognize forfeitures of share-based compensation awards as they occur. Share-based compensation expense is recognized as part of cost of sales and general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Net Loss per Share Basic net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock and if-converted methods. Dilutive common stock equivalents are comprised of unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units and common stock warrants. For the period of net loss, potentially dilutive securities are not included in the calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares, in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units 313 60 394 60 Common stock warrants, exercisable at $1.665/sh. — 901 405 901 Total 313 961 799 961 Other Comprehensive Loss Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. For one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, the functional currency is the local currency. For this subsidiary, the translation of its foreign currency into U.S. Dollars is performed for assets and liabilities using current foreign currency exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using average foreign currency exchange rates during the periods presented. Translation gains and losses are included in stockholders’ equity (deficit) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated other comprehensive income included within stockholders’ equity (deficit) consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cumulative foreign currency translation loss $ (103) $ (63) Cumulative actuarial gain on pension liability adjustment 107 107 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 4 $ 44

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Performance Obligation We account for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The unit of account in ASC 606 is a performance obligation, which is a promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a good or service to the customer. Timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations varies across our businesses due to our diverse product and service mix, customer base, and contractual terms. Significant judgment can be required in determining certain performance obligations, and these determinations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period. Our contracts may have a single performance obligation or multiple performance obligations. When there are multiple performance obligations within a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on our best estimate of standalone selling price. Contracts are routinely and often modified to account for changes in contract requirements, specifications, quantities, or price. Depending on the nature of the modification, we determine whether to account for the modification as an adjustment to the existing contract or as a new contract. Generally, modifications are not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant interrelatedness of the performance obligations and are therefore accounted for as an adjustment to the existing contract, and recognized as a cumulative adjustment to revenue (as either an increase or reduction of revenue) based on the modification’s effect on progress toward completion of a performance obligation. The majority of our revenue is recognized over time, as control is transferred continuously to our customers who receive and consume benefits as we perform, and is classified as services revenue. Revenue transferred to customers over time accounted for 91% and 92% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 93% and 92% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. All of our business groups earn services revenue under a variety of contract types, including time and materials, firm-fixed-price, firm-fixed-price level of effort, and cost plus fixed fee contract types, which may include variable consideration as discussed further below. Revenue is recognized over time using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Contract costs include labor, material, subcontractor costs and indirect expenses. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is for the sale of software licenses in our Information Assurance / Xacta® and Secure Communications business groups and for the sale of resold products in Telos ID and Secure Networks, and is classified as product revenue. Revenue transferred to customers at a point in time accounted for 9% and 8% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 7% and 8% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Revenue on these contracts is recognized when the customer obtains control of the transferred product or service, which is generally upon delivery of the product to the customer for their use, due to us maintaining control of the product until that point. Orders for the sale of software licenses may contain multiple performance obligations, such as maintenance, training, or consulting services, which are typically delivered over time, consistent with the transfer of control disclosed above for the provision of services. When an order contains multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations using our best estimate of standalone selling price. Contract Estimates Due to the transfer of control over time, revenue is recognized based on progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the nature of the performance obligations. We generally use the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a proportional performance basis for our contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer which occurs as we incur costs on our contracts. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred. Due to the nature of the work required to be performed on certain of our performance obligations, the estimation of total revenue and cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. Contract estimates are based on various assumptions including labor and subcontractor costs, materials and other direct costs and the complexity of the work to be performed. A significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts. We review and update our contract-related estimates regularly and recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts on a cumulative catch-up basis, which may result in an adjustment increasing or decreasing revenue to date on a contract in a particular period that the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance are recognized using the adjusted estimate. Our contracts may include various types of variable consideration, such as claims (for instance, indirect rate or other equitable adjustments) or incentive fees. We include estimated amounts in the transaction price based on all of the information available to us, including historical information and future estimations, and to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when any uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Historically, most of our contracts do not include award or incentive fees. For incentive fees, we would include such fees in the transaction price to the extent we could reasonably estimate the amount of the fee. With limited historical experience, we have not included any revenue related to incentive fees in our estimated transaction prices. We may include in our contract estimates additional revenue for submitted contract modifications or claims against the customer when we believe we have an enforceable right to the modification or claim, the amount can be estimated reliably and its realization is probable. We consider the contractual/legal basis for the claim (in particular the FAR provisions), the facts and circumstances around any additional costs incurred, the reasonableness of those costs and the objective evidence available to support such claims. For our contracts that have an original duration of one year or less, we use the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and do not consider the time value of money. We capitalize sales commissions related to proprietary software and related services that are directly tied to sales. We do not elect the practical expedient to expense as incurred the incremental costs of obtaining a contract if the amortization period would have been one year or less. For the sales commissions that are capitalized, we amortize the asset over the expected customer life, which is based on recent and historical data. We have one reportable segment in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting , as such, the disaggregation of revenue below reconciles directly to its unique reportable segment. We treat sales to U.S. customers as sales within the U.S. regardless of where the services are performed. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers as revenue derived from international customers is not currently meaningful. The following tables disclose revenue (in thousands) by customer type and contract type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Federal $ 67,697 $ 45,788 $ 171,091 $ 128,756 State & Local, and Commercial 2,369 1,652 7,292 6,273 Total $ 70,066 $ 47,440 $ 178,383 $ 135,029 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Firm-fixed-price $ 61,434 $ 39,483 $ 155,832 $ 113,080 Time-and-materials 3,154 3,605 9,243 11,066 Cost plus fixed fee 5,478 4,352 13,308 10,883 Total $ 70,066 $ 47,440 $ 178,383 $ 135,029 Contract Balances Contract assets are amounts that are invoiced as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either at periodic intervals or upon achievement of contractual milestones. Generally, revenue recognition occurs before billing, resulting in contract assets. These contract assets are referred to as unbilled receivables and are reported within accounts receivable, net of reserve on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Billed receivables are amounts billed and due from our customers and are reported within accounts receivable, net of reserve on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The portion of the payments retained by the customer until final contract settlement is not considered a significant financing component due to the intent of the retainage being the customer’s protection with respect to full and final performance under the contract. Contract liabilities are payments received in advance and milestone payments from our customers on selected contracts that exceed revenue earned to date, resulting in contract liabilities. Contract liabilities typically are not considered a significant financing component because they are generally satisfied within one year and are used to meet working capital demands that can be higher in the early stages of a contract. Contract liabilities are reported on our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a net contract basis at the end of each reporting period. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the contract liabilities primarily related to product support services. The following table provides information about accounts receivable, contract assets and contract liabilities (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Billed accounts receivable $ 10,158 $ 12,060 Unbilled receivables 39,717 19,161 Allowance for doubtful accounts (116) (308) Accounts receivable – net $ 49,759 $ 30,913 Contract liabilities $ 7,232 $ 5,654 Significant changes in the contract liabilities balance (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue recognized that was included in the opening contract liability balance $ 823 $ 1,690 $ 4,065 $ 5,208 September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) (in thousands) Remaining performance obligations (funded backlog) $ 163,351 $ 127,735 We expect to recognize approximately 95% of our remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months and the balance thereafter.

Non-controlling Interests_Purch

Non-controlling Interests/Purchase of Telos ID	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Non-controlling Interests/Purchase of Telos ID	Non-controlling Interests / Purchase of Telos ID On April 11, 2007, Telos ID was formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. We contributed substantially all of the assets of our Telos ID Enterprise business line and assigned our rights to perform under our U.S. Government contract with the Defense Manpower Data Center to Telos ID at their stated book value, amounting to $17,000. Until April 19, 2007, we owned 99.999% of the membership interests of Telos ID and Hoya ID Funds A, LLC ("Hoya") owned 0.001% of the membership interests of Telos ID. On April 20, 2007, we sold an additional 39.999% of the membership interests to Hoya for $6 million in cash consideration, resulting in 60% ownership of Telos ID. On December 24, 2014, Hoya acquired from the Company an additional ten percent (10%) membership interest in Telos ID in exchange for $5 million (the “2014 Transaction”). In connection with the 2014 Transaction, the Company and Hoya entered into the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) governing the business, allocation of profits and losses and management of Telos ID. Under the Operating Agreement, Telos ID was managed by a board of directors comprised of five (5) members (the “Telos ID Board”). The Company owned 50% of Telos ID, was entitled to receive 50% of the profits of Telos ID, and could appoint three (3) members of the Telos ID Board. Hoya owned 50% of Telos ID, was entitled to receive 50% of the profits of Telos ID, and could appoint two (2) members of the Telos ID Board. As a result of the 2014 Transaction, each of the members owned 50% of Telos ID, as mentioned above, and as such each was allocated 50% of the profits, which was $2.7 million and $6.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Hoya held the non-controlling interest. On October 5, 2020, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between the Company and Hoya to purchase all of the Class B Units of Telos ID owned by Hoya (the “Telos ID Purchase”). Upon the closing of the Telos ID Purchase, Telos ID became our wholly owned subsidiary. On November 23, 2020, the Telos ID Purchase was consummated with the Company transferring $30.0 million in cash and issuing 7,278,040 shares of our common stock at $20.39 per share (which totals approximately $148.4 million); the total consideration transferred to Hoya was $178.4 million. As part of the common stock issuance, the Company recognized an increase to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) of $148.4 million. The Company further recognized a reduction to APIC of $173.9 million as part of the elimination of Hoya’s non-controlling interest in Telos ID. The net impact to APIC associated with the acquisition of the additional 50% interest in Telos ID was a reduction of $25.5 million. Distributions were made to the members only when and to the extent determined by Telos ID’s Board of Directors, in accordance with the Operating Agreement. Hoya received a final distribution of $2.4 million in January 2021, which was accrued and presented in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020. Hoya received a total distribution of $0.3 million and $1.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

Acquisition

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Acquisition On July 30, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of Diamond Fortress Technologies ("DFT") and wholly-owned subsidiaries for a total purchase consideration of $6.7 million, inclusive of $0.3 million related to a pre-existing contractual arrangement with DFT. Upon closing, $5.9 million of cash was paid with an additional $0.6 million payable to DFT 18 months after the close date (the "holdback"). The holdback amount has been discounted to its present value of $0.5 million using a discount rate relevant to the acquisition. The acquisition adds several new patents to the Company’s library of biometric and digital identity intellectual property. The addition of contactless biometrics technology will enable the Company to better serve the needs of organizations in existing and new markets. The acquisition of DFT has been accounted for under US GAAP using the acquisition method of accounting. The total purchase consideration of $6.7 million has been allocated among the assets acquired at their acquisition date. We have calculated the fair values of the DFT acquired assets based on our preliminary valuation analysis, using the information available to us. The Company may continue to adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation (including the identified intangible assets) as additional information becomes available during the remainder of the measurement period, which will not exceed 12 months from the closing of the acquisition. Measurement period adjustments will be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Any such adjustments may be material. The Company recognized $5.0 million of intangible assets and $1.7 million of goodwill, which is housed in the Telos ID reporting unit. Goodwill is primarily attributable to expected synergies between the acquired intangible assets and the Company's digital identify technology and solutions and acquired workforce. The acquired intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 3 - 8 years. The acquisition was considered an asset purchase for tax purposes and the recognized goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The results of DFT operations have been included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date, and are not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. Acquisition-related costs were immaterial and have been expensed as incurred. The pro-forma financial information have not been presented for this acquisition as the impact to our condensed consolidated financial statements is not material.

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	GoodwillThe goodwill balance was $16.6 million and $14.9 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment tests and if triggering events are present in the interim before the annual tests, we will assess impairment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, no impairment charges were taken.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Intangible assets, all of which are finite-lived, consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2021 Estimated Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Acquired technology 8 years $ 4,910 $ (112) $ 4,798 Customer relationships 3 years 40 (2) 38 Software development costs 2 years 18,392 (6,126) 12,266 $ 23,342 $ (6,240) $ 17,102 December 31, 2020 Estimated Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Acquired technology $ — $ — $ — Customer relationships — — — Software development costs 2 years 12,253 (4,833) 7,420 $ 12,253 $ (4,833) $ 7,420 Amortization expense was $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively; and $0.4 million and $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The framework requires the valuation of financial instruments using a three-tiered approach. The statement requires fair value measurement to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories: Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities; Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported by little or no market activity). As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not have any financial instruments with significant Level 3 inputs and we did not have any financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Debt Obligations

Debt Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Obligations	Debt Obligations Enlightenment Capital Credit Agreement On January 25, 2017, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Enlightenment Capital Solutions Fund II, L.P., as agent (the "Agent") and the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"), (together referenced as “EnCap”). The Credit Agreement provides for an $11 million senior term loan (the "Loan") with a maturity date of January 25, 2022, subject to acceleration in the event of customary events of default. All borrowings under the Credit Agreement accrued interest at the rate of 13.0% per annum. In connection with the Credit Agreement, on January 25, 2017, the Company issued warrants (each, a "Warrant") to the Agent and certain of the Lenders representing in the aggregate the right to purchase in accordance with their terms 900,970 shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Company, no par value per share, which was equivalent to approximately 2.5% of the common equity interests of the Company on a fully diluted basis on the date of grant. The exercise price was $1.665 per share. The value of the warrants was determined to be de minimis and no value was allocated to them on a relative fair value basis in accounting for the debt instrument. The Credit Agreement also included an $825,000 exit fee, which was payable upon any repayment or prepayment of the loan. This amount had been included in the total principal due and treated as an unamortized discount on the debt, which would be amortized over the term of the loan, using the effective interest method at a rate of 15.0% at the time of the original loan. We incurred fees and transaction costs of approximately $374,000 related to the issuance of the Credit Agreement, which were amortized over the life of the Credit Agreement. On March 30, 2018, the Credit Agreement was amended (the “Third Amendment”) to add a minimum revenue covenant and a net working capital covenant were added. In consideration of these amendments, the interest rate on the loan was increased by 1% which will revert back to the original rate upon achievement of two consecutive quarters of a specified fixed charge coverage ratio as defined in the agreement. The increase in interest expense has been paid in cash. Contemporaneously with the Third Amendment, Mr. John B. Wood agreed to transfer 50,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock owned by him to EnCap. On July 19, 2019, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver; First Amendment to Fee Letter (“Fourth Amendment”) to amend the Credit Agreement. As a result of the Fourth Amendment, several terms of the Credit Agreement were amended, including (but not limited to) the following: • The Company borrowed an additional $5 million from the Lenders, increasing the total amount of the principal to $16 million. • The maturity date of the Credit Agreement was amended from January 25, 2022 to January 15, 2021. • The prepayment price was amended as follows: (a) from January 26, 2019 through January 25, 2020, the prepayment price is 102% of the principal amount, (b) from January 26, 2020 through October 14, 2020, the prepayment price is 101% of the principal amount, and (c) from October 15, 2020 to the maturity date, the prepayment price will be at par. However, the prepayment price for the additional $5 million loan attributable to the Fourth Amendment will be at par. • The exit fee was increased from $825,000 to $1,200,000. The exit fee had been included in the total principal due and treated as an unamortized discount on the debt, which was amortized over the term of the loan using the effective interest method at a rate of 17.3% over the remaining term of the loan. On March 26, 2020, the Credit Agreement was amended (the “Fifth Amendment”) to modify the financial covenants and to update the previously agreed-upon definition of certain financial covenants, specifically the amount of Capital Expenditures to be included in the measurement of the covenants. The Fifth Amendment provides for four quarterly maturity date extensions, which would increase the Exit Fee payable under the Credit Agreement by $250,000 for each quarterly maturity date extension elected, for a total of $1 million increase to the Exit Fee were all four of the maturity date extensions to be elected. The Company paid EnCap an amendment fee of $100,000 and out-of-pocket costs and expenses in consideration for the Fifth Amendment. We incurred interest expense in the amount of $0.8 million and $2.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, under the Credit Agreement. On November 24, 2020, upon the closing of the IPO, the Company paid a total of $17.4 million to satisfy its obligations under the Credit Agreement in full including an exit fee of $1.2 million, accrued interest of $138,000, and legal fees of $13,000. On April 19, 2021, the Company entered into multiple Redemption Agreements and Warrant Redemption and Cancellation Agreements (collectively the "Repurchase Agreement") with EnCap and certain related funds that held the warrants to purchase 900,970 shares of the Company's common stock in addition to 39,682 shares of the Company's common stock. Under the Repurchase Agreement, the Company agreed to repurchase the outstanding warrants for $26.9 million and common stock for $1.3 million. The average price of the warrants and common stock repurchased were $29.85 per share and $31.51 per share, respectively. Upon settlement, the repurchased warrants were retired. The Company reduced common stock for the $0.001 par value of the shares repurchased, with the excess purchase price over par value recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital ("APIC"). As a result of the repurchases, the Company recognized these amounts as a reduction to APIC. Subordinated Debt On March 31, 2015, the Company entered into Subordinated Loan Agreements and Subordinated Promissory Notes (“Porter Notes”) with affiliated entities of Mr. John R. C. Porter (together referenced as “Porter”). At the time, Mr. Porter and Toxford Corporation, of which Mr. Porter controls as the co-trustee of the trust that is the sole stockholder of Toxford, owned 35.0% of our Class A Common Stock. Under the terms of the Porter Notes, Porter lent the Company $2.5 million on or about March 31, 2015. Telos also entered into Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements with Porter and a prior senior lender, in which the Porter Notes were fully subordinated to the financing provided by that senior lender, and payments under the Porter Notes were permitted only if certain conditions were met. According to the original terms of the Porter Notes, the outstanding principal sum bore interest at the fixed rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum which would be payable in arrears in cash on the 20th day of each May, August, November and February, with the first interest payment date due on August 20, 2015. The Porter Notes did not call for amortization payments and were unsecured. The Porter Notes, in whole or in part, may be repaid at any time without premium or penalty. The unpaid principal, together with interest, was originally due and payable in full on July 1, 2017. On April 18, 2017, we amended and restated the Porter Notes to reduce the interest rate from twelve percent (12%) to six percent (6%) per annum, to be accrued, and extended the maturity date from July 1, 2017 to July 25, 2022. Telos also entered into Intercreditor Agreements with Porter and EnCap, in which the Porter Notes were fully subordinated to the Credit Agreement and any subsequent senior lenders, and payments under the Porter Notes were permitted only if certain conditions were met. All other terms remained in full force and effect. We incurred interest expense in the amount of $90,000 and $265,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, on the Porter Notes. On November 23, 2020, upon the closing of the IPO, the Porter Notes were paid in full.

Exchangeable Redeemable Preferr

Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock Conversion	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]
Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock Conversion	Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock Conversion Public Preferred Stock A maximum of 6,000,000 shares of Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Public Preferred Stock"), par value $.01 per share, has been authorized for issuance. We initially issued 2,858,723 shares of the Public Preferred Stock pursuant to the acquisition of the Company during fiscal year 1990. The Public Preferred Stock was recorded at fair value on the date of original issue, November 21, 1989, and we made periodic accretions under the interest method of the excess of the redemption value over the recorded value. We adjusted our estimate of accrued accretion in the amount of $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2006. The Public Preferred Stock was fully accreted as of December 2008. We declared stock dividends totaling 736,863 shares in 1990 and 1991. Since 1991, no other dividends, in stock or cash, had been declared. In November 1998, we retired 410,000 shares of the Public Preferred Stock. We paid dividends on the Public Preferred Stock when and if declared by the Board of Directors. The Public Preferred Stock accrued a semi-annual dividend at the annual rate of 12% ($1.20) per share, based on the liquidation preference of $10 per share, and was fully cumulative. Dividends in additional shares of the Public Preferred Stock for 1990 and 1991 were paid at the rate of 6% per share for each $.60 of such dividends not paid in cash. We accrued dividends on the Public Preferred Stock of $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, which was recorded as interest expense. Prior to the effective date of ASC 480 on July 1, 2003, such dividends were charged to stockholders’ accumulated deficit. Upon the closing of the IPO, which constituted a qualified initial public offering for the purposes of the terms of the Public Preferred Stock, each issued and outstanding share of Public Preferred Stock automatically was converted (the “ERPS Conversion”) into the right to receive (i) an amount of cash equal to (I) the ERPS Liquidation Value; multiplied by (II) 0.90; multiplied by (III) 0.85 and (ii) that number of shares of common stock (valued at the initial offering price to the public) equal to (I) the ERPS Liquidation Value; multiplied by (II) 0.90; multiplied by (III) 0.15. No fractional shares of common stock, however, were issued upon the ERPS Conversion but, in lieu thereof, the holder was entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock (valued at the initial offering price to the public) at the time of the ERPS Conversion multiplied by such fractional amount (rounded to the nearest cent). “ERPS Liquidation Value” means, per each share of Public Preferred Stock, $10 together with all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon calculated as of the actual date of the ERPS Conversion without interest, which, was approximately $142.3 million as of November 19, 2020. All shares of common stock issued upon an ERPS Conversion were validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. On November 23, 2020, holders of the Public Preferred Stock received $108.9 million in cash and 1.1 million shares of our common stock at $17 per share for a total value of $19.2 million in connection with the ERPS Conversion. The difference in the redemption value of the ERPS and the carrying value has been accounted for as a gain on extinguishment of debt in accordance with ASC 470 and ASC 480. Approximately $0.2 million of costs directly attributable to this redemption were applied against the gain, resulting in a net gain of $14.0 million.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on available evidence, realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. We considered projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and reversal of taxable temporary differences in making this assessment. There has been no change in the established valuation allowance as of September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we have recorded a net deferred tax liability of approximately $680,000 and $652,000, respectively. We review and update our estimated annual effective tax rate each quarter. For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we recorded an income tax benefit of $41,000 and income tax provision of $8,000 respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we recorded an income tax provision of $6,000 and income tax benefit of $136,000, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, our estimated effective rate was primarily impacted by the overall valuation allowance position which reduced the net tax impact from taxable income or loss for all periods. Under the provisions of ASC 740, we determined that there were approximately $961,000 and $763,000 of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $241,000 and $278,000, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $720,000 and $485,000, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would not impact the effective tax rate due to the Company’s valuation allowance. The Company had accrued interest and penalties related to the unrecognized tax benefits of $238,000 and $241,000, which were recorded in other liabilities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. We believe that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will not significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings Hamot et al. v. Telos Corporation As previously reported in Note 8 of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 filed on August 16, 2021, beginning on August 2, 2007, Messrs. Seth W. Hamot (“Hamot”) and Andrew R. Siegel (“Siegel”), principals of Costa Brava Partnership III, L.P. (“Costa Brava”), were involved in litigation against the Company as Plaintiffs and Counter-defendants in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland (the “Circuit Court”). Mr. Siegel was a Class D Director of the Company until the closing of the IPO on November 23, 2020, and Mr. Hamot was a Class D Director of the Company until his resignation on March 9, 2018. Trial on Hamot and Siegel’s claims and the Company’s counterclaims took place in July through September 2013, and the Court subsequently issued decisions on the various claims by way of memorandum opinions and orders dated September 11, 2017. Among other rulings, the Court found Hamot and Siegel liable for the intentional tort of tortious interference with the Company’s contractual relationship with one of its auditors and entered a monetary judgment in favor of the Company and against Hamot and Siegel. Hamot (and later, his Estate) and Siegel on multiple occasions during this litigation sought to be indemnified or to be awarded advancement of various attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by them in this litigation. On January 28, 2021, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Leave to File Amended Motion for Indemnification of Legal Fees and Expenses (“Amended Motion”). The Amended Motion demanded that the Company indemnify the Plaintiffs for legal fees and expenses incurred in the sum of $2,540,000 plus the costs incurred in obtaining indemnification, and the Company opposed the motions. On May 5, 2021, the Company, Plaintiffs and Costa Brava entered into a settlement agreement, which included a mutual general release, fully and finally settling the indemnification claim in exchange for a $1.0 million payment, which sum was paid on May 12, 2021 as reported under other income (expense) in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. This settlement concluded all open matters or disputes between the Company and Messrs. Hamot (or his estate) and Siegel, as well as the previously disposed of claims of Costa Brava. Other Litigation The Company may be a party to litigation from time to time arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, while the results of such litigation cannot be predicted with any reasonable degree of certainty, the final outcome of such known matters will not, based upon all available information, have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Other - Government Contracts As a government contractor, we are subject to U.S. government audits and investigations relating to our operations, including claims for fines, penalties, and compensatory and damages. We believe the outcome of such ongoing government audits and investigations will not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. In the performance of our contracts, we routinely request contract modifications that require additional funding from the customer. Most often, these requests are due to customer-directed changes in the scope of work. While we are entitle to recovery of these costs under our contracts, the administrative process with our customer may be protracted. Based on the circumstances, we periodically file requests for equitable adjustments ("REAs") that are sometimes converted into claims. In some cases, these requests are disputed by our customers. We believe our outstanding modifications, REAs and other claims will be resolved without material impact to our result of operations, financial conditions or cash flows.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Emmett J. Wood, the brother of our Chairman and CEO, has been an employee of the Company since 1996. The amounts paid to this individual as compensation were $88,000 and $389,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $193,000 and $517,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Additionally, Mr. Wood owned 73,562 and 682,502 shares of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. On March 31, 2015, the Company entered into the Porter Notes. At that time, Mr. Porter and Toxford Corporation, of which Mr. Porter controls as the co-trustee of the trust that is the sole stockholder of Toxford, owned 35.0% of our Class A Common Stock. Under the terms of the Porter Notes, Porter lent the Company $2.5 million on or about March 31, 2015. According to the original terms of the Porter Notes, the outstanding principal sum bore interest at the fixed rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum which would be payable in arrears in cash on the 20th day of each May, August, November and February, with the first interest payment date due on August 20, 2015. The Porter Notes did not call for amortization payments and were unsecured. The Porter Notes, in whole or in part, may be repaid at any time without premium or penalty. The unpaid principal, together with interest, was originally due and payable in full on July 1, 2017. On April 18, 2017, we amended and restated the Porter Notes to reduce the interest rate from twelve percent (12%) to six percent (6%) per annum, to be accrued, and extended the maturity date from July 1, 2017 to July 25, 2022. Telos also entered into Intercreditor Agreements with Porter and EnCap, in which the Porter Notes were fully subordinated to the Credit Agreement and any subsequent senior lenders, and payments under the Porter Notes were permitted only if certain conditions were met. All other terms remained in full force and effect. We incurred interest expense in the amount of $90,000 and $265,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, on the Porter Notes. On November 23, 2020, upon the closing of the IPO, the Porter Notes were paid in full. On February 8, 2021, we hired Ms. Donna Hill, as Director, Human Resources, reporting directly to Ms. Nakazawa, EVP of the Company. Ms. Hill is the sister of Mr. Edward Williams, COO of the Company.

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating lease cost $ 182 $ 182 $ 546 $ 542 Short-term lease cost (1) 4 26 13 83 Finance lease cost Amortization of right-of-use assets 305 305 915 915 Interest on lease liabilities 187 205 574 622 Total finance lease cost 492 510 1,489 1,537 Total lease costs $ 678 $ 718 $ 2,048 $ 2,162 (1) Leases that have terms of 12 months or less The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates were as follows: September 30, 2021 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): Finance leases 7.6 years 8.6 years Operating leases 1.9 years 2.8 years Weighted average discount rate: Finance leases 5.04 % 5.04 % Operating leases 5.75 % 5.75 % Future minimum lease commitments at September 30, 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases 2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021) $ 181 $ 530 2022 603 2,149 2023 373 2,202 2024 27 2,258 2025 — 2,314 After 2025 — 8,344 Total lease payments 1,184 17,797 Less imputed interest (66) (3,149) Total 1,118 14,648 Less Short-term portion 602 1,430 Total, net of short-term portion $ 516 $ 13,218 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - operating leases $ 586 $ 552 Cash flows from operating activities - finance leases 574 622 Cash flows from financing activities - finance leases 993 907 Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations 486 455
Leases	Leases The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating lease cost $ 182 $ 182 $ 546 $ 542 Short-term lease cost (1) 4 26 13 83 Finance lease cost Amortization of right-of-use assets 305 305 915 915 Interest on lease liabilities 187 205 574 622 Total finance lease cost 492 510 1,489 1,537 Total lease costs $ 678 $ 718 $ 2,048 $ 2,162 (1) Leases that have terms of 12 months or less The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates were as follows: September 30, 2021 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): Finance leases 7.6 years 8.6 years Operating leases 1.9 years 2.8 years Weighted average discount rate: Finance leases 5.04 % 5.04 % Operating leases 5.75 % 5.75 % Future minimum lease commitments at September 30, 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases 2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021) $ 181 $ 530 2022 603 2,149 2023 373 2,202 2024 27 2,258 2025 — 2,314 After 2025 — 8,344 Total lease payments 1,184 17,797 Less imputed interest (66) (3,149) Total 1,118 14,648 Less Short-term portion 602 1,430 Total, net of short-term portion $ 516 $ 13,218 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - operating leases $ 586 $ 552 Cash flows from operating activities - finance leases 574 622 Cash flows from financing activities - finance leases 993 907 Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations 486 455

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation During October 2020, the Company amended the 2016 LTIP to increase the total number of shares available for issuance to 9,400,000 from 4,500,000 and extend the term to September 30, 2030. Our 2016 LTIP provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock and dividend equivalent rights to our senior executives, directors, employees, and other service providers. Awards granted under the 2016 LTIP vest over the periods determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, generally two The following are the stock-based compensation expense incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 (in thousands). We recorded immaterial share-based compensation expense for the comparative periods ended September 30, 2020. Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Cost of sales - services $ 442 $ 1,974 Sales and marketing 1,536 5,316 Research and development 970 2,079 General and administrative 9,243 37,828 Total $ 12,191 $ 47,197 Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit (collectively “RSU”) Activity The Company grants RSUs to our senior executives, directors and employees. Service-Based RSU Awards A summary of the awards of Service-Based RSUs that vest upon the completion of a service requirement are presented below: Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Unvested Balance - December 31, 2020 59,521 $ 0.18 2.4 $ 2,000 Granted 3,036,563 35.69 — — Vested (119,800) 36.17 — — Forfeited (79,476) 36.63 — — Unvested Balance - September 30, 2021 2,896,808 $ 35.04 1.5 $ 82,300 We recognized an expense of $12.0 million and $34.0 million related to share-based compensation expense for Service-Based RSUs capable of being earned for completing a service requirement during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, there was approximately $71.5 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to Service-Based RSUs, and this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years on a straight-line basis. Performance-Based RSU Awards A summary of the awards of Performance-Based RSUs that vest upon the attainment of certain price targets of the Company’s common stock are presented below: Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Unvested Balance - December 31, 2020 — $ — — $ — Granted 508,903 30.09 — — Vested — — — — Forfeited (16,176) 30.84 — — Unvested Balance - September 30, 2021 492,727 $ 30.07 2.5 $ 14,000 During 2021 the Company granted certain senior executives awards of Performance-Based RSUs that could settle in 458,903 shares of our common stock. The awards will vest only if, during the three-year period from the date of grant, (a) the Company’s common stock, as listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, trades at or above $42.40 per share (the “Target Price”) for 20 of 30 consecutive trading days or (b) the weighted average of the per share price of the Company’s common stock over any 30 consecutive trading days is at least equal to the Target Price. Further, the Company granted 50,000 shares of Performance-Based RSUs to certain employees that will fully vest upon the achievement of certain operational milestones during a three-year period from the grant date. For these Performance-Based RSUs containing market conditions, the conditions are required to be considered when calculating the grant date fair value. In order to reflect the substantive characteristics of these awards, a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model was used to calculate the grant date fair value of such awards. Monte Carlo approaches are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. This approach allows the calculation of the value of such Performance-Based RSUs based on a large number of possible stock price path scenarios. As the Company recently completed its IPO in November 2020, expected volatility was based on the average historical stock price volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies over the performance period. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. treasury zero-coupon issues in effect at the time of grant over the performance period. Expense for these awards is recognized over the derived service period as determined through the Monte Carlo simulation model. Our key assumptions include a performance period ranging from 2.45 to 2.92 years, expected volatility between 57.4% - 58.81%, and a risk-free rate of 0.18%-0.29%. The fair value at grant date and derived service periods calculated for these market condition Performance-Based RSUs were $19.12 - $30.84 and between 0.38 - 0.76 years, respectively. We recognized an expense of $0.2 million and $13.2 million related to share-based compensation expense for these awards of Performance-Based RSUs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, there was approximately $1.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to these Performance-Based RSUs, and this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.3 years on a straight-line basis.

General and Basis of Presenta_2

General and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Telos and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Basis of Accounting, Policy	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Segment Reporting	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. We currently operate in one operating and reportable business segment for financial reporting purposes. Our Chief Executive Officer is the CODM. The CODM evaluates profitability based on consolidated results.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Standards Recently Adopted In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The ASU also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, which made this standard effective for us on January 1, 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, where cost is determined using the weighted average method. Substantially all inventories consist of purchased off-the-shelf hardware and software, and component computer parts used in connection with system integration services that we perform. An allowance for obsolete, slow-moving or nonsaleable inventory is provided for all other inventories. This allowance is based on our overall obsolescence experience and our assessment of future inventory requirements. This charge is taken primarily due to the age of the specific inventory and the significant additional costs that would be necessary to upgrade to current standards as well as the lack of forecasted sales for such inventory in the near future. Gross inventory was $2.9 million and $4.2 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, it is management’s judgment that we have fully provided for any potential inventory obsolescence, which was $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Software Development Costs	Software Development Costs We account for development costs of our software to be sold in accordance with ASC Topic 985-20, “Software – Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed” and for internal use software in accordance with ASC Topic 350-40 “Internal Use Software”. Under both standards, software development costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility is reached, at which time additional costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers or is ready for its intended use, as appropriate. Technological feasibility is established when all planning, designing, coding and testing activities have been completed, and all risks have been identified. Software development costs are capitalized and amortized over the estimated product life of 2 years on a straight-line basis, which are included as a part of intangible assets. The Company analyzes the net realizable value of capitalized software development costs on at least an annual basis and has determined that there is no indication of impairment of the capitalized software development costs as forecasted future sales are adequate to support the carrying values.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences and income tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates that are applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized for differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Any change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in net income in the period in which the tax rate change is enacted. We follow the provisions of ASC 740 related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The accounting estimates related to liabilities for uncertain tax positions require us to make judgments regarding the sustainability of each uncertain tax position based on its technical merits. If we determine it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained based on its technical merits, we record the impact of the position in our condensed consolidated financial statements at the largest amount that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. These estimates are updated at each reporting date based on the facts, circumstances and information available. We are also required to assess at each reporting date whether it is reasonably possible that any significant increases or decreases to our unrecognized tax benefits will occur during the next 12 months.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for potential impairment annually during our fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate, or (2) a loss of key contracts or customers. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. The Company estimates and compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying value including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the amount of impairment expense is equal to the difference between the reporting unit’s fair value and the reporting unit’s carrying value. Goodwill is amortized and deducted over a 15-year period for tax purposes.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Under our 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2016 LTIP”), we have the ability to award restricted stock units with time-based vesting (“Service-Based RSUs”), and restricted stock units with performance-based vesting (“Performance-Based RSUs”) to senior executives, directors, employees and other eligible service providers. Under the 2016 LTIP, our Board of Directors or, by designation of authority, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the discretion to establish the terms, conditions and criteria of the various awards, including the weighing and vesting schedule of Service-Based RSUs and the performance conditions applicable to the Performance-Based RSUs, including the achievement of certain financial performance criteria or price targets for our common stock. Upon vesting, Service-Based RSUs and Performance-Based RSUs will be settled in the Company’s common stock. • Service-Based RSUs granted to eligible employees as an incentive generally vest in equal installments over two three • Performance-Based RSUs may vest upon the achievement of a defined performance target or at the end of the defined performance period from the date of grant, whichever initially occurs. The grant date fair value per share of these Performance-Based RSUs is equal to the closing stock price on the date of the grant or the fair value of the award on the grant date as determined through an independent valuation, for performance-based RSUs with market condition. Performance-Based RSUs may vest upon the achievement of certain price targets for the Company’s common stock anytime over a three-year period from the date of grant. In order to reflect the substantive characteristics of these market condition awards, the Company employs a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to calculate the grant date fair value and corresponding requisite service period of the award. Monte Carlo approaches are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. This approach allows the calculation of the value of such awards based on a large number of possible stock price path scenarios. We recognize these share-based payment transactions when services from the employees are received and recognize a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The measurement objective for these equity awards is the estimated fair value at the date of grant of the equity instruments that we are obligated to issue when employees have rendered the requisite service and satisfied any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments. The compensation expense for an award is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for an award. Compensation expense for awards with performance conditions is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied. If such performance conditions are not or are no longer considered probable, no compensation expense for these awards is recognized, and any previously recognized expense is reversed. If the performance condition is achieved prior to the completion of the requisite service period, any unrecognized compensation expense will be recognized in the period the performance condition is achieved. Compensation expense for awards with market conditions is recognized over the derived service period, or sooner, if the market condition is achieved. Previously recognized expense for awards with market conditions will never be reversed even if the market conditions is never achieved. We recognize forfeitures of share-based compensation awards as they occur. Share-based compensation expense is recognized as part of cost of sales and general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Net Loss per Share	Net Loss per ShareBasic net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock and if-converted methods. Dilutive common stock equivalents are comprised of unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units and common stock warrants.
Other Comprehensive Loss	Other Comprehensive Loss Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. For one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, the functional currency is the local currency. For this subsidiary, the translation of its foreign currency into U.S. Dollars is performed for assets and liabilities using current foreign currency exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using average foreign currency exchange rates during the periods presented. Translation gains and losses are included in stockholders’ equity (deficit) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Revenue Recognition	Performance Obligation We account for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The unit of account in ASC 606 is a performance obligation, which is a promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a good or service to the customer. Timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations varies across our businesses due to our diverse product and service mix, customer base, and contractual terms. Significant judgment can be required in determining certain performance obligations, and these determinations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period. Our contracts may have a single performance obligation or multiple performance obligations. When there are multiple performance obligations within a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on our best estimate of standalone selling price. Contracts are routinely and often modified to account for changes in contract requirements, specifications, quantities, or price. Depending on the nature of the modification, we determine whether to account for the modification as an adjustment to the existing contract or as a new contract. Generally, modifications are not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant interrelatedness of the performance obligations and are therefore accounted for as an adjustment to the existing contract, and recognized as a cumulative adjustment to revenue (as either an increase or reduction of revenue) based on the modification’s effect on progress toward completion of a performance obligation. The majority of our revenue is recognized over time, as control is transferred continuously to our customers who receive and consume benefits as we perform, and is classified as services revenue. Revenue transferred to customers over time accounted for 91% and 92% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 93% and 92% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. All of our business groups earn services revenue under a variety of contract types, including time and materials, firm-fixed-price, firm-fixed-price level of effort, and cost plus fixed fee contract types, which may include variable consideration as discussed further below. Revenue is recognized over time using costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. Incurred cost represents work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Contract costs include labor, material, subcontractor costs and indirect expenses. Revenue that is recognized at a point in time is for the sale of software licenses in our Information Assurance / Xacta® and Secure Communications business groups and for the sale of resold products in Telos ID and Secure Networks, and is classified as product revenue. Revenue transferred to customers at a point in time accounted for 9% and 8% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 7% and 8% of our revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Revenue on these contracts is recognized when the customer obtains control of the transferred product or service, which is generally upon delivery of the product to the customer for their use, due to us maintaining control of the product until that point. Orders for the sale of software licenses may contain multiple performance obligations, such as maintenance, training, or consulting services, which are typically delivered over time, consistent with the transfer of control disclosed above for the provision of services. When an order contains multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations using our best estimate of standalone selling price. Contract Estimates Due to the transfer of control over time, revenue is recognized based on progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the nature of the performance obligations. We generally use the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a proportional performance basis for our contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer which occurs as we incur costs on our contracts. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred. Due to the nature of the work required to be performed on certain of our performance obligations, the estimation of total revenue and cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. Contract estimates are based on various assumptions including labor and subcontractor costs, materials and other direct costs and the complexity of the work to be performed. A significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts. We review and update our contract-related estimates regularly and recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts on a cumulative catch-up basis, which may result in an adjustment increasing or decreasing revenue to date on a contract in a particular period that the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance are recognized using the adjusted estimate. Our contracts may include various types of variable consideration, such as claims (for instance, indirect rate or other equitable adjustments) or incentive fees. We include estimated amounts in the transaction price based on all of the information available to us, including historical information and future estimations, and to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when any uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Historically, most of our contracts do not include award or incentive fees. For incentive fees, we would include such fees in the transaction price to the extent we could reasonably estimate the amount of the fee. With limited historical experience, we have not included any revenue related to incentive fees in our estimated transaction prices. We may include in our contract estimates additional revenue for submitted contract modifications or claims against the customer when we believe we have an enforceable right to the modification or claim, the amount can be estimated reliably and its realization is probable. We consider the contractual/legal basis for the claim (in particular the FAR provisions), the facts and circumstances around any additional costs incurred, the reasonableness of those costs and the objective evidence available to support such claims. For our contracts that have an original duration of one year or less, we use the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and do not consider the time value of money. We capitalize sales commissions related to proprietary software and related services that are directly tied to sales. We do not elect the practical expedient to expense as incurred the incremental costs of obtaining a contract if the amortization period would have been one year or less. For the sales commissions that are capitalized, we amortize the asset over the expected customer life, which is based on recent and historical data. We have one reportable segment in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting , as such, the disaggregation of revenue below reconciles directly to its unique reportable segment. We treat sales to U.S. customers as sales within the U.S. regardless of where the services are performed. Substantially all of our revenues are from U.S. customers as revenue derived from international customers is not currently meaningful. Contract Balances Contract assets are amounts that are invoiced as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either at periodic intervals or upon achievement of contractual milestones. Generally, revenue recognition occurs before billing, resulting in contract assets. These contract assets are referred to as unbilled receivables and are reported within accounts receivable, net of reserve on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Billed receivables are amounts billed and due from our customers and are reported within accounts receivable, net of reserve on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The portion of the payments retained by the customer until final contract settlement is not considered a significant financing component due to the intent of the retainage being the customer’s protection with respect to full and final performance under the contract. Contract liabilities are payments received in advance and milestone payments from our customers on selected contracts that exceed revenue earned to date, resulting in contract liabilities. Contract liabilities typically are not considered a significant financing component because they are generally satisfied within one year and are used to meet working capital demands that can be higher in the early stages of a contract. Contract liabilities are reported on our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a net contract basis at the end of each reporting period. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the contract liabilities primarily related to product support services.

General and Basis of Presenta_3

General and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	For the period of net loss, potentially dilutive securities are not included in the calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares, in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units 313 60 394 60 Common stock warrants, exercisable at $1.665/sh. — 901 405 901 Total 313 961 799 961
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income included within stockholders’ equity (deficit) consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Cumulative foreign currency translation loss $ (103) $ (63) Cumulative actuarial gain on pension liability adjustment 107 107 Accumulated other comprehensive income $ 4 $ 44

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following tables disclose revenue (in thousands) by customer type and contract type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Federal $ 67,697 $ 45,788 $ 171,091 $ 128,756 State & Local, and Commercial 2,369 1,652 7,292 6,273 Total $ 70,066 $ 47,440 $ 178,383 $ 135,029 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Firm-fixed-price $ 61,434 $ 39,483 $ 155,832 $ 113,080 Time-and-materials 3,154 3,605 9,243 11,066 Cost plus fixed fee 5,478 4,352 13,308 10,883 Total $ 70,066 $ 47,440 $ 178,383 $ 135,029
Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable	The following table provides information about accounts receivable, contract assets and contract liabilities (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Billed accounts receivable $ 10,158 $ 12,060 Unbilled receivables 39,717 19,161 Allowance for doubtful accounts (116) (308) Accounts receivable – net $ 49,759 $ 30,913 Contract liabilities $ 7,232 $ 5,654 Significant changes in the contract liabilities balance (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenue recognized that was included in the opening contract liability balance $ 823 $ 1,690 $ 4,065 $ 5,208 September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) (in thousands) Remaining performance obligations (funded backlog) $ 163,351 $ 127,735

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets, all of which are finite-lived, consists of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2021 Estimated Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Acquired technology 8 years $ 4,910 $ (112) $ 4,798 Customer relationships 3 years 40 (2) 38 Software development costs 2 years 18,392 (6,126) 12,266 $ 23,342 $ (6,240) $ 17,102 December 31, 2020 Estimated Useful Life Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Acquired technology $ — $ — $ — Customer relationships — — — Software development costs 2 years 12,253 (4,833) 7,420 $ 12,253 $ (4,833) $ 7,420

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost	The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating lease cost $ 182 $ 182 $ 546 $ 542 Short-term lease cost (1) 4 26 13 83 Finance lease cost Amortization of right-of-use assets 305 305 915 915 Interest on lease liabilities 187 205 574 622 Total finance lease cost 492 510 1,489 1,537 Total lease costs $ 678 $ 718 $ 2,048 $ 2,162 (1) Leases that have terms of 12 months or less The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates were as follows: September 30, 2021 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): Finance leases 7.6 years 8.6 years Operating leases 1.9 years 2.8 years Weighted average discount rate: Finance leases 5.04 % 5.04 % Operating leases 5.75 % 5.75 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash flows from operating activities - operating leases $ 586 $ 552 Cash flows from operating activities - finance leases 574 622 Cash flows from financing activities - finance leases 993 907 Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations 486 455
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	Future minimum lease commitments at September 30, 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases 2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021) $ 181 $ 530 2022 603 2,149 2023 373 2,202 2024 27 2,258 2025 — 2,314 After 2025 — 8,344 Total lease payments 1,184 17,797 Less imputed interest (66) (3,149) Total 1,118 14,648 Less Short-term portion 602 1,430 Total, net of short-term portion $ 516 $ 13,218
Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity	Future minimum lease commitments at September 30, 2021 were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, Operating Leases Finance Leases 2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021) $ 181 $ 530 2022 603 2,149 2023 373 2,202 2024 27 2,258 2025 — 2,314 After 2025 — 8,344 Total lease payments 1,184 17,797 Less imputed interest (66) (3,149) Total 1,118 14,648 Less Short-term portion 602 1,430 Total, net of short-term portion $ 516 $ 13,218

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount	The following are the stock-based compensation expense incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 (in thousands). We recorded immaterial share-based compensation expense for the comparative periods ended September 30, 2020. Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Cost of sales - services $ 442 $ 1,974 Sales and marketing 1,536 5,316 Research and development 970 2,079 General and administrative 9,243 37,828 Total $ 12,191 $ 47,197
Non-Vested Restricted Stock	A summary of the awards of Service-Based RSUs that vest upon the completion of a service requirement are presented below: Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Unvested Balance - December 31, 2020 59,521 $ 0.18 2.4 $ 2,000 Granted 3,036,563 35.69 — — Vested (119,800) 36.17 — — Forfeited (79,476) 36.63 — — Unvested Balance - September 30, 2021 2,896,808 $ 35.04 1.5 $ 82,300 A summary of the awards of Performance-Based RSUs that vest upon the attainment of certain price targets of the Company’s common stock are presented below: Number of Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate Unvested Balance - December 31, 2020 — $ — — $ — Granted 508,903 30.09 — — Vested — — — — Forfeited (16,176) 30.84 — — Unvested Balance - September 30, 2021 492,727 $ 30.07 2.5 $ 14,000

General and Basis of Presenta_4

General and Basis of Presentation - Organization (Details)	Nov. 12, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity note, stock split, conversion ratio	0.794
Telos ID, Teloworks and Telos APAC
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent		100.00%

General and Basis of Presenta_5

General and Basis of Presentation - Public Offerings of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 30, 2021	Apr. 19, 2021	Apr. 06, 2021	Nov. 23, 2020	Nov. 19, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for repurchase of common stock						$ 1,251	$ 0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock						64,269	0
Payments for repurchase of warrants						26,894	0
Cash payment for acquisition						$ 5,925	$ 0
Enlightenment Capital Solutions Fund, II L.P.
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for repurchase of common stock		$ 1,300
Stock repurchased during period (in shares)		39,682
Payments for repurchase of warrants		$ 26,900
Warrants repurchased during period (in shares)		900,970
Telos ID
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Cash payment for acquisition				$ 30,000
Asset Purchase Agreement
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Cash payment for acquisition	$ 5,900
Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock				$ 108,900
IPO
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)					17,200,000
Share price (in dollars per share)					$ 17
Net proceeds from initial public offering					$ 272,800
Repayments of debt					21,000
IPO | Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock					108,900
IPO | Class B Common Stock | Telos ID
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for repurchase of common stock					$ 30,000
Secondary Public Offering
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of stock, number of shares issued in transaction (in shares)			9,100,000
Sale of stock, price per share (in dollars per share)			$ 33
Sale of stock, number of shares issued by certain existing shareholders (in shares)			7,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			$ 64,300

General and Basis of Presenta_6

General and Basis of Presentation - Basis of Comparison (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 70,066	$ 47,440	$ 178,383	$ 135,029
General and administrative	20,562	6,960	69,271	20,769
Services [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Revenue	63,690	$ 44,166	$ 163,366	$ 124,210
Services [Member] | Revision of Prior Period, Adjustment
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Revenue	1,100
General and administrative	$ 1,000

General and Basis of Presenta_7

General and Basis of Presentation - Segment Reporting (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of Operating Segments	1

General and Basis of Presenta_8

General and Basis of Presentation - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Inventory, gross	$ 2,900	$ 4,200
Inventory valuation reserves	$ 849	$ 851

General and Basis of Presenta_9

General and Basis of Presentation - Software Development Costs (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Software development costs
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years	2 years

General and Basis of Present_10

General and Basis of Presentation - Stock-based Compensation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Service-Based RSU Awards | Executive Officer | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	30.00%
Service-Based RSU Awards | Executive Officer | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	30.00%
Service-Based RSU Awards | Executive Officer | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	40.00%
Performance-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Performance-Based RSU Awards | Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years
Minimum | Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	2 years
Maximum | Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	3 years

General and Basis of Present_11

General and Basis of Presentation - Potentially Dilutive Securities (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share)	$ 1.665	$ 1.665	$ 1.665	$ 1.665
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)	313	961	799	961
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)	313	60	394	60
Common stock warrants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)	0	901	405	901

General and Basis of Present_12

General and Basis of Presentation - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cumulative foreign currency translation loss	$ (103)	$ (63)
Cumulative actuarial gain on pension liability adjustment	107	107
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 4	$ 44

Revenue Recognition - Narrative

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - segment	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments			1
Number of Operating Segments			1
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected time of satisfaction, period	12 months		12 months
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percentage	95.00%		95.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected time of satisfaction, period	12 months		12 months
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Product and Service Benchmark | Revenue Timing Of Transfer Of Goods Or Service | Transferred over Time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	91.00%	93.00%	92.00%	92.00%
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Product and Service Benchmark | Revenue Timing Of Transfer Of Goods Or Service | Transferred at Point in Time
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	9.00%	7.00%	8.00%	8.00%

Revenue Recognition - Disaggreg

Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	$ 70,066	$ 47,440	$ 178,383	$ 135,029
Firm-fixed-price
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	61,434	39,483	155,832	113,080
Time-and-materials
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	3,154	3,605	9,243	11,066
Cost plus fixed fee
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	5,478	4,352	13,308	10,883
Federal Government
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	67,697	45,788	171,091	128,756
State & Local, and Commercial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total	$ 2,369	$ 1,652	$ 7,292	$ 6,273

Revenue Recognition - Contract

Revenue Recognition - Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Billed accounts receivable	$ 10,158		$ 10,158		$ 12,060
Unbilled receivables	39,717		39,717		19,161
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(116)		(116)		(308)
Accounts receivable – net	49,759		49,759		30,913
Contract liabilities	7,232		7,232		5,654
Significant changes in the contract liabilities balance (in thousands):
Revenue recognized that was included in the opening contract liability balance	823	$ 1,690	4,065	$ 5,208
Remaining performance obligations (funded backlog)	$ 163,351		$ 163,351		$ 127,735

Non-controlling Interests_Pur_2

Non-controlling Interests/Purchase of Telos ID (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Nov. 23, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 24, 2014USD ($)member	Apr. 20, 2007USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2007	Jan. 31, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 11, 2007USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Percentage of profit and loss allocated						50.00%		50.00%
Additional percentage of ownership interest								50.00%
Net income						$ 0	$ 2,694	$ 0	$ 6,284
Cash payment for acquisition								$ 5,925	0
Distributions							292		1,292
Telos ID
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Additional percentage of ownership interest	50.00%
Cash payment for acquisition	$ 30,000
Number of shares issued in acquisition (in shares) | shares	7,278,040
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 20.39
Value of stock issued	$ 148,400
Total consideration transferred	178,400
Issuance of common stock on APIC	148,400
Non-controlling interest in APIC	173,900
Impact of ownership interest on APIC	$ 25,500
Telos ID
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net book value of assets contributed										$ 17
Sale of stock, percentage of ownership before transaction				99.999%
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners				0.001%
Percentage of membership interest sold to investor		10.00%	39.999%
Cash consideration received on sale of membership interest		$ 5,000	$ 6,000
Sale of stock, percentage of ownership after transaction			60.00%
Number of members in board of director | member		5
Distributions					$ 2,400		$ 300		$ 1,300
Telos ID | Class A Membership Unit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Sale of stock, percentage of ownership after transaction		50.00%
Percentage of profit and loss allocated		50.00%
Number of directors entitled to appoint | member		3
Telos ID | Class B Membership Unit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Sale of stock, percentage of ownership after transaction		50.00%
Percentage of profit and loss allocated		50.00%
Number of directors entitled to appoint | member		2

Acquisition - Narrative (Detail

Acquisition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash payment for acquisition		$ 5,925	$ 0
Acquisition holdback		$ 506	$ 0
Asset Purchase Agreement
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration transferred	$ 6,700
Consideration transferred related to a pre-existing contractual arrangement	300
Cash payment for acquisition	5,900
Acquisition holdback	$ 600
Business combination, consideration transferred, liabilities incurred, cash holdback period	18 months
Business combination, contingent consideration, liability	$ 500
Business combination, recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, finite-lived intangibles	5,000
Goodwill, acquired during period	$ 1,700
Asset Purchase Agreement | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	3 years
Asset Purchase Agreement | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	8 years

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 16,642,000		$ 16,642,000		$ 14,916,000
Goodwill impairment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Intangible Assets - Schedule of

Intangible Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 23,342	$ 12,253
Accumulated Amortization	(6,240)	(4,833)
Net Carrying Value	$ 17,102	$ 7,420
Acquired technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life	8 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,910	$ 0
Accumulated Amortization	(112)	0
Net Carrying Value	$ 4,798	$ 0
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 40	$ 0
Accumulated Amortization	(2)	0
Net Carrying Value	$ 38	$ 0
Software development costs
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life	2 years	2 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 18,392	$ 12,253
Accumulated Amortization	(6,126)	(4,833)
Net Carrying Value	$ 12,266	$ 7,420

Intangible Assets - Narrative (

Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 0.5	$ 0.4	$ 1.4	$ 1.3

Debt Obligations - Enlightenmen

Debt Obligations - Enlightenment Capital Credit Agreement (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Apr. 19, 2021USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Nov. 24, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2020USD ($)maturity_date_extension	Jul. 19, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2018qtrshares	Jan. 25, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020$ / shares	Jul. 18, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 1.665	$ 1.665	$ 1.665
Payments for repurchase of warrants								$ 26,894	$ 0
Payments for repurchase of common stock								$ 1,251	0
Common stock, par or stated value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, fee amount		$ 1,200				$ 825
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage						15.00%
Credit agreement transaction costs						$ 374
Increase in interest rate					1.00%
Number of consecutive quarters | qtr					2
Interest expense							$ 800		$ 2,300
Repayments of senior debt		17,400
Interest payable, current		138
Legal fees		$ 13
Enlightenment Capital Solutions Fund, II L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit				$ 16,000
Debt instrument, fee amount				$ 1,200							$ 825
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage				17.30%
Line of credit facility, increase (decrease), net				$ 5,000
Prepayment price percentage for January 26, 2019 to January 25, 2020				102.00%
Prepayment price percentage for January 26, 2020 to October 14, 2020				101.00%
Number of quarterly maturity date extensions | maturity_date_extension			4
Amount of increase in quarterly exit fee payable			$ 250
Amount of increase in exit fee payable			1,000
Amendment fee and out-of-pocket costs and expenses			$ 100
Stock repurchased during period (in shares) | shares	39,682
Payments for repurchase of warrants	$ 26,900
Payments for repurchase of common stock	$ 1,300
Sale of warrants, price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 29.85
Treasury stock acquired, average cost per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	31.51
Common stock, par or stated value per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001
Enlightenment Capital Solutions Fund, II L.P. | Common Class A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Class of warrant or right, number of securities called by warrants or rights (in shares) | shares						900,970
Percentage of warrants issued of common equity interests						2.50%
Class of warrant or right, exercise price of warrants or rights (in dollars per share) | $ / shares						$ 1.665
Emmett J. Wood | Common Class A | Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of shares held by chief executive officer (in shares) | shares					50,000
Term Loan | Enlightenment Capital Solutions Fund, II L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term line of credit						$ 11,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						13.00%

Debt Obligations - Subordinated

Debt Obligations - Subordinated Debt (Details) - Affiliated Entity - Porter - Subordinated Loan Agreements and Promissory Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 18, 2017	Apr. 17, 2017	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from related party, debt			$ 2,500
Related party transaction, rate	6.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Interest expense, related party				$ 90	$ 265
Telos Corporation
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners			35.00%

Exchangeable Redeemable Prefe_2

Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock Conversion (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Nov. 23, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Nov. 19, 2020USD ($)$ / shares	Nov. 30, 1998shares	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2006USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 1991$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 1990$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 1991$ / shares
Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Liquidation value in cash transaction in condition 1	0.90
Liquidation value amount as per cash transaction in condition 2	0.85
Liquidation value in issuance of shares common stock in condition 1	0.90
Liquidation value in issuance of shares common stock in condition 2	0.15
Number of fractional shares (in shares) | shares	0
Conversion per share amount (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 10
Conversion of stock, amount converted		$ 142.3
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	$ 108.9
Number of shares stock holder received (in shares) | shares	1,100,000
Preferred stock, redemption price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 17
Conversion of stock, amount issued	$ 19.2
Preferred stock redemption costs	0.2
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	$ 14
Public Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares) | shares								6,000,000
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) | shares								2,858,723
Adjusted accrued accretion of public preferred stock					$ 1.5
Preferred stock dividends (in shares) | shares							736,863	736,863
Redemption of public preferred stock (in shares) | shares			410,000
Preferred stock dividend rate per annum							6.00%	6.00%	12.00%
Preferred stock dividend rate per annum (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 1.20
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 10		$ 10
Dividends on preferred stock				$ 1		$ 2.9

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes	$ 680		$ 680		$ 652
Income tax provision (benefit)	(41)	$ 8	6	$ (136)
Unrecognized tax benefits	961		961		763
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	241		241		278
Unrecognized tax benefits that would not impact effective tax rate	720		720		485
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	$ 238		$ 238		$ 241

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Hamot - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 05, 2021	Oct. 20, 2020
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Legal fees		$ 2,540
Litigation settlement, amount awarded to other party	$ 1,000

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 18, 2017	Apr. 17, 2017	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Emmett J. Wood
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, amounts of transaction				$ 88	$ 193	$ 389	$ 517
Number of shares held by related party (in shares)				73,562		73,562		682,502,000,000
Affiliated Entity | Porter | Subordinated Loan Agreements and Promissory Notes
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Proceeds from related party, debt			$ 2,500
Related party transaction, rate	6.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Interest expense, related party					$ 90		$ 265
Affiliated Entity | Porter | Telos Corporation | Subordinated Loan Agreements and Promissory Notes
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners			35.00%

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 182	$ 182	$ 546	$ 542
Short-term lease cost	4	26	13	83
Finance lease cost
Amortization of right-of-use assets	305	305	915	915
Interest on lease liabilities	187	205	574	622
Total finance lease cost	492	510	1,489	1,537
Total lease costs	$ 678	$ 718	$ 2,048	$ 2,162

Leases - Weighted Average Remai

Leases - Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate (Details)	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):
Finance lease, weighted average remaining lease term	7 years 7 months 6 days	8 years 7 months 6 days
Operating lease, weighted average remaining lease term	1 year 10 months 24 days	2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance lease, weighted average discount rate, percent	5.04%	5.04%
Operating lease, weighted average discount rate, percent	5.75%	5.75%

Leases - Future Minimum Lease C

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021)	$ 181
2022	603
2023	373
2024	27
2025	0
After 2025	0
Total lease payments	1,184
Less imputed interest	(66)
Total	1,118
Less Short-term portion	602	$ 677
Total, net of short-term portion	516	941
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
2021 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2021)	530
2022	2,149
2023	2,202
2024	2,258
2025	2,314
After 2025	8,344
Total lease payments	17,797
Less imputed interest	(3,149)
Total	14,648
Less Short-term portion	1,430	1,339
Total, net of short-term portion	$ 13,218	$ 14,301

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Cash flows from operating activities - operating leases	$ 586	$ 552
Cash flows from operating activities - finance leases	574	622
Cash flows from financing activities - finance leases	993	907
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 486	$ 455

Stock-Based Compensation - Addi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)day$ / sharesshares	Jan. 28, 2021$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020$ / shares	Oct. 31, 2020shares	Sep. 30, 2020shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense | $	$ 12,191	$ 47,197
2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)					9,400,000	4,500,000
Shares reserved for future issuance (in shares)	5,700,000	5,700,000
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option | 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period		10 years
Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Share-based payment arrangement, expense | $	$ 12,000	$ 34,000
Share-based payment arrangement, nonvested award, excluding option, cost not yet recognized, amount | $	$ 71,500	$ 71,500
Share-based payment arrangement, nonvested award, cost not yet recognized, period for recognition		1 year 6 months
Grants in period (in shares)		3,036,563
Nonvested weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 35.04	$ 35.04		$ 0.18
Performance-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Share-based payment arrangement, expense | $	$ 200	$ 13,200
Share-based payment arrangement, nonvested award, excluding option, cost not yet recognized, amount | $	$ 1,600	$ 1,600
Share-based payment arrangement, nonvested award, cost not yet recognized, period for recognition		3 months 18 days
Grants in period (in shares)		508,903
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions, risk free interest rate, minimum		0.18%
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, fair value assumptions, risk free interest rate, maximum		0.29%
Nonvested weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.07	$ 30.07		$ 0
Performance-Based RSU Awards | Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Grants in period (in shares)		458,903
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting threshold stock price trigger | $ / shares			$ 42.40
Number of consecutive trading days required for shares to vest | day		20
Number of maximum consecutive trading days required for shares to vest | day		30
Period of weighted average of share price of consecutive trading days equal to target price		30 days
Performance-Based RSU Awards | Certain Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Grants in period (in shares)		50,000
Minimum | 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		2 years
Minimum | Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		2 years
Minimum | Performance-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term		2 years 5 months 12 days
Expected volatility rate		57.40%
Nonvested weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	19.12	$ 19.12
Award requisite service period		4 months 17 days
Maximum | 2016 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Maximum | Service-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		3 years
Maximum | Performance-Based RSU Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term		2 years 11 months 1 day
Expected volatility rate		58.81%
Nonvested weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.84	$ 30.84
Award requisite service period		9 months 3 days

Stock-Based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Incurred (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense	$ 12,191	$ 47,197
Cost of sales - services
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense	442	1,974
Sales and marketing
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense	1,536	5,316
Research and development
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense	970	2,079
General and administrative
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, expense	$ 9,243	$ 37,828

Stock-Based Compensation - Serv

Stock-Based Compensation - Service-Based RSU Awards (Details) - Service-Based RSU Awards - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Number of Shares
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	59,521	59,521
Granted (in shares)		3,036,563
Vested (in shares)		(119,800)
Forfeited (in shares)		(79,476)
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)		2,896,808
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.18
Granted (in dollars per share)		35.69
Vested (in dollars per share)		36.17
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		36.63
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)		$ 35.04
Weighted- Average Contractual Life (years)
Outstanding	2 years 4 months 24 days	1 year 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding		$ 82,300	$ 2,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Perf

Stock-Based Compensation - Performance-Based RSU Awards (Details) - Performance-Based RSU Awards $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Number of Shares
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) | shares	0
Granted (in shares) | shares	508,903
Vested (in shares) | shares	0
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(16,176)
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) | shares	492,727
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	30.09
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	30.84
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.07
Weighted- Average Contractual Life (years)
Outstanding	2 years 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding | $	$ 14,000