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

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NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitativeFederal

Response Deadline05/14/2028, 07:00:00 PM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

The National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships is soliciting proposals for the X-Labs Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO) under solicitation NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative. This initiative aims to establish domestic, interdisciplinary R&D teams capable of developing novel platform technologies to advance U.S. leadership in science and technology. Unlike traditional FAR-based procurements, this program utilizes Other Transaction (OT) contracts to provide awarded teams with significant operational autonomy, flexibility in hiring and procurement, and a specialized intellectual property framework designed to prioritize technology proliferation. The program is structured in multiple phases, beginning with Phase 0, which lasts 9 to 12 months with funding up to 1.5 million dollars. Successful teams may proceed to Phase 1, lasting 24 to 36 months with potential funding up to 50 million dollars per year, with further possibilities for Phase 2 and Phase 3 renewals based on performance. Awards are milestone-based with fixed-price payments scheduled quarterly upon the successful completion of verifiable technical achievements. Selection follows a two-step competitive process consisting of a written proposal evaluation and a subsequent oral presentation for down-selected teams. Evaluation criteria focus roughly equally on team qualifications and structure and mission clarity and outcomes. Proposers must be domestic responsible entities registered in SAM.gov and must provide a Conflict of Interest statement using FAR Subpart 9.5 as a framework. All work must be performed within the United States.

General Info

NSF seeks domestic R&D teams for platform technologies via flexible Other Transaction Agreements.

Agency

National Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships

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

(8)

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Amended June 23 2026

PDF•rfp

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Attachment A Proposal Template

PDF•2 pages•sow

NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative - NSF X-Labs Initiative

PDF•rfp

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Solicitation

PDF•14 pages•rfp

Attachment B - Conflict of Interest Statement Form

PDF•other

NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative - Conflict of Interest Statement Form

PDF•3 pages•other

NSF X-Labs Frequently Asked Questions

PDF•faq

NSF X-Labs Initiative - Question Submission Template

PDF•q-and-a

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

4 updates

PhaseSolicitation

PostedMay 14

Solicitation

Notice updatedJun 23

The notice description changed.

Notice updatedJul 1

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Notice updatedSep 16

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Notice updatedSep 18

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Response DeadlineMay 14

Submission deadline

Response Deadline

05/14/2028, 07:00:00 PM UTCin over 1 year

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyNational Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships

Contacts1 person available

OfficeAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA

Organization / AgencyNational Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships

Office AddressAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA

Contacts

X-Labs

contact@example.gov

Full Description

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

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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.