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 – October 13, 2026 Updated October 14, 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
$136.6M
Net obligations · Up $31.4M vs. $105.2M preceding
Prime contractors
99
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 $544.8M in net obligations across 977 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 Oct 13, 2026. This market accounts for 1.2% of $44.5B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 29.9% from $105.2M to $136.6M. 35 prime contractors accounted for at least 80% of positive obligations in that latest period.

Fiscal-year activity

FY27 is year-to-date through Oct 13, 2026; earlier years show complete fiscal-year totals.

FY27 year-to-date: $0 versus −$385K 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$102.0M382Complete
FY2023$101.4M448Complete
FY2024$99.7M584Complete
FY2025$105.6M668Complete
FY2026$136.2M524Complete

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$544.8M
977 awards · 314 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+29.9%
$136.6M vs. $105.2M
Leading eight prime share
41.8%
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 $44.5B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
38.1% of 536 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
204 set aside · 332 no set-aside · 441 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

Oct 14, 2025–Oct 13, 2026, compared with Oct 14, 2024–Oct 13, 2025.

Competitive shifts

LEIDOS, INC. lost the most market share
16.4%→2.3%−14.1 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #10 by positive obligations, based on 20 reported actions.
DARKFLITE INC. climbed the most in the contractor rankings
#99→#35Up 64 places
The contractor accounts for 0.92% of positive obligations across 3 reported actions.
INNOTECH SYSTEMS LLC fell the most in the contractor rankings
#17→#95Down 78 places
The contractor accounts for 0.010% of positive obligations across 2 reported actions.

Market structure

Top-five contractor share decreased
48.7%→33.5%−15.2 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 66.5% of positive obligations.

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through 697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS increased
$0→$21.6M+$21.6M
Latest-period activity spans 21 awards across 16 prime contractors.
Reported obligations through ITS JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAM decreased
$16.5M→$3.2M−$13.3M
Latest-period activity spans 16 awards across 5 prime contractors.
View 3 additional material changes

Competitive shifts

SES GROUP & ASSOCIATES, LLC gained the most market share
0.46%→4.22%+3.8 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #5 by positive obligations, based on 12 reported actions.
3 contractors were first observed in this market during the latest 12 months
$3.4MLatest 12-month obligations
Contractor-level obligations and first-observed dates appear below. “First observed” applies only to this market and the period shown.
View 3 contractors
ContractorLatest 12 months
SPS ARS LLC was the largest newly observed contractor
$1.6MLatest 12-month obligations
First observed in this market on Sep 17, 2026, the contractor now ranks #28 by positive obligations across 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 13, 2026.

20.2% of positive obligations were attributed to FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY. That represents $27.5M, up $8.4M from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY20.2% · $27.5M · up $8.4M
  2. 693JJ6 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN18.2% · $24.9M · up $10.7M
  3. 697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS15.8% · $21.6M · up $21.6M
  4. VOLPE NATL TRANSPORTATION SYS CNTR13.7% · $18.7M · down $4.1M
  5. 693JJ9 NHTSA OFFICE OF ACQUISTION9.0% · $12.3M · up $8.5M
  6. All other reported offices23.1% 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

    $27.5M

    20.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$8.4M

    15 active prime contractors · 36 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 44.0% from $19.1M to $27.5M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 18.0% to 20.2%, a change of +2.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 50 actions across 36 awards and 7 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 17 active prime contractors and 46 awards.

  2. Reported funding office

    693JJ6 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN

    #2Up 2 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $24.9M

    18.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$10.7M

    43 active prime contractors · 101 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 76.1% from $14.1M to $24.9M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 13.3% to 18.2%, a change of +4.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 127 actions across 101 awards and 17 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 38 active prime contractors and 86 awards.

  3. Reported funding office

    697DCK REGIONAL ACQUISITIONS SVCS

    #3New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $21.6M

    15.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$21.6M

    16 active prime contractors · 21 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $21.6M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 15.8%, a change of +15.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 21 actions across 21 awards and 15 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 4 active prime contractors and 4 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  4. Reported funding office

    VOLPE NATL TRANSPORTATION SYS CNTR

    #4Down 3 from #1

    Latest 12 months

    $18.7M

    13.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$4.1M

    56 active prime contractors · 66 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 17.8% from $22.8M to $18.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 21.4% to 13.7%, a change of −7.7 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 97 actions across 66 awards and 12 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 70 active prime contractors and 83 awards.

  5. Reported funding office

    693JJ9 NHTSA OFFICE OF ACQUISTION

    #5Up 3 from #8

    Latest 12 months

    $12.3M

    9.0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$8.5M

    8 active prime contractors · 21 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 221.0% from $3.8M to $12.3M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 3.6% to 9.0%, a change of +5.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 21 actions across 21 awards. The preceding period contained 8 active prime contractors and 19 awards.

  6. Reported funding office

    FAA

    #6Rank unchanged

    Latest 12 months

    $8.7M

    6.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$3.7M

    8 active prime contractors · 27 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 74.7% from $5.0M to $8.7M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 4.7% to 6.4%, a change of +1.7 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 47 actions across 27 awards and 4 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 7 active prime contractors and 20 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN(00053)

    #7New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $3.3M

    2.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$4.3M

    15 active prime contractors · 16 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $997K in net deobligations to $3.3M in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 2.4%, a change of +2.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 18 actions across 16 awards and 6 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 37 active prime contractors and 85 awards.

  8. Reported funding office

    FHWA OFFICE OF OPERATIONS

    #8Up 5 from #13

    Latest 12 months

    $3.3M

    2.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$2.2M

    3 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 199.0% from $1.1M to $3.3M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.0% to 2.4%, a change of +1.4 percentage points.

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

  9. Reported funding office

    ITS JOINT DELIVERY PROGRAM

    #9Down 6 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $3.2M

    2.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$13.3M

    5 active prime contractors · 16 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 80.7% from $16.5M to $3.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 15.5% to 2.3%, a change of −13.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 20 actions across 16 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 6 active prime contractors and 36 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  10. Reported funding office

    6973GH FRANCHISE ACQUISITION SVCS

    #10Up 2 from #12

    Latest 12 months

    $2.5M

    1.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$537K

    3 active prime contractors · 14 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 28.0% from $1.9M to $2.5M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.8% to 1.8%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 26 actions across 14 awards. The preceding period contained 3 active prime contractors and 18 awards.

  11. Reported funding office

    693JJ4 OFFICE OF ACQUISITION MGT

    #12Down 5 from #7

    Latest 12 months

    $2.0M

    1.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$3.0M

    5 active prime contractors · 12 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 60.1% from $5.0M to $2.0M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 4.7% to 1.4%, a change of −3.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 13 actions across 12 awards and 4 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 1 active prime contractor and 7 awards.

  12. Reported funding office

    692M15 ACQUISITION & GRANTS, AAQ600

    #17Down 8 from #9

    Latest 12 months

    $410K

    0.30% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$1.9M

    3 active prime contractors · 6 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 82.3% from $2.3M to $410K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 2.2% to 0.30%, a change of −1.9 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 9 actions across 6 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

    −$5.9M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $5.9M in net obligations to $2K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 5.6% to 0%, a change of −5.6 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 13 awards.

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Oct 14, 2025 through Oct 13, 2026, 199 awards had positive obligations totaling $138.9M. Sss was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 21.6% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 56.6%. Reported awards used contract vehicles such as OASIS+ 8(a).

Leading award type
56.6%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
21.6%
Sss
Reported parent IDV
56.6%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
127 of 199 awards reported offers

Observed contract vehicles

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

  • OASIS+ 8(a)

    $1.5M

    1.1% of positive obligations · 1 matched award

Buying method changes

Compared with Oct 14, 2024–Oct 13, 2025. Based on 199 current awards and 215 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Reported full-and-open obligation share
11.4%
Down from 41.9% in the preceding period
Median positive award obligations
$425K
Up from $250K 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 11.6 percentage points lower, reported full-and-open obligation share is 4.9 percentage points higher, delivery-order obligation share is 11.6 percentage points lower, and median positive award obligations are 71.7% higher.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share56.6%68.2%-11.6 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share11.4%6.5%+4.9 pts
Delivery-order obligation share56.6%68.2%-11.6 pts
Median positive award obligations$425K$247K+71.7%
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)104$78.6M56.6%
Definitive Contract(D)88$56.6M40.7%
Purchase Order(B)7$3.7M2.6%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)104$78.6M56.6%
Not reported95$60.2M43.4%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Single Award(S)72$45.8M33.0%
Multiple Award(M)32$32.9M23.7%
Not reported95$60.2M43.4%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Sss(ONLY ONE SOURCE)30$30.0M21.6%
Np(NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE)47$29.3M21.1%
Mafo(SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY)25$21.8M15.7%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)20$11.4M8.2%
Subject to Multiple Award Fair Opportunity(MAFO)7$11.1M8.0%
Ts(TWO STEP)9$9.7M7.0%
Other reported values61$25.5M18.4%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
D(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES)36$33.3M24.0%
A(FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION)58$31.3M22.6%
C(NOT COMPETED)30$30.0M21.6%
Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources(D)28$19.5M14.0%
Full and Open Competition(A)31$15.9M11.4%
Not Competed(C)8$5.5M4.0%
Other reported values8$3.3M2.3%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Fair Opportunity Given(FAIR)29$29.1M20.9%
Only One Source - Other(ONE)2$2.3M1.7%
Competitive Set Aside(CSA)1$1.5M1.1%
Not reported167$106.0M76.3%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)32$28.8M20.7%
Unique Source (FAR 6.302-1(B)(1))(UNQ)4$3.8M2.8%
SAP Non-Competition (FAR 13)(SP2)5$3.1M2.2%
Mobilization, Essential R&d (FAR 6.302-3)(MES)2$3.0M2.2%
Authorized by Statute (FAR 6.302-5(A)(2)(I))(OTH)1$10K0.010%
Not reported155$100.2M72.1%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)60$47.6M34.3%
Firm Fixed Price(J)42$20.2M14.5%
S(COST NO FEE)7$13.7M9.8%
Y(TIME AND MATERIALS)29$12.3M8.9%
T(COST SHARING)19$11.7M8.4%
Cost Plus Fixed Fee(U)11$11.6M8.4%
Other reported values31$21.8M15.7%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Transportation R&d Services; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, and Rail; Applied Research(AS12)73$70.8M51.0%
Transportation R&d Services; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, and Rail; Basic Research(AS11)52$25.6M18.4%
General Science and Technology R&d Services; General Science and Technology; Basic Research(AJ11)15$11.9M8.6%
Support- Professional: Engineering/Technical(R425)10$5.9M4.3%
General Science & Technology R&d Svcs; General Science & Technology; R&d Administrative Expenses(AJ14)6$5.4M3.9%
Transportation R&d Svcs; Surface Transportation, Public Transit, & Rail; Experimental Development(AS13)4$4.3M3.1%
Other reported values39$15.0M10.8%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Federal Highway Administration(6925)32$36.3M26.2%
Federal Aviation Administration(6920)58$35.5M25.6%
Federal Railroad Administration(6930)60$28.8M20.7%
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation(6901)23$18.9M13.6%
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(6940)16$12.4M8.9%
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(6953)6$3.9M2.8%
Other reported values4$3.0M2.2%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
693jj3 Acquisition and Grants Mgt(693JJ3)32$36.3M26.2%
693jj6 Federal Railroad Admin(693JJ6)60$28.8M20.7%
697dck Regional Acquisitions Svcs(697DCK)22$22.2M16.0%
6913g6 Volpe Natl. Trans. Sys Cntr(6913G6)23$18.9M13.6%
693jj9 Nhtsa Office of Acquistion(693JJ9)16$12.4M8.9%
692m15 Acquisition & Grants, Aaq600(692M15)9$4.3M3.1%
Other reported values37$16.0M11.5%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
693JJ621D000001(6930)24$15.8M11.4%
697DCK25D00032(6920)1$10.0M7.2%
693JJ324D000021(6925)2$6.3M4.6%
693JJ323D000011(6925)4$5.9M4.3%
693JJ326D000009(6925)4$4.3M3.1%
693JJ924D000035(6940)4$4.1M2.9%
693JJ321D000010(6925)8$3.8M2.7%
693JJ924D000030(6940)4$3.0M2.1%
Other reported values53$25.4M18.3%
Not reported95$60.2M43.4%

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
127 reported · 72 not reported
Positive award obligations
$425K median
$202K–$900K middle 50%
Reported performance period
729 days (~24 months) median
199 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 13, 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
35 of 99prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
11.5%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
29.3%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
41.8%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $137.6M in positive obligations during the 12 months ending Oct 13, 2026. Individual shares and movement appear in the searchable rankings below. Movement compares with Oct 14, 2024–Oct 13, 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

    $15.8M

    11.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    33 awards

    39 actions

    Historical and award details for ENSCO INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $13.2M → $15.8M
    +19.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    12.3% → 11.5%
    −0.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $63.3M
    11.6% of all-period positive obligations · 112 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Dec 3, 2021
    through Sep 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported3343
    Reported small business3343
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $10.0M

    7.3%

    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% → 7.3%
    +7.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $10.0M
    1.8% 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.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $7.6M

    5.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    20 awards

    21 actions

    Historical and award details for VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $6.4M → $7.6M
    +19.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    5.9% → 5.5%
    −0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $33.5M
    6.1% of all-period positive obligations · 39 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 6, 2021
    through Sep 29, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside42
    Not reported1617
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $6.9M

    5.0%

    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
    11.6% → 5.0%
    −6.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $45.7M
    8.4% 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
  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $5.8M

    4.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$5.3M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    12 actions

    Historical and award details for SES GROUP & ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $495K → $5.8M
    +1072.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.46% → 4.2%
    +3.8 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $7.8M
    1.4% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jan 23, 2023
    through Sep 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.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $4.3M

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.2M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    8 actions

    Historical and award details for GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $1.1M → $4.3M
    +286.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.1% → 3.1%
    +2.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $10.3M
    1.9% of all-period positive obligations · 8 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 24, 2022
    through Sep 28, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported64
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.7M

    2.7%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.5M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    4 awards

    4 actions

    Historical and award details for REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $228K → $3.7M
    +1534.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.21% → 2.7%
    +2.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $4.9M
    0.90% of all-period positive obligations · 7 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 16, 2021
    through Sep 30, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported32
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.4M

    2.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.0M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    3 awards

    5 actions

    Historical and award details for THE MITRE CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.3M → $3.4M
    +44.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.2% → 2.5%
    +0.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $8.4M
    1.5% 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-aside33
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.3M

    2.4%

    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% → 2.4%
    +2.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.3M
    0.60% 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

    $3.2M

    2.3%

    Dollar movement

    −$14.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    18 awards

    20 actions

    Historical and award details for LEIDOS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $17.6M → $3.2M
    −82.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    16.4% → 2.3%
    −14.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $60.8M
    11.1% of all-period positive obligations · 52 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 18, 2021
    through Sep 24, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported1839
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.0M

    2.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$2.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    6 awards

    7 actions

    Historical and award details for TOXCEL LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $543K → $3.0M
    +450.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.51% → 2.2%
    +1.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $6.1M
    1.1% of all-period positive obligations · 12 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 8, 2022
    through Sep 30, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported62
    Reported small business22
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.8M

    2.0%

    Dollar movement

    +$213K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    13 actions

    Historical and award details for THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.6M → $2.8M
    +8.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.4% → 2.0%
    −0.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $14.1M
    2.6% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 21, 2021
    through Sep 23, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside22
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.7M

    2.0%

    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% → 2.0%
    −0.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $7.7M
    1.4% 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.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.5M

    1.9%

    Dollar movement

    +$478K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    13 awards

    23 actions

    Historical and award details for THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.1M → $2.5M
    +23.2%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.9% → 1.9%
    −0.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $5.1M
    0.94% of all-period positive obligations · 17 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 17, 2024
    through Sep 21, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported1313
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.4M

    1.8%

    Dollar movement

    −$198K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    12 awards

    23 actions

    Historical and award details for CHEROKEE STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $2.6M → $2.4M
    −7.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    2.4% → 1.8%
    −0.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $5.0M
    0.92% of all-period positive obligations · 14 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 4, 2025
    through Sep 14, 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.

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

Award net obligations
$10.0M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
7.3%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 7.3% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#3 · 15.8% attributed share
+15.8 percentage points · $21.6M net increase; action accounted for 46.2%
Related:Funding office gain
PIID 697DCK26F00540
Base award

This action

+$4.7M

ENSCO INC

693JJ6 FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMIN

TAKE THE BEST RNT MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES OF TODAY AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION IN TWO YEARS.

Why it stands out

The contractor and funding office both climbed their market rankings.

Both rank changes are shown in the supporting movement data.

Award net obligations
$4.7M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
3.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#1 · 11.5% share
up 1 rank · −0.9 percentage points · $2.6M net increase; action exceeded it by $2.1M
Funding office
#2 · 18.2% attributed share
up 2 ranks · +4.9 percentage points · $10.7M net increase; action accounted for 43.5%
PIID 693JJ626F00030N
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
2.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#9 · 2.4% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
PIID 693JJ326C000002
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 $8.4M overall.

Award net obligations
$8.2M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.5%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 5.0% share
$5.5M net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 20.2% attributed share
up 1 rank · +2.2 percentage points · $8.4M net increase; action accounted for 40.6%
PIID 693JJ325F00102N · Mod P00002
Base award

This action

+$1.8M

REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

FHWA - TURNER-FAIRBANKS HIGHWAY

NEW CONTRACT FOR THE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS JOINT PROGRAM OFFICE (ITS JPO) FOR INTERSECTION SAFETY SYSTEMS (ISS) PROTOTYPING.

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 47 positions in this market.

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

Award net obligations
$1.8M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
1.3%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#7 · 2.7% share
up 47 ranks · +2.5 percentage points · $3.5M net increase; action accounted for 52.5%
PIID 693JJ326C000020
Base award

This action

+$1.3M

TOXCEL LLC

693JJ9 NHTSA OFFICE OF ACQUISTION

. . TITLE: CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY FOR CHILDREN WITH ADAPTIVE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 22 positions in this market.

It now ranks #11 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$1.3M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
0.91%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#11 · 2.2% share
up 22 ranks · +1.7 percentage points · $2.4M net increase; action accounted for 51.2%
PIID 693JJ926F00105N
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANBase award · PIID 693JJ326C000020
    Action+$1.8M
    Award net obligations$1.8M
  2. DERQ USA INCBase award · PIID 693JJ326C000018
    Action+$1.8M
    Award net obligations$1.8M
  3. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELESBase award · PIID 693JJ326C000019
    Action+$1.8M
    Award net obligations$1.8M
  4. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00146N
    Action+$783K
    Award net obligations$783K
  5. WESTAT, INC.Base award · PIID 693JJ926F00145N
    Action+$748K
    Award net obligations$748K
  6. TOXCEL LLCBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00122N
    Action+$747K
    Award net obligations$747K
  7. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00109N
    Action+$596K
    Award net obligations$596K
  8. WESTAT, INC.Base award · PIID 693JJ926F00115N
    Action+$899K
    Award net obligations$899K
  9. TOXCEL LLCBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00131N
    Action+$799K
    Award net obligations$799K
  10. EXPONENT INCBase award · PIID 693JJ926F00118N
    Action+$599K
    Award net obligations$599K

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 October 13, 2026, ENSCO INC, UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, and VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY 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

    $15,779,763 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

    $10,000,000 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY

    $7,570,600 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 29.9% from $105,198,763 in the preceding 12 months to $136,609,454 in the 12 months through October 13, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$136,609,454
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$105,198,763
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+29.9%
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, ENSCO INC, and AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. during the 12 months through October 13, 2026.

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

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

From October 14, 2025 through October 13, 2026, DOT reported 199 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 sss.

Positive-obligation awards
199
Leading reported procedure
Sss
21.6% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
56.6% of positive obligations
Full and open
11.4%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
56.6%
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 October 13, 2026. Set-aside and business-size fields reflect award records, not a contractor's current eligibility.

Review data methodology