RAND wins $452.5 million Pentagon research and wargaming contract
The RAND National Defense Research Institute could earn up to $985.6 million if all options are exercised on the task order for studies, analytic models and wargaming exercises supporting policy planning.
The RAND National Defense Research Institute could earn up to $985.6 million if all options are exercised on the task order for studies, analytic models and wargaming exercises supporting policy planning.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA — The RAND National Defense Research Institute has won a Pentagon task order contract valued at $452.5 million on July 2, 2026.
Here is the full post (see war.gov): “The RAND National Defense Research Institute, Santa Monica, California, has been awarded a task order contract (HQ003426DE016) with a value of $452.5 million. The purpose of this contract is to provide research, studies, analysis, analytic models, simulations, and wargaming exercises that bring together analysts, government officials, academia, and industry to address government challenges, and other technical and analytical support useful for policy and program planning and management by its sponsors. Work will be performed at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia; Santa Monica, California; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The estimated completion date is Aug. 1, 2026. The total amount of the contract if all options are exercised is $985.6 million. No funds are obligated at the time of the award. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.”
The award funds research, studies, analytic models, simulations and wargaming exercises that bring together analysts, government officials, academia and industry to address government challenges (see war.gov). The total value could reach $985.6 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia; Santa Monica, California; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 1, 2026. No funds were obligated at the time of the award.
The RAND National Defense Research Institute is part of the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization founded in 1948 that employs more than 1,000 researchers (see grokipedia.com). The organization operates four federally funded research and development centers dedicated to U.S. government-sponsored studies. In fiscal year 2024, RAND reported total revenues of $514 million, with contracts and grants making up 83.6% of that figure and roughly 89% of those funds coming from federal agencies (see grokipedia.com).
This contract represents the first award 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 the largest contract ever awarded to the institute, surpassing its previous record of $21.9 million. Within the Washington Headquarters Services portfolio, it stands as both the largest and smallest contract awarded in 2026, at $452.5 million. The award marks the 78th Department of Defense contract issued in California during 2026 and was one of 2 Department of Defense contracts announced 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 78th Department of Defense contract awarded in California during 2026. This is the largest contract ever awarded to The RAND National Defense Research Institute, surpassing the company’s previous record of $21,898,593, and it is notable 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 2 Department of Defense contracts issued nationwide on July 2, 2026.
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