National Endowment for the Humanities

Abbreviation: NEH

Chair (as of 2026): Michael McDonald (Acting)

2026 Budget: $211M

SAM.gov CGAC Code: 4340

The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent grant-making agency that supports research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

Created alongside the NEA in 1965, NEH funds museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television and radio stations, and individual scholars.

How to Win NEH Contracts

Winning work at the National Endowment for the Humanitiesmeans understanding a procurement culture that blends rigorous compliance, deep mission focus, and a preference for vendors who can speak the agency's language from day one. This guide walks through how NEH buys, the vehicles it uses, and the steps your company should take to go from registered vendor to awarded contractor.

Understanding NEH Procurement

The National Endowment for the Humanities obligates roughly $8-12M in contracts annually (distinct from its ~$200M in grants). Contracts support program evaluation, IT, and administrative services.

Similar profile to NEA, small, consistent, and specialist. Humanities-sector research and evaluation are core categories.

How NEH Buys

NEH uses GSA MAS and small direct contracts. The Office of Administration runs procurement.

Major Contract Vehicles

GSA MAS— Primary vehicle for IT and services.
Humanities Research Contracts— Evaluation and research supporting NEH grant programs.

Step 1: Get Registered and Compliant

Required Registrations

SAM.gov registration with UEI and CAGE code, full FAR representations and certifications.

NEH-Specific Requirements

Humanities-sector research or evaluation experience. FedRAMP Moderate for cloud.

Certification Programs

8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB.

Step 2: Identify Opportunities

Primary Sources

SAM.gov filtered by NEH.

Key Offices

NEH Office of Administration — Washington, DC.

Top Contract Types

FFP and T&M/LH.

Step 3: Position Your Company

Build Relationships

Attend ACLS (American Council of Learned Societies), National Humanities Alliance, and state humanities council events.

Relevant NAICS Codes

541720–Research in Social Sciences
541990–Professional Services NEC
541512–Computer Systems Design
541611–Management Consulting

Step 4: Develop Winning Proposals

Technical Approach

Demonstrate humanities-sector research and evaluation expertise.

Past Performance

Prior NEH, NEA, IMLS, or state humanities council experience.

Pricing Strategy

Price-sensitive buyer; specialized expertise justifies rates.

Winning Strategies

Specialize in humanities program evaluation and research.
Use GSA MAS as primary vehicle.
Team with academic evaluators.
Track NEH strategic priorities (digital humanities, cultural heritage preservation).
Pursue IT modernization directly.