NIH contracts: National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov. Below are the ones open right now, what NIH buys, how much of its money goes to small businesses, and who wins its work.
- Open contracts now
- 39
- Contract spending, FY2026
- $5.8 billion
- Share to small businesses
- 34%
Open NIH contracts, due soonest
- ARPA-H Comprehensive Organ System Modeling in Outer Space (COSMOS) Innovative Solutions Opening
Due in 2 daysOct 7, 2026
- TRAVEL SERVICES FOR NON-FEDERAL PEER REVIEWERS
Due in 2 daysOct 7, 2026
- AI and Data Science Specialist Support – Health and Extreme Weather Project
Due in 3 daysOct 8, 2026
- ARPA-H Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) Initiative Proposers Day
Due in 7 daysOct 12, 2026
- Notice of Intent to Sole Source – National Marrow Donor Program – service agreement
✦ The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD plans to buy unrelated donor search and stem cell transplant support services from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) without…
Due in 7 daysOct 12, 2026
- SURPASS Webinar and Proposers' Day Information
Due in 8 daysOct 13, 2026
What NIH is buying right now
NAICS codes on NIH's open notices. Each notice's code sets the size standard for who counts as small.
| Code | Industry | Open now |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | 20 |
| 541714 | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) | 11 |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | 1 |
| 541614 | Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services | 1 |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 |
| 561110 | Office Administrative Services | 1 |
| 325413 | In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing | 1 |
| 561510 | Travel Agencies | 1 |
| 513210 | Software Publishers | 1 |
NIH contract spending by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $7.6 billion |
| FY2025 | $5.7 billion |
| FY2026 | $5.8 billion |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
The federal fiscal year starts October 1, so FY2027 began October 1, 2026.
What NIH spends the most on
Industries with the most NIH contract dollars over the last three fiscal years:
| NAICS | Industry | Obligated |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $4.4 billion |
| 541512 | Computer Systems Design Services | $2.5 billion |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | $1.6 billion |
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | $1.5 billion |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $980.7 million |
| 541511 | Custom Computer Programming Services | $792.7 million |
| 541690 | Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services | $780.5 million |
| 541714 | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) | $778.2 million |
Small business contracts at NIH
About 34% of NIH'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: $1.4 billion
- 8(a): $543.2 million
- Women-owned: $206.6 million
- Service-disabled veteran-owned: $71 million
- HUBZone: $19.2 million
Set-asides on NIH's open notices right now:
- No set-aside (full and open): 37
- Total small business set-aside: 1
- Women-owned set-aside: 1
See which set-asides you may qualify for with the free SBA certification screener.
Who wins NIH contracts
Companies with the most NIH contract dollars over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Company | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Leidos Biomedical Research Inc | $2.2 billion |
| Deloitte Consulting LLP | $450.8 million |
| Axle Informatics, LLC | $447.1 million |
| Hensel Phelps Construction Co | $414.8 million |
| Kelly Services, Inc. | $404.5 million |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $391.9 million |
| Westat, Inc. | $303.9 million |
| DLA Troop Support | $271.6 million |
| General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. | $246.5 million |
| The Emmes Company, LLC | $244.4 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 NIH's open work is
By place of performance, the most open NIH contracts are in District of Columbia and Maryland.
- District of Columbia: 7 open
- Maryland: 7 open
Frequently asked questions
How do I find NIH contract opportunities?
The National Institutes of Health posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the free official site. 39 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 NIH spend on contracts?
The National Institutes of Health obligated about $5.8 billion on contracts in fiscal year 2026, according to USAspending.gov. About 34% of its contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses.
Who are NIH's biggest contractors?
Over the last three fiscal years, the companies with the most NIH contract dollars were Leidos Biomedical Research Inc, Deloitte Consulting LLP and Axle Informatics, LLC, per USAspending.gov. Smaller firms often work as their subcontractors.
Who do I talk to about small business contracts at NIH?
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 Institutes of Health, 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.