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NSF X-Labs Initiative – AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement

We are seeking written proposals for early-stage AI platform technologies for physical systems under the NSF X-Labs Initiative, AI for Physical Systems Topic.

Due
January 7, 2027
74 days left
Location
Virginia
Buyer
National Science Foundation
Directorate For Technology Innovation & Partnerships
NAICS
541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Notice ID
NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI
Posted September 18, 2026

What they need

  • Technology scopeIntelligent, adaptive, scalable AI systems that operate in or interface with the physical world.
  • Focus areasRobotics, embodied systems, human-robot interfaces, advanced sensing, and cyber-physical systems.
  • Maturity levelNSF wants innovative, early-stage platform technologies.
  • Submission typeWritten proposals are being solicited under the NSF X-Labs Initiative.
  • Award typeNSF anticipates one or more Other Transaction (OT) awards under 42 U.S.C. 19116.
  • Issuing officeNSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP).
  • How longNSF anticipates a 9-month Phase 0, then Phase 1 of about 24 to 36 months, with possible renewal for Phase 2 after Go/No Go selections.Source: Attachment 3, page 3

What you have to submit

Pulled from the 6 solicitation documents (27 pages). Each item links to the page it came from. Check the originals and any amendments before you bid.

1How and where to submit

  • Submit proposals electronically via the NSF submission website at https://nsfgov.my.site.com/xlabs.Source: Attachment 3, page 3

2Deadline

  • Written proposals will not be accepted after 5:00 p.m. Eastern on January 7, 2027.Source: Attachment 3, page 3

3Questions deadline

  • Questions are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on November 16, 2026, emailed to XLabs@nsf.gov using Attachment C, with the topic title NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI in the subject line.Source: Attachment 3, page 3

4Licenses you need

  • All lead organizations must be registered in SAM (www.sam.gov) before submitting a proposal, and a UEI must be submitted with the proposal.Source: Attachment 1, page 3

Past history: who won Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) work in Virginia

Recent federal contract awards in the same industry in Virginia, from USAspending.gov. These are comparable jobs, not earlier rounds of this exact solicitation.

Typical award: $395K to $3.6Mmiddle half of 15 recent awards · median $863K
Who wonAmountBuyerDate
Leidos, INC.Cyber physical sensor development $8,201,209Department of the Air ForceAug 2027
Science Applications International CorporationHigh-speed strike weapon (hssw) technology maturation 2 kinetic kill vehicle hardware-in-the-loop simulator (k… $4,873,189Department of the Air ForceAug 2027
Lynker CorporationNWS office of water prediction geospatial services BPA - call order 2 for development $2,277,250National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNov 2026
Lynker CorporationGeospatial services O&M support (ffp) for OWP $980,097National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNov 2026
New York Institute of TechnologyPrototyping for technology transfer and commercialization of nasa technologies $83,450National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationOct 2026
Sabel Systems Technology Solutions, LLCSbir phase III sabel TO02 usmc ARV LAV $389,681Federal Acquisition ServiceOct 2026
Ensco INCThe purpose of this NEW task order award IS to complete the next steps in the development of a viable transit … $696,000Federal Transit AdministrationOct 2026
Ensco INCThe purpose of this NEW task order award IS to monitor frog condition using noise and/or vibration measurement… $1,030,000Federal Transit AdministrationOct 2026

Losing bids are not made public on most government buys, so only the winner and price are shown.

Similar open contracts

Files (6)

See the original on SAM.gov ↗

Bidding it yourself? Search notice NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI on SAM.gov and submit before January 7, 2027. You need an active SAM.gov registration.