Government Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) Contracts
NAICS 541712 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts totaled $25.1B across 8,075 awards from FY2024 to FY2026. In FY2026, obligations were down 22.3% from FY2025, and the Department of Defense was the largest buyer, accounting for $17.4B (70% of the total).
Key figures
In FY2026, contract obligations were $6,846,088,836 across 1,955 awards with activity that year, a change of -22.3% from $8,806,452,875 in FY2025. From FY2024 to FY2026, obligations totaled $25,056,256,875 across 8,075 awards.
- Obligated in FY2026
- $6.8B
- Awards in FY2026
- 1,955
- Change vs FY2025
- -22.3%
- Total, FY2024 to FY2026
- $25.1B
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 (except Biotechnology) contract spending by year
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts per fiscal year (October to September), under NAICS 541712. The table below lists the same numbers.
| Fiscal year | Obligated | Awards | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $6,846,088,836 | 1,955 | -22.3% |
| FY2025 | $8,806,452,875 | 4,451 | -6.4% |
| FY2024 | $9,403,715,164 | 7,753 | n/a |
About government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts
Federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts fell 27% from FY2024 ($9.4B) to FY2026 ($6.8B). 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 32% of the total. No single company dominates, which leaves room for new and small contractors.
The Department of Defense spends the most on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts (70%), followed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The states with the most of this work are Massachusetts, Virginia and Alabama.
NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)) is part of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector.
Top research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) government contractors
Companies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)).
| # | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $4,006,698,870 | 16.0% |
| 2 | Brookhaven Science Associates LLC | $2,493,554,313 | 10.0% |
| 3 | Science Applications International Corporation | $1,440,796,023 | 5.8% |
| 4 | Torch Technologies Inc | $1,391,191,785 | 5.6% |
| 5 | Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, LTD. | $1,204,095,304 | 4.8% |
| 6 | Aerojet Rocketdyne of De, Inc | $1,003,246,289 | 4.0% |
| 7 | Amentum Technology, Inc. | $984,920,702 | 3.9% |
| 8 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $871,368,848 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Applied Research Solutions, Inc. | $673,070,784 | 2.7% |
| 10 | Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. | $668,617,940 | 2.7% |
Agencies buying research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) services
Federal agencies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541712.
| # | Agency | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Defense | $17,424,927,625 | 69.5% |
| 2 | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $2,711,556,905 | 10.8% |
| 3 | Department of Energy | $2,493,872,100 | 10.0% |
| 4 | General Services Administration | $2,069,284,510 | 8.3% |
| 5 | Department of Commerce | $171,717,027 | 0.7% |
| 6 | Department of Health and Human Services | $139,597,504 | 0.6% |
| 7 | Department of Homeland Security | $24,569,173 | <0.1% |
| 8 | Department of Transportation | $18,983,942 | <0.1% |
| 9 | Department of the Interior | $2,000,218 | <0.1% |
| 10 | Department of Labor | $1,257,209 | <0.1% |
Where research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contract work is performed
States ranked by contract dollars, using the place of performance on each award.
| # | State | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $5,942,303,012 | 23.7% |
| 2 | Virginia | $3,536,175,862 | 14.1% |
| 3 | Alabama | $3,260,803,527 | 13.0% |
| 4 | New York | $2,489,806,680 | 9.9% |
| 5 | California | $2,373,623,486 | 9.5% |
| 6 | Colorado | $1,823,413,064 | 7.3% |
| 7 | Maryland | $1,118,385,645 | 4.5% |
| 8 | Florida | $1,040,092,997 | 4.2% |
| 9 | Texas | $813,564,589 | 3.2% |
| 10 | Ohio | $579,562,966 | 2.3% |
Recent research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contract awards
The latest research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts, newest first. Each award ID links to its record on USAspending.gov.
| Start date | Recipient | Agency and description | Amount | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesPLANNING OF THE NIEHS MICROPLASTICS AND PREGNANCY (MAP) STUDY | $207,280 | 75N98026F00010 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTASK ORDER 09 - PREDICTORS OF PUBERTY STUDY - CLINICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES | $2,699,881 | 75N98026F00009 |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Unified Business Technologies, Inc. | Department of the InteriorGATE 213019 CMR | $369,621 | 140P2026F0258 |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesASTRIX TECHNOLOGY, LLC:1204486 [26-001291] SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIDCD | $117,290 | 75N98026F00009 |
| Sep 17, 2026 | University of Texas at Austin | Department of DefenseEXPANSION OF CIVIL SIGNAL MONITORING | $250,000 | N0002426F8568 |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH: TASK ORDER - GULF STUDY - COHORT MAINTENANCE, DATA MANAGEMENT, AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | $1,240,267 | 75N96026F00008 |
| Sep 9, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesCONTROLLED CORRESPONDENCE AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIAAA | $146,110 | 75N98026F00016 |
| Sep 7, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesSCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIDCD | $197,535 | 75N98026F00007 |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesSCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES TO CENTER FOR CANCER RESEARCH, BIOINFORMATICS SCIENTIST | $205,582 | 75N98026F00353 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesSCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIDCD | $169,597 | 75N98026F00006 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Tecolote Research, Inc. | Department of Homeland SecurityCOST ESTIMATING SERVICES | $1,904,525 | 70RCSJ26FC0000020 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 8, 75N98026F00008, FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH UNIT (CRU) - STAFFING SUPPORT UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM SEPTEM | $1,872,233 | 75N98026F00008 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 6, 75N98026F00006, FOR ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY DISEASE RESEARCH (ARDR) UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMB | $180,029 | 75N98026F00006 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 5, 75N98026F00005, FOR THE PERSONALIZED ENVIRONMENT AND GENES STUDY (PEGS) UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM SE | $841,323 | 75N98026F00005 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 4, 75N98026F00004, FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTOIMMUNITY GROUP (EAG) - STUDY SUPPORT UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM | $724,191 | 75N98026F00004 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 3, 75N98026F00003, FOR PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 THR | $215,098 | 75N98026F00003 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesTHIS AWARD ESTABLISHES TASK ORDER 2, 75N98026F00002, FOR DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT UNDER CONTRACT HHSN273201600002I. THE TASK ORDER CONSISTS OF A ONE-YEAR BASE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 20 | $1,419,085 | 75N98026F00002 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesAWARD NEW TASK ORDER 1 TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATION ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT (CORE FUNCTION ACTIVITIES) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TASK ORDER STATEMENT OF WORK. THE BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2 | $996,534 | 75N98026F00001 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesNEI SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES | $186,079 | 75N98026F00017 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | Sigmatech Inc | General Services AdministrationNATIONAL SECURITY SPACE INSTITUTE (NSSI) INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT SERVICES (ISS) BRIDGE | $19,960,250 | 47QFSA26F0034 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesNEI SCIENTIFIC AND CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES | $129,826 | 75N98026F00014 |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesASTRIX TECHNOLOGY, LLC:1204486 [26-000684] | $143,837 | 75N98026F00005 |
| Jul 23, 2026 | Astrix Technology LLC | Department of Health and Human ServicesNEI SUPPORT SERVICES | $138,320 | 75N98026F00013 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Sigmatech Inc | Department of DefenseSPACEPORT OPERATIONS LOGISTICS AND RANGE - MOBILITY (SOLAR-M) CONTRACTOR ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR SYD 80/S3 AND AL AT CAPE CANAVERAL SFS, FL AND PETERSON SFB, CO. SEE PWS FOR DETAILS. THE | $4,619,185 | FA252126F0273 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | University of Texas at Austin | Department of DefenseROBOTIC AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS SUPPORT | $1,650,000 | N0002426F8513 |
Open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) government bids
No open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) 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 (except biotechnology) contracts
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts are posted on SAM.gov under NAICS 541712. Register your business free on SAM.gov with this code, watch for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) bids, and look for small business set-asides: many research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts for small business are reserved for small firms.
Explore government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts by state, agency and contractor
- Department of Defense contracts
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts
- Department of Energy contracts
- General Services Administration contracts
- Department of Commerce contracts
- Government contracts in Massachusetts
- Government contracts in Virginia
- Government contracts in Alabama
- Government contracts in New York
- Government contracts in California
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology government contracts
- Brookhaven Science Associates government contracts
- Science Applications International government contracts
- Torch Technologies government contracts
- Odyssey Systems Consulting Group government contracts
Frequently asked questions
- What NAICS code is used for government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts use NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)). 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 (except biotechnology) government contractors?
- By contract dollars under NAICS 541712 from FY2024 to FY2026, the largest were Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($4B), Brookhaven Science Associates LLC ($2.5B) and Science Applications International Corporation ($1.4B).
- Which agencies buy the most research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology)?
- From FY2024 to FY2026, the biggest buyers were the Department of Defense ($17.4B), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ($2.7B) and the Department of Energy ($2.5B).
- Where are government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts performed?
- By contract dollars, the most federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) work is performed in Massachusetts ($5.9B), Virginia ($3.5B) and Alabama ($3.3B).
- Is federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contracts growing?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) contract obligations fell 27% from FY2024 ($9.4B) to FY2026 ($6.8B). 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 (except biotechnology) contracts?
- It depends on the SBA size standard for NAICS 541712, 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 (except biotechnology) contracts?
- An active SAM.gov registration (free) with NAICS 541712 listed, the licenses and insurance your state requires for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except biotechnology) work, and examples of similar past work. Some solicitations also ask for specific certifications or security clearances.