Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences — NAICS 541710

Browse federal contract opportunities classified under NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Find active solicitations on SAM.gov, understand size standards, and discover set-aside opportunities for your business.

7
Active Now
$5.9M
Median Contract
~26
Awards / Month
42
Competitors
5%
Small Business

About NAICS 541710

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This industry falls under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector (NAICS codes beginning with 54).

Federal agencies use NAICS code 541710 when posting contract opportunities on SAM.gov to classify the type of work being solicited. Businesses that operate in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences space should include this code in their SAM.gov registration and capability statements to ensure they appear in relevant searches.

How to Use NAICS 541710 in Federal Contracting

To compete for federal contracts under NAICS 541710, your business should be registered in SAM.gov with this NAICS code listed in your entity profile. When agencies post solicitations for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work, they reference this code to determine the applicable small business size standard and any set-aside eligibility.

If you hold certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB, you may be eligible for set-aside contracts under this NAICS code. These set-asides limit competition to certified small businesses, giving you a significant advantage in winning federal work.

FedOverwatch monitors SAM.gov daily and can automatically match you with new opportunities under NAICS 541710. Set up your profile with your NAICS codes and certifications to receive personalized contract alerts.

NAICS 541710 Market Intelligence

Based on 3 years of federal award data from USAspending.gov, the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences market has seen 952 contract awards totaling $28.6B in value. The median contract size is $5.9M, with approximately 26 new awards per month.

Total Awards (3yr)

952

Total Value

$28.6B

Median Contract

$5.9M

Competitors

42

Contract value distribution

$150K$5.9M median$65.7M
Small business set-aside rate5% of awards

47 small business awards ($24.7M total value,$261K median)

42 companies compete for NAICS 541710 contracts

See who's winning, their award values, and where you fit in the market

Explore Competitors

Size Standards

The SBA establishes size standards for each NAICS code to define what qualifies as a "small business" for federal contracting purposes. For NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), the size standard is based on either average annual receipts or number of employees, depending on the specific industry. Meeting the size standard for your primary NAICS code is required to qualify for small business set-aside contracts.

Visit the SBA Size Standards Table to find the current threshold for NAICS 541710.

Recent NAICS 541710 Opportunities

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est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 946 DAYSBid now
Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense is seeking innovative solutions through the NEEDIPEDIA Broad Agency Announcement. This opportunity invites proposals for research and development in various technology areas to enhance defense capabilities, with an emphasis on innovative approaches and methodologies.

est. $350KDUE IN 54 DAYSBid now
NASA is seeking partnership proposals for the Astrobiology Science Conference 2026
NASA

NASA is seeking partnership proposals for the Astrobiology Science Conference 2026. The announcement is for a partnership agreement related to the conference, with details available on NSPIRES. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring NSPIRES for updates and downloading necessary documents.

est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 885 DAYSBid now
Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense is seeking proposals for the Functional Materials Open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to advance research and development in functional materials. This initiative aims to foster innovative solutions that meet specific technical requirements and enhance operational capabilities.

est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 7 DAYSResearch
Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense is procuring commercially-based supersonic aerial target solutions to support various military training and testing activities. Key requirements include the development and delivery of target systems that can simulate enemy aircraft and provide realistic training scenarios for air defense systems.

est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 107 DAYSBid now
Research opportunities in space and earth sciences for the ROSES 2025 program
NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is procuring research opportunities in space and earth sciences for the ROSES 2025 program. This initiative aims to advance scientific knowledge and understanding through various research projects, requiring proposals that demonstrate innovative approaches and methodologies.

est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 3 DAYSBid now
High-performance computing services aimed at fostering innovation among U
Dept. of Energy

The Department of Energy is procuring high-performance computing services aimed at fostering innovation among U.S. manufacturers. Key requirements include collaboration with manufacturers to enhance their capabilities through advanced computing technologies.

est. $600K – $5.7MDUE IN 340 DAYSBid now
Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense is procuring services for the LPS Qubit Collaboratory, which involves advanced research and development in quantum computing technologies. Key requirements include expertise in quantum algorithms, hardware development, and collaboration with academic institutions. The project aims to enhance national security through innovative quantum solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAICS code 541710?
NAICS code 541710 represents "Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences" in the North American Industry Classification System. Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This code is used by federal agencies on SAM.gov to classify contract opportunities so businesses in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences industry can find relevant solicitations.
How many federal contracts use NAICS 541710?
There are currently 7 active federal contract opportunities on SAM.gov that use NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). Over the past 3 years, there have been 952 awards totaling $28.6B, with a median contract value of $5.9M. Approximately 26 new contracts are awarded each month in this NAICS code. FedOverwatch tracks these opportunities in real time so you never miss a relevant contract.
How to find contracts for NAICS 541710?
You can find federal contracts for NAICS 541710 by searching SAM.gov directly, or by using FedOverwatch to get automatic matches. FedOverwatch monitors SAM.gov continuously and alerts you when new research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences opportunities are posted that match your profile, certifications, and set-aside eligibility.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541710?
The SBA assigns size standards to each NAICS code to determine whether a business qualifies as "small" for federal set-aside contracts. Size standards for NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) are based on either annual revenue or number of employees, depending on the industry. Check the SBA's size standards table at sba.gov for the most current thresholds for this code.

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