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

Browse federal contract opportunities classified under NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities). Find active solicitations on SAM.gov, understand size standards, and discover set-aside opportunities for your business.

23
Active Now
$249K
Median Contract
~72
Awards / Month
550
Competitors
34%
Small Business

About NAICS 541720

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

Federal agencies use NAICS code 541720 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 social sciences and humanities space should include this code in their SAM.gov registration and capability statements to ensure they appear in relevant searches.

How to Use NAICS 541720 in Federal Contracting

To compete for federal contracts under NAICS 541720, 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 social sciences and humanities 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 541720. Set up your profile with your NAICS codes and certifications to receive personalized contract alerts.

NAICS 541720 Market Intelligence

Based on 3 years of federal award data from USAspending.gov, the research and development in the social sciences and humanities market has seen 2,586 contract awards totaling $3.2B in value. The median contract size is $249K, with approximately 72 new awards per month.

Total Awards (3yr)

2,586

Total Value

$3.2B

Median Contract

$249K

Competitors

550

Contract value distribution

$26K$249K median$3.1M
Small business set-aside rate34% of awards

881 small business awards ($304.9M total value,$135K median)

550 companies compete for NAICS 541720 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 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities), 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 541720.

Recent NAICS 541720 Opportunities

View all →
$58KDUE IN 1 DAYBid now
Dept. of the Interior

The Department of the Interior is procuring archaeological and paleontological analysis services for the Bureau of Land Management. Key requirements include expertise in cultural resource management and the ability to conduct thorough assessments in the specified area.

$20KDUE IN 14 DAYSBid now
USDA

The Department of Agriculture is awarding a BPA Call Order against the Land Management Integrated Resources BPA for a Phase I Cultural Survey Cherryville Project at the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This procurement is restricted to approved companies eligible for call orders under the LMIR BPA, which encompasses a variety of services including professional services and natural resources restoration. The total value of the call order exceeds $20,000 and is set aside for small businesses.

$28MDUE IN 2 DAYSAwarded
Veterans Affairs (VA)
DUE IN 10 DAYSResearch
U.S. Army
DUE IN 6 DAYSAwarded
Dept. of the Interior
est. $86K – $898KDUE IN 24 DAYSBid now
SB|Dept. of the Interior

The Department of the Interior is procuring cultural inventories under Section 110 for the Bureau of Land Management. The project involves archaeological and paleontological analysis and requires expertise in the social sciences and humanities.

$20KDUE IN 7 DAYSBid now
SB|USDA

The Department of Agriculture is procuring Rocky Branch Archaeological Survey Services for the Ouachita National Forest through a BPA Call Order exceeding $20,000. This competitive award is restricted to businesses approved for call orders under the Land Management Integrated Resources BPA, which encompasses a variety of services including professional services and natural resources restoration. The Call Order will be issued via email to eligible companies, and interested contractors can join the BPA during the annual onboarding window.

$20KDUE IN 1 DAYBid now
SB|USDA

The Department of Agriculture is procuring archaeological and cultural heritage services for the USDA Forest Service, specifically for Heritage Survey in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. This procurement is set aside for small businesses and will be awarded as a BPA Call Order against existing BPA series for multiple forests. Interested companies must be among the approved contractors eligible for these call orders.

est. $45K – $120KDUE IN 23 DAYSBid now
Dept. of the Interior

The Department of the Interior is procuring a cultural resources inventory for the Rocky Ridge area, focusing on archaeological and paleontological analysis. The project aims to gather and analyze data related to cultural resources, which is essential for informed land management and preservation efforts.

DUE IN 19 DAYS
Veterans Affairs (VA)

for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Outcomes of Military Exposures Epidemiology Study for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Outcomes of Military Exposures Epidemiology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAICS code 541720?
NAICS code 541720 represents "Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities" in the North American Industry Classification System. Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities. This code is used by federal agencies on SAM.gov to classify contract opportunities so businesses in the research and development in the social sciences and humanities industry can find relevant solicitations.
How many federal contracts use NAICS 541720?
There are currently 23 active federal contract opportunities on SAM.gov that use NAICS code 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities). Over the past 3 years, there have been 2,586 awards totaling $3.2B, with a median contract value of $249K. Approximately 72 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 541720?
You can find federal contracts for NAICS 541720 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 social sciences and humanities opportunities are posted that match your profile, certifications, and set-aside eligibility.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541720?
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 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities) 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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