RAND research institute wins $452 million Pentagon analysis contract
The RAND National Defense Research Institute drew a task order worth up to $985.6 million for studies, wargaming and analytic support serving federal policy and program planning.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA — The RAND National Defense Research Institute has won a Pentagon task order valued at $452.5 million on July 2, 2026.
The award, contract HQ003426DE016, funds research, studies, analysis, analytic models, simulations and wargaming exercises that bring together analysts, government officials, academia and industry to address government challenges (see war.gov). The work also covers technical and analytical support for policy and program planning by its sponsors. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
Work will run at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, in Santa Monica, California, and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The estimated completion date is Aug. 1, 2026. The total value climbs to $985.6 million if all options are exercised, and no funds were obligated at the time of the award.
The RAND National Defense Research Institute is known for extensive national security research and analysis (see rand.org). Its recent studies include a Space Force-commissioned assessment warning that Russia could escalate early in a space conflict with NATO (see breakingdefense.com).
This marks the first contract awarded to The RAND National Defense Research Institute in 2026, bringing the company’s total contract value for the year to $452.5 million. It is also the eighth Department of Defense contract awarded in California during 2026.
The award stands as both the largest and smallest Washington Headquarters Services contract recorded in 2026, at $452.5 million, and it establishes the company’s initial benchmark within that portfolio. The award was announced among six Department of Defense contracts issued nationwide on July 2, 2026.
This contract represents the 1st contract awarded to The RAND National Defense Research Institute, in 2026, bringing the company’s total contract value for the year to $452,461,776. It is also the 8th Department of Defense contract awarded in California during 2026. Because this is the first award to The RAND National Defense Research Institute recorded in the database, it establishes the company’s initial benchmark within the Washington Headquarters Services portfolio. Specifically, it is both the largest and smallest Washington Headquarters Services contract awarded in 2026, at $452,461,776. Overall, this award was announced among 6 Department of Defense contracts issued nationwide on July 2, 2026.
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