Government Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) Contracts
NAICS 541715 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts totaled $133B across 36,153 awards from FY2024 to FY2026. Obligations were down 5.5% in FY2026 vs FY2025, and the Department of Defense was the largest buyer, accounting for 70% of the total.
Key figures
In FY2026, contract obligations were $43,845,217,577 across 17,632 awards with activity that year, a change of -5.5% from $46,394,677,711 in FY2025. From FY2024 to FY2026, obligations totaled $133,455,458,508 across 36,153 awards.
- Obligated in FY2026
- $43.8B
- Awards in FY2026
- 17,632
- Change vs FY2025
- -5.5%
- Total, FY2024 to FY2026
- $133B
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 Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) contract spending by year
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts per fiscal year (October to September), under NAICS 541715. The table below lists the same numbers.
| Fiscal year | Obligated | Awards | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $43,845,217,577 | 17,632 | -5.5% |
| FY2025 | $46,394,677,711 | 20,863 | +7.4% |
| FY2024 | $43,215,563,219 | 22,593 | n/a |
About government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts
Federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts rose 1% from FY2024 ($43.2B) to FY2026 ($43.8B), peaking in FY2025. 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 18% 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 nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts (70%), followed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The states with the most of this work are California, Virginia and Maryland.
NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)) is part of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector.
Top research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) government contractors
Companies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)).
| # | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC | $11,299,135,032 | 8.5% |
| 2 | California Institute of Technology | $6,636,561,871 | 5.0% |
| 3 | The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | $5,522,885,092 | 4.1% |
| 4 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | $3,962,306,532 | 3.0% |
| 5 | The Aerospace Corporation | $3,861,599,330 | 2.9% |
| 6 | Lockheed Martin Corp | $3,240,258,341 | 2.4% |
| 7 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | $3,239,159,184 | 2.4% |
| 8 | The MITRE Corporation | $2,945,422,590 | 2.2% |
| 9 | Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $2,792,958,259 | 2.1% |
| 10 | Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC | $2,508,091,708 | 1.9% |
Agencies buying research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) services
Federal agencies ranked by contract dollars under NAICS 541715.
| # | Agency | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Defense | $93,651,877,230 | 70.2% |
| 2 | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $17,609,915,045 | 13.2% |
| 3 | Department of Energy | $10,108,171,427 | 7.6% |
| 4 | Department of Health and Human Services | $5,377,868,590 | 4.0% |
| 5 | General Services Administration | $4,195,341,665 | 3.1% |
| 6 | Department of Homeland Security | $824,560,811 | 0.6% |
| 7 | Department of Commerce | $441,683,804 | 0.3% |
| 8 | Department of Transportation | $340,452,172 | 0.3% |
| 9 | Department of the Interior | $232,645,119 | 0.2% |
| 10 | Environmental Protection Agency | $159,387,433 | 0.1% |
Where research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contract work is performed
States ranked by contract dollars, using the place of performance on each award.
| # | State | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $25,035,644,062 | 18.8% |
| 2 | Virginia | $16,216,152,970 | 12.2% |
| 3 | Maryland | $14,725,822,264 | 11.0% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $13,372,178,398 | 10.0% |
| 5 | Alabama | $13,065,047,988 | 9.8% |
| 6 | Colorado | $5,467,165,896 | 4.1% |
| 7 | New Jersey | $4,902,584,959 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Ohio | $4,711,026,247 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Arizona | $4,222,360,876 | 3.2% |
| 10 | Texas | $3,905,693,088 | 2.9% |
Recent research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contract awards
The latest research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts, newest first. Each award ID links to its record on USAspending.gov.
| Start date | Recipient | Agency and description | Amount | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | Toxcel LLC | Department of TransportationTITLE: IMPAIRED DRIVING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARSID: 931 PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES AND LOCAL PROGRAMS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF | $500,000 | 693JJ926F00142N |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Dynamis, Inc. | Department of Homeland SecurityINTERMODAL SECURITY TRAINING AND EXERCISE PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES | $862,653 | 70T04026F5900N001 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Ist Research, LLC | General Services AdministrationIST PULSE SBIR III DO 58 DARPASAF | $9,517,432 | 47QFCA26F0037 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Asrc Consulting & Environmental Services, LLC | Department of EnergyALASKA NORTH SLOPE GAS HYDRATE PRODUCTION TEST PROJECT 2.0 | $18,510,000 | 89243326CFE000107 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Air-Lock, Incorporated | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationTASK ORDER 10 - SUIT ANCILLARY HARDWARE PROCUREMENT FOR OCSS SUIT USE ON HLS PART V | $401,187 | 80NSSC26F0115 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Remcom Inc | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPHASE III SBIR | $574,848 | 80NSSC26C0436 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Freedom Photonics LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationFY25 SBIR PHASE III - FIBERTEK | $599,979 | 80NSSC26C0427 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Cesiumastro Inc | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationFY26 SBIR PHASE III - CESIUMASTRO | $1,250,000 | 80NSSC26C0420 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Global Atmospheric Technologies and Sciences, Inc. | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSBIR PHASE III - DWTS NASA HELIO MISSION | $399,996 | 80NSSC26C0391 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Global Atmospheric Technologies and Sciences, Inc. | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSBIR PHASE III - DWTS NASA RELATIVITY MISSION | $499,177 | 80NSSC26C0389 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Zecoat Corporation | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSBIR 2026 | $1,274,537 | 80NSSC26C0182 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Traclabs Inc. | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPLACEHOLDER | $1,274,577 | 80NSSC26C0174 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Outpost Technologies Corp | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPHASE II SBIR | $1,274,971 | 80NSSC26C0144 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Makel Engineering, Inc. | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSBIR PHASE II - HIGH PRESSURE, IN-SITU HYDROGEN SENSOR FOR SPACE BASED REGENERATIVE FUEL CELL SYSTEMS | $1,274,959 | 80NSSC26C0125 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | California Institute of Technology | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationFIRE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY II (51-233415) | $290,322 | 80NM0026F7072 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | California Institute of Technology | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationIMPROVING GLOBAL TERRESTRIAL HYDROLOGY SIMULATIONS THROUGH BIAS CORRECTION AND DATA ASSIMILATION IN THE RAPID2 MODEL (52-233482) | $113,289 | 80NM0026F7071 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Nanoracks, LLC | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSCOPE AND DALA | $341,500 | 80JSC026F0113 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Modulate Space Corporation | National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationDEVELOP A MINIMUM VIABLE SOLUTION OF A 5G NEW RADIO (5G-NR) USER EQUIPMENT (UE) AND 5G NETWORK-IN-A-BOX (NIB) FOR SUBSEQUENT LUNAR MISSIONS. | $12,998,442 | 80GRC026C0017 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Virti Inc. | Department of Health and Human ServicesVIRTI PLATFORM ACCESS 12 MONTHS 264 USERS | $66,000 | 75N98026P01379 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of Health and Human ServicesCMS FFRDC TASK ORDER - FDA ENTERPRISE DATA GOVERNANCE ASSESSMENT | $6,000,000 | 75F40126F80209 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | The MITRE Corporation | Department of Homeland SecurityTASK ORDER AGAINST ESTABLISHED IDIQ 70RSAT26D00000001 | $558,600 | 70T05026F6116N005 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Syght, Inc. | Department of Homeland SecuritySYGHT INC HAND-HELD ALARM RESOLUTION DEVICE ALIGNS WITH TSAS FOCUS ON ADVANCING ALARM RESOLUTION CAPABILITIES. THIS PORTABLE DEVICE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RAPID, ACCURATE RESOLUTION OF SCREENING ALARM | $300,473 | 70T04026C7573N008 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Analytical AI, Inc. | Department of Homeland SecurityTHE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO SUPPORT ANALYTICAL AI DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECURSAIL SOLUTION, INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTOMATIC TARGET RECOGNITION ALGORITHMS TO IMPROVE SCREENING OF PA | $511,381 | 70T04026C7573N007 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Raysecur Inc | Department of Homeland SecurityTSAS ALARM RESOLUTION INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP A TERAHERTZ HANDHELD SECONDARY SCREENER ENABLING PRECISE, NON-INVASIVE SECONDARY SCREENING USING TERAHERTZ IMAGING TO DETECT CONCEALED THREATS ON-PERSON. | $1,566,739 | 70T04026C7573N006 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc. | Department of Homeland SecurityR&S TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ADVANCED QUADRUPOLE PASSENGER SCREENING (QPS) TECHNOLOGIES THAT ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY WHILE ENSURING EFFECTIVE THREAT DETECTION. | $1,577,254 | 70T04026C7573N005 |
Open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) government bids
The newest open notices from SAM.gov. Bidding needs a free SAM.gov registration.
Dept of Defense · Sources Sought · NAICS 541715
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 14, 2026
Dept of Defense · Combined Synopsis/Solicitation · NAICS 541715
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Mar 27, 2030
Energy, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 541715 · CO · No Set aside used
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 17, 2026
Health and Human Services, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 541715
Posted Oct 29, 2026 · Responses due Dec 2, 2026
Health and Human Services, Department of · Sources Sought · NAICS 541715 · Small Business Set Aside - Total
Posted Oct 29, 2026 · Responses due Nov 20, 2026
How to win government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts
Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts are posted on SAM.gov under NAICS 541715. Register your business free on SAM.gov with this code, watch for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) bids, and look for small business set-asides: many research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts for small business are reserved for small firms.
Explore government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts by state, agency and contractor
- Department of Defense contracts
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts
- Department of Energy contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services contracts
- General Services Administration contracts
- Government contracts in California
- Government contracts in Virginia
- Government contracts in Maryland
- Government contracts in Pennsylvania
- Government contracts in Alabama
- Fluor Marine Propulsion government contracts
- California Institute of Technology government contracts
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory government contracts
- Lockheed Martin government contracts
- Aerospace government contracts
Frequently asked questions
- What NAICS code is used for government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts use NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and 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 nanotechnology and biotechnology) government contractors?
- By contract dollars under NAICS 541715 from FY2024 to FY2026, the largest were Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC ($11.3B), California Institute of Technology ($6.6B) and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC ($5.5B).
- Which agencies buy the most research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology)?
- From FY2024 to FY2026, the biggest buyers were the Department of Defense ($93.7B), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ($17.6B) and the Department of Energy ($10.1B).
- Where are government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts performed?
- By contract dollars, the most federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) work is performed in California ($25B), Virginia ($16.2B) and Maryland ($14.7B).
- Is federal spending on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts growing?
- Federal research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contract obligations rose 1% from FY2024 ($43.2B) to FY2026 ($43.8B), peaking in FY2025. 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 nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts?
- It depends on the SBA size standard for NAICS 541715, 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 nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts?
- An active SAM.gov registration (free) with NAICS 541715 listed, the licenses and insurance your state requires for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) work, and examples of similar past work. Some solicitations also ask for specific certifications or security clearances.