America’s DataHub Consortium – NSDS Services

Sources Sought Requirements

This document is a sources sought notice seeking contract support to continue the National Secure Data Service (NSDS) demonstration project. The project, established under the CHIPS and Science Act and the White House AI Action Plan, began in August 2022 and is set to end in August 2027. The requirement is for continuity of support to maintain and further develop existing NSDS components through the end of the demonstration period, ensuring no break in service.

• Secure Compute Environment (SCE): A virtual data access platform for researchers (federal, state, local, tribal agencies) to share and link data. It operates in a FEDRAMP moderate environment with an NSF ATO, meeting federal security requirements and offering user support. Currently supports approximately 30 users across six NSDS projects.
• Data Navigator: An AI-based front door to NSDS, including an AI Chatbot, Data Usage Platform, and Community Forum. It uses an AI agentic system to draw from agency partnerships for data usage and statistical queries.
  • Navigator AI Chatbot: Answers questions using Federal statistical agency data, with human Subject Matter Expert support for complex queries.
  • Data Usage Platform: Tracks federal data usage with a public dashboard and custom interfaces.
  • Community Forum: A moderated space for data users to ask questions and share knowledge.
• AI Data Harmonizer: A toolkit with five AI and statistical tools to assist with data processing tasks, currently in beta.
  • Metadata Extractor: Extracts metadata from tabular data.
  • Free Text Encoder: Clusters or categorizes free-text fields.
  • Tabular Data Extractor: Extracts structured answers and tabular data from semi-structured documents.
  • Data Harmonizer: Harmonizes multiple tabular datasets by extracting and defining schemas, grouping fields, and matching values.
  • Missing Data Assistant: Offers sophisticated imputation methods via a browser interface.
• AI Data Ready Toolkit: Helps agencies assess and improve website content usability for AI systems, currently in beta.
  • AI-Ready Evaluator: Assesses website content's AI-readiness.
  • AI Ready Transformation Tool: Determines and provides code for necessary tagging to make content AI-ready.
• AI State Data Explorer: Provides access to state government data via the Navigator's AI Chatbot for evidence building and linkage techniques.
• Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs): Tools and resources to enable secure data access and linkage, including Privacy Preserving Record Linkage and Synthetic Data Generation.
• Data Quality Scorecard: An online tool assessing data source fitness for use, based on the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology's Framework for Data Quality.
• Data Protection Toolkit (DPT): A government-wide resource for balancing data protection and access, covering confidentiality, disclosure risk, and tiered access.

Support is needed to ensure continuity and continued development of these components through the end of the demonstration period (August 2027). Any interruption is considered detrimental to statutory requirements and project success.

This is a sources sought notice to gather information on potential sources for contract support. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation.

Sources Sought / Market Research

This document is a Sources Sought notice for market research purposes only. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking information to identify qualified and experienced sources for services related to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP), and responses do not obligate the government to award a contract. No funds are available to pay for response preparation.

The NSF is looking for capabilities to provide maintenance and continued development of projects related to the Sources Sought Requirements document through the end of a demonstration period with no transition period.

• Anticipated NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

• Size Standard: 1,000 employees

• Responses are due by 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

• Responses must be submitted via email to dbowks@nsf.gov.

• Responses should be concise, compliant with content requirements, and not exceed 5 pages.

• Use 12-point Times Roman font.

• Do not include cost or price information.

• Generic marketing materials will not be reviewed.

• All qualified businesses (large and small) are encouraged to respond.

• Small businesses in all socioeconomic categories are specifically encouraged to respond to assist in determining a small business set-aside.

• Cover Page with Corporate Information (Company name/address, representative contact, socioeconomic status, UEI Number, applicable contract vehicles).

• Demonstration of Capability by answering specific questions regarding maintenance and continued development.

• Provide relevant references for previous work or solution implementations.

• Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

• Questions regarding preparation should be submitted in writing.

• NSF may contact respondents for additional information or due diligence sessions.