Federal NAICS Codes

NAICS 541720: Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Explore obligations, trends, recent awards, and incumbent contractors for NAICS 541720.

NAICS 541720 federal market metrics

Total obligations
$41.7B
Total awards
15,590 awards
Active obligations
$2.8B
Size standard
$28,000,000 receipts

What this NAICS covers

NAICS 541720 covers research and experimental development in the social sciences and humanities, producing primary research, theoretical analysis, surveys, statistical modeling, qualitative studies, and interpretive reports on human behavior, institutions, culture, and social systems.

Federal opportunities under 541720 typically involve conducting studies to inform policy, program evaluation, or social science knowledge, delivering datasets, methodological documentation, statistical and qualitative analysis, and policy-relevant findings to support agency research objectives.

FY2025 snapshot

Obligations
$607.1M
Awards
439
Average award
$1.4M
Change from FY2024
-3.6%

Recent awards

Search contractors

$400,000

TOXCEL LLC

Federal Highway Administration

PIID
693JJ326F00135N
PSC
AS12 - TRANSPORTATION R&D SERVICES; SURFACE TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND RAIL; APPLIED RESEARCH

$2,908,092

WESTAT, INC.

Department of Veterans Affairs

PIID
36C24526P0551
PSC
R702 - SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: DATA COLLECTION

$5,515,064

ACUMEN LLC

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

PIID
75FCMC26F0137
PSC
R499 - SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER

$39,525

THEODORE K GIDEONSE

Department of Veterans Affairs

PIID
36C26226P1448
PSC
R499 - SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER

$399,988

TOXCEL LLC

Federal Highway Administration

PIID
693JJ326F00126N
PSC
AS12 - TRANSPORTATION R&D SERVICES; SURFACE TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND RAIL; APPLIED RESEARCH

$464,693

WESTAT, INC.

Department of Veterans Affairs

PIID
36C26126P1019
PSC
R499 - SUPPORT- PROFESSIONAL: OTHER

FAQ

What work fits NAICS 541720?
  • Design and execute large-scale social surveys, including sampling strategy, instrument design, and weighted analysis.
  • Conduct program evaluations and impact assessments using mixed-methods approaches to measure outcomes and behavioral effects.
  • Produce cultural, linguistic, and ethnographic analyses to inform community engagement, communication strategies, and outreach planning.
  • Develop evidence syntheses and policy analyses that summarize research findings and translate results into actionable program recommendations.
When is NAICS 541720 a weak fit?
  • Laboratory-based experimental sciences that require wet labs, specialized instrumentation, and controlled experimental infrastructure; missing core laboratory and bench research capabilities.
  • Engineering research and development focused on systems, prototype hardware, or software engineering; missing engineering design, prototyping, and integration deliverables.
  • Commercial market research supporting product marketing, branding, or sales forecasting where the focus is consumer behavior analytics rather than scholarly social science research methods.
What solicitation language points to NAICS 541720?
  • Statement of work lists survey design, sampling methodology, data collection protocols, and statistical analysis deliverables with data management plans.
  • Required personnel qualifications emphasize social science credentials such as PhD researchers, senior social scientists, or qualitative methodologists.
  • Deliverables specify peer-reviewed style technical reports, datasets, codebooks, and dissemination plans for academic or policy audiences.

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