Federal Capture Intelligence

Top DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities contractors (NAICS 541720)

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – October 23, 2026 Updated October 24, 2026 Department of Defense agency guide NAICS 541720 · Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Latest 12 months
$98.9M
Net obligations · Down $196.7M vs. $295.6M preceding
Prime contractors
54
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the DoD federal contracting market for research and development in the social sciences and humanities under NAICS 541720. Compare top federal contractors and market share, reported contract obligations and spending trends, funding-office attribution, recent award activity, contract types, competition, and procurement methods, observed contract vehicle usage, and potential recompete research leads.

Contract obligation trends for Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Department of Defense

Federal records show $1.3B in net obligations across 1,168 awards in Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Department of Defense from Oct 1, 2021 through Oct 23, 2026. This market accounts for 0.059% of $2.3T in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations decreased 66.5% from $295.6M to $98.9M. 5 prime contractors accounted for at least 80% of positive obligations in that latest period.

Fiscal-year activity

FY27 is year-to-date through Oct 23, 2026; earlier years show complete fiscal-year totals.

FY27 year-to-date: $0 versus $9.7M through the same date in FY26 (−100.0%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY27 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$359.7M690Complete
FY2023$278.2M646Complete
FY2024$295.3M591Complete
FY2025$297.4M597Complete
FY2026$108.6M321Complete

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$1.3B
1,168 awards · 229 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
−66.5%
$98.9M vs. $295.6M
Leading eight prime share
87.9%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
0.059% of $2.3T in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
12.8% of 421 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
54 set aside · 367 no set-aside · 747 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

Oct 24, 2025–Oct 23, 2026, compared with Oct 24, 2024–Oct 23, 2025.

Competitive shifts

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP lost the most market share
26.7%→1.7%−25.0 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #7 by positive obligations, based on 3 reported actions.
FORS MARSH GROUP LLC gained the most market share
12.4%→27.3%+14.9 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #2 by positive obligations, based on 53 reported actions.
NEW SOUTH ASSOCIATES, INC. fell the most in the contractor rankings
#5→#17Down 12 places
The contractor accounts for 0.41% of positive obligations across 7 reported actions.

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA) decreased
$53.9M→$1.7M−$52.2M
Latest-period activity spans 2 awards across 1 prime contractor.
Reported obligations through DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY increased
$90K→$17.0M+$17.0M
Latest-period activity spans 13 awards across 1 prime contractor.

Award activity

View 3 additional material changes

Market structure

Top-five contractor share increased
75.3%→81.6%+6.3 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 18.4% of positive obligations.

Competitive shifts

NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#9→#6Up 3 places
The contractor accounts for 3.1% of positive obligations across 3 reported actions.
AMENTUM TECHNOLOGY, INC had no reported activity in the latest 12 months
$7.2M→$0No latest-period activity
It previously ranked #6 by positive obligations, based on 3 reported actions.
How these findings are calculated

Findings are selected from matched-period changes in obligations, share, rank, funding offices, concentration, reported set-asides, material award actions, and agency-peer outliers. Related signals are combined, and only material evidence-backed changes are shown. Review the full methodology.

Federal contract obligations by funding office

See how positive obligations were attributed across funding offices in the 12 months ending Oct 23, 2026.

32.2% of positive obligations were attributed to AFSAA. That represents $32.2M, up $1.7M from the preceding 12 months.

Latest 12-month share of positive obligations; the gray segment represents all other reported offices.

  1. AFSAA32.2% · $32.2M · up $1.7M
  2. DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY (H98210)17.1% · $17.0M · up $17.0M
  3. DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY (HQ0804)12.6% · $12.6M · down $26.6M
  4. DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY4.8% · $4.8M · down $645K
  5. DEF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT3.7% · $3.7M · up $3.7M
  6. All other reported offices29.6% of positive obligations
View reported office rankings, comparisons, and evidence

USAspending assigns each award to a funding office. That office may differ from the requiring activity, program office, contracting office, individual buyer, or actual customer.

  1. Reported funding office

    AFSAA

    #1Up 2 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $32.2M

    32.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.7M

    1 active prime contractor · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 5.4% from $30.6M to $32.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 10.3% to 32.2%, a change of +21.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 6 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 4 awards.

  2. Reported funding office

    DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY (H98210)

    #2Up 69 from #71

    Latest 12 months

    $17.0M

    17.1% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$17.0M

    1 active prime contractor · 13 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 18768.6% from $90K to $17.0M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.030% to 17.1%, a change of +17.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 14 actions across 13 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 4 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  3. Reported funding office

    DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY (HQ0804)

    #3Down 1 from #2

    Latest 12 months

    $12.6M

    12.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$26.6M

    2 active prime contractors · 29 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 67.9% from $39.2M to $12.6M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 13.3% to 12.6%, a change of −0.6 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 42 actions across 29 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 32 awards.

  4. Reported funding office

    DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY

    #4Up 11 from #15

    Latest 12 months

    $4.8M

    4.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$645K

    3 active prime contractors · 5 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 11.8% from $5.4M to $4.8M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.8% to 4.8%, a change of +3.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 7 actions across 5 awards and 2 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 3 awards.

  5. Reported funding office

    DEF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

    #5New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $3.7M

    3.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.7M

    6 active prime contractors · 11 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $3.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 3.7%, a change of +3.7 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 11 actions across 11 awards and 6 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  6. Reported funding office

    SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION&

    #6Up 6 from #12

    Latest 12 months

    $3.2M

    3.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$3.8M

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 53.8% from $7.0M to $3.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 2.4% to 3.2%, a change of +0.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 4 actions across 2 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 3 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    NAVAL INFORMATION WARFARE SYSTEMS

    #7Up 14 from #21

    Latest 12 months

    $2.7M

    2.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$528K

    1 active prime contractor · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 16.2% from $3.3M to $2.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.1% to 2.7%, a change of +1.6 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 4 actions across 4 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 4 awards.

  8. Reported funding office

    W049 RESEARCH SUPPORT GROUP

    #8Up 1 from #9

    Latest 12 months

    $2.2M

    2.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$5.5M

    7 active prime contractors · 19 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 71.2% from $7.7M to $2.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 2.6% to 2.2%, a change of −0.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 27 actions across 19 awards. The preceding period contained 12 active prime contractors and 34 awards.

  9. Reported funding office

    F1AF1C AF A1

    #9Up 9 from #18

    Latest 12 months

    $2.0M

    2.0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$2.1M

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 51.3% from $4.0M to $2.0M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.4% to 2.0%, a change of +0.6 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 2 awards. The preceding period contained 4 active prime contractors and 5 awards.

  10. Reported funding office

    MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA) (HQ0853)

    #10Down 9 from #1

    Latest 12 months

    $1.7M

    1.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$52.2M

    1 active prime contractor · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 96.8% from $53.9M to $1.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 18.2% to 1.7%, a change of −16.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 2 awards. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 3 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  11. Reported funding office

    DEFENSE CI AND SECURITY AGENCY

    #12New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $1.6M

    1.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.6M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $1.6M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 1.6%, a change of +1.6 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  12. Reported funding office

    F1TED8 AFLCMC EBJ ETV

    #15New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $1.1M

    1.1% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.1M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $1.1M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 1.1%, a change of +1.1 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  13. Reported funding office

    OFFICE OF NET ASSESSMENT

    #29Down 24 from #5

    Latest 12 months

    $302K

    0.30% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$15.2M

    14 active prime contractors · 27 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 98.1% from $15.5M to $302K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 5.2% to 0.30%, a change of −4.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 29 actions across 27 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 32 active prime contractors and 76 awards.

  14. Reported funding office

    F1AF1T SAF CDM

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$17.0M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $17.0M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 5.7% to 0%, a change of −5.7 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 1 award.

  15. Reported funding office

    MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA) (HQ0147)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$15.0M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $15.0M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 5.1% to 0%, a change of −5.1 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 2 awards.

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Oct 24, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026, 123 awards had positive obligations totaling $100.7M. Only One Source was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 52.4% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 87.6%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as OASIS.

Leading award type
87.6%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
52.4%
Only One Source
Reported parent IDV
87.6%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
54 of 123 awards reported offers

Observed contract vehicles

Only exact reported parent-PIID matches are shown; missing parent IDs are not inferred.

  • OASIS

    $3.1M

    3.1% of positive obligations · 1 matched award

Buying method changes

Compared with Oct 24, 2024–Oct 23, 2025. Based on 123 current awards and 232 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Only One Source obligation share
52.4%
Down from 67.1% in the preceding period
How to read these changes

Directional color and the Up or Down labels show historical movement only. Green does not mean favorable and red does not mean unfavorable; neither predicts a future procurement method.

Same-NAICS comparison

Compared with the NAICS 541720 peer median, parent-IDV obligation share is 42.3 percentage points higher, reported full-and-open obligation share is 20.1 percentage points higher, delivery-order obligation share is 56.5 percentage points higher, and median positive award obligations are 92.8% higher.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share87.6%45.4%+42.3 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share22.2%2.1%+20.1 pts
Delivery-order obligation share87.6%31.2%+56.5 pts
Median positive award obligations$300K$156K+92.8%
Peer cohort and comparison limits

The peer median gives each of the 6 eligible agency markets equal weight. The included agency markets are:

Agency mission, scale, and acquisition context can differ. Peer position does not establish market attractiveness or predict a future procurement method.

View buying-method details and data coverage

Award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Delivery Order(C)78$88.3M87.6%
Definitive Contract(D)33$11.9M11.8%
Purchase Order(B)12$616K0.61%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)78$88.3M87.6%
Not reported45$12.5M12.4%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Single Award(S)69$84.7M84.1%
Multiple Award(M)9$3.5M3.5%
Not reported45$12.5M12.4%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source(SSS)34$52.8M52.4%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)41$21.8M21.7%
Np(NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE)19$20.1M20.0%
Mafo(SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY)2$3.1M3.1%
Simplified Acquisition(SP1)14$1.0M1.0%
Basic Research(BR)3$898K0.89%
Other reported values10$888K0.88%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Not Competed(C)28$50.8M50.5%
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)19$23.1M22.9%
Full and Open Competition(A)42$22.4M22.2%
Not Available for Competition(B)6$2.0M2.0%
Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources(D)9$709K0.70%
Not Competed Under SAP(G)8$507K0.50%
Other reported values11$1.2M1.2%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)6$3.5M3.5%
Minimum Guarantee(MG)3$8K0.010%
Not reported114$97.2M96.5%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Mobilization, Essential R&d (FAR 6.302-3)(MES)19$47.3M47.0%
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)10$4.0M3.9%
Authorized by Statute (FAR 6.302-5(A)(2)(I))(OTH)6$2.0M2.0%
SAP Non-Competition (FAR 13)(SP2)8$507K0.50%
Not reported80$46.9M46.6%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Cost No Fee(S)12$40.1M39.8%
Firm Fixed Price(J)72$23.5M23.3%
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)20$20.7M20.5%
Cost Plus Fixed Fee(U)14$13.1M13.0%
U(COST PLUS FIXED FEE)4$3.1M3.1%
Labor Hours(Z)1$236K0.23%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Special Studies/Analysis- Other(B599)33$61.4M61.0%
General Science and Technology R&d Services; General Science and Technology; Basic Research(AJ11)8$8.3M8.2%
General Science and Technology R&d Services; General Science and Technology; Applied Research(AJ12)7$4.7M4.7%
Support- Professional: Market Research/Public Opinion(R422)6$3.6M3.6%
Special Studies/Analysis- Data (Other Than Scientific)(B506)11$3.6M3.5%
Support- Professional: Operations Research/Quantitative Analysis(R405)1$3.2M3.1%
Other reported values57$16.0M15.8%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Department of the Air Force(5700)19$42.9M42.6%
Federal Acquisition Service(4732)24$29.8M29.6%
Washington Headquarters Services(97F5)16$5.5M5.4%
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(97AE)2$4.5M4.5%
National Institute of Standards and Technology(1341)5$4.4M4.3%
Department of the Army(2100)33$3.7M3.7%
Other reported values24$10.0M9.9%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fa7014 Afdw Pk(FA7014)13$40.6M40.3%
GSA Fas Aas Region 9(47QFPA)24$29.8M29.6%
Washington Headquarters Services(HQ0034)16$5.5M5.4%
Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy(HR0011)2$4.5M4.5%
Dept of Commerce Nist(1333ND)5$4.4M4.3%
Defense Human Resources Activity(H98210)6$3.5M3.4%
Other reported values57$12.6M12.5%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
FA701422D0001(9700)11$38.6M38.3%
47QFPA23D0001(4732)22$23.5M23.3%
HQ003424D0003(9700)7$8.3M8.2%
DOCSB134114CQ0010(1341)5$4.4M4.3%
H9821020D0003(9700)6$3.5M3.4%
47QFPA22D0004(4732)1$3.2M3.1%
GS00Q14OADU213(4732)1$3.1M3.1%
HQ014712D0001(9700)1$1.8M1.8%
Other reported values24$2.0M2.0%
Not reported45$12.5M12.4%

Exact vehicle-match evidence

Reported award data linked 1 award to a specific catalog vehicle.

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
1 median
54 reported · 69 not reported
Positive award obligations
$300K median
$88K–$674K middle 50%
Reported performance period
364 days (~12 months) median
123 reported · 0 not reported

Calculations group latest-period actions by award, retain awards with positive net obligations for share denominators, and use each award's latest reported USAspending procurement fields as of Oct 23, 2026. Blank competition, pricing, PSC, or parent-IDV values remain not reported; they are not inferred. Offer counts must be positive and below the FPDS 999 placeholder. Awarding organizations can differ from the funding agency that defines this page.

Top federal contractors

Latest 12-month market share, concentration, and complete prime contractor rankings across the period shown.

Prime contractor concentration
5 of 54prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
38.5%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
78.5%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
87.9%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $100.2M in positive obligations during the 12 months ending Oct 23, 2026. Individual shares and movement appear in the searchable rankings below. Movement compares with Oct 24, 2024–Oct 23, 2025.

Last 12mo obligation volume: Highest positive obligations first; net deobligations follow by magnitude; contractors with no activity in the last 12 months follow by all-period obligations. Ranks use the complete contractor list and remain fixed when search narrows the results.

15 leading contractors
  1. #1

    Last 12mo obligations

    $38.6M

    38.5%

    Dollar movement

    −$163K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    14 awards

    21 actions

    Historical and award details for THE RAND CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $38.8M → $38.6M
    −0.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    13.1% → 38.5%
    +25.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $240.2M
    17.9% of all-period positive obligations · 141 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 1, 2021
    through Apr 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported1422
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $27.4M

    27.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$9.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    41 awards

    53 actions

    Historical and award details for FORS MARSH GROUP LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $36.7M → $27.4M
    −25.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    12.4% → 27.3%
    +14.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $150.2M
    11.2% of all-period positive obligations · 188 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 16, 2021
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside23
    Not reported3933
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $8.3M

    8.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$52.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    12 awards

    18 actions

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $60.6M → $8.3M
    −86.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    20.4% → 8.3%
    −12.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $84.8M
    6.3% of all-period positive obligations · 21 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 12, 2024
    through Apr 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside11
    Not reported1117
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $4.4M

    4.4%

    Dollar movement

    −$471K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    8 actions

    Historical and award details for THE MITRE CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $4.9M → $4.4M
    −9.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.6% → 4.4%
    +2.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $12.7M
    0.95% of all-period positive obligations · 18 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 9, 2022
    through Sep 21, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported67
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.2M

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    −$2.7M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    9 actions

    Historical and award details for PERATON INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $5.8M → $3.2M
    −45.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.0% → 3.1%
    +1.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $21.5M
    1.6% of all-period positive obligations · 38 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 21, 2022
    through Sep 17, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside02
    Not reported75
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.1M

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    −$1.9M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $5.0M → $3.1M
    −37.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.7% → 3.1%
    +1.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $24.2M
    1.8% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 25, 2022
    through Aug 25, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported12
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.7M

    1.7%

    Dollar movement

    −$77.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $79.2M → $1.7M
    −97.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    26.7% → 1.7%
    −25.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $576.0M
    42.9% of all-period positive obligations · 20 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 6, 2021
    through Feb 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported24
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.5M

    1.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $211K → $1.5M
    +611.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.070% → 1.5%
    +1.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $6.5M
    0.49% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 16, 2022
    through Dec 2, 2025

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside11
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.5M

    1.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $1.5M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 1.4%
    +1.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.5M
    0.11% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 25, 2026
    through Mar 25, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside10
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types
    • 1 · 8(a) sole source
  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.3M

    1.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$983K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    7 actions

    Historical and award details for ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.3M → $1.3M
    −42.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.77% → 1.3%
    +0.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $9.7M
    0.72% of all-period positive obligations · 15 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 5, 2021
    through Apr 20, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside610
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.2M

    1.2%

    Dollar movement

    −$2.1M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    4 awards

    5 actions

    Historical and award details for TELEMUS GROUP LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $3.3M → $1.2M
    −63.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.1% → 1.2%
    +0.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $9.8M
    0.73% of all-period positive obligations · 14 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 15, 2022
    through Apr 1, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside45
    Not reported00
    Reported small business45
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.1M

    1.1%

    Dollar movement

    −$697K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    11 awards

    14 actions

    Historical and award details for STRATEVARIOUS INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.8M → $1.1M
    −39.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.60% → 1.1%
    +0.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $8.9M
    0.66% of all-period positive obligations · 30 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 3, 2021
    through Apr 6, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside1118
    Not reported00
    Reported small business916
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    1.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$50K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for LONG TERM STRATEGY GROUP, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $983K → $1.0M
    +5.1%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.33% → 1.0%
    +0.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.3M
    0.24% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 27, 2021
    through Mar 10, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside22
    Not reported00
    Reported small business22
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $865K

    0.86%

    Dollar movement

    −$825K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.7M → $865K
    −48.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.57% → 0.86%
    +0.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $5.8M
    0.43% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 29, 2022
    through Dec 30, 2025

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside11
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $469K

    0.47%

    Dollar movement

    +$73K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $396K → $469K
    +18.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.13% → 0.47%
    +0.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $866K
    0.060% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 19, 2024
    through Jun 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside11
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

Potential federal contract recompetes

Investigate potential recompetes surfaced by near-term end dates, award value, and recent contract changes.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

SECURING EXPERIMENTAL QUANTUM COMPUTING USAGE IN RESEARCH ENVIRONMENTS (SEQCURE) QUANTUM COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT QUANTUM COMPUTER AND QIST RESEARCH (PHASE 2)

The reported potential end date is Mar 31, 2027. Current award value is 100.0% of reported potential value ($27.1M of $27.1M).

Performance period

80.7%

As of Oct 23, 2026Potential end Mar 31, 2027

Current award value as a share of potential value

100.0%

$27.1M current$27.1M potential
Supporting data

Reported performance starts Dec 26, 2024.

No later potential end date is reported; current and potential end dates are both Mar 31, 2027.

$27.1M is obligated against $27.1M in current reported award value (100.0%).

Reported potential end dates: Jun 25, 2026 → Dec 25, 2026 → Mar 31, 2027.

Obligations are compared with current reported award value, not treated as a contract ceiling.

PIID FA714625F0001

These are research leads, not confirmed recompetes. USAspending records through Oct 23, 2026; reported dates and values can change through later modifications.

Recent federal contract award activity

Recent contract actions with unusually large obligation changes or meaningful shifts in contractor and funding-office activity.

Modification

This action

+$13.9M

THE RAND CORPORATION

AFSAA

PROJECT AIR FORCE (PAF) - FY26 CORE RESEARCH PROJECTS - 72 STAFF-YEAR OF TECHNICAL EFFORTS

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 2 positions in this market.

It now ranks #1 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$33.0M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
13.9%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#1 · 38.5% share
$163K net decline despite this positive action
PIID FA701425F0325 · Mod P00003
Base award

This action

+$1.5M

CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC

F1ATB1 AFMRA SG

PERFORMANCE BASED NON-PERSONNEL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE PROGRAM AND POLICY EVALUATIONS. TASKS INCLUDE PROVIDING CONDUCTING DATA ANALYSIS AND AUTHORING RELATED REPORTS CONDUCTING PILOT STUDIES ON EVIDENCE-INFORMED PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS FOR FAP.

Why it stands out

No activity for this contractor was reported in this market during the preceding 12 months.

The base action placed the contractor #9 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$1.5M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#9 · 1.4% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
PIID FA800326C0005
Modification

This action

+$4.0M

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY

QUANTUM BENCHMARKING INITIATIVE (QBI) EFFORT UNDER THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (UMD) APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY (ARLIS) UNIVERSITY AFFILIATE RESEARCH CENTER (UARC) SUPPORT SERVICES

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $4.0M while office-attributed obligations fell $645K overall.

Award net obligations
$8.7M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
4.0%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 8.3% share
$52.4M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#4 · 4.8% attributed share
$645K net decline despite this positive action
PIID HR001126FE003 · Mod P00002
Modification

This action

+$3.2M

NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION&

MODIFICATION P00015 EXERCISES OPTION YEAR 4 FOR THE CONTRACT. THE DURATION OF THIS OPTION PERIOD WILL BE FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2027.

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $3.2M while office-attributed obligations fell $3.8M overall.

Award net obligations
$20.9M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
3.2%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#6 · 3.1% share
$1.9M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#6 · 3.2% attributed share
$3.8M net decline despite this positive action
PIID 47QFPA22F0098 · Mod P00015
Base award

This action

+$3.3M

FORS MARSH GROUP LLC

DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY

ANALYTICS TASK ORDER 33 - FY26 YOUTH POLL PHASE II PARTIAL PHASE I

Why it stands out

A new award added obligations despite weaker contractor activity.

The action represented 3.3% of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations while the contractor’s obligations fell $9.3M overall.

Award net obligations
$3.3M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
3.3%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 27.3% share
$9.3M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#2 · 17.1% attributed share
up 69 ranks · +17.0 percentage points · $17.0M net increase; action accounted for 19.4%
PIID 47QFPA26F0030
Modification

This action

+$1.8M

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA)

OMNI TASK ORDER FUNDING

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $1.8M while office-attributed obligations fell $52.2M overall.

Award net obligations
$430.6M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.8%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#7 · 1.7% share
$77.5M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#10 · 1.7% attributed share
$52.2M net decline despite this positive action
PIID HQ085321F0004 · Mod P00085
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. Action+$68K
    Award net obligations$714K
  2. Action+$568K
    Award net obligations$568K
  3. Action+$524K
    Award net obligations$524K
  4. Action+$1.9M
    Award net obligations$1.9M
  5. Action+$602K
    Award net obligations$602K
  6. Action+$3.2M
    Award net obligations$3.2M
  7. Action+$1.6M
    Award net obligations$1.6M
  8. Action+$1000K
    Award net obligations$1000K
  9. Action+$382K
    Award net obligations$382K
  10. Action+$218K
    Award net obligations$218K

DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities market FAQs

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

Who are the top DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities contractors?

In the 12 months through October 23, 2026, THE RAND CORPORATION, FORS MARSH GROUP LLC, and UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK were the leading DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    THE RAND CORPORATION

    $38,613,697 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    FORS MARSH GROUP LLC

    $27,360,051 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

    $8,266,751 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

Did DoD contract obligations decrease in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market?

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported DoD activity in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market decreased 66.5% from $295,577,100 in the preceding 12 months to $98,882,620 in the 12 months through October 23, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$98,882,620
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$295,577,100
Net prime contract obligations
Change
−66.5%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

What recent DoD contract award activity was reported under NAICS 541720?

Recent DoD contract award activity reported in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market included actions for THE RAND CORPORATION, CHEROKEE INSIGHTS LLC, and UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK during the 12 months through October 23, 2026.

Action obligations are transaction-level amounts, not current award-level obligations.

Which procurement methods were reported for DoD contracts under NAICS 541720?

From October 24, 2025 through October 23, 2026, DoD reported 123 positive-obligation awards for research and development in the social sciences and humanities under NAICS 541720. The leading award type was delivery order. The leading reported procedure was only one source.

Positive-obligation awards
123
Leading reported procedure
Only One Source
52.4% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
87.6% of positive obligations
Full and open
22.2%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
87.6%
of positive obligations
Observed vehicles
OASIS
Exact matches from reported parent PIIDs

Percentages use positive obligations as the denominator.

Which DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities awards may warrant recompete research?

Based on its reported potential-end date, the DoD research and development in the social sciences and humanities award held by UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK may warrant recompete research.

Research leads, not confirmed recompetes. Dates may change through later modifications.

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Reported obligations include contract actions from October 1, 2021 through October 23, 2026. Set-aside and business-size fields reflect award records, not a contractor's current eligibility. Public Department of Defense award records are generally delayed by 90 days.

Review data methodology