Government Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Contracts
NAICS 541720 · Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts totaled $2.8B across 2,684 awards from FY2024 to FY2026. Obligations were up 6.9% in FY2026 vs FY2025, and the Department of Health and Human Services was the largest buyer, accounting for 38% of the total.
Key figures
In FY2026, contract obligations were $783,150,292 across 1,106 awards with activity that year, a change of +6.9% from $732,288,132 in FY2025. From FY2024 to FY2026, obligations totaled $2,822,255,123 across 2,684 awards.
- Obligated in FY2026
- $783M
- Awards in FY2026
- 1,106
- Change vs FY2025
- +6.9%
- Total, FY2024 to FY2026
- $2.8B
Note: FY2026 ended on Sep 30, 2026. The Department of Defense publishes contract data with a 90-day delay, so FY2026 totals may still rise as late reports arrive.
Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities contract spending by year
Federal research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts per fiscal year (October to September), under NAICS 541720. The table below lists the same numbers.
| Fiscal year | Obligated | Awards | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $783,150,292 | 1,106 | +6.9% |
| FY2025 | $732,288,132 | 1,646 | -44% |
| FY2024 | $1,306,816,700 | 1,960 | n/a |
About government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts
Federal spending on research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts fell 40% from FY2024 ($1.3B) to FY2026 ($783M). FY2026 closed recently, and Defense Department contracts are reported up to 90 days late, so its total may still rise.
Spending is spread widely: the top 3 contractors account for 28% of the total. No single company dominates, which leaves room for new and small contractors.
The Department of Health and Human Services spends the most on research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts (38%), followed by the Department of Defense. The states with the most of this work are Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.
NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) is part of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector.
Top research and development in the social sciences and humanities government contractors
Companies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities).
| # | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematica Inc. | $336,566,967 | 11.9% |
| 2 | The Rand Corporation | $236,523,241 | 8.4% |
| 3 | Westat, Inc. | $226,575,271 | 8.0% |
| 4 | Lockheed Martin Corp | $210,845,218 | 7.5% |
| 5 | National Opinion Research Center | $183,146,529 | 6.5% |
| 6 | Educational Testing Service | $147,706,723 | 5.2% |
| 7 | Research Triangle Institute | $142,292,060 | 5.0% |
| 8 | American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences | $130,207,038 | 4.6% |
| 9 | The Lewin Group, Inc. | $121,481,206 | 4.3% |
| 10 | The MITRE Corporation | $119,955,626 | 4.3% |
Agencies buying research and development in the social sciences and humanities services
Federal agencies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541720.
| # | Agency | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Health and Human Services | $1,066,361,347 | 37.8% |
| 2 | Department of Defense | $656,186,879 | 23.3% |
| 3 | Department of Education | $601,433,581 | 21.3% |
| 4 | Department of Commerce | $121,680,352 | 4.3% |
| 5 | General Services Administration | $95,591,026 | 3.4% |
| 6 | Department of Homeland Security | $93,640,570 | 3.3% |
| 7 | Department of Transportation | $37,713,713 | 1.3% |
| 8 | Department of Veterans Affairs | $29,927,843 | 1.1% |
| 9 | Department of Labor | $27,765,072 | 1.0% |
| 10 | Social Security Administration | $20,098,840 | 0.7% |
Where research and development in the social sciences and humanities contract work is performed
States ranked by contract dollars, using the place of performance on each award.
| # | State | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $907,237,736 | 32.1% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $646,185,078 | 22.9% |
| 3 | Virginia | $382,079,948 | 13.5% |
| 4 | California | $313,335,469 | 11.1% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $125,570,346 | 4.4% |
| 6 | North Carolina | $105,649,029 | 3.7% |
| 7 | Illinois | $99,864,936 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Colorado | $23,547,614 | 0.8% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $22,554,041 | 0.8% |
| 10 | Georgia | $19,395,196 | 0.7% |
Recent research and development in the social sciences and humanities contract awards
The latest research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts, newest first. Each award ID links to its record on USAspending.gov.
| Start date | Recipient | Agency and description | Amount | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | Pendar Technologies LLC | Department of Homeland SecuritySBIR/LRBAA CONTRACT DHS SBIR 25.1 PHASE II TOPIC 1 FENTANYL ATTRIBUTION FORENSICS/SOURCE PROFILING | $998,003 | 70RSAT26C00000022 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | The Rand Corporation | Department of Homeland SecurityFEMA/CBRN SD, S&T, AND OSEM WILL ENGAGE THE HSOAC FFRDC TO REVIEW PREVIOUS RADIOLOGICAL THREAT WORK, COORDINATE WITH THE INTERAGENCY (TO INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO NRC, DOE, DOW, DOS) TO SPECIFY TH | $1,748,855 | 70RDA226FR0000079 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | The Rand Corporation | Department of Homeland SecurityFEMA/CBRN SD, S&T, AND OSEM WILL ENGAGE THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCE (NAS) TO CONDUCT A SERIES OF REVIEWS TO EXAMINE THE THREAT AND RISK OF BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM, CONDUCT A BASELINE OF US POLICIES | $1,249,985 | 70RDA226FR0000078 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | College of William and Mary | Department of StateBUILDING REPORTING CAPABILITIES. | $25,000 | 19KE5026P2132 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Richard Grubb and Associates, Inc. | Department of AgricultureTHE PROJECT IS A CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY ON THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT SHALL BE: (1) TO LOCATE AND IDENTIFY ALL CULTURAL RESOURCES JUDGED TO BE AT LEAST 50 YEARS O | $237,048 | 12444726F0087 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Richard Grubb and Associates, Inc. | Department of AgricultureTHE PROJECT IS A CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY ON THE MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST. THE PROJECT MAY BE LOCATED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TEN COUNTY AREA IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT SHALL B | $358,019 | 12444726F0053 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Westat, Inc. | Department of AgricultureTHE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS) OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) SEEKS A SINGLE QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR TO PRODUCE ACCURATE, RELIABLE, AND TIMELY NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE A | $589,675 | 12319826C5006 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | National Opinion Research Center | National Endowment for the ArtsCONDUCT A PLANNING STUDY FOR THE 2030 SURVEY OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS CONSISTING OF TWO MAIN PHASES: A PLANNING PHASE AND A PILOT STUDY | $275,805 | 59310526P00010 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | National Opinion Research Center | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROCURE CONTRACTOR SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), CENTER FOR MEDICAID AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP), CENT | $3,054,149 | 75FCMC26F0159 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | The Rand Corporation | Department of Homeland SecurityTHE FSM PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO IDENTIFY, IMPLEMENT, AND OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MODERN AND COMPLIANT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND BUSINESS PROCESSES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT. THE FSM TRIO SYSTE | $799,999 | 70RDA326FR0000008 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Altitut LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 DIRECT TO PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0037 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Future Engineers LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0036 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Gaiaxus, Inc. | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0035 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Curiosity AI LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0034 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Abacus Mind Math Tutors, Inc. | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0033 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Algae Research and Supply, Inc | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0032 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Gigantic Mechanic LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0031 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Objective Ed, Inc. | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0030 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | T-Var Edtech, Inc | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE II AWARD | $1,000,000 | 91990026C0029 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Narratear, Inc | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IB AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0028 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Swiftscore LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IB AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0026 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Coursemojo Inc | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IB AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0024 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Baro Behavior, Inc. | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IA AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0023 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Atomic Software Inc | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IA AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0022 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Charmtech Labs LLC | Department of EducationSMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) 2026 PHASE IB AWARD | $250,000 | 91990026C0021 |
Open research and development in the social sciences and humanities government bids
The newest open notices from SAM.gov. Bidding needs a free SAM.gov registration.
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Transportation, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 541720 · DC · No Set aside used
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 5, 2026
How to win government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts
Federal research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts are posted on SAM.gov under NAICS 541720. Register your business free on SAM.gov with this code, watch for research and development in the social sciences and humanities bids, and look for small business set-asides: many research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts for small business are reserved for small firms.
Explore government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts by state, agency and contractor
- Department of Health and Human Services contracts
- Department of Defense contracts
- Department of Education contracts
- Department of Commerce contracts
- General Services Administration contracts
- Government contracts in Maryland
- Government contracts in District of Columbia
- Government contracts in Virginia
- Government contracts in California
- Government contracts in New Jersey
- Westat government contracts
- Lockheed Martin government contracts
Frequently asked questions
- What NAICS code is used for government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts?
- Federal research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts use NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities). List this code in your free SAM.gov registration to be found for these contracts.
- Who are the largest research and development in the social sciences and humanities government contractors?
- By contract dollars under NAICS 541720 from FY2024 to FY2026, the largest were Mathematica Inc. ($337M), The Rand Corporation ($237M) and Westat, Inc. ($227M).
- Which agencies buy the most research and development in the social sciences and humanities?
- From FY2024 to FY2026, the biggest buyers were the Department of Health and Human Services ($1.1B), the Department of Defense ($656M) and the Department of Education ($601M).
- Where are government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts performed?
- By contract dollars, the most federal research and development in the social sciences and humanities work is performed in Maryland ($907M), District of Columbia ($646M) and Virginia ($382M).
- Is federal spending on research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts growing?
- Federal research and development in the social sciences and humanities contract obligations fell 40% from FY2024 ($1.3B) to FY2026 ($783M). FY2026 closed recently, and Defense Department contracts are reported up to 90 days late, so its total may still rise.
- Do I qualify as a small business for research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts?
- It depends on the SBA size standard for NAICS 541720, which is set either by average annual revenue or by number of employees. Check the current table of size standards on sba.gov before you bid on small business set-asides.
- What do I need to bid on government research and development in the social sciences and humanities contracts?
- An active SAM.gov registration (free) with NAICS 541720 listed, the licenses and insurance your state requires for research and development in the social sciences and humanities work, and examples of similar past work. Some solicitations also ask for specific certifications or security clearances.