Bid guide
How to bid on the NSF X-Labs Initiative with the National Science Foundation
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking for proposals from domestic organizations to form full-time, interdisciplinary research and development teams. These teams will work on ambitious technology missions as part of the NSF X-Labs initiative. This initiative aims to develop new platform technologies, advance scientific breakthroughs, and support U.S. leadership in science and technology.
This opportunity is significant for organizations capable of establishing R&D teams with operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility. NSF anticipates making one or more Other Transaction (OT) contract awards, though an award is not guaranteed.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This solicitation was published on September 18, 2026. The deadline for submitting proposals is May 14, 2028, at 3:00 PM ET. All proposals must be submitted by this time.
The NSF amended this solicitation on June 23, 2026, with an update to Section 6.1.1. No other changes were made at that time.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for domestic responsible entities that can establish and manage full-time, interdisciplinary research and development teams. Firms with strong capabilities in technology, innovation, and scientific research, particularly those that can pursue ambitious, use-inspired missions, will find this relevant.
This falls under the professional services category, specifically for organizations engaged in advanced research and development.
How to respond
To access the full solicitation and prepare your response, you need to view the original source on the portal. Click the "View original source" link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.
You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required for every bid.
Practical tips for a competitive response
Carefully review the entire Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO) and any specific Topic Announcements. Ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates your organization's ability to form and manage a full-time, interdisciplinary R&D team with the required autonomy, expertise, and flexibility.
Highlight your team's experience with ambitious technology missions and how your proposed approach aligns with the NSF X-Labs initiative's goals of unlocking new sectors and advancing scientific breakthroughs. Since this is an Other Transaction award, focus on the outcomes-driven nature of your proposed work and how it will support U.S. leadership in science and technology.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from National Science Foundation; the original posting controls.