Enabled Intelligence, a data labeling firm headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, is preparing for a substantial transition as it increases its staff to meet the requirements of a $708 million contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The company’s focus on hiring neurodivergent employees and its commitment to in-house operations have set it apart in a competitive industry where accuracy and detailed work are critical. As the new contract brings fresh responsibilities including projects for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the company now faces the challenge of rapid scaling to fulfill government and military data labeling tasks. Enabled Intelligence’s recent move reflects broader trends in the AI sector, where data quality and trusted labor are significant priorities for stakeholders.
Earlier reports on Enabled Intelligence highlighted its unique workforce initiatives but did not anticipate the firm landing such a large-scale contract, especially over much larger competitors like Scale AI. The company has previously operated more quietly in the background of AI supply chains. The new developments signal a shift, as Enabled Intelligence moves from niche status within defense AI projects to a more visible role with significant direct engagement for intelligence and defense applications. Prior industry coverage centered primarily on technology and employment models, with fewer details on the scope and significance of federal partnerships compared to this latest announcement.
How Did Enabled Intelligence Win the Military Contract?
Enabled Intelligence won the Pentagon contract by outbidding established competitors, attracting attention for both its smaller size and its unconventional workforce. Scale AI, which had been a prior contractor for Project Maven, acknowledged the change, stating,
“While we are incredibly proud of the work our team has done on this program for four years, Scale’s public sector momentum is accelerating independent of a single award,”
referencing its ongoing relationships with military agencies. The contract, which surfaced after the resolution of the federal government shutdown, marks the largest data labeling deal attempted to date by the NGA.
What Drives the Company’s Hiring Strategy?
From its founding, Enabled Intelligence prioritized hiring neurodivergent professionals, who now account for approximately 60 percent of its 130-person workforce. CEO Peter Kant emphasized the advantage, stating,
“Here’s an under-employed, highly qualified workforce with almost, like, superpowers in this area of hyper-focused detail orientation and pattern recognition that we can leverage for these critical missions,”
This approach includes flexible work arrangements, customized training, and support from a full-time occupational coach. The firm has also partnered with Melwood, offering internships to broaden access for candidates with disabilities.
What Does the Contract Mean for Enabled Intelligence’s Operations?
The NGA contract will see Enabled Intelligence labeling data associating with military aircraft, disaster response, and environmental assessment. The firm handles all data labeling in-house, setting it apart from competitors that often outsource. Some of the new hires recruited for the expansion came directly from Melwood’s training program, indicating a direct pathway from specialized bootcamps to high-security, technical positions. CEO Kant expressed excitement about notifying new hires once the deal was confirmed, emphasizing the personal satisfaction in growing the team.
Enabled Intelligence’s rapid staff expansion reflects both the demands of the new government work and growing trust in its workforce model. By doubling its size twice within just a couple of weeks, the company is preparing for years of sustained workload, handling both defense-sensitive and wider-impact data projects such as tracking environmental changes and disaster impacts. The focus on in-house accuracy and careful vetting remains central as projects ramp up. Although new hires must quickly learn specialized labeling protocols, the company continues to invest in onboarding and ongoing training.
For organizations seeking to participate in federal AI projects, consistent quality control, adaptable training programs, and a demonstrated ability to handle sensitive government data can distinguish them in procurement competitions. Enabled Intelligence’s case illustrates the potential benefits of broadening conventional hiring practices to tap underemployed talent pools, particularly in sectors reliant on meticulous, detail-oriented labor. Companies intending to compete in this space should not only build technical capacity but also cultivate trust and compliance structures that meet federal and security requirements. As government agencies expand AI use, the significance of reliable data annotation and personnel management will remain high for future contracts and collaborations.
