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About Us

Fifth Gait’s Mission is to work at the leading edge of innovation for the future…
while modernizing legacy systems of the past.

We don’t do Mission Difficult.
We do Mission Impossible.

At Fifth Gait Technologies, we crave the near impossible tasks our clients present to us. The more difficult the challenge, the better.

Our team comes together to solve some of the most complex puzzles of space. We not only prefer the jobs that others are afraid to accept, we thrive on them.

our history

Fifth Gait Technologies was founded in 2007 when Dr. Kathryn Doughty united a team of experts committed to advancing the field of radiation effects analysis and testing, electro-optical sensor design and detector physics, and system survivability. Since its inception, the company has become the leading provider of nuclear hardened designs.

Fifth Gait scientists and engineers continue to develop radiation standards, software and tools, and unprecedented design technologies. As a result, the company offers unparalleled system and component performance via operational environments and effects analysis, system modeling and simulation, as well as test and evaluation.

As a small business that is minority-woman owned, Fifth Gait possesses the agility to respond to rapid changes in program requirements and industry needs, unlike many larger competitors. Any service or product provided by Fifth Gait is delivered through disciplined program management and quality practices with an ongoing commitment to total customer satisfaction.

2007 – THE FIRST UNICORNS
A close-knit team of subject matter experts in the fields of radiation effects testing, electro-optics sensor design, detector physics, and system survivability band together to create Fifth Gait Technologies.
2010 – SBIR AWARDED
The Fifth Gait team is awarded their first Small Business Innovation Research contract for the NICSSIM, a radiation effects model and data analysis tool providing cost-effective simulation and data analysis packages.
2013 – RAPID INNOVATION FUND AWARD
Our first Rapid Innovation Fund Award in 2013 developed the XTRRA Toolkit in support of DTRA. This work lead to the second Fifth Gait RIF contract.
2014 – SECOND SBIR AWARDED
Fifth Gait’s team of subject matter experts is awarded an SBIR to develop the MDA Space Radiation Environment module to characterize in-flight radiation environments for Missile Defense Agency (MDA) missile systems.
2015 – FIRST PHASE III SBIR
This supported Fifth Gait's 2nd Rapid Innovation Fund contract for the Phase III SIRE2 Toolkit award, Phase II NICSSIM enhancements, and other hardened interceptor technology test methods, diagnostics, and technology verification.
2016 – MENTOR PROTEGE
The MDA proudly announces a new Mentor-Protégé Agreement between Fifth Gait Technologies and Raytheon Missile Systems. The program seeks to help eligible small businesses expand their footprint in the defense industrial base.
2017 – EPIC AWARD
Fifth Gait Technologies is acknowledged for outstanding performance and receives Raytheon’s Epic Award for Excellence in Performance, Innovation, & Collaboration.
2018 – NUNN PERRY AWARD
The U.S. Department of Defense announces that Fifth Gait Technologies will receive the prestigious Nunn-Perry Award for supporting the MDA. The award recognizes mentor-protégé teams that have excelled in technical developments, cost effectiveness, and increased business opportunities.
2020 – THE GREAT UNICORN MIGRATION
As the company continues to grow, reaching fifty plus employees, the Fifth Gait Campus in Colorado Springs, CO doubles the size of their labs and offices.

CYBERSECURITY

At Fifth Gait, we stake our reputation on making systems of national interest more robust – including our information technology and cyber security architecture.

We comprehend the inherent risks of operating in cyberspace – attacks increase in frequency and sophistication across all sectors as adversaries target sensitive information at every weak point. It is imperative to understand the risks and have vigorous strategies in place to protect our business, our customers, and our systems of national security. We consider cybersecurity to be the foundation upon which everything is built – without this secure foundation, all other functions are at risk.

Our company accomplishes this by adhering to the policy controls set up by DFARS Clause 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171, and the DoD’s cyber security maturity model certification process. These protocols provide stress tests for our IT infrastructure and systems, thus ensuring we provide optimal security in a dynamic environment based upon hundreds of security implementations, risk assessments, and vulnerability monitoring controls.

We understand we must be future focused and do everything in our power to safeguard vital information for our nation, our clients, and our company.

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE

The success of our business depends on the trust and confidence we earn from our employees and customers. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity, and reaching company goals solely through honorable conduct. It is easy to say what we must do, but the proof manifests through our actions. Ultimately, Fifth Gait will be judged not only on what we do but on how we perform.

We all deserve to work in an environment where we are treated with dignity and respect. Fifth Gait Technologies is committed to enhancing such a workplace because it allows each individual’s full potential to become more fully developed. This, in turn contributes directly to the success of our business, as we do not allow anyone’s talents go to waste.

At Fifth Gait Technologies, everyone should feel comfortable to speak his or her mind, particularly with respect to ethical concerns. Leadership has a responsibility to create an open and supportive culture where employees feel comfortable raising concerns or questions. Our entire company benefits tremendously when team members are free to exercise their power to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing by asking the right questions at the right times.

We must avoid any relationship or activity that might impair, or even appear to impair, our abilities to make objective and fair decisions while performing our jobs.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

  • Maintain responsible and highly ethical business standards that reflect our commitment to integrity
  • Continue developing a company culture that encourages employee engagement through growth opportunities and leadership development
  • Contribute in a proactive manner by reducing our environmental impact and helping our communities through expanding our virtual business structure and furthering the lifecycle of our labs
  • Educate and inspire future visionaries through supporting The Society of Women Engineers in programs and fundraising
  • Support small and diverse businesses through mentorship and partnering
  • Provide internships and mentoring opportunities for local high school students
  • Search out new opportunities to engage with our partners, customers, communities, and employees in positive ways