Federal Capture Intelligence

Top VA 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 Veterans Affairs agency guide NAICS 541720 · Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Latest 12 months
$15.6M
Net obligations · Up $7.4M vs. $8.2M preceding
Prime contractors
35
With positive obligations in the latest 12 months

Research the VA 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 Veterans Affairs

Federal records show $40.4M in net obligations across 181 awards in Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities at the Department of Veterans Affairs from Oct 1, 2021 through Sep 10, 2026. This market accounts for 0.012% of $339.1B in agency-wide net prime contract obligations over the period shown. Latest 12-month net obligations increased 90.3% from $8.2M to $15.6M. 6 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: $14.6M versus $7.2M through the same date in FY25 (+101.2%).
Net obligations · complete fiscal yearNet obligations · FY26 YTDContract actions
View fiscal-year data table
Fiscal yearNet obligationsContract actionsCoverage
FY2022$2.9M87Complete
FY2023$7.8M88Complete
FY2024$6.8M82Complete
FY2025$8.3M82Complete
FY2026$14.6M76YTD through Sep 10, 2026

Market at a glance

All reported prime contract awards
All-period net obligations
$40.4M
181 awards · 101 prime contractors
Latest 12-month movement
+90.3%
$15.6M vs. $8.2M
Leading eight prime share
85.9%
Share held by the eight leading prime contractors in the latest 12 months
View agency share, denominators, and set-aside reporting
Agency context
0.012% of $339.1B in agency-wide net obligations.
Set-aside share when reported
3.7% of 135 awards with reported set-aside status.
Set-aside reporting
5 set aside · 130 no set-aside · 46 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

NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER gained the most market share
6.7%→13.8%+7.1 percentage points
The contractor now ranks #3 by positive obligations, based on 3 reported actions.

Buyer demand

Reported obligations through 554-DENVER (00554) increased
$633K→$2.3M+$1.6M
Latest-period activity spans 3 awards across 3 prime contractors.

Market structure

Top-five contractor share decreased
84.7%→77.2%−7.5 percentage points
Contractors outside the top five now account for 22.8% of positive obligations.
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.

31.3% of positive obligations were attributed to 523-BOSTON (00523)(36C523). That represents $4.9M, down $404K from the preceding 12 months.

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

  1. 523-BOSTON (00523)(36C523)31.3% · $4.9M · down $404K
  2. VHACO PATIENT CARE SERVICES18.5% · $2.9M · up $2.9M
  3. 554-DENVER (00554)14.3% · $2.3M · up $1.6M
  4. 648-PORTLAND (00648)7.7% · $1.2M · up $235K
  5. 646-PITTSBURGH (00646)(36C646)5.8% · $905K · down $170K
  6. All other reported offices22.5% 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

    523-BOSTON (00523)(36C523)

    #1Rank unchanged

    Latest 12 months

    $4.9M

    31.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$404K

    6 active prime contractors · 8 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 7.6% from $5.3M to $4.9M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 59.1% to 31.3%, a change of −27.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 12 actions across 8 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 5 active prime contractors and 8 awards.

    Leading award-level changes

  2. Reported funding office

    VHACO PATIENT CARE SERVICES

    #2New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $2.9M

    18.5% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$2.9M

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations rose from $0 to $2.9M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 18.5%, a change of +18.5 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.

    Leading award-level changes

  3. Reported funding office

    554-DENVER (00554)

    #3Up 1 from #4

    Latest 12 months

    $2.3M

    14.3% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.6M

    3 active prime contractors · 3 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 256.0% from $633K to $2.3M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 7.0% to 14.3%, a change of +7.3 percentage points.

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

  4. Reported funding office

    648-PORTLAND (00648)

    #4Down 1 from #3

    Latest 12 months

    $1.2M

    7.7% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$235K

    1 active prime contractor · 5 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 24.0% from $977K to $1.2M. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 10.8% to 7.7%, a change of −3.1 percentage points.

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

  5. Reported funding office

    646-PITTSBURGH (00646)(36C646)

    #5Down 3 from #2

    Latest 12 months

    $905K

    5.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$170K

    1 active prime contractor · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 15.8% from $1.1M to $905K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 11.9% to 5.8%, a change of −6.2 percentage points.

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

  6. Reported funding office

    RPO EAST (36C24E)

    #6New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $857K

    5.4% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$1.1M

    4 active prime contractors · 7 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $224K in net deobligations to $857K in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 5.4%, a change of +5.4 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 7 actions across 7 awards and 3 newly active prime contractors. The preceding period contained 4 active prime contractors and 6 awards.

  7. Reported funding office

    261-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 21 (36C261)

    #7New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $465K

    3.0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$489K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $24K in net deobligations to $465K in net obligations. 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 1 active prime contractor and 1 award.

  8. Reported funding office

    663-SEATTLE (00663)

    #8Down 2 from #6

    Latest 12 months

    $440K

    2.8% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$280K

    3 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 174.3% from $161K to $440K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 1.8% to 2.8%, a change of +1.0 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 4 actions across 4 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 2 active prime contractors and 3 awards.

  9. Reported funding office

    688-WASHINGTON DC (00688)(36C688)

    #9Down 4 from #5

    Latest 12 months

    $416K

    2.6% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$103K

    3 active prime contractors · 4 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations increased 33.1% from $312K to $416K. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 3.5% to 2.6%, a change of −0.8 percentage points.

    The latest period contains 9 actions across 4 awards and 1 newly active prime contractor. The preceding period contained 3 active prime contractors and 3 awards.

  10. Reported funding office

    VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

    #10New to the positive-obligation ranking

    Latest 12 months

    $293K

    1.9% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    +$587K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $294K in net deobligations to $293K in net obligations. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0% to 1.9%, a change of +1.9 percentage points.

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

  11. Reported funding office

    262-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 22 (36C262)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$64K

    2 active prime contractors · 2 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $64K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.71% to 0%, a change of −0.7 percentage points.

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

  12. Reported funding office

    662-SAN FRANCISCO (00662)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    $0

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$65K

    0 active prime contractors · 0 awards

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations decreased 100.0% from $65K to $0. The office’s share of positive obligations moved from 0.72% to 0%, a change of −0.7 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

    689-WEST HAVEN (00689)(36C689)

    No positive-obligation rank

    Latest 12 months

    −$63K

    0% of positive obligations

    Versus preceding 12 months

    −$63K

    1 active prime contractor · 1 award

    View office comparison and evidence

    Reported obligations moved from $0 in net obligations to $63K 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, 48 awards had positive obligations totaling $15.8M. Only One Source was the leading reported procedure, accounting for 65.5% of positive obligations. Awards with a reported parent IDV accounted for 48.4%.

Leading award type
48.4%
Delivery Order
Leading reported procedure
65.5%
Only One Source
Reported parent IDV
48.4%
of positive obligations had a reported parent IDV
Median reported offers
1
33 of 48 awards reported offers

Buying method changes

Compared with Sep 11, 2024–Sep 10, 2025. Based on 48 current awards and 30 preceding awards with positive net obligations.

Only One Source obligation share
65.5%
Down from 97.9% in the preceding period
Parent-IDV obligation share
48.4%
Down from 76.3% 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 30.0 percentage points lower, reported full-and-open obligation share is 41.5 percentage points lower, delivery-order obligation share is 0.3 percentage points higher, and median positive award obligations are 56.2% lower.

MeasureThis marketPeer medianDifference
Parent-IDV obligation share48.4%78.3%-30.0 pts
Reported full-and-open obligation share0%41.5%-41.5 pts
Delivery-order obligation share48.4%48.1%+0.3 pts
Median positive award obligations$90K$206K-56.2%
Peer cohort and comparison limits

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

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

View buying-method details and data coverage

Award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Delivery Order(C)15$7.7M48.4%
Purchase Order(B)25$5.1M32.4%
Definitive Contract(D)8$3.1M19.3%

Reported parent-award types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
IDC(B)15$7.7M48.4%
Not reported33$8.2M51.7%

Single- or multiple-award parent structure

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Single Award(S)15$7.7M48.4%
Not reported33$8.2M51.7%

Solicitation procedures

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Only One Source(SSS)25$10.4M65.5%
Sp1(SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION)8$3.4M21.3%
Sss(ONLY ONE SOURCE)7$1.3M8.2%
Simplified Acquisition(SP1)7$618K3.9%
Negotiated Proposal/Quote(NP)1$167K1.1%

Extent competed

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Not Available for Competition(B)8$7.7M48.6%
F(COMPETED UNDER SAP)5$3.2M19.9%
Not Competed(C)17$2.7M16.9%
C(NOT COMPETED)7$1.3M8.2%
Not Competed Under SAP(G)6$612K3.9%
G(NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP)3$228K1.4%
Other reported values2$173K1.1%

Fair-opportunity and limited-source reporting

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Not reported48$15.8M100.0%

Other-than-full-and-open reasons

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Authorized by Statute (FAR 6.302-5(A)(2)(I))(OTH)8$7.7M48.6%
Only One Source-Other (FAR 6.302-1 Other)(ONE)22$3.9M24.5%
SAP Non-Competition (FAR 13)(SP2)9$841K5.3%
Mobilization, Essential R&d (FAR 6.302-3)(MES)2$90K0.57%
Not reported7$3.3M21.0%

Contract pricing types

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Firm Fixed Price(J)28$5.9M37.5%
J(FIRM FIXED PRICE)15$4.7M29.5%
Cost No Fee(S)1$4.4M28.0%
Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment(K)2$492K3.1%
Fixed Price Redetermination(A)2$296K1.9%

Product or Service Codes

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Health R&d Services; Health Care - Other; Basic Research(AN41)7$5.5M34.9%
Support- Management: Data Collection(R702)3$3.1M19.3%
Health R&d Services; Health Care - Other; Applied Research(AN42)2$2.4M15.2%
Health R&d Services; Health Care Services; Experimental Development(AN13)2$905K5.7%
Health R&d Services; Health Care Services; Applied Research(AN12)4$831K5.2%
Support- Professional: Other(R499)3$624K3.9%
Other reported values27$2.5M15.7%

Awarding subagencies

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Department of Veterans Affairs(3600)48$15.8M100.0%

Awarding offices

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
Rpo East (36c24e)(36C24E)20$8.1M51.3%
245-Network Contract Office 5 (36c245)(36C245)5$3.3M21.0%
Network Contract Office 19 (36c259)(36C259)5$2.5M15.5%
241-Network Contract Office 01 (36c241)(36C241)3$557K3.5%
261-Network Contract Office 21 (36c261)(36C261)2$505K3.2%
260-Network Contract Office 20 (36c260)(36C260)2$339K2.1%
Other reported values11$528K3.3%

Reported parent IDVs

Reported valueAwardsPositive obligationsShare
36C24E25D0031(3600)1$4.4M28.0%
36C24E25D0029(3600)2$905K5.7%
36C24E25D0033(3600)1$620K3.9%
36C24E23D0013(3600)2$492K3.1%
36C24E25D0012(3600)1$360K2.3%
36C24E26D0012(3600)1$190K1.2%
36C24E26D0024(3600)1$172K1.1%
36C24E25D0025(3600)2$171K1.1%
Other reported values4$309K1.9%
Not reported33$8.2M51.7%

Offers, award size, and timing

Median reported offers
1 median
33 reported · 15 not reported
Positive award obligations
$90K median
$30K–$237K middle 50%
Reported performance period
364 days (~12 months) median
48 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
6 of 35prime contractors account for at least 80% of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Largest prime contractor
28.1%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading four prime contractors
71.5%of positive obligations in the last 12 months
Leading eight prime contractors
85.9%of positive obligations in the last 12 months

Based on $15.8M 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

    $4.4M

    28.1%

    Dollar movement

    −$200K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $4.6M → $4.4M
    −4.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    52.3% → 28.1%
    −24.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $9.1M
    22.3% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 29, 2025
    through Aug 4, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported21
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  2. #2

    Last 12mo obligations

    $3.4M

    21.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$3.4M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for WESTAT, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $3.4M
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 21.3%
    +21.3 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $3.4M
    8.3% of all-period positive obligations · 3 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 30, 2021
    through Aug 20, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside20
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  3. #3

    Last 12mo obligations

    $2.2M

    13.8%

    Dollar movement

    +$1.6M

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $594K → $2.2M
    +266.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    6.7% → 13.8%
    +7.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $8.4M
    20.6% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 22, 2023
    through May 19, 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.

  4. #4

    Last 12mo obligations

    $1.3M

    8.4%

    Dollar movement

    +$345K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    7 awards

    7 actions

    Historical and award details for OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $977K → $1.3M
    +35.3%
    Share: prior → latest
    11.0% → 8.4%
    −2.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.3M
    5.7% of all-period positive obligations · 9 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jun 23, 2025
    through Sep 2, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside10
    Not reported62
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  5. #5

    Last 12mo obligations

    $905K

    5.7%

    Dollar movement

    +$308K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    2 actions

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $597K → $905K
    +51.5%
    Share: prior → latest
    6.7% → 5.7%
    −1.0 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.0M
    5.0% of all-period positive obligations · 5 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 15, 2022
    through Aug 4, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside01
    Not reported22
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  6. #6

    Last 12mo obligations

    $515K

    3.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$354K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    3 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $161K → $515K
    +220.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.8% → 3.3%
    +1.4 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $675K
    1.7% of all-period positive obligations · 4 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 14, 2025
    through Jul 28, 2026

    Award reporting

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

    None reported.

  7. #7

    Last 12mo obligations

    $484K

    3.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$343K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    3 awards

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $140K → $484K
    +244.4%
    Share: prior → latest
    1.6% → 3.1%
    +1.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $943K
    2.3% of all-period positive obligations · 6 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Jul 17, 2023
    through May 18, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside00
    Not reported33
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  8. #8

    Last 12mo obligations

    $374K

    2.4%

    Dollar movement

    −$329K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    4 actions

    Historical and award details for NATIONAL DISEASE RESEARCH INTERCHANGE
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $703K → $374K
    −46.8%
    Share: prior → latest
    7.9% → 2.4%
    −5.6 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $2.2M
    5.3% of all-period positive obligations · 7 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Oct 28, 2021
    through Sep 8, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside24
    Not reported00
    Reported small business00
    All-period set-aside types

    None reported.

  9. #9

    Last 12mo obligations

    $293K

    1.9%

    Dollar movement

    +$612K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    −$318K → $293K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 1.9%
    +1.9 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $336K
    0.83% of all-period positive obligations · 4 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Apr 8, 2022
    through Sep 16, 2025

    Award reporting

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

    None reported.

  10. #10

    Last 12mo obligations

    $237K

    1.5%

    Dollar movement

    −$44K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $281K → $237K
    −15.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    3.2% → 1.5%
    −1.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $518K
    1.3% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 20, 2024
    through Sep 16, 2025

    Award reporting

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

    None reported.

  11. #11

    Last 12mo obligations

    $200K

    1.3%

    Dollar movement

    +$129K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    3 actions

    Historical and award details for MAPI RESEARCH TRUST
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $70K → $200K
    +184.6%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.79% → 1.3%
    +0.5 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $1.1M
    2.7% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Aug 2, 2022
    through Sep 9, 2026

    Award reporting

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

    None reported.

  12. #12

    Last 12mo obligations

    $190K

    1.2%

    Dollar movement

    +$190K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $190K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 1.2%
    +1.2 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $190K
    0.47% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Mar 3, 2026
    through Mar 3, 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.

  13. #13

    Last 12mo obligations

    $183K

    1.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$183K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $183K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 1.1%
    +1.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $183K
    0.45% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 3, 2026
    through Sep 3, 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.

  14. #14

    Last 12mo obligations

    $167K

    1.1%

    Dollar movement

    +$167K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    1 award

    1 action

    Historical and award details for VERVE, LLC
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $0 → $167K
    Not comparable
    Share: prior → latest
    0% → 1.1%
    +1.1 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $167K
    0.41% of all-period positive obligations · 1 award
    Recorded activity
    Since Sep 18, 2025
    through Sep 18, 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
    • 1 · SDVOSB set-aside
  15. #15

    Last 12mo obligations

    $153K

    0.97%

    Dollar movement

    +$129K

    vs. prior 12 months

    Last 12mo awards

    2 awards

    6 actions

    Historical and award details for GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
    Obligations: prior → latest
    $24K → $153K
    +530.9%
    Share: prior → latest
    0.27% → 0.97%
    +0.7 percentage points
    All-period obligations
    $232K
    0.57% of all-period positive obligations · 2 awards
    Recorded activity
    Since Nov 3, 2023
    through Jul 9, 2026

    Award reporting

    Latest and prior 12-month award reporting
    Reported award evidenceLatestPrior
    Reported set-aside00
    Reported no set-aside21
    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

+$2.9M

WESTAT, INC.

VHACO PATIENT CARE SERVICES

HEALTH SURVEYS

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
$2.9M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
18.4%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#2 · 21.3% share
Newly active in this market; no actions were reported in the preceding 12 months
Funding office
#2 · 18.5% attributed share
+18.5 percentage points · $2.9M net increase; action accounted for 100.0%
PIID 36C24526P0551
Modification

This action

+$2.1M

NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER

554-DENVER (00554)

ASCEND/TWV

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 2 positions in this market.

It now ranks #3 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$6.6M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
13.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#3 · 13.8% share
up 2 ranks · +7.1 percentage points · $1.6M net increase; action exceeded it by $488K
Funding office
#3 · 14.3% attributed share
up 1 rank · +7.3 percentage points · $1.6M net increase; action exceeded it by $450K
Related:Largest share gainFunding office gain
PIID 36C25924C0017 · Mod P00004
Base award

This action

+$4.4M

TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY

523-BOSTON (00523)(36C523)

RESEARCH SERVICES

Why it stands out

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

The $4.4M action represented 28.1% of the market’s positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$4.4M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
28.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#1 · 28.1% share
$200K net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 31.3% attributed share
$404K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 36C24E26N0216
Base award

This action

+$360K

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

663-SEATTLE (00663)

EO 14398 DATA ANALYST SERVICES

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 2 positions in this market.

It now ranks #6 by positive obligations over the latest 12 months.

Award net obligations
$360K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.3%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#6 · 3.3% share
up 2 ranks · +1.4 percentage points · $354K net increase; action exceeded it by $6K
Funding office
#8 · 2.8% attributed share
down 2 ranks · +1.0 percentage points · $280K net increase; action exceeded it by $81K
PIID 36C24E26N0192
Modification

This action

+$444K

NATIONAL DISEASE RESEARCH INTERCHANGE

523-BOSTON (00523)(36C523)

EO 14398

Why it stands out

This award grew while spending attributed to its office declined.

The modification added $444K while office-attributed obligations fell $404K overall.

Award net obligations
$1.2M
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.8%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#8 · 2.4% share
$329K net decline despite this positive action
Funding office
#1 · 31.3% attributed share
$404K net decline despite this positive action
PIID 36C24124P1078 · Mod P00004
Base award

This action

+$338K

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON

RPO EAST (36C24E)

RESEARCH SERVICES WITH AN ACADEMIC AFFILIATE

Why it stands out

The contractor climbed 2 positions in this market.

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

Award net obligations
$338K
Share of 12-month positive obligations
2.1%
Supporting data
Prime contractor
#7 · 3.1% share
up 2 ranks · +1.5 percentage points · $343K net increase; action accounted for 98.6%
Funding office
#6 · 5.4% attributed share
+5.4 percentage points · $1.1M net increase; action accounted for 31.3%
PIID 36C24E26N0070
View recent award activity by date (10)
  1. MAPI RESEARCH TRUSTModification · PIID 36C10X24P0112
    Action+$100K
    Award net obligations$299K
  2. UNIQUEST PTY LIMITEDModification · PIID 36C10X24P0095
    Action+$10K
    Award net obligations$28K
  3. NATIONAL DISEASE RESEARCH INTERCHANGEModification · PIID 36C24124P1078
    Action+$444K
    Award net obligations$1.2M
  4. EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC.Base award · PIID 36C24126P0576
    Action+$183K
    Award net obligations$183K
  5. OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITYBase award · PIID 36C24E26N0212
    Action+$172K
    Award net obligations$172K
  6. VISIBLE NETWORK LABS, INC.Base award · PIID 36C25926P0627
    Action+$36K
    Award net obligations$36K
  7. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALSBase award · PIID 36C26026P0721
    Action+$90K
    Award net obligations$90K
  8. ADAPTIVE TESTING TECHNOLOGIES INCModification · PIID 36C25922P1084
    Action+$47K
    Award net obligations$223K
  9. WESTERN IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND EVALUATION, LLCModification · PIID 36C26225P2083
    Action+$3K
    Award net obligations$8K
  10. WESTAT, INC.Base award · PIID 36C24526P0551
    Action+$2.9M
    Award net obligations$2.9M

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

Answers based on reported federal contract data.

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

In the 12 months through September 10, 2026, TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY, WESTAT, INC., and NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER were the leading VA research and development in the social sciences and humanities prime contractors by positive obligations.

  1. #1

    TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY

    $4,442,629 in positive obligations

  2. #2

    WESTAT, INC.

    $3,372,785 in positive obligations

  3. #3

    NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER

    $2,177,679 in positive obligations

Rankings use reported USAspending award data.

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

Yes. Measured by net prime contract obligations, reported VA activity in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market increased 90.3% from $8,212,917 in the preceding 12 months to $15,627,345 in the 12 months through September 10, 2026.

Latest 12 months
$15,627,345
Net prime contract obligations
Preceding 12 months
$8,212,917
Net prime contract obligations
Change
+90.3%
Between matched 12-month periods

Reported contract actions, not outlays or a forecast.

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

Recent VA contract award activity reported in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market included actions for WESTAT, INC., NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER, and TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY 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 VA contracts under NAICS 541720?

From September 11, 2025 through September 10, 2026, VA reported 48 positive-obligation awards for research and development in the social sciences and humanities under NAICS 541720. The leading award type was delivery order. The leading reported procedure was only one source.

Positive-obligation awards
48
Leading reported procedure
Only One Source
65.5% of positive obligations
Leading award type
Delivery Order
48.4% of positive obligations
Full and open
0%
of positive obligations
Reported parent IDV
48.4%
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