Commercial Services

Professional services for commercial clients — cloud, cybersecurity, AI/ML, and embedded systems engineering.

Bayside Systems extends our technical expertise to commercial clients seeking high-caliber engineering support. We deliver the same rigorous standards we apply to defense programs — reliable, auditable, and built for real-world deployment.

Our Service Domains

Cloud & Infrastructure Engineering

Build modern, secure, and cost-effective cloud infrastructure with our expert team.

Capabilities:

  • Cloud Architecture & Design (AWS, GCP, Azure)
  • Cloud Migration & Modernization
  • DevSecOps Pipeline Design & Implementation
  • Infrastructure-as-Code & Platform Engineering
  • Container Orchestration (Kubernetes, ECS)
  • Cloud Cost Optimization & FinOps Advisory

Standard Rate: $200–$225/hour

Cybersecurity Engineering

Protect your systems with security engineering rooted in NIST frameworks and real-world experience.

Capabilities:

  • Security Architecture & Zero Trust Design
  • NIST 800-171 / CMMC Compliance Engineering
  • Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessment
  • Security Operations & Incident Response Engineering
  • Risk Management Framework (RMF) Implementation
  • Security Tool Integration & SIEM Engineering

Standard Rate: $225–$250/hour

AI/ML Engineering

Production-grade AI systems built for reliability, control, and your specific workloads.

Capabilities:

  • ML Model Development & Training
  • LLM Fine-Tuning & RAG System Architecture
  • AI/ML Pipeline Design & MLOps
  • Computer Vision & Signal Processing
  • AI Model Evaluation, Bias Mitigation & Assurance
  • Data Engineering & Feature Pipeline Development

Standard Rate: $250–$275/hour

Embedded Systems & General Development

From firmware to full-stack applications, we build software that works.

Capabilities:

  • Embedded Systems Engineering
  • Firmware Development & Board Support Packages
  • Systems Integration & Interface Engineering
  • Full-Stack Application Development
  • API Design & Microservices Architecture
  • Technical Documentation & Architecture Review

Standard Rate: $175–$200/hour

Engagement Models

We offer flexible engagement structures to match your project needs and budget.

Time & Materials (T&M)

Best for: Ongoing development, advisory engagements, or work where scope may evolve.

  • Billing: Actual hours worked × applicable hourly rate
  • Minimum: 20 hours/month
  • Invoicing: Monthly, issued on the 1st for the prior month’s work
  • Payment Terms: Net 15 from invoice date
  • Hours Tracking: Detailed weekly time reports with each invoice
  • Overtime: Hours exceeding 160/month billed at 1.25× standard rate
  • Rate Lock: Rates locked for the duration of the SOW (up to 12 months)
  • Termination: 14 calendar days written notice by either party

Fixed Firm Price (FFP)

Best for: Well-defined deliverables with clear acceptance criteria — proof of concepts, assessments, defined R&D tasks.

  • Billing: Total fixed price for defined scope and deliverables
  • Payment Schedule:
    • 25% upon SOW execution (non-refundable deposit)
    • 25% upon midpoint milestone delivery
    • 25% upon final deliverable delivery
    • 25% upon client written acceptance (Net 10)
  • Acceptance Period: 10 business days to accept or object
  • Change Orders: Required for any scope changes before work begins

Monthly Retainer

Best for: Ongoing advisory, security monitoring, fractional CTO/CISO, or guaranteed availability needs.

  • Billing: Fixed monthly fee for reserved hours
  • Standard Tiers: 40 hrs/month | 80 hrs/month | 120 hrs/month
  • Pricing: Hours × applicable rate, less 10% retainer discount
  • Invoicing: Billed on the 1st of each month, in advance
  • Payment Terms: Due upon receipt (prepaid)
  • Unused Hours: Do not roll over to the following month
  • Overage Hours: Billed at standard hourly rate on following invoice
  • Minimum Term: 3 months initial commitment
  • Availability SLA: Priority scheduling with guaranteed 4-hour response during business hours (M-F, 8AM-6PM ET)

Project-Based Assessment (Flat Fee)

Best for: Security assessments, architecture reviews, compliance gap analyses.

Assessment Type Flat Fee Duration Deliverable
CMMC/NIST 800-171 Gap Assessment $12,500 2–3 weeks Gap analysis report with remediation roadmap
Cloud Security Architecture Review $15,000 2–3 weeks Architecture findings, risk matrix, recommendations
AI/ML Model Risk Assessment $18,000 3–4 weeks Model evaluation report with bias analysis
Penetration Test (External + Internal) $20,000 3–4 weeks Detailed findings with severity ratings
Technical Due Diligence $25,000+ 2–4 weeks Technical assessment report (scope-dependent)

Standard Commercial Terms

Intellectual Property

  • Work-for-hire (default): All deliverables created under the SOW are owned by the client upon full payment.
  • Pre-existing IP: Tools, libraries, frameworks, or methodologies that existed prior to the engagement remain Bayside Systems’ property. A perpetual, non-exclusive license to use pre-existing IP as incorporated into deliverables is granted to the client at no additional cost.
  • Residual Knowledge: Nothing restricts Bayside Systems from using general knowledge, skills, and experience gained during the engagement, provided no client confidential information or proprietary data is disclosed.

Confidentiality

  • Mutual NDA executed prior to engagement or as part of the SOW
  • Standard term: 3 years from disclosure
  • Bayside Systems maintains information security practices aligned with NIST 800-171 and is prepared to handle CUI where contractually required

Liability

  • Total aggregate liability capped at total fees paid under the applicable SOW in the 12 months preceding the claim
  • Neither party is liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Bayside Systems maintains professional errors & omissions (E&O) insurance and cyber liability insurance

Late Payment

  • Invoices not paid within specified terms accrue interest at 1.5% per month (18% APR) on the outstanding balance
  • Bayside Systems reserves the right to suspend work if any invoice remains unpaid for more than 30 days past due

Governing Law

  • Commonwealth of Virginia
  • Dispute resolution via good faith negotiation followed by binding arbitration in Norfolk, Virginia

Volume & Term Discounts

Condition Discount
Retainer engagement (any tier) 10% off standard hourly rates
SOW total exceeding $100,000 5% off standard hourly rates
SOW term of 6+ months (T&M) 5% off standard hourly rates
SOW term of 12+ months (T&M) 8% off standard hourly rates
Nonprofit or academic institution 15% off standard hourly rates

Discounts are not stackable. The single most favorable discount applies.

Engagement Process

Step 1 — Discovery Call (no charge)
Initial conversation to understand the problem, scope, and timeline. Typically 30–60 minutes.

Step 2 — Scoping & Proposal (no charge for standard engagements)
Bayside Systems provides a written proposal or SOW within 5 business days of the discovery call, including scope, deliverables, pricing model, estimated timeline, and applicable terms.

Step 3 — SOW Execution
Both parties sign the SOW. For FFP and retainer engagements, the initial payment is due before work begins.

Step 4 — Kickoff & Delivery
Work commences per the agreed schedule. Regular status updates provided weekly or as defined in the SOW.

Step 5 — Acceptance & Closeout
Deliverables reviewed per acceptance criteria. Final invoice issued upon completion.

Ready to discuss your project?
Contact us to schedule a discovery call.