Naval Observatory

The Department of the Navy Naval Observatory, a defense component within the Navy responsible for timekeeping, positioning, and astronomical research in support of naval operations and national defense, awarded 1,978 federal contracts totaling $380.8 million in combined potential value since 2001, with $334.9 million obligated to date. Contract activity has accelerated over the last five years, moving from 46 awards in 2022 to 87 in 2024 and 86 in 2025; the Observatory issued 50 awards so far in 2026. The most recent award was issued on September 1, 2026.

Computational Physics, Inc. dominates the competitive landscape, holding 115 awards and $62.9 million in combined potential value over the last five years—substantially ahead of second-place Tigua Technology Services, Inc. at 45 awards and $12.4 million. The top five primes by award count account for 58 percent of recent awards. By potential value, the concentration shifts: Computational Physics leads at $62.9 million, but JFL Consulting, LLC ranks second with $14 million in combined potential across only four awards, followed by University of Hawaii at $14 million across six awards and Tigua Technology Services at $12.4 million. The top five by potential value cover 40 percent of the recent combined potential-value footprint. Across the entire contractor base, 598 distinct primes have been awarded since 2001.

The set-aside mix is heavily weighted toward unrestricted competition. Eighty-nine percent of awards carry no set-aside designation. Small-business set-asides total 7 percent of awards (147), while 8(a) awards—sole-source and competitive combined—represent 3 percent (59). Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business sole-source awards, HUBZone, and partial small-business designations together represent less than 1 percent of the portfolio. This profile reflects the Observatory's reliance on specialized technical and scientific contractors and academic institutions, many of which are neither small businesses nor minority-owned entities.

No recent contract opportunities are recorded in the source. If solicitations are underway, they are not reflected in the current data. The Observatory's recent contract volume and technical specialization suggest that opportunities in areas such as astronomical instrumentation, timekeeping systems, navigation support, and information technology are plausible near-term pursuits, but no open solicitations are confirmed at this time.