U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initiative

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS is soliciting U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initiative. Solicitation number NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative. Classified under NAICS 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Product/service code AJ12 — R&D-PHYSICAL SCIENCE-A RES/EXPL DEV. Place of performance: VA, USA. Responses are due by 14 May 2028 19:00 UTC. Posted on SAM.gov, the US federal contract opportunities system; registration is required to bid.

NSF amended this solicitation on June 23, 2026. Section 6.1.1 has been updated. No other changes were made. ********************************************** The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), announces the NSF X-Labs Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO). The NSF X-Labs initiative is a flexible, outcomes-driven effort to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors, advancing use-inspired scientific breakthroughs, and supporting U.S. leadership in science and technology. Through this OTASO, NSF is soliciting proposals from domestic responsible entities capable of establishing full-time, interdisciplinary R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue ambitious missions aligned with NSF X-Labs Topic Announcements. NSF anticipates making one or more Other Transaction (OT) contract awards. This OTASO is not a FAR-based procurement contract solicitation and is not a financial assistance opportunity. NSF will evaluate submissions in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in the OTASO and any applicable Topic Announcement. This posting shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice. The Government will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs incurred in responding to this notice. Any information received becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Responses may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or as otherwise required by law.