Federal Capture Intelligence

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

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – October 15, 2026 Updated October 16, 2026 Department of Education agency guide NAICS 541720 · Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Latest 12 months
$162.5M
Net obligations · Up $28.6M vs. $133.9M preceding
Prime contractors
89
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the ED 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 Education

Federal records show $1.1B in net obligations across 490 awards in Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Department of Education from Oct 1, 2021 through Oct 15, 2026. This market accounts for 8.4% of $12.7B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 21.4% from $133.9M to $162.5M. 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 15, 2026; earlier years show complete fiscal-year totals.

FY27 year-to-date: $0 versus $0 through the same date in FY26 (Not comparable).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY27 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$249.6M350Complete
FY2023$212.4M206Complete
FY2024$304.3M245Complete
FY2025$133.9M405Complete
FY2026$162.5M280Complete

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$1.1B
490 awards · 187 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+21.4%
$162.5M vs. $133.9M
Leading eight prime share
85.0%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
8.4% of $12.7B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
43.0% of 414 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
178 set aside · 236 no set-aside · 76 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

Oct 16, 2025–Oct 15, 2026, compared with Oct 16, 2024–Oct 15, 2025.

Competitive shifts

EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE lost the most market share
39.5%→29.5%−10.0 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #2 by positive obligations, based on 26 reported actions.
WESTAT, INC. gained the most market share
28.29%→37.94%+9.7 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #1 by positive obligations, based on 26 reported actions.
SANAMETRIX INC climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#24→#7Up 17 places
The contractor accounts for 1.3% of positive obligations across 4 reported actions.
ANLAR, LLC fell the most in the contractor rankings
#10→#89Down 79 places
The contractor accounts for 0.060% of positive obligations across 2 reported actions.

Award activity

WESTAT, INC. received an unusually large obligation action
$47.0MNov 13, 2025 action
Reported under PIID 91990025C0008 by INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES. Award net obligations after the action: $82.8M.
View supporting award

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES increased
$139.3M→$146.4M+$7.1M
Latest-period activity spans 144 awards across 105 prime contractors.
View 3 additional material changes

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION decreased
$8.8M→$0−$8.8M
Latest-period activity spans 3 awards across 3 prime contractors.

Market structure

Top-five contractor share increased
75.3%→81.3%+6.0 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 18.7% of positive obligations.

Competitive shifts

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE recorded the largest net deobligation
−$6.3M→−$1.5M+$4.8M
The contractor now is unranked by positive obligations, based on 7 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 15, 2026.

89.9% of positive obligations were attributed to INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (910039). That represents $146.4M, up $7.1M from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (910039)89.9% · $146.4M · up $7.1M
  2. INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (919939)3.7% · $6.0M · up $27.5M
  3. OFC OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDU (910046)3.3% · $5.4M · up $5.3M
  4. OFC OF PLAN, EVAL, AND POLICY DEV.2.6% · $4.2M · down $2.0M
  5. OFC OF CAREER, TECH AND ADULT EDU.0.49% · $791K · up $1.2M
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

    INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (910039)

    #1Rank unchanged

    Latest 12 months

    $146.4M

    89.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$7.1M

    105 active prime contractors · 144 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 5.1% from $139.3M to $146.4M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 89.4% to 89.9%, a change of +0.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 253 actions across 144 awards and 17 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 109 active prime contractors and 226 awards.

  2. Reported funding office

    INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES (919939)

    #2New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $6.0M

    3.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$27.5M

    3 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $21.5M in net deobligations to $6.0M in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 3.7%, a change of +3.7 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 9 active prime contractors and 12 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  3. Reported funding office

    OFC OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDU (910046)

    #3Up 2 from #5

    Latest 12 months

    $5.4M

    3.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$5.3M

    3 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 5630.4% from $95K to $5.4M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.060% to 3.3%, a change of +3.3 percentage points.

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

  4. Reported funding office

    OFC OF PLAN, EVAL, AND POLICY DEV.

    #4Down 1 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $4.2M

    2.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$2.0M

    5 active prime contractors · 6 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 31.9% from $6.1M to $4.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 3.9% to 2.6%, a change of −1.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 8 actions across 6 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 9 active prime contractors and 18 awards.

  5. Reported funding office

    OFC OF CAREER, TECH AND ADULT EDU.

    #5New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $791K

    0.49% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.2M

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $427K in net deobligations to $791K in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0.49%, a change of +0.5 percentage points.

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

  6. Reported funding office

    CONTRACTS AND ACQUISTIONS MANAGEMEN

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$1.4M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $1.4M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.91% to 0%, a change of −0.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 8 active prime contractors and 12 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$8.8M

    3 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $8.8M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 5.6% to 0%, a change of −5.6 percentage points.

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

    Leading award-level changes

  8. Reported funding office

    OFC OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDU (919946)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$324K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$372K

    1 active prime contractor · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $48K in net obligations to $324K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.030% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Oct 16, 2025 through Oct 15, 2026, 106 awards had positive obligations totaling $174.5M. Np was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 52.2% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 10.3%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as PRESTO.

Leading award type
89.7%
Definitive Contract
Leading reported procedure
52.2%
Np
Reported parent IDV
10.3%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
106 of 106 awards reported offers

Observed contract vehicles

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

  • PRESTO

    $16.2M

    9.3% of positive obligations · 11 matched awards

Buying method changes

Compared with Oct 16, 2024–Oct 15, 2025. Based on 106 current awards and 119 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Reported full-and-open obligation share
34.7%
Down from 85.4% 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 59.5 percentage points lower, reported full-and-open obligation share is 23.5 percentage points higher, delivery-order obligation share is 59.5 percentage points lower, and median positive award obligations are 60.7% higher.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share10.3%69.8%-59.5 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share34.7%11.2%+23.5 pts
Delivery-order obligation share10.3%69.8%-59.5 pts
Median positive award obligations$250K$156K+60.7%
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
Definitive Contract(D)94$156.5M89.7%
Delivery Order(C)12$17.9M10.3%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)12$17.9M10.3%
Not reported94$156.5M89.7%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Multiple Award(M)12$17.9M10.3%
Not reported94$156.5M89.7%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Np(NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE)37$91.1M52.2%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)6$56.0M32.1%
Mafo(SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY)8$13.5M7.7%
Only One Source(SSS)42$7.7M4.4%
Subject to Multiple Award Fair Opportunity(MAFO)4$4.5M2.6%
Sss(ONLY ONE SOURCE)9$1.7M0.96%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)20$90.9M52.1%
Full and Open Competition(A)10$60.5M34.7%
D(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES)25$13.8M7.9%
Not Competed(C)42$7.7M4.4%
C(NOT COMPETED)9$1.7M0.96%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)10$17.3M9.9%
Competitive Set Aside(CSA)2$596K0.34%
Not reported94$156.5M89.7%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)51$9.4M5.4%
Not reported55$165.1M94.6%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)48$95.2M54.5%
Firm Fixed Price(J)47$65.2M37.4%
U(COST PLUS FIXED FEE)6$11.1M6.4%
Cost Plus Fixed Fee(U)5$3.0M1.7%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Special Studies/Analysis- Data (Other Than Scientific)(B506)8$121.0M69.3%
Support- Professional: Other(R499)12$25.4M14.6%
Education, Training, Employment, & Social Svcs R&d Svcs; Education Svcs R&d; Basic Research(AF11)27$15.8M9.1%
Support- Professional: Program Evaluation/Review/Development(R410)52$9.9M5.7%
Special Studies/Analysis- Educational(B542)6$2.3M1.3%
R&d- Education: Educational (Management/Support)(AF16)1$26K0.010%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Department of Education(9100)106$174.5M100.0%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Contracts and Acquistions Managemen(919900)106$174.5M100.0%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
91990023D0006(9100)2$7.9M4.5%
91990023D0050(9100)1$3.5M2.0%
91990023D0046(9100)2$2.1M1.2%
91990022D0001(9100)1$1.7M0.98%
91990023D0029(9100)2$1.3M0.76%
91990023D0037(9100)1$640K0.37%
91990023D0005(9100)1$347K0.20%
91990023D0030(9100)1$253K0.15%
Other reported values1$100K0.057%
Not reported94$156.5M89.7%

Exact vehicle-match evidence

Reported award data linked 11 awards to a specific catalog vehicle.

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
1 median
106 reported · 0 not reported
Positive award obligations
$250K median
$175K–$987K middle 50%
Reported performance period
729 days (~24 months) median
106 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 15, 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 89prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
37.9%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
79.5%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
85.0%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $165.4M in positive obligations during the 12 months ending Oct 15, 2026. Individual shares and movement appear in the searchable rankings below. Movement compares with Oct 16, 2024–Oct 15, 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

    $62.7M

    37.9%

    Dollar movement

    +$20.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    11 awards

    26 actions

    Historical and award details for WESTAT, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $42.4M → $62.7M
    +48.1%
    Share: prior → latest
    28.3% → 37.9%
    +9.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $341.3M
    32.1% of all-period positive obligations · 23 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 27, 2021
    through Oct 5, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside89
    Not reported34
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $48.8M

    29.5%

    Dollar movement

    −$10.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    26 actions

    Historical and award details for EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $59.1M → $48.8M
    −17.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    39.5% → 29.5%
    −10.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $233.0M
    21.9% of all-period positive obligations · 9 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 3, 2021
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside77
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $12.1M

    7.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$8.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    8 awards

    17 actions

    Historical and award details for AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $3.8M → $12.1M
    +216.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.6% → 7.3%
    +4.8 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $164.2M
    15.4% of all-period positive obligations · 44 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 27, 2021
    through Sep 10, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside310
    Not reported515
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $7.9M

    4.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$4.8M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    6 actions

    Historical and award details for NCS PEARSON INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $3.0M → $7.9M
    +158.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.0% → 4.8%
    +2.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $41.4M
    3.9% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 4, 2021
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside12
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.0M

    1.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$814K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for SRI INTERNATIONAL
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.2M → $3.0M
    +37.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.5% → 1.8%
    +0.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $19.8M
    1.9% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 21, 2021
    through Aug 14, 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.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.0M

    1.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$644K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for WESTED
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.4M → $3.0M
    +27.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.6% → 1.8%
    +0.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $20.0M
    1.9% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 21, 2021
    through Aug 13, 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.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.1M

    1.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    4 actions

    Historical and award details for SANAMETRIX INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $693K → $2.1M
    +203.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.46% → 1.3%
    +0.8 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $9.8M
    0.92% of all-period positive obligations · 11 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 7, 2021
    through Sep 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside14
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported12
    Reported small business26
    All-period set-aside types
    • 8 · Total small business
  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for GIGANTIC MECHANIC LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for ALGAE RESEARCH AND SUPPLY, INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for FUTURE ENGINEERS LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.3M
    0.21% of all-period positive obligations · 3 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since May 4, 2022
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 3 · Total small business
  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for ABACUS MIND MATH TUTORS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for CURIOSITY AI LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for OBJECTIVE ED, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.0M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for GAIAXUS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $1.0M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 0.60%
    +0.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.0M
    0.090% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 28, 2026
    through Sep 28, 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 · Total small business
  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.0M

    0.60%

    Dollar movement

    +$750K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for T-VAR EDTECH, INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $250K → $1.0M
    +300.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.17% → 0.60%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.3M
    0.12% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 12, 2025
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported00
    Reported small business11
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business

Potential federal contract recompetes

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

WESTAT, INC.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO REINSTATE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD LONGITUDINAL STUDY, KINDERGARTEN REQUIREMENT TO COMPLETE THE 2024 DATA RELEASE.

The reported potential end date is Feb 6, 2027. Current award value is 100.0% of reported potential value ($47.1M of $47.1M).

Performance period

96.1%

As of Oct 15, 2026Potential end Feb 6, 2027

Current award value as a share of potential value

100.0%

$47.1M current$47.1M potential
Supporting data

Reported performance starts Jan 4, 2019.

No later potential end date is reported; current and potential end dates are both Feb 6, 2027.

$47.1M is obligated against $47.1M in current reported award value (100.0%).

Reported potential end dates: Jan 3, 2029 → Feb 10, 2025 → Feb 6, 2027.

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

PIID 91990019C0002

These are research leads, not confirmed recompetes. USAspending records through Oct 15, 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

+$47.0M

WESTAT, INC.

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

THIS AWARD FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS DATA COLLECTION SERVICES IS BEING MODIFIED TO EXERCISE CORE TASKS OPTION YEAR 1.

Why it stands out

One action equaled at least a quarter of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations.

The $47.0M action represented 28.4% of the market’s positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$82.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
28.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#1 · 37.9% share
up 1 rank · +9.7 percentage points · $20.4M net increase; action exceeded it by $26.7M
Funding office
#1 · 89.9% attributed share
+0.5 percentage points · $7.1M net increase; action exceeded it by $40.0M
Related:Largest share gainUnusually large action
PIID 91990025C0008 · Mod P00005
Modification

This action

+$7.1M

NCS PEARSON INC

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

THIS AWARD FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS SCORING SERVICES IS BEING MODIFIED TO ADD FUNDING.

Why it stands out

The award grew alongside stronger contractor activity.

The modification added $7.1M while contractor obligations rose $4.8M overall.

Award net obligations
$10.0M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
4.3%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 4.8% share
up 1 rank · +2.7 percentage points · $4.8M net increase; action exceeded it by $2.3M
PIID 91990025C0005 · Mod P00004
Modification

This action

+$10.8M

EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

THIS AWARD FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IS BEING MODIFIED TO EXERCISE CORE TASKS OPTION YEAR 1.

Why it stands out

One action represented 6.5% of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations.

At $10.8M, the action was large enough to materially affect the latest 12-month market picture.

Award net obligations
$45.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
6.5%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 29.5% share
$10.3M net decline despite this positive action
PIID 91990025C0006 · Mod P00004
Modification

This action

+$4.6M

AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

THIS AWARD FOR THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT IS BEING MODIFIED TO EXERCISE OPTION PERIOD 2.

Why it stands out

The award grew alongside stronger contractor activity.

The modification added $4.6M while contractor obligations rose $8.3M overall.

Award net obligations
$8.7M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.8%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 7.3% share
up 1 rank · +4.8 percentage points · $8.3M net increase; action accounted for 55.9%
PIID 91990025F0067 · Mod P00004
Modification

This action

+$1.6M

SANAMETRIX INC

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

EDGE GEOIT OPTION YEAR 2 EXERCISE.

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 17 positions in this market.

It now ranks #7 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$4.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.97%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#7 · 1.3% share
up 17 ranks · +0.8 percentage points · $1.4M net increase; action exceeded it by $200K
Related:Largest rank gain
PIID 91990024F0327 · Mod P00006
Modification

This action

+$3.0M

SRI INTERNATIONAL

OFC OF PLAN, EVAL, AND POLICY DEV.

91990022C0008 THE RELS ARE CHARGED WITH THREE PRIMARY GOALS: CONDUCT APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT TRAINING, COACHING, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE BUILDING CAPACITY TO USE DATA AND INFORMATION TO DRIVE CHA

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $3.0M while office-attributed obligations fell $2.0M overall.

Award net obligations
$19.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.8%
Supporting data
Funding office
#4 · 2.6% attributed share
$2.0M net decline despite this positive action
PIID 91990022C0008 · Mod P00011
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. ANLAR, LLCModification · PIID 91990025F0115
    Action+$100K
    Award net obligations$1.7M
  2. WESTAT, INC.Modification · PIID 91990025C0007
    Action+$21K
    Award net obligations$7.9M
  3. TRUEMARK SYSTEMS CORP.Base award · PIID 91990026C0012
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  4. T-VAR EDTECH, INCBase award · PIID 91990026C0029
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  5. OBJECTIVE ED, INC.Base award · PIID 91990026C0030
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  6. GIGANTIC MECHANIC LLCBase award · PIID 91990026C0031
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  7. ALGAE RESEARCH AND SUPPLY, INCBase award · PIID 91990026C0032
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  8. ABACUS MIND MATH TUTORS, INC.Base award · PIID 91990026C0033
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  9. CURIOSITY AI LLCBase award · PIID 91990026C0034
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M
  10. GAIAXUS, INC.Base award · PIID 91990026C0035
    Action+$1.0M
    Award net obligations$1.0M

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

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

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

In the 12 months through October 15, 2026, WESTAT, INC., EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, and AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES were the leading ED research and development in the social sciences and humanities prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    WESTAT, INC.

    $62,748,668 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE

    $48,820,704 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

    $12,128,104 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

Did ED contract obligations increase in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market?

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported ED activity in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market increased 21.4% from $133,860,962 in the preceding 12 months to $162,454,908 in the 12 months through October 15, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$162,454,908
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$133,860,962
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+21.4%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

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

Recent ED contract award activity reported in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market included actions for WESTAT, INC., NCS PEARSON INC, and EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE during the 12 months through October 15, 2026.

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

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

From October 16, 2025 through October 15, 2026, ED reported 106 positive-obligation awards for research and development in the social sciences and humanities under NAICS 541720. The leading award type was definitive contract. The leading reported procedure was np.

Positive-obligation awards
106
Leading reported procedure
Np
52.2% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Definitive Contract
89.7% of positive obligations
Full and open
34.7%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
10.3%
of positive obligations
Observed vehicles
PRESTO
Exact matches from reported parent PIIDs

Percentages use positive obligations as the denominator.

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

Based on its reported potential-end date, the ED research and development in the social sciences and humanities award held by WESTAT, INC. may warrant recompete research.

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

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Related market research

Complete market indexes:

Same NAICS at other agencies:

Nearby NAICS at this agency:

Markets sharing leading prime records:

Leading-prime vehicle memberships:

Company memberships do not establish award-channel use.

Reported obligations include contract actions from October 1, 2021 through October 15, 2026. Set-aside and business-size fields reflect award records, not a contractor's current eligibility.

Review data methodology