Federal Capture Intelligence

Top DOT research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contractors (NAICS 541715)

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – September 10, 2026 Updated September 11, 2026 Department of Transportation agency guide NAICS 541715 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Latest 12 months
$120.5M
Net obligations · Up $17.2M vs. $103.2M preceding
Prime contractors
73
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the DOT federal contracting market for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) under NAICS 541715. 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, and observed contract vehicle usage.

Contract obligation trends for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) at the Department of Transportation

Federal records show $496.4M in net obligations across 914 awards in Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) at the Department of Transportation from Oct 1, 2021 through Sep 10, 2026. This market accounts for 1.2% of $42.9B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 16.7% from $103.2M to $120.5M. 26 prime contractors accounted for at least 80% of positive obligations in that latest period.

Fiscal-year activity

FY26 is year-to-date through Sep 10, 2026; earlier years show complete fiscal-year totals.

FY26 year-to-date: $87.8M versus $72.9M through the same date in FY25 (+20.4%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY26 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$102.0M382Complete
FY2023$101.4M448Complete
FY2024$99.7M584Complete
FY2025$105.6M668Complete
FY2026$87.8M424YTD through Sep 10, 2026

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$496.4M
914 awards · 298 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+16.7%
$120.5M vs. $103.2M
Leading eight prime share
49.8%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
1.2% of $42.9B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
40.4% of 500 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
202 set aside · 298 no set-aside · 414 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

Sep 11, 2025–Sep 10, 2026, compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025.

Competitive shifts

LEIDOS, INC. lost the most market share
16.1%→8.8%−7.3 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #2 by positive obligations, based on 33 reported actions.
OPAL AI INC climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#83→#18Up 65 places
The contractor accounts for 1.4% of positive obligations across 1 reported action.
INFRASENSE, INC. fell the most in the contractor rankings
#18→#72Down 54 places
The contractor accounts for 0.010% of positive obligations across 2 reported actions.
AGR, LLC was the largest newly observed contractor
$2.6MLatest 12-month obligations
First observed in this market on Sep 19, 2025, the contractor now ranks #14 by positive obligations across 3 reported actions.

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY increased
$15.6M→$26.4M+$10.8M
Latest-period activity spans 40 awards across 16 prime contractors.

Market structure

Top-five contractor share decreased
47.31%→38.76%−8.6 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 61.2% of positive obligations.
View 4 additional material changes

Competitive shifts

SES GROUP & ASSOCIATES, LLC gained the most market share
0.5%→4.8%+4.3 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #6 by positive obligations, based on 8 reported actions.
5 contractors were first observed in this market during the latest 12 months
$6.0MLatest 12-month obligations
Contractor-level obligations and first-observed dates appear below. “First observed” applies only to this market and the period shown.
View 5 contractors
ContractorLatest 12 months
EXPONENT INC had no reported activity in the latest 12 months
$1.9M→$0No latest-period activity
It previously ranked #12 by positive obligations, based on 4 reported actions.

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through 693JJ9 NHTSA OFFICE OF ACQUISTION decreased
$9.6M→$3.4M−$6.1M
Latest-period activity spans 11 awards across 6 prime contractors.
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 Sep 10, 2026.

21.9% of positive obligations were attributed to FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY. That represents $26.4M, up $10.8M from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY21.9% · $26.4M · up $10.8M
  2. VOLPE NATL TRANSPORTATION SYS CNTR18.9% · $22.8M · up $3.7M
  3. 693JJ6 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN17.2% · $20.7M · up $7.4M
  4. ITS JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAM8.7% · $10.5M · down $3.9M
  5. 697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS8.3% · $10.0M · up $5.8M
  6. All other reported offices24.9% 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

    FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY

    #1Up 1 from #2

    Latest 12 months

    $26.4M

    21.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$10.8M

    16 active prime contractors · 40 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 69.4% from $15.6M to $26.4M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 15.1% to 21.9%, a change of +6.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 53 actions across 40 awards and 9 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 12 active prime contractors and 38 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  2. Reported funding office

    VOLPE NATL TRANSPORTATION SYS CNTR

    #2Down 1 from #1

    Latest 12 months

    $22.8M

    18.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.7M

    57 active prime contractors · 70 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 19.2% from $19.1M to $22.8M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 18.5% to 18.9%, a change of +0.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 107 actions across 70 awards and 13 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 70 active prime contractors and 82 awards.

  3. Reported funding office

    693JJ6 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN

    #3Up 1 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $20.7M

    17.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$7.4M

    36 active prime contractors · 89 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 56.0% from $13.3M to $20.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 12.8% to 17.2%, a change of +4.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 117 actions across 89 awards and 16 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 37 active prime contractors and 86 awards.

  4. Reported funding office

    ITS JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAM

    #4Down 1 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $10.5M

    8.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$3.9M

    6 active prime contractors · 23 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 27.0% from $14.4M to $10.5M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 13.9% to 8.7%, a change of −5.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 30 actions across 23 awards and 3 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 3 active prime contractors and 28 awards.

  5. Reported funding office

    697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS

    #5Up 3 from #8

    Latest 12 months

    $10.0M

    8.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$5.8M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 139.0% from $4.2M to $10.0M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 4.0% to 8.3%, a change of +4.3 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 7 active prime contractors and 8 awards.

  6. Reported funding office

    FAA

    #6Up 1 from #7

    Latest 12 months

    $7.2M

    5.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.0M

    7 active prime contractors · 25 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 70.6% from $4.2M to $7.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 4.0% to 5.9%, a change of +1.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 42 actions across 25 awards and 4 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 6 active prime contractors and 16 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    693JJ4 OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MGT

    #7Up 5 from #12

    Latest 12 months

    $4.2M

    3.5% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$2.2M

    4 active prime contractors · 9 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 108.6% from $2.0M to $4.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.9% to 3.5%, a change of +1.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 10 actions across 9 awards and 3 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 7 awards.

  8. Reported funding office

    FHWA OFFICE OF OPERATIONS

    #8Up 10 from #18

    Latest 12 months

    $3.7M

    3.1% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.0M

    4 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 456.1% from $663K to $3.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.64% to 3.1%, a change of +2.4 percentage points.

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

  9. Reported funding office

    693JJ9 NHTSA OFFICE OF ACQUISTION

    #9Down 4 from #5

    Latest 12 months

    $3.4M

    2.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$6.1M

    6 active prime contractors · 11 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 63.9% from $9.6M to $3.4M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 9.2% to 2.9%, a change of −6.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 13 actions across 11 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 7 active prime contractors and 19 awards.

  10. Reported funding office

    FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN(00053)

    #10New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $3.0M

    2.5% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.3M

    14 active prime contractors · 15 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $278K in net deobligations to $3.0M in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 2.5%, a change of +2.5 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 15 actions across 15 awards and 5 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 39 active prime contractors and 89 awards.

  11. Reported funding office

    693195 OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MGT

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$2.0M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $2.0M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.9% to 0%, a change of −1.9 percentage points.

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

  12. Reported funding office

    693JJ5 FMCSA FINANCE OFFICE

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$2.9M

    2 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $2.9M to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 2.8% to 0%, a change of −2.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 3 awards. The preceding period contained 5 active prime contractors and 12 awards.

  13. Reported funding office

    693JJ3 ACQUISITION AND GRANTS MGT

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$2K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$6.3M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $6.3M in net obligations to $2K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 6.1% to 0%, a change of −6.1 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 1 action across 1 award and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 9 active prime contractors and 14 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Sep 11, 2025 through Sep 10, 2026, 167 awards had positive obligations totaling $122.8M. Negotiated Proposal/Quote was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 29.6% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 63.3%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as OASIS+ 8(a).

Leading award type
63.3%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
29.6%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote
Reported parent IDV
63.3%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
84 of 167 awards reported offers

Observed contract vehicles

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

  • OASIS+ 8(a)

    $1.4M

    1.1% of positive obligations · 1 matched award

Buying method changes

Compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025. Based on 167 current awards and 210 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Negotiated Proposal/Quote obligation share
29.6%
Down from 49.5% 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 541715 peer median, parent-IDV obligation share is 7.5 percentage points lower, reported full-and-open obligation share is 17.6 percentage points higher, delivery-order obligation share is 7.4 percentage points lower, and median positive award obligations are 47.2% higher.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share63.3%70.7%-7.5 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share27.6%10.0%+17.6 pts
Delivery-order obligation share63.3%70.7%-7.4 pts
Median positive award obligations$414K$281K+47.2%
Peer cohort and comparison limits

The peer median gives each of the 9 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)100$77.7M63.3%
Definitive Contract(D)60$42.7M34.8%
Purchase Order(B)7$2.4M2.0%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)100$77.7M63.3%
Not reported67$45.1M36.7%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Single Award(S)83$54.8M44.6%
Multiple Award(M)17$22.9M18.7%
Not reported67$45.1M36.7%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)48$36.4M29.6%
Only One Source(SSS)15$18.7M15.2%
Subject to Multiple Award Fair Opportunity(MAFO)14$18.5M15.1%
Np(NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE)26$15.8M12.9%
Two Step(TS)21$10.9M8.8%
Basic Research(BR)18$9.3M7.6%
Other reported values25$13.3M10.8%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources(D)48$41.2M33.5%
Full and Open Competition(A)53$33.9M27.6%
Not Competed(C)14$18.7M15.2%
D(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES)18$14.2M11.5%
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)21$9.4M7.7%
C(NOT COMPETED)5$3.2M2.6%
Other reported values8$2.3M1.9%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)14$19.2M15.6%
Only One Source - Other(ONE)2$2.3M1.9%
Competitive Set Aside(CSA)1$1.4M1.1%
Not reported150$99.9M81.3%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)12$15.4M12.5%
Unique Source (FAR 6.302-1(B)(1))(UNQ)4$3.4M2.8%
Mobilization, Essential R&d (FAR 6.302-3)(MES)3$3.0M2.5%
SAP Non-Competition (FAR 13)(SP2)4$2.1M1.7%
Authorized by Statute (FAR 6.302-5(A)(2)(I))(OTH)1$10K0.010%
Not reported143$98.9M80.5%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Firm Fixed Price(J)65$46.0M37.4%
Time and Materials(Y)28$18.5M15.1%
Cost Plus Fixed Fee(U)17$15.9M13.0%
Cost No Fee(S)10$14.2M11.6%
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)19$12.3M10.0%
Y(TIME AND MATERIALS)18$6.9M5.6%
Other reported values10$9.0M7.3%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Transportation R&d Services; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, and Rail; Applied Research(AS12)53$61.9M50.4%
Transportation R&d Services; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, and Rail; Basic Research(AS11)48$22.8M18.5%
Support- Professional: Other(R499)12$7.4M6.0%
Support- Professional: Engineering/Technical(R425)9$5.9M4.8%
General Science and Technology R&d Services; General Science and Technology; Applied Research(AJ12)3$3.9M3.1%
Transportation R&d Svcs; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, & Rail; Experimental Development(AS13)4$3.6M3.0%
Other reported values38$17.5M14.2%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Federal Highway Administration(6925)40$41.6M33.9%
Federal Aviation Administration(6920)41$25.2M20.5%
Federal Railroad Administration(6930)55$24.4M19.9%
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation(6901)23$23.0M18.8%
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(6953)1$4.5M3.7%
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(6940)5$3.5M2.9%
Other reported values2$609K0.50%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
693jj3 Acquisition and Grants Mgt(693JJ3)40$41.6M33.9%
693jj6 Federal Railroad Admin(693JJ6)55$24.4M19.9%
6913g6 Volpe Natl. Trans. Sys Cntr(6913G6)23$23.0M18.8%
697dck Regional Acquisitions Svcs(697DCK)3$10.5M8.5%
692m15 Acquisition & Grants, Aaq600(692M15)9$5.2M4.2%
693jj4 Office of Acquisition Mgt(693JJ4)1$4.5M3.7%
Other reported values36$13.6M11.1%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
693JJ621D000001(6930)25$12.6M10.2%
693JJ321D000010(6925)15$11.3M9.2%
697DCK25D00032(6920)1$10.0M8.1%
693JJ324D000021(6925)2$6.3M5.2%
693JJ323D000011(6925)4$5.9M4.8%
693JJ420D000005(6953)1$4.5M3.7%
692M1525D00008(6920)6$3.6M2.9%
693JJ326D000009(6925)3$2.9M2.4%
Other reported values43$20.6M16.8%
Not reported67$45.1M36.7%

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
84 reported · 83 not reported
Positive award obligations
$414K median
$200K–$998K middle 50%
Reported performance period
730 days (~2.0 years) median
167 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 Sep 10, 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
26 of 73prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
10.3%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
33.1%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
49.8%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $121.5M in positive obligations during the 12 months ending Sep 10, 2026. Individual shares and movement appear in the searchable rankings below. Movement compares with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 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

    $12.5M

    10.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.1M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    32 awards

    40 actions

    Historical and award details for ENSCO INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $10.4M → $12.5M
    +20.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    9.9% → 10.3%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $56.1M
    11.3% of all-period positive obligations · 108 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 3, 2021
    through Aug 27, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported3242
    Reported small business3242
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $10.6M

    8.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$6.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    27 awards

    33 actions

    Historical and award details for LEIDOS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $16.8M → $10.6M
    −36.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    16.1% → 8.8%
    −7.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $60.5M
    12.2% of all-period positive obligations · 51 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 18, 2021
    through Aug 31, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported2730
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $10.0M

    8.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$10.0M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $10.0M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 8.2%
    +8.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $10.0M
    2.0% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 1, 2026
    through Jul 1, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $7.0M

    5.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$282K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    15 awards

    17 actions

    Historical and award details for VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $7.3M → $7.0M
    −3.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    7.0% → 5.8%
    −1.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $28.5M
    5.7% of all-period positive obligations · 34 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 6, 2021
    through Sep 1, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside42
    Not reported1117
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $6.9M

    5.7%

    Dollar movement

    −$5.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    10 actions

    Historical and award details for GENEX SYSTEMS, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $12.4M → $6.9M
    −44.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    11.9% → 5.7%
    −6.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $45.7M
    9.2% of all-period positive obligations · 17 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 22, 2022
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside11
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported510
    Reported small business611
    All-period set-aside types
    • 2 · Total small business
  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $5.8M

    4.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$5.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    8 actions

    Historical and award details for SES GROUP & ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $495K → $5.8M
    +1072.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.47% → 4.8%
    +4.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $7.8M
    1.6% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jan 23, 2023
    through Aug 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported61
    Reported small business61
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.9M

    3.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    16 actions

    Historical and award details for BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $350K → $3.9M
    +1020.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.33% → 3.2%
    +2.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $7.7M
    1.5% of all-period positive obligations · 10 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 2, 2021
    through Aug 26, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside01
    Not reported70
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.6M

    3.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    4 awards

    6 actions

    Historical and award details for THE MITRE CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.2M → $3.6M
    +63.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.1% → 3.0%
    +0.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $8.4M
    1.7% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 20, 2022
    through Jul 20, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside42
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.3M

    2.7%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $3.3M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 2.7%
    +2.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.3M
    0.66% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 30, 2026
    through Jun 30, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.9M

    2.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.8M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    7 actions

    Historical and award details for GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.1M → $2.9M
    +158.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.1% → 2.4%
    +1.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $8.9M
    1.8% of all-period positive obligations · 7 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 24, 2022
    through Aug 3, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported63
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.7M

    2.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$517K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    12 awards

    22 actions

    Historical and award details for CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.2M → $2.7M
    +23.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.1% → 2.3%
    +0.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $5.0M
    1.0% of all-period positive obligations · 14 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 4, 2025
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported129
    Reported small business129
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.7M

    2.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$271K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for ATI, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.4M → $2.7M
    +11.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.3% → 2.2%
    −0.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $7.7M
    1.6% of all-period positive obligations · 4 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jan 23, 2023
    through Jul 30, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported22
    Reported small business22
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.7M

    2.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$767K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    12 awards

    23 actions

    Historical and award details for THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.9M → $2.7M
    +40.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.8% → 2.2%
    +0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $4.6M
    0.92% of all-period positive obligations · 16 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 17, 2024
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported1211
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.6M

    2.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for AGR, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $2.6M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 2.1%
    +2.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.6M
    0.52% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 19, 2025
    through May 13, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported10
    Reported small business10
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.5M

    2.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $2.5M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 2.1%
    +2.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.5M
    0.50% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 19, 2025
    through Jul 17, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

Recent federal contract award activity

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

Base award

This action

+$10.0M

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS

MAINTAINING SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE NAS WITH THE INTEGRATION OF COUNTER UAS TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH PROGRAM

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 #3 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$10.0M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
8.2%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 8.2% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#5 · 8.3% attributed share
up 3 ranks · +4.3 percentage points · $5.8M net increase; action exceeded it by $4.2M
PIID 697DCK26F00540
Base award

This action

+$3.3M

AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.

FHWA OFFICE OF OPERATIONS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS FOR NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED VEHICLE USE IN REMOTE PUBLIC LANDS.

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
$3.3M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.7%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#9 · 2.7% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#8 · 3.1% attributed share
up 10 ranks · +2.4 percentage points · $3.0M net increase; action exceeded it by $236K
PIID 693JJ326C000002
Base award

This action

+$2.5M

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

ITS JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAM

THIS CONTRACT IS FOR COOPERATIVE PERCEPTION (CP) MODELS AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL SUPPORT THE ABILITY OF ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS (ADAS) OR AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS (ADS) TO NAVIGATE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY AND ACCELERATE DEPLOYMENT.

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 #15 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$2.5M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#15 · 2.1% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#4 · 8.7% attributed share
$3.9M net decline despite this positive action
Related:Newly observed contractor cohort
PIID 693JJ325C000010
Modification

This action

+$3.4M

GENEX SYSTEMS, LLC

FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY

EXERCISE OPTION PERIOD 1.

Why it stands out

The award grew alongside stronger office-attributed spending.

The modification added $3.4M while office-attributed obligations rose $10.8M overall.

Award net obligations
$8.2M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.8%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#5 · 5.7% share
$5.5M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 21.9% attributed share
up 1 rank · +6.9 percentage points · $10.8M net increase; action accounted for 31.5%
Related:Funding office gain
PIID 693JJ325F00102N · Mod P00002
Base award

This action

+$4.7M

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY

693JJ4 OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MGT

THE APPLIED RESEARCH DIVISION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA) HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICES NECESSARY TO CONDUCT TWO PILOT PROGRAMS WHICH WILL ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPACTS OF TWO EXEMPTIONS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DRIVERS WITH MORE F

Why it stands out

A new award added obligations despite weaker contractor activity.

The action represented 3.9% of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations while the contractor’s obligations fell $282K overall.

Award net obligations
$4.5M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
3.9%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 5.8% share
$282K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 693JJ425F00043N
Base award

This action

+$1.4M

AGR, LLC

FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY

THIS IS A HYBRID FIRM FIXED PRICE AND COST-PLUS FIXED FEE TASK ORDER FOR THE PROJECT ENTITLED, "TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES GEOTECHNICAL (GEO) LABORATORY" UNDER THE HRDI TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING LABO

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 #14 in this market by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$2.6M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.2%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#14 · 2.1% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Related:Largest newly observed contractorNewly observed contractor cohort
PIID 693JJ325F00185N
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. SENSLYTICS CORPORATIONBase award · PIID 6913G626C100021
    Action+$511K
    Award net obligations$511K
  2. THE AEROSPACE CORPORATIONBase award · PIID 693KA926F00158
    Action+$291K
    Award net obligations$291K
  3. SYNTEK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Base award · PIID 693JJ326F00143N
    Action+$287K
    Award net obligations$287K
  4. SKYSAFE, INC.Base award · PIID 692M1526P00111
    Action+$120K
    Award net obligations$120K
  5. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARKDeobligation · PIID 693KA924F00168
    Action−$11K
    Award net obligations$79K
  6. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARKDeobligation · PIID 693KA925F00038
    Action−$10K
    Award net obligations$60K
  7. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINABase award · PIID 693JJ626C000031
    Action+$202K
    Award net obligations$202K
  8. VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITYBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00066N
    Action+$550K
    Award net obligations$550K
  9. CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.Base award · PIID 6973GH26F01315
    Action+$110K
    Award net obligations$110K
  10. CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.Modification · PIID 6973GH26F00920
    Action+$37K
    Award net obligations$104K

DOT NAICS 541715 market FAQs

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

Who are the top DOT research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contractors?

In the 12 months through September 10, 2026, ENSCO INC, LEIDOS, INC., and UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA were the leading DOT research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    ENSCO INC

    $12,544,070 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    LEIDOS, INC.

    $10,635,733 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

    $10,000,000 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

Did DOT contract obligations increase under NAICS 541715?

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported DOT activity in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) market increased 16.7% from $103,249,974 in the preceding 12 months to $120,478,935 in the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$120,478,935
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$103,249,974
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+16.7%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

What recent DOT contract award activity was reported under NAICS 541715?

Recent DOT contract award activity reported in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) market included actions for UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., and UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES during the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

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

Which procurement methods were reported for DOT contracts under NAICS 541715?

From September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2026, DOT reported 167 positive-obligation awards for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) under NAICS 541715. The leading award type was delivery order. The leading reported procedure was negotiated proposal/quote.

Positive-obligation awards
167
Leading reported procedure
Negotiated Proposal/Quote
29.6% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
63.3% of positive obligations
Full and open
27.6%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
63.3%
of positive obligations
Observed vehicles
OASIS+ 8(a)
Exact matches from reported parent PIIDs

Percentages use positive obligations as the denominator.

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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 September 10, 2026. Set-aside and business-size fields reflect award records, not a contractor's current eligibility.

Review data methodology