NIST contracts: National Institute of Standards and Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the Department of Commerce, posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov. Below are the ones open right now, what NIST buys, how much of its money goes to small businesses, and who wins its work.
- Open contracts now
- 6
- Contract spending, FY2026
- $367.2 million
- Share to small businesses
- 56%
Open NIST contracts, due soonest
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Support
✦ NIST is asking for market research input on a possible future contract in Gaithersburg, MD. Contractors would review 20 to 30 commercialization plans from NIST SBIR proposals and…
Due in 8 daysOct 13, 2026
- Building 215 Clean Room HEPA Filter Replacement
Due in 9 daysOct 14, 2026
- Notice to NIST Contractors of Transition to IPP
Due in 27 daysNov 1, 2026
- Sources Sought Notice for Mid-IR Optical Frequency Comb
Due in 60 daysDec 3, 2026
- Sources Sought Notice for Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System
Due in 61 daysDec 5, 2026
What NIST is buying right now
NAICS codes on NIST's open notices. Each notice's code sets the size standard for who counts as small.
| Code | Industry | Open now |
|---|---|---|
| 334516 | Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing | 2 |
| 236210 | Industrial Building Construction | 1 |
| 541611 | Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | 1 |
NIST contract spending by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $382 million |
| FY2025 | $278.2 million |
| FY2026 | $367.2 million |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
The federal fiscal year starts October 1, so FY2027 began October 1, 2026.
What NIST spends the most on
Industries with the most NIST contract dollars over the last three fiscal years:
| NAICS | Industry | Obligated |
|---|---|---|
| 334516 | Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing | $154.6 million |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | $141.4 million |
| 541720 | Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $119.9 million |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | $109.3 million |
| 541611 | Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | $72.8 million |
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | $38.1 million |
| 541512 | Computer Systems Design Services | $34.2 million |
| 541690 | Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services | $31.8 million |
Small business contracts at NIST
About 56% of NIST's contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses. The government-wide goal is 23%.
Dollars awarded under each kind of set-aside in the same period:
- Small business: $130.1 million
- 8(a): $80.6 million
- Women-owned: $2.1 million
- HUBZone: $1.7 million
Set-asides on NIST's open notices right now:
- No set-aside (full and open): 6
See which set-asides you may qualify for with the free SBA certification screener.
Who wins NIST contracts
Companies with the most NIST contract dollars over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Company | Obligated |
|---|---|
| The Mitre Corporation | $132.4 million |
| Hitt Contracting, Inc. | $51.8 million |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $37 million |
| Olgoonik Enterprises, LLC | $35.7 million |
| Fei Company | $25.9 million |
| Hhi Corporation | $23.8 million |
| Four Points Technology, L.L.C. | $22.2 million |
| Prometheus Computing, LLC | $18.9 million |
| Kcorp-Dean, LLC | $17.2 million |
| Didlake Inc | $16.3 million |
Large primes subcontract part of their work to small businesses. Look up any small business's registration with the free CAGE code and UEI lookup.
Where NIST's open work is
By place of performance, the most open NIST contracts are in Maryland.
- Maryland: 4 open
Frequently asked questions
How do I find NIST contract opportunities?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the free official site. 6 are open right now. You can search them here by NAICS code, set-aside and state, and set up a free email alert for new ones.
How much does NIST spend on contracts?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology obligated about $367.2 million on contracts in fiscal year 2026, according to USAspending.gov. About 56% of its contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses.
Who are NIST's biggest contractors?
Over the last three fiscal years, the companies with the most NIST contract dollars were The Mitre Corporation, Hitt Contracting, Inc. and Booz Allen Hamilton Inc, per USAspending.gov. Smaller firms often work as their subcontractors.
Who do I talk to about small business contracts at NIST?
Federal law requires every agency with buying power to have an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), sometimes called the Office of Small Business Programs. Its staff help small businesses understand what the agency buys and how. Free counseling is also available from APEX Accelerators.
Keep going
- Contracts from other agencies
- How to find government contracts
- How to research an agency on USAspending.gov
- Free help from APEX Accelerators
FedReady is an independent company, not affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, SAM.gov or any government agency. Open-contract counts come from SAM.gov and update daily; spending figures come from USAspending.gov and cover contracts only.