### Company Overview & Leadership
Empirical Corporation has operated since 1997 [1], establishing itself as a trusted advisor and reliable solutions provider to financial, IT, and program leaders across the Federal Government [1]. The firm functions as a designated disadvantaged small business Federal contractor [6] and Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm [12], offering comprehensive financial management, risk mitigation, audit readiness, and strategic advisory services [1]. Empirical combines the capabilities and skills of a large financial, IT, or consulting firm with the responsiveness and flexibility of a small business to drive transformational change and mission success [2].
The company focuses on developing sound strategies, delivering exceptional services, and converging with technology to achieve superior results and operational efficiencies for every customer [2]. Empirical supports leaders in the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, program spend analysis, risk-to-reward / tradeoff analysis, and budget forecasting actions [3]. Furthermore, the firm leverages its deep understanding of financial data to transform data silos into interactive dashboards, providing accurate data and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for informed decision-making [12]. Empirical maintains a long history of serving the Office of the Chief Financial Officers (OCFO) and program offices across numerous Federal Agencies [17].
The company’s leadership team drives strategic direction and expertise. Antrium (Gary) Jones serves as the founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer [4][7]. Strategic hires were made effective June 10, 2021, expanding the team's capabilities in technology, business development, and finance [7].
Key personnel and expertise include: * Antrium (Gary) Jones: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) [4] holding a TS/SCI clearance [4]. * Catherine Straley: Business Development Manager, bringing over 12 years of experience supporting the financial, data, and IT community [7]. * Lanie Willis: Comptroller and certified financial management and accounting expert [7], supporting the contract at the Department of Homeland Security’s US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) OCFO [7]. * Team Expertise: Includes knowledge of Federal Acquisition Requirements (FAR), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) [15].
Empirical’s core focus areas span critical Federal domains: * **Primary Industry Sectors:** Federal Government [1], serving OCFO, OCIO, and program office leadership [3]. * **Key Service Domains:** Financial Management [2], Risk Mitigation, Reviews, and Audit Support [2], Finance and Analytics Technology Solutions [2], and Strategic Planning & Advisory [2]. * **Main Technology Specializations:** Robotic Process Automation (RPA) [14], Modernize Systems [14], Data Management [14], and Data Analytics and Dashboards [14].
Corporate statistics include: * **Years in Operation:** Since 1997 [1]. * **Corporate Headquarters Location:** 137 National Plaza Suite 300 National Harbor, MD 20745 [5]. * **Geographic Presence:** Alexandria, VA was cited as a location in a June 10, 2021, news release [6].
### Federal Market & Contracts
Empirical operates as a designated disadvantaged small business and Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm, serving the Federal Government since 1997 [1]. The firm maintains extensive relationships across the federal sector, supporting the Offices of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and program office leadership at numerous agencies [6]. Empirical specializes in providing financial management, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), audit readiness, strategic planning, and technology support, which customers can acquire via sole source under the firm’s GSA PSS and MAS schedules [1].
Empirical maintains multiple contract vehicles allowing federal customers to acquire services and solutions easily [1]: * **GSA PSS Schedule (Contract # GS23F0059U):** Includes Special Item Numbers (SINs) covering Financial & Performance Audits (520 7/520 7RC), Accounting (520 11/520 11RC), Budgeting (520 12/520 12RC), Complementary Financial Management Services (520 13/520 13RC), and Program Management Services (520 21/520 21RC) [1]. * **GSA MAS Schedule (Contract # 47QTCA20D005A):** Includes SIN 132 51 STLOC/RC for IT Professional Consulting Services [2]. * **NOAA Protech IDIQ:** Empirical is part of RIVA’s team supporting this contract, which provides Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services across four domains: Satellite, Fisheries, Oceans, and Weather [1].
The firm has a proven track record of performance, maintaining dozens of past performances supporting Federal organizations [2] and holding excellent CPARs as both a prime and subcontractor [4]. Empirical has been instrumental in helping a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) organization achieve a clean audit opinion through effective data validation and restructuring efforts [7].
Notable program engagements include: * **Department of Labor (DOL):** Awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for financial management services (Contract # 1605DC-19-A-0022) under the PSS Schedule [1]. * **U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) OCFO:** Completed data entry cleansing in the financial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and analyzed obligation/expenditure activities, enabling the OCFO to identify specific contracts with low execution rates and reallocate funds [9]. The team also helped ICE move toward a clean audit opinion by reviewing the budget execution process, identifying internal control opportunities, and creating/updating standard operating procedures (SOP) [14]. * **Bureau of Prisons (BOP):** Supported the Accounting Operations Section (AOS) by implementing a voucher checklist and developing business process improvements to enhance data accuracy and accelerate the timeliness of voucher payments and reports [8]. The firm also developed a reporting solution for the Financial Statements division to automate financial data derived from monthly and quarterly reconciliations, improving Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol (GTAS) submissions [10]. * **Automation:** Developed tools and bots that are now mission-critical for the efficient operations of various departments within the OCFO and other organizations, including ICE, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Secret Service, DOL, and BOP [13].
Empirical actively teams with large and small businesses, including 8(a), veteran-owned, woman-owned, and HUB zone contractors, adding value as both a prime and subcontractor [10][4]. The firm partners with technology providers including Tableau, DataWalk, and Microsoft [13], and leading contractors such as Cotton & Company, Deloitte Consulting, Guidehouse, Kearney & Company, Miracle, and Riva [4].
### Certifications & Socioeconomic
Empirical, formerly known as Empirical Concepts until June 10, 2021 [10], is a designated disadvantaged small business by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm [1]. This status allows customers to sole source services through the firm’s GSA Professional Services Schedule (PSS) and Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts [1].
As a CPA firm, Empirical possesses extensive experience supporting agencies in meeting audit objectives and remediating noted deficiencies rapidly [12]. The firm’s financial and accounting experts understand Federal financial accounting standards and regulations, including: * Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) * The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act) * Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) * Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) * Requirements set by the Department of Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) [17].
Empirical specializes in financial management, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), audit readiness, strategic planning, and technology support [1]. The firm assists organizations in developing ERM frameworks integrated with performance and cost management practices [16]. Empirical focuses on designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining financial reporting systems, data analytics and visualization solutions, data warehouses, and databases [13]. The firm supports the consolidation and modernization of financial legacy systems using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions [13].
Empirical operates as a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm, leveraging its certified pool of talent and expertise to support Federal financial compliance and audit objectives [12]. The firm maintains a focus on developing sound strategies and delivering exceptional services to enable leaders to improve program performance and drive transformational change [15]. Empirical’s corporate culture cultivates excellence, diligence, and innovation, with every team member recognized as a source of knowledge in their respective field [3].
The firm’s socioeconomic status and teaming approach include: * Designated disadvantaged small business by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) [1]. * Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm [1]. * Welcomes opportunities to team with 8(a), veteran-owned, woman-owned, and HUB zone contractors [2].
### Recent News & Recognition
Empirical Corporation, operating since 1997 [[LINK:http://www