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This Solicitation opportunity from National Science Foundation was posted on June 23, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.

NSF X-Labs Initiative - Scientific Instrumentation For Sensing and Imaging

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NSF-Topic2-FY26-XLabsSensingandImagingFederal

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AI Contract Overview

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The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships is soliciting proposals for NSF X-Labs teams focused on scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging, operating under an Other Transaction (OT) agreement authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 19116. This initiative seeks high-autonomy, full-time R&D teams capable of developing revolutionary platform technologies—such as quantum sensing, AI-driven computational imaging, or entirely new modalities—that traditional academic or industrial frameworks cannot adequately pursue. Proposals must articulate a bold vision for reshaping an entire scientific field or technology sector and demonstrate operational independence in decision-making, funding allocation, hiring, intellectual property management, and governance. The solicitation requires a comprehensive proposal package including an 8-page written proposal using a mandated template, a separately submitted Conflict of Interest statement, and additional documents such as a Phase 0 Milestone Plan, senior personnel disclosures via SciENcv, a Phase 0 budget justification, letters of collaboration, data and privacy management plans, intellectual property and research security management plans, and a governance structure plan. All performance must occur within the United States, and participation is subject to strict research security requirements under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which prohibit individuals from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, or the Islamic Republic of Iran from serving as senior or key personnel. Teams must be fully autonomous from parent institutions, with direct control over all aspects of their work, and must pass a rigorous autonomy assessment before advancing to Phase 1. Funding is milestone-driven with a maximum Phase 0 award of $1.5 million and potential Phase 1 awards of up to $50 million annually, with no guaranteed follow-on funding. There are no traditional FAR clauses, no cost-based evaluation, and no set-asides; awards will be made through a best-value trade-off based solely on the team’s ability to meet the demanding criteria of autonomy, mission clarity, and technical ambition. All submitted materials become government property and may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. The solicitation, amended on June 23, 2026, with only minor updates to Section 6.1.1, closes on July 13, 2026, and requires proposers to be registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier.

General Info

NSF X-Labs seeks full-time R&D teams for novel sensing and imaging platform technology proposals.

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Place of Performance

Alexandria, VA, USA

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

4

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Amended June 23 2026

PDF, High priority: read this firstrfp
High

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Attachment A Proposal Template

PDF, High priority: read this first2 pages · sow
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NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Solicitation

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NSF-Topic2-FY26-XLabsSensingandImaging.pdf

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Timeline

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Organization & Contact Information

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AgencyNational Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships
Contacts1 person available
OfficeAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA
Office AddressAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA
Contacts

Full Description

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NSF amended this solicitation on June 23, 2026. Section 6.1.1 has been updated. No other changes were made.


**********************************************


The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) announces its intent to solicit Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams in the technical domain of scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging. This NSF X-Labs announcement is issued under the Other Transactions Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative.   


NSF X-Labs is a flexible, outcomes-driven initiative designed 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 effort, NSF seeks ambitious, full-time R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs may not be positioned to address alone. 


This Topic Announcement focuses on target specific platform technologies in sensing, imaging and supporting technologies that will form the basis for revolutionary new capabilities in scientific discovery and technology sectors. Teams might, for example, draw on quantum sensing, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computational imaging, adaptive AI-based sensing algorithms, and/or entirely new modalities to redefine what we consider knowable.    


NSF X-Labs teams selected under this Topic should have a clear vision of how their Mission will result in an end-state that creates or reshapes an entire field of scientific research or sector of technology, and how their Mission is currently unmet by existing organizational structures and funding mechanisms.   


NSF anticipates issuing one or more Other Transaction (OT) contract awards. 


Proposers should review the OTASO, NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative, and this Topic Announcement carefully before submitting a Written Proposal. NSF will evaluate submissions in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in the OTASO and this 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. 

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U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initiative
Solicitation # NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships is soliciting proposals for the X-Labs Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO). This initiative aims to establish interdisciplinary, domestic R&D teams with the operational autonomy and technical expertise required to develop novel platform technologies that advance U.S. leadership in science and technology. Unlike traditional FAR-based procurements, this program utilizes Other Transaction (OT) contracts pursuant to 42 U.S.C 19116, emphasizing flexibility and outcomes-driven results. Eligible domestic entities must be registered in SAM.gov and are expected to form teams capable of maintaining significant focus on ambitious missions aligned with NSF X-Labs Topic Announcements. The program is structured in a phased, milestone-based funding model. Phase 0 lasts 9 to 12 months with funding up to 1.5 million dollars for preparation and alignment. Successful teams may progress to Phase 1, which lasts 24 to 36 months with potential funding up to 50 million dollars per year. Further renewals for Phase 2 and Phase 3 may be granted based on performance and national interest. Awards are issued as fixed-price payments triggered by the successful completion of quantitative, verifiable progress milestones and quarterly reporting. Evaluation is a two-step process beginning with a written proposal limited to eight pages and a mandatory Conflict of Interest statement governed by FAR Subpart 9.5. Selected teams will then provide an Oral Proposal Package and presentation. Selection criteria are weighted roughly equally between team qualifications and structure—including an Autonomy Factor Assessment of leadership and decision-making—and mission clarity and outcomes. All work must be performed within the United States.
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