Who are the top companies winning NAICS 541715 contracts?

Top contractors winning awards under NAICS 541715 include THE RAND CORPORATION, THE MITRE CORPORATION, LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, RAYTHEON COMPANY, and NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. These companies have received the highest contract values in this NAICS code over the last 12 months. View the full contractor list .

What is the market trend for NAICS 541715?

Government spending on NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)) has declined by 43.3% year-over-year. In the last 12 months, 12,398 contracts worth $17,043,045,826 were awarded to 5,723 unique contractors. Despite the decline, this remains an active procurement category with ongoing opportunities.

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NAICS Code· 541715

NAICS 541715: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Name: Government Contract Statistics for NAICS 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Creator: CLEATUS
License: https://www.cleat.ai/terms-conditions

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--Show more

NAICS 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) encompasses scientific and technical R&D activities focused on advancing knowledge in physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, environmental science, chemistry, and applied life sciences. This sector supports government missions through experimental design, prototype development, data analysis, modeling and simulation, and laboratory testing of novel technologies.

1.8K

Active Contracts

$17.0B

Total Obligations (12mo)

12.4K

Awarded Contracts (12mo)

5.7K

Contractors Awarded (12mo)

Median Bidders per Award

-43.3%

YoY Growth

Industry Spending Overview

Federal obligations, top contractors and agencies, and related industry codes for NAICS 541715.

AI Industry Description

Small Business Size Standard

The SBA threshold that decides who can bid NAICS 541715 work as a small business.

1,000 employees

Applies to the whole industry code

The SBA cap for this NAICS (13 CFR 121.201). A business at or under it can self-certify as small for work in this code, which is what makes it eligible for a small-business set-aside. The cap is set per NAICS, so the same company can be small in one code and not in another.

Exceptions, each with its own cap for that work

Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts: 1,500 employees
Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment: 1,250 employees
Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts: 1,300 employees

13 CFR 121.201, effective January 1, 2026. The SBA revises the table roughly once a year.

Top Contractors

Companies with the highest total award value under NAICS 541715, ranked by dollars won.

Ranked by total awards

Company	Total Awards	Contracts
THE RAND CORPORATION	$986.0M	3
THE MITRE CORPORATION	$664.3M	40
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION	$640.0M	28
RAYTHEON COMPANY	$547.0M	6
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION	$508.5M	1
NATIONAL SECURITY TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR INC	$500.0M	1
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P.	$499.6M	3
VANTAGE ANALYTICAL LLC	$499.0M	1
BASTION TECHNOIOGIES INC	$488.0M	1
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION	$477.5M	1

Top Agencies

Federal agencies directing the most contract spending toward NAICS 541715.

Department Of Defense7,464 awards$7.3B

Washington Headquarters Services2 awards$1.5B

National Aeronautics And Space Administration764 awards$1.1B

Missile Defense Agency (mda)3 awards$1.0B

Naval Research Laboratory10 awards$656.7M

FA9453 Afrl Rvk1 award$499.0M

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center1 award$488.0M

Department Of Defense (dod)1,155 awards$486.7M

W6QK Acc-Apg Adelphi5 awards$382.7M

Department Of Energy (doe)576 awards$370.8M

Competition

How many companies historically bid on federal awards in NAICS 541715, from bidder counts reported on USAspending.

Crowded Field

Median above 5 bidders per reported award. · 49,749 reported awards

Median Bidders

Per reported award, all-time

Single-Bid Awards

31%

Share of reported awards with one bidder

10+ Bidder Awards

47%

Share of reported awards with 10+ bidders

Reported Awards

49,749

69% of 72,098 total awards

Bidder Count Distribution by Fiscal Year

Share of reported awards in each bidder-count bracket per federal fiscal year.

How this code compares up the NAICS hierarchy. Parent cohorts pool every code under their prefix, so they are the steadier baseline when a 6-digit sample is thin.

Industry Family	Competition	Median Bidders	Single-Bid	Reported Awards
541715This Code Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)	Crowded Field	8	31%	49,74969% of 72,098
54171NAICS Industry	Fewer Bidders	2	42%	246,33582% of 298,788
5417Industry Group Scientific Research and Development Services	Fewer Bidders	2	40%	282,62484% of 338,309
541Subsector	Fewer Bidders	2	49%	2,918,78285% of 3,416,794
54Sector Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	Fewer Bidders	2	49%	2,918,78285% of 3,416,794

Bidder counts reported on past federal awards in this NAICS (USAspending). An open opportunity has no bidders yet, so this is the historical norm for similar work, not a fact about this solicitation. Not all awards report bidder counts, and fewer bidders often means incumbent-held work rather than an easier win. Federal reporting of bidder counts fell from ~96% of awards (FY2016) to ~30% (FY2018 onward); the chart shows shares of reported awards, and washed-out stretches mark years with fewer than 30 of them.

Related NAICS Codes

Industries similar to Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), by shared sector, subsector, and industry group.

Explore contracts across multiple NAICS codes Browse all NAICS Codes

NAICS 541715 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

NAICS code 541715 covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development (except nanotechnology and biotechnology research and experimental development) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects. Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

The agencies awarding the most contracts under NAICS 541715 include Department Of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, National Aeronautics And Space Administration, Missile Defense Agency (mda), and Naval Research Laboratory. These agencies represent the largest sources of procurement activity for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

To find government contracts for NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)), start by searching on CLEATUS where you can filter by NAICS code, agency, set-aside type, and more. Register your business on SAM.gov with NAICS 541715 listed in your entity profile. Monitor new solicitations, review incumbent contractors, and analyze agency spending patterns to prepare competitive proposals. Browse NAICS 541715 opportunities now.

Recently Posted in Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

NAICS: 541715

New

SLED

Precipitation Enhancement Program – Part 2: Applied Demonstration and Operational Projects

Solicitation # 27-OSE-02

The State of New Mexico, through the Office of State Engineer, has issued solicitation number 27-OSE-02 for the Precipitation Enhancement Program – Part 2: Applied Demonstration and Operational Projects. This SLED organization opportunity was posted on October 14, 2026, with a response deadline of November 10, 2026. The procurement is managed by Thomas Dimitriou and Jeff Primm, who serve as the primary points of contact for questions regarding the request for proposals. Interested offerors must adhere to specific submission guidelines, as the posting is a courtesy notice and responses should not be submitted through the portal. Instead, applicants must follow the instructions provided in the RFP attachment located in the Buyers Attachments link. The contract establishes payment terms of Net 30. While the specific scope of work and total contract value are not detailed in the summary documentation, the project focuses on the applied demonstration and operational aspects of precipitation enhancement.

POSTED

DEADLINE

AI/ML Decision Support & Predictive AnalyticsThis subcontract, issued by the Department of Defense under Kessel Run AFLCMC/HBBK, focuses on the development of AI-enabled software tools to support prime contractors on Department of the Air Force EMIS projects. The primary objective is to build AI/ML models for automated damage assessment using post-incident imagery, alongside predictive tools designed for proactive preparedness and recovery. A critical component of the work involves implementing airfield recovery logic to evaluate runway damage relative to specific mission requirements. The project requires the delivery of AI/ML modules and predictive analytics engines that meet a Technology Readiness Level of 7 or greater. Additionally, all developed tools must demonstrate resilience against adversarial attacks to ensure security and reliability. Interested parties should note the response deadline of October 30, 2026, for this effort categorized under NAICS code 541715.

FA8730 Kessel Run Aflcmc/hbbk

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R--AREMP AND WATER SAMPLE ANALYSIS

Solicitation # 140L4326Q0124

Solicitation 140L4326Q0124, issued by the Bureau of Land Management Oregon State Office, seeks a Firm Fixed-Price commercial service provider to perform water quality analysis for the AREMP Program. The contractor is required to analyze 165 water samples for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus using alkaline persulfate digestion methods, specifically adhering to Lachat QuickChem and EPA standards. The project involves a one-time delivery of frozen stream water samples, with a required turnaround time of 60 days. The period of performance is scheduled from October 31, 2026, to March 31, 2027. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 541715. Award decisions will be based on the most advantageous offer considering price and past performance. Technical requirements are strict, and any offerors proposing alternative methods must provide comprehensive documentation, including MDL studies and a QAPP-style quality control plan. Payment will be processed electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform. Following Amendment 0002, the quotation window has been extended to October 21, 2026.

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U.S. Army Contracting Command – Watervliet Arsenal (ACC-WVA) Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

Solicitation # W911PT26SC001

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Watervliet Arsenal (ACC-WVA) has issued solicitation W911PT26SC001, a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) under the authority of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and DFARS Subpart 212.70. This competitive solicitation is open until September 30, 2027, and seeks innovative commercial products, technologies, and services to modernize the Organic Industrial Base (OIB) for Watervliet Arsenal and Benet Laboratories. The primary objective is to integrate manufacturing resources across the enterprise, focusing on linking legacy analogue systems with digital systems, expanding modeling and simulation, and improving the delivery of materiel to soldiers. The acquisition process is multi-phased, beginning with the submission of a written solution brief, followed by a presentation or pitch if applicable, and concluding with a request for a Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP). Awards will be made as fixed-price contracts under FAR Part 12 Commercial Item Procedures. Current Areas of Interest (AoIs) include advanced cannon technology, electrical infrastructure improvements at Building 120, chromium plating facility conversion, automated manufacturing for minor components, automated cooling tower treatments, advanced CNC vertical turning lathes, and advanced tooling for radial forging. Eligible respondents must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and be determined responsible by the Contracting Officer. The solicitation is open to traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, including small businesses and foreign-owned businesses, provided they meet federal requirements. All submissions must remain unclassified and be submitted electronically according to the specific deadlines and instructions outlined in each individual AoI.

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FTA Broad Agency Announcement (FY26) -- “Research Initiatives in Support of Safety, Accessibility, and Mobility in Public Transportation

Solicitation # 693195-26-BAA-0001

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation has issued Broad Agency Announcement 693195-26-BAA-0001 to solicit applied research projects aimed at enhancing the safety, reliability, efficiency, and accessibility of public transportation in the United States. This unrestricted solicitation is open to any responsible source, excluding Federal Government-owned businesses, and encourages teaming and collaboration. The program focuses on technology readiness levels 3 through 6, with a specific preference for proof-of-concept testing. Research topics include community connectivity, accessibility for automated vehicles, urban rail innovations, ferry safety, and transit safety data analytics. Individual awards are typically valued between $150,000 and $500,000 and may be structured as firm-fixed-price or level-of-effort term contracts. While cost sharing is not mandatory, projects that include transit operator partnerships and cost sharing are preferred. The selection process is a two-phased approach starting with a five-page concept paper and a one-page quad chart, followed by a formal proposal for invited offerors. Evaluation is based on technical merit, importance to agency programs, and cost, with technical factors weighted significantly higher than price. The response deadline has been extended to October 30, 2026. Awardees must comply with various Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, including Section 889 prohibitions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. Key deliverables include periodic reports, annual research summaries for multi-year projects, and a final technical report, all of which must be submitted 30 days prior to the end of the performance period.

693195 Office Of Acquisition Mgt

POSTED

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Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA)

Solicitation # ARPA-H-SOL-26-163

The Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA) program, issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under solicitation ARPA-H-SOL-26-163, aims to advance the understanding and treatment of autism by identifying evolving developmental trajectories across the lifespan. The program focuses on the nonlinear interactions between genetic, biological, behavioral, and environmental factors to move toward personalized intervention. The scope of work is divided into four Technical Areas: Multi-Factor Analysis and Trajectory Identification (TA1), Population-Scale Modeling and Data Integration (TA2), Precision Intervention and Trajectory Testing (TA3), and Technologies for Communication, Quality of Life, and Embedded Assessment (TA4). Key deliverables include an operating federated network with at least ten live nodes, open-license data standards, a versioned model registry, and the development of technologies that combine clinical assessment with tools to improve daily function and quality of life. Awards will be made via Other Transaction (OT) instruments to proposers determined to be the most advantageous to the government based on scientific merit, capabilities, price/value analysis, and relevance to the ARPA-H mission. The program utilizes a milestone-based acceptance process with gates at 12, 24, and 48 months. Technical requirements emphasize privacy-preserving linkage, differential privacy, and secure execution. Proposers must be registered in SAM.gov and are required to use specific templates for Solution Summaries, with staggered submission deadlines ranging from October 2026 through January 2027. ARPA-H prioritizes entities that will conduct the funded work within the United States.

Advanced Research Projects Agency For Health (arpa-H)

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ES RDE 079 - Using partnership working to scope a lowcost, permanent estuarine t

Solicitation # C35828

Natural England has issued a direct award to The University of Plymouth under the Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence Framework to scope a low-cost, permanent estuarine telemetry array. Valued at 26,207.50 pounds excluding VAT, the project runs from August 26, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The initiative seeks to transition acoustic telemetry from short-term projects into a long-term monitoring solution to provide high-quality, long-duration data on the movements and habitat use of mobile species while reducing initial start-up costs. The project focuses on strengthening estuarine and inshore coverage by testing a semi-autonomous, partnership-run array. A key objective is the creation of a coastal collective consisting of regional partners responsible for equipment maintenance and data management. By utilizing existing platforms and exploring a centrally funded, regionally delivered UK model, the project aims to embed these monitoring capabilities into protected-site management and multi-species, ecosystem-based recommendations.

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RF Modeling, Simulation & Technical IntegrationThe RF Modeling, Simulation and Technical Integration subcontract supports the Defense Information Systems Agency in its IT modernization efforts. The primary objective is to perform mathematical validation of RF propagation and Electronic Warfare models for prime contractors, ensuring adherence to physics-based modeling standards. This work facilitates critical data exchange between Joint Tactical Fires systems, JC2, and MSS. Technical execution involves the use of specialized RF Propagation Modeling software, Edge Data Mesh, and JOE Cloud. The successful contractor is responsible for delivering comprehensive interoperability specifications and model validation reports. This opportunity falls under NAICS code 541715 and is associated with the Department of Defense.

Defense Information Systems Agency

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Computational Modeling & Simulation (Blast Effects)This subcontract opportunity with the Army Medical Resources Acq Activity involves the development of advanced computational models and simulations to predict human physiological responses to blast and blunt impact. The selected provider will be responsible for creating high-fidelity simulations of blast-wave interactions, defining specific model parameters related to brain injury, and building upgradable platforms for future technology integration. The final deliverables include fully validated models and comprehensive technical documentation. The project is categorized under NAICS code 541715 and will be performed in Frederick, Maryland. Interested parties must submit their responses by November 3, 2026, following the posting date of October 13, 2026. This effort supports prime contractors in delivering critical predictive tools for the Department of Defense.

Army Medical Resources Acq Activity

POSTED

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Data Assimilation and OSSE Framework DevelopmentThis subcontract, titled Data Assimilation and OSSE Framework Development, involves the creation of synthetic observation and error frameworks for prime contractors supporting NASA Goddard Space Flight Center projects. The scope of work focuses on utilizing the IDEA framework to construct synthetic observations for GDC Trailblazer, MoSAIC, and DAPHNE mission parameters, specifically to estimate geomagnetic indices and solar irradiance. The primary deliverables for this effort include synthetic observation datasets and error covariance matrices. The project is managed through the NASA Shared Services Center under NAICS code 541715. Due to the technical nature of the requirements, the position necessitates an advanced degree in Atmospheric Science or Computational Physics. The opportunity was posted on October 13, 2026, with a response deadline of October 16, 2026.

NASA Shared Services Center

POSTED

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Physics-Based Thermospheric Modeling SupportThis subcontract, titled Physics-Based Thermospheric Modeling Support, involves providing specialized scientific modeling and simulation of the Earth's thermosphere for prime contractors supporting NASA Goddard Space Flight Center projects. The scope of work focuses on executing simulations using TIE-GCM and WAM-IPE models to generate nature runs driven by storm-time forcing. These operations are carried out utilizing the IDEA framework and NASA High-End Computing architectures, specifically the Aitken and Pleiades systems. The primary deliverables for this engagement include validated simulation data, nature-run outputs, and detailed thermospheric specification analysis. Managed through the NASA Shared Services Center under NAICS code 541715, the contract ensures the delivery of critical physics-based data to support ongoing aerospace and atmospheric research initiatives.

NASA Shared Services Center

POSTED

DEADLINE

3 Month L-PBF of DS Steels and Refractory Alloys

Solicitation # 80NSSC27943768Q

NASA Shared Services Center

POSTED

2 days ago

DEADLINE

in about 13 hours

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NAICS 541715: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Industry Spending Overview

AI Industry Description

Small Business Size Standard

Top Contractors

Top Agencies

Competition

Related NAICS Codes

Research and Development in Nanotechnology

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recently Posted in Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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