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
$41.6B
Total awards
15,531 awards
Active obligations
$2.7B
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
$600.2M
Awards
438
Average award
$1.4M
Change from FY2024
-0.9%

Recent awards

Search contractors

$25,000

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Department of Veterans Affairs

PIID
36C24E26P0025
PSC
AN11 - HEALTH R&D SERVICES; HEALTH CARE SERVICES; BASIC RESEARCH

$476,081

FORS MARSH GROUP LLC

Federal Acquisition Service

PIID
47QFPA26F0024
PSC
B599 - SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS- OTHER

$50,000

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

US Customs and Border Protection

PIID
70B06C26P00000204
PSC
AJ11 - GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY R&D SERVICES; GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; BASIC RESEARCH

$1,769,799

IMPLENOMICS LLCS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

PIID
75D30126F21231
PSC
B599 - SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS- OTHER

$25,000

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Food and Drug Administration

PIID
75F40126P00102
PSC
B510 - SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS- ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS

$302,318

NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

PIID
1605C526F00012
PSC
AB11 - COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT R&D SERVICES; COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; BASIC RESEARCH

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.

Put this market knowledge to work

Now that you know about NAICS 541720 - Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities, let Sweetspot help you find and win relevant government contracts with AI-powered tools.

Schedule a Demo
Track awards in this NAICS Find contractors winning here Get alerts for new awards Analyze recompete timing