Federal Capture Intelligence

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

Contract actions: October 1, 2021 – September 10, 2026 Updated September 11, 2026 Department of Agriculture agency guide NAICS 541720 · Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Latest 12 months
$3.5M
Net obligations · Up $2.2M vs. $1.3M preceding
Prime contractors
11
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the USDA 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, and contract types, competition, and procurement methods.

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

Federal records show $25.6M in net obligations across 226 awards in Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Department of Agriculture from Oct 1, 2021 through Sep 10, 2026. This market accounts for 0.049% of $52.2B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 163.6% from $1.3M to $3.5M. 5 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: $3.0M versus $698K through the same date in FY25 (+325.6%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY26 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$11.6M154Complete
FY2023$7.1M164Complete
FY2024$2.6M94Complete
FY2025$1.3M50Complete
FY2026$3.0M34YTD through Sep 10, 2026

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$25.6M
226 awards · 50 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+163.6%
$3.5M vs. $1.3M
Leading eight prime share
95.1%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
0.049% of $52.2B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
49.7% of 149 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
74 set aside · 75 no set-aside · 77 not reported

What changed in the last 12 months?

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

Market structure

Reported set-aside share increased
39.3%→88.5%+49.2 percentage points
Of 26 latest-period awards with reported set-aside status, 23 were reported as set-asides.
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.

18.4% of positive obligations were attributed to Ouachita National Forest. That represents $686K, up $686K from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. Ouachita National Forest18.4% · $686K · up $686K
  2. NATIONAL FORESTS IN MISSISSIPPI15.9% · $594K · up $594K
  3. WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST15.6% · $582K · up $582K
  4. USDA FOREST SERVICE (127J14)14.6% · $544K · up $444K
  5. USDA FOREST SERVICE (127J12)13.2% · $490K · up $490K
  6. All other reported offices22.3% 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

    Ouachita National Forest

    #1New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $686K

    18.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$686K

    3 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $686K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 18.4%, a change of +18.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 4 actions across 4 awards and 3 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  2. Reported funding office

    NATIONAL FORESTS IN MISSISSIPPI

    #2New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $594K

    15.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$594K

    4 active prime contractors · 5 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from <$1 in net deobligations to $594K in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 15.9%, a change of +15.9 percentage points.

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

  3. Reported funding office

    WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

    #3New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $582K

    15.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$582K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $582K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 15.6%, a change of +15.6 percentage points.

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

  4. Reported funding office

    USDA FOREST SERVICE (127J14)

    #4Up 2 from #6

    Latest 12 months

    $544K

    14.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$444K

    4 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 442.6% from $100K to $544K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 7.3% to 14.6%, a change of +7.3 percentage points.

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

  5. Reported funding office

    USDA FOREST SERVICE (127J12)

    #5New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $490K

    13.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$490K

    2 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $490K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 13.2%, a change of +13.2 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 3 actions across 3 awards and 2 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 0 active prime contractors and 0 awards.

  6. Reported funding office

    Kisatchie National Forest

    #6Down 2 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $216K

    5.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$16K

    1 active prime contractor · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 7.8% from $200K to $216K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 14.6% to 5.8%, a change of −8.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 2 actions across 2 awards. The preceding period contained 3 active prime contractors and 6 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    Ozark/St. Francis National Forest

    #7Down 6 from #1

    Latest 12 months

    $179K

    4.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$213K

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 54.3% from $392K to $179K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 28.6% to 4.8%, a change of −23.8 percentage points.

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

  8. Reported funding office

    Tonto National Forest

    #8New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $137K

    3.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$137K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $137K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 3.7%, a change of +3.7 percentage points.

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

  9. Reported funding office

    USDA FOREST SERVICE (127CJ5)

    #9New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $121K

    3.2% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$121K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $121K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 3.2%, a change of +3.2 percentage points.

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

  10. Reported funding office

    Dakota Prairie Grasslands

    #10New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $113K

    3.0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$113K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $113K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 3.0%, a change of +3.0 percentage points.

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

  11. Reported funding office

    MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$252K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $252K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 18.4% to 0%, a change of −18.4 percentage points.

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

    Leading award-level changes

  12. Reported funding office

    CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$122K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $122K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 8.9% to 0%, a change of −8.9 percentage points.

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

  13. Reported funding office

    Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$219K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $219K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 16.0% to 0%, a change of −16.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 0 actions across 0 awards. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 2 awards.

  14. Reported funding office

    USDA FOREST SERVICE (127J15)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$205K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$205K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $0 in net obligations to $205K in net deobligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 0%, a change of 0.0 percentage points.

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

Contract types, competition, and procurement methods

From Sep 11, 2025 through Sep 10, 2026, 21 awards had positive obligations totaling $3.5M. Simplified Acquisition was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 68.1% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 74.5%.

Leading award type
74.5%
BPA Call
Leading reported procedure
68.1%
Simplified Acquisition
Reported parent IDV
74.5%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
4
21 of 21 awards reported offers

Buying method changes

Compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025. Based on 21 current awards and 13 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Delivery-order obligation share
0%
Down from 36.2% in the preceding period
Reported full-and-open obligation share
0%
Down from 17.8% in the preceding period
Median positive award obligations
$161K
Up from $100K 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 9.2 percentage points higher, reported full-and-open obligation share is 41.5 percentage points lower, delivery-order obligation share is 65.2 percentage points lower, and median positive award obligations are 18.6% lower.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share74.5%65.2%+9.2 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share0%41.5%-41.5 pts
Delivery-order obligation share0%65.2%-65.2 pts
Median positive award obligations$161K$198K-18.6%
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
BPA Call(A)16$2.6M74.5%
Definitive Contract(D)2$719K20.4%
Purchase Order(B)3$180K5.1%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
BPA(E)16$2.6M74.5%
Not reported5$899K25.5%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Multiple Award(M)16$2.6M74.5%
Not reported5$899K25.5%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Simplified Acquisition(SP1)13$2.4M68.1%
Sp1(SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION)7$1.1M31.1%
Only One Source(SSS)1$32K0.89%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Competed Under SAP(F)13$2.4M68.1%
F(COMPETED UNDER SAP)7$1.1M31.1%
Not Competed(C)1$32K0.89%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Not reported21$3.5M100.0%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)1$32K0.89%
Not reported20$3.5M99.1%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Firm Fixed Price(J)14$2.4M69.0%
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)7$1.1M31.1%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Special Studies/Analysis- Archeological/Paleontological(B503)19$3.4M95.1%
Support- Professional: Other(R499)1$137K3.9%
Natural Resources/Conservation- Other(F099)1$35K0.99%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Forest Service(12C2)21$3.5M100.0%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Usda-Fs, Csa East 1(124439)10$1.5M41.9%
Usda-Fs, Csa East 2(124440)5$850K24.1%
Usda Forest Service-Spoc Nw(120489)1$582K16.5%
Usda-Fs, Csa East 4(124442)2$332K9.4%
Usda-Fs, Csa Southwest 4(127EAU)1$137K3.9%
Usda-Fs, Csa Intermountain 2(1284LM)1$113K3.2%
Other reported values1$32K0.89%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
12444222A0019(12C2)5$885K25.1%
12444222A0023(12C2)5$834K23.7%
12444222A0011(12C2)3$505K14.3%
12444222A0012(12C2)1$179K5.1%
12444222A0018(12C2)1$117K3.3%
12444222A0020(12C2)1$105K3.0%
Not reported5$899K25.5%

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
4 median
21 reported · 0 not reported
Positive award obligations
$161K median
$121K–$189K middle 50%
Reported performance period
364 days (~12 months) median
21 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
5 of 11prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
25.1%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
79.6%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
95.1%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $3.5M 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

    $885K

    25.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$685K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    9 actions

    Historical and award details for R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $200K → $885K
    +342.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    14.6% → 25.1%
    +10.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.8M
    7.2% of all-period positive obligations · 11 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 16, 2022
    through Aug 12, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside61
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported00
    Reported small business71
    All-period set-aside types
    • 10 · Total small business
  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $834K

    23.7%

    Dollar movement

    +$442K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    5 awards

    5 actions

    Historical and award details for NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $392K → $834K
    +112.7%
    Share: prior → latest
    28.6% → 23.7%
    −4.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.6M
    14.0% of all-period positive obligations · 36 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jan 25, 2022
    through Sep 7, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside44
    Reported no set-aside15
    Not reported01
    Reported small business510
    All-period set-aside types
    • 13 · Total small business
  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $582K

    16.5%

    Dollar movement

    +$582K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for APPLIED EARTHWORKS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $582K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 16.5%
    +16.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.9M
    7.3% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 13, 2023
    through May 27, 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
    • 1 · Total small business
  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $505K

    14.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$505K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    3 awards

    5 actions

    Historical and award details for ACACIA HERITAGE CONSULTING LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $505K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 14.3%
    +14.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.0M
    7.7% of all-period positive obligations · 14 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 16, 2022
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside30
    Reported no set-aside03
    Not reported00
    Reported small business33
    All-period set-aside types
    • 6 · Total small business
  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $179K

    5.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$179K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for AMERICAN RESOURCES GROUP LTD
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $179K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 5.1%
    +5.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.2M
    4.8% of all-period positive obligations · 17 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 23, 2021
    through Sep 26, 2025

    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
    • 5 · Total small business
  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $137K

    3.9%

    Dollar movement

    −$82K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for CORNERSTONE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $219K → $137K
    −37.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    16.0% → 3.9%
    −12.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.4M
    9.2% of all-period positive obligations · 13 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 26, 2021
    through Apr 23, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside10
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported03
    Reported small business13
    All-period set-aside types
    • 1 · Total small business
  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $117K

    3.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$117K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS & INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $117K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 3.3%
    +3.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $553K
    2.2% of all-period positive obligations · 4 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 5, 2022
    through Jan 23, 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
    • 3 · Total small business
  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $113K

    3.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$113K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for PROJECT SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $113K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 3.2%
    +3.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $113K
    0.44% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 1, 2026
    through Sep 1, 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
  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $105K

    3.0%

    Dollar movement

    −$17K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $122K → $105K
    −14.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    8.9% → 3.0%
    −5.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $955K
    3.7% of all-period positive obligations · 12 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since May 18, 2022
    through Aug 4, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside21
    Reported no set-aside01
    Not reported00
    Reported small business22
    All-period set-aside types
    • 5 · Total small business
  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $35K

    0.99%

    Dollar movement

    +$35K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for BIOPHILIA LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $35K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 0.99%
    +1.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $35K
    0.14% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 10, 2026
    through Jun 10, 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
  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $32K

    0.89%

    Dollar movement

    +$11K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $21K → $32K
    +51.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.5% → 0.89%
    −0.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $63K
    0.25% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 27, 2024
    through Jun 29, 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.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $0

    0%

    Dollar movement

    $0

    no change vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for PALEOWEST LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $0
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 0%
    0.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.4M
    13.3% of all-period positive obligations · 14 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jan 28, 2022
    through Nov 24, 2025

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported24
    Reported small business22
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $0

    0%

    Dollar movement

    $0

    no change vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for LOGAN SIMPSON DESIGN INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $0
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 0%
    0.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $899K
    3.5% of all-period positive obligations · 4 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 29, 2022
    through Feb 27, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported12
    Reported small business01
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $0

    0%

    Dollar movement

    −$100K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for LG2 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $100K → $0
    −100.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    7.3% → 0%
    −7.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $817K
    3.2% of all-period positive obligations · 10 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 11, 2022
    through Mar 26, 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
    • 6 · Total small business
  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $0

    0%

    Dollar movement

    −$252K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for THE MARKOSKY ENGINEERING GROUP INC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $252K → $0
    −100.0%
    Share: prior → latest
    18.4% → 0%
    −18.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $522K
    2.0% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 25, 2022
    through Feb 19, 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

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

+$582K

APPLIED EARTHWORKS, INC.

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

CENTRAL OR/WA HERITAGE DATA MODERNIZATION & PREDICTIVE MODELS

Why it stands out

The award grew alongside stronger contractor activity.

The modification added $582K while contractor obligations rose $582K overall.

Award net obligations
$1.9M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
16.5%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 16.5% share
+16.5 percentage points · $582K net increase; action accounted for 100.0%
Funding office
#3 · 15.6% attributed share
+15.6 percentage points · $582K net increase; action accounted for 100.0%
PIID 12048923C0001 · Mod P00013
Base award

This action

+$215K

NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC

Ouachita National Forest

CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY SERVICES - CANEY CREEK WATERSHED

Why it stands out

One action represented 6.1% of the market’s latest 12-month positive obligations.

At $215K, the action was large enough to materially affect the latest 12-month market picture.

Award net obligations
$215K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
6.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 23.7% share
down 1 rank · −4.9 percentage points · $442K net increase; action accounted for 48.7%
Funding office
#1 · 18.4% attributed share
+18.4 percentage points · $686K net increase; action accounted for 31.4%
PIID 12443926F0065
Base award

This action

+$179K

AMERICAN RESOURCES GROUP LTD

Ozark/St. Francis National Forest

ARCHAEOLOGICAL/CULTURAL HERITAGE SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE FORESTS FY25-001254 APPROVED 9-22-2025

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

Award net obligations
$179K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
5.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#5 · 5.1% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#7 · 4.8% attributed share
$213K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 12444025F0115
Base award

This action

+$209K

R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

TURNER ROCK CREEK EMU HERITAGE SURVEYS ON THE COLD SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 3 positions in this market.

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

Award net obligations
$209K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
6.0%
Supporting data
Funding office
#4 · 14.6% attributed share
up 2 ranks · +7.3 percentage points · $444K net increase; action accounted for 47.2%
PIID 12444025F0090
Deobligation

This action

−$205K

INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLC

USDA FOREST SERVICE

CANEY CREEK CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY - 1,045 ACRES (CANCELLATION).

Why it stands out

This award recorded a material contraction.

The action removed $205K. A deobligation does not by itself show lower requirement demand.

Award net obligations
$0
Share of 12-month positive obligations
5.8%
Supporting data
Funding office
0% attributed share
$205K net decline; action accounted for 100.0%
PIID 12443926F0049 · Mod P00001
Base award

This action

+$189K

ACACIA HERITAGE CONSULTING LLC

USDA FOREST SERVICE

ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN EAST BLACKFORK ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT UNIT ON THE POTEAU/COLD SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT OF THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST.

Why it stands out

The funding office climbed 2 positions in attributed spending.

It now ranks #4 in attributed spending.

Award net obligations
$189K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
5.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#4 · 14.3% share
+14.3 percentage points · $505K net increase; action accounted for 37.5%
PIID 12443926F0052
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLCBase award · PIID 12443926F0177
    Action+$161K
    Award net obligations$161K
  2. NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLCBase award · PIID 12443926F0165
    Action+$121K
    Award net obligations$121K
  3. PROJECT SOLUTIONS, INC.Base award · PIID 1284LM26P0036
    Action+$113K
    Award net obligations$113K
  4. R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.Base award · PIID 12443926F0158
    Action+$161K
    Award net obligations$161K
  5. NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLCBase award · PIID 12443926F0150
    Action+$192K
    Award net obligations$192K
  6. R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.Base award · PIID 12443926F0140
    Action+$161K
    Award net obligations$161K
  7. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS LLCBase award · PIID 12443926F0138
    Action+$105K
    Award net obligations$105K
  8. R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.Base award · PIID 12443926F0137
    Action+$137K
    Award net obligations$137K
  9. THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIModification · PIID 12444524P0076
    Action+$32K
    Award net obligations$63K
  10. BIOPHILIA LLCBase award · PIID 12443926P0030
    Action+$35K
    Award net obligations$35K

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

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

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

In the 12 months through September 10, 2026, R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC., NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC, and APPLIED EARTHWORKS, INC. were the leading USDA research and development in the social sciences and humanities prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.

    $884,502 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC

    $834,234 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    APPLIED EARTHWORKS, INC.

    $582,109 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

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

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported USDA activity in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market increased 163.6% from $1,336,450 in the preceding 12 months to $3,523,490 in the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$3,523,490
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$1,336,450
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+163.6%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

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

Recent USDA contract award activity reported in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market included actions for APPLIED EARTHWORKS, INC., NORTH WIND RESOURCE CONSULTING LLC, and AMERICAN RESOURCES GROUP LTD 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 USDA contracts under NAICS 541720?

From September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2026, USDA reported 21 positive-obligation awards for research and development in the social sciences and humanities under NAICS 541720. The leading award type was BPA call. The leading reported procedure was simplified acquisition.

Positive-obligation awards
21
Leading reported procedure
Simplified Acquisition
68.1% of positive obligations
Leading award type
BPA Call
74.5% of positive obligations
Full and open
0%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
74.5%
of positive obligations

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