Government Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences Contracts
NAICS 541710 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts totaled $27.4B across 629 awards from FY2024 to FY2026. Obligations were up 5.6% in FY2026 versus FY2025, and the Department of Energy was the largest buyer, accounting for 94% of the total.
Key figures
In FY2026, contract obligations were $9,053,670,655 across 114 awards with activity that year, a change of +5.6% from $8,574,975,797 in FY2025. From FY2024 to FY2026, obligations totaled $27,362,283,572 across 629 awards.
- Obligated in FY2026
- $9.1B
- Awards in FY2026
- 114
- Change vs FY2025
- +5.6%
- Total, FY2024 to FY2026
- $27.4B
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 Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contract spending by year
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts per fiscal year (October to September), under NAICS 541710. The table below lists the same numbers.
| Fiscal year | Obligated | Awards | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $9,053,670,655 | 114 | +5.6% |
| FY2025 | $8,574,975,797 | 277 | -11.9% |
| FY2024 | $9,733,637,121 | 627 | n/a |
About government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
Federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts fell 7% from FY2024 ($9.7B) to FY2026 ($9.1B). FY2026 closed recently, and Defense Department contracts are reported up to 90 days late, so its total may still rise.
Spending is fairly concentrated: the top 3 contractors account for 71% of the total. No single company dominates, which leaves room for new and small contractors.
The Department of Energy spends the most on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts (94%), followed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The states with the most of this work are California, Washington and Illinois.
NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) is part of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector.
Top research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences government contractors
Companies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences).
| # | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC | $10,510,785,096 | 38.4% |
| 2 | Battelle Memorial Institute | $4,894,012,790 | 17.9% |
| 3 | The Regents of the University of California | $3,936,129,632 | 14.4% |
| 4 | Uchicago Argonne, LLC | $3,624,693,141 | 13.2% |
| 5 | The Leland Stanford Junior University | $2,162,691,465 | 7.9% |
| 6 | Lockheed Martin Corp | $939,769,327 | 3.4% |
| 7 | Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. | $457,552,260 | 1.7% |
| 8 | Jefferson Science Associates, LLC | $381,399,049 | 1.4% |
| 9 | Iowa State University of Science and Technology | $240,971,606 | 0.9% |
| 10 | Smithsonian Institution | $200,818,999 | 0.7% |
Agencies buying research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences services
Federal agencies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541710.
| # | Agency | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Energy | $25,627,104,558 | 93.7% |
| 2 | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $1,742,896,891 | 6.4% |
| 3 | Department of Defense | $16,678,689 | <0.1% |
| 4 | Department of the Treasury | $6,856,085 | <0.1% |
Where research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contract work is performed
States ranked by contract dollars, using the place of performance on each award.
| # | State | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $16,620,764,371 | 60.7% |
| 2 | Washington | $4,894,012,790 | 17.9% |
| 3 | Illinois | $3,464,858,098 | 12.7% |
| 4 | Colorado | $944,656,003 | 3.5% |
| 5 | Maryland | $496,849,653 | 1.8% |
| 6 | Virginia | $386,142,238 | 1.4% |
| 7 | Iowa | $240,906,046 | 0.9% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $200,506,243 | 0.7% |
| 9 | New Mexico | $53,258,388 | 0.2% |
| 10 | Arizona | $29,670,148 | 0.1% |
Recent research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contract awards
The latest research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts, newest first. Each award ID links to its record on USAspending.gov.
| Start date | Recipient | Agency and description | Amount | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2025 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of the TreasuryNEW TASK ORDER AGAINST TREASURY FFRDC CONTRACT (TIRNO99D00005) - MITRE CORP - TREASURY FFM & HHS GRM TECHNICAL SUPPORT | $3,203,262 | 2033H625F00094 |
| Nov 27, 2024 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of the TreasuryPAYMENT VISIONING SUPPORT (IRS, MITRE (TIRNO-99-D-00005)) | $1,198,629 | 2033H625F00030 |
| Sep 3, 2024 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of the TreasuryNEW TASK ORDER AGAINST TREASURY FFRDC CONTRACT (TIRNO99D00005) - MITRE CORP - TREASURY FFM & HHS GRM MGMT ADVISORY SUPPORT IRS CONDUCT ACQUISITION AS SPONSOR, FS ULTIMATELY AWD FUNDING ORDER. | $1,732,007 | 2033H624F00147 |
| Dec 1, 2023 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of the TreasuryMITRE CORPORATION - FM QSMO AND FMLOB MANAGEMENT ADVISORY SUPPORT | $899,754 | 2033H624F00040 |
| Dec 17, 2020 | Mta Inc | Department of DefensePROVIDE ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN PLANNING, DEVELOPING, AND MANAGING RAM AND SA PROGRAMS FOR WEAPON SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE LIFE CYCLE | $51,847,237 | W31P4Q21FC003 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY SUPPORT- NEW TASK ORDER UNDER NNN06AA01C | $990,868 | 80MSFC20F0108 |
| Feb 10, 2020 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationJHU/APL DURING THE PHASE A ELECTROJET ZEEMAN IMAGING EXPLORER (EZIE) MISSION CONCEPT STUDIES. | $242,738 | 80MSFC20F0075 |
| Jan 1, 2020 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationJHU/APL DURING THE PHASE A SPATIAL/SPECTRAL IMAGING OF HELIOSPERIC LYMAN ALPHA (SILHA) MISSION CONCEPT STUDIES. | $392,679 | 80MSFC20F0068 |
| Dec 2, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationAEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) PLANETARY MISSIONS PROGRAM OFFICE REVIEW SUPPORT TASK ORDER | $147,681 | 80MSFC20F0049 |
| Nov 27, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSPACE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION SUPPORT ISSUED UNDER NNN06AA01C AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) CONTRACT | $436,046 | 80MSFC20F0038 |
| Nov 15, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationKA-BAND TERMINAL INITIAL CONCEPT STUDY | $899,914 | 80MSFC20F0035 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationMARS 2020 STANDING REVIEW BOARD SUPPORT ISSUED UNDER NNN06AA01C AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) CONTRACT | $84,783 | 80MSFC20F0025 |
| Sep 27, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationESA-NASA CONTROL SYSTEMS WORKSHOP TASK ORDER UNDER NNN06AA01C | $76,231 | 80MSFC19F0224 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorDUE TO SYSTEM LIMITATIONS, A NEW ORDER HAD TO BE CREATED TO OBLIGATE FUNDS AND PAY THE FINAL INVOICE. THIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0041 | $911 | 140D0419F0423 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorDUE TO SYSTEM LIMITATIONS, A NEW ORDER HAD TO BE CREATED TO OBLIGATE FUNDS AND PAY THE FINAL INVOICE. THIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0038 | $227 | 140D0419F0420 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorDUE TO SYSTEM LIMITATIONS, A NEW ORDER HAD TO BE CREATED TO OBLIGATE FUNDS AND PAY THE FINAL INVOICE. THIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0037 | $8,045 | 140D0419F0418 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorDUE TO SYSTEM LIMITATIONS, A NEW ORDER HAD TO BE CREATED TO OBLIGATE FUNDS AND PAY THE FINAL INVOICE. THIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0036 | $7,116 | 140D0419F0417 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorREOBLIGATION OF CANCELLED FUNDS TO PAY FINAL INVOICE. THIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0034 | $436 | 140D0419F0415 |
| Sep 6, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorTHIS ORDER IS LINKED TO D020028-0030 | $438 | 140D0419F0411 |
| Sep 6, 2019 | Concurrent Technologies Corp | Department of the InteriorNEW CONTRACT TO PAY FINAL INVOICE ON D0200280022 | $519 | 140D0419F0397 |
| Aug 16, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationTHE NASA ENGINEERING AND SAFETY CENTER (NESC) HAS FORMED THE ELECTRICAL POWER TECHNICAL DISCIPLINE TEAM (TDT) TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO THE AGENCY FOR ISSUES RELATED TO ELECTRICAL POWER THAT J | $10,051 | 80MSFC19F0166 |
| Jun 10, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space Administration80MSFC19F0102 ..THIS IS A COST PLUS FIXED FEE TASK ORDER AWARDED UNDER INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT NNN06AA01C. ..THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE PLANKTON, AERO | $24,769 | 80MSFC19F0102 |
| Apr 30, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationAEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT - ARDES THE NASA STRATEGIC INVESTMENT DIVISION (SID) HAS ESTABLISHED A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ITS COST ESTIMATES. THESE INITIATIVES WE | $19,395 | 80MSFC19F0071 |
| Mar 11, 2019 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNEW TASK ORDER ORION CREW MODULE RECOVERY DURING UNDERWAY TESTING AND EM-1 UNDER NNN06AA01C AEROSPACE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) CONTRACT | $17,637 | 80MSFC19F0036 |
| Dec 7, 2018 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNEWTASK ORDER INTERSTELLAR MAPPING ACCELERATION PROBE (IMAP) UNDER NNN06AA01C AEROSPACE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES) CONTRACT | $105,756,579 | 80MSFC19F0021 |
Open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences government bids
No open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences bids right now. Check the open bids page, which is updated daily from SAM.gov.
How to win government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts are posted on SAM.gov under NAICS 541710. Register your business free on SAM.gov with this code, watch for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences bids, and look for small business set-asides: many research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts for small business are reserved for small firms.
Explore government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts by state, agency and contractor
- Department of Energy contracts
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts
- Department of Defense contracts
- Department of the Treasury contracts
- Government contracts in California
- Government contracts in Washington
- Government contracts in Illinois
- Government contracts in Colorado
- Government contracts in Maryland
- Lawrence Livermore National Security government contracts
- Battelle Memorial Institute government contracts
- The Regents of the University of California government contracts
- Uchicago Argonne government contracts
- The Leland Stanford Junior University government contracts
Frequently asked questions
- What NAICS code is used for government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts use NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). List this code in your free SAM.gov registration to be found for these contracts.
- Who are the largest research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences government contractors?
- By contract dollars under NAICS 541710 from FY2024 to FY2026, the largest were Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC ($10.5B), Battelle Memorial Institute ($4.9B) and The Regents of the University of California ($3.9B).
- Which agencies buy the most research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences?
- From FY2024 to FY2026, the biggest buyers were the Department of Energy ($25.6B), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ($1.7B) and the Department of Defense ($16.7M).
- Where are government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts performed?
- By contract dollars, the most federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work is performed in California ($16.6B), Washington ($4.9B) and Illinois ($3.5B).
- Is federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts growing?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contract obligations fell 7% from FY2024 ($9.7B) to FY2026 ($9.1B). 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 physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts?
- It depends on the SBA size standard for NAICS 541710, 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 physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts?
- An active SAM.gov registration (free) with NAICS 541710 listed, the licenses and insurance your state requires for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work, and examples of similar past work. Some solicitations also ask for specific certifications or security clearances.