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

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation announces the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) intent to establish and solicit proposals for the NSF X-Labs initiative. The initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors through use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address. It seeks to foster ambitious R&D goals, operational autonomy, and milestone-based funding.

• Develop novel platform technologies that serve as the foundation for future innovations.

• Create new organizational research structures to tackle large-scale scientific advancements.

• Proposing teams will specify their Mission, defined as the novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions.

• Teams must demonstrate autonomy and flexibility in decision making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations.

• The instrument will be an Other Transaction (OT) contract, not a FAR-based procurement contract or financial assistance instrument.

• Awards are anticipated to be milestone-based.

• Phase 0: Approximately 9-12 months, with awards up to $1,500,000.

• Phase 1: Approximately 24-36 months, with awards up to $50,000,000 per year, with potential renewal for Phase 2.

• Place of performance: Within the United States.

• A two-step competitive evaluation process: Written Proposals followed by an Oral Proposal Package and oral presentation for selected teams.

• Written Proposals are due first, followed by a down-selection.

• Evaluation criteria include "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes."

• Key deadlines are not explicitly stated but follow a phased approach (Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2).

• Any domestic responsible entity may submit proposals for a Phase 0 award.

• Lead organizations must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Restrictions apply to "U.S. proscribed parties" and "foreign entities of concern" as defined by specific legislation.

• The initiative is designed to address gaps where traditional grants and laboratories are insufficient.

• Teams must have full ownership and internal control of Intellectual Property (IP) produced.

• Senior/Key Personnel must be dedicated full-time to the team by the beginning of Phase 1, unless otherwise approved.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative-AttachmentA.pdf," provides detailed instructions and formatting requirements for the written proposal submission for the NSF X-Labs Initiative. It outlines the specific sections and content expected from proposing teams.

• Proposal Structure: Requires proposals to be direct, concise, and limited to 8 single-sided pages (excluding COI statement).
• Formatting: Specifies single-spaced, 12-point font, 8½" x 11" paper, and 1" margins. Tables/graphs may use smaller fonts.
• Submission Format: Proposals must be submitted as a PDF document. COI statements must be a separate PDF.
• Required Sections:
  1. Mission: Description of novel platform technologies and vision for reshaping a field.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analysis of current technology and justification for proposed advancement.
  3. Outcomes: Description of high-impact, measurable outcomes over a 5-7 year timescale.
  4. Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Brief descriptions of qualifications.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: How personnel bring complementary expertise and describe governance structure, autonomy, networks, partnerships, and capital resources.

This attachment is critical for bidders as it dictates the mandatory structure, content, and formatting for their proposal. Failure to adhere to these specifications may result in the proposal being removed from consideration. Bidders must carefully review and follow all instructions to ensure their proposal meets the submission requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) is seeking proposals for the NSF X-Labs initiative. This initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors and fields of scientific inquiry. It will support full-time R&D teams focused on use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address.

• Missions: Proposing teams must define a novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions. Missions must align with specific Topic areas released by NSF and aim to create or reshape entire scientific fields or technology sectors.

• Autonomy and Flexibility: Teams are expected to operate with substantial independence in decision-making, staffing, funding, and partnerships.

• Intellectual Property (IP): Teams must have full ownership and internal control of IP produced.

• Senior/Key Personnel: Must be dedicated full-time to the team by Phase 1, unless otherwise approved.

• Research Security: Compliance with CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requirements regarding "foreign entities of concern" and "Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs" is mandatory.

• Instrument: Other Transaction (OT) contracts.

• Phased Approach: The initiative includes a preparation phase (Phase 0, 9-12 months) and subsequent phases (Phase 1: 24-36 months, potential renewal for Phase 2).

• Funding: Phase 0 awards up to $1,500,000; Phase 1 awards up to $50,000,000 per year.

• Milestone-Based Payments: Awards will be milestone-based.

• Two-Step Process: Written Proposals followed by an invitation for Oral Proposal Packages and oral presentations for a select number of teams.

• Written Proposal Deadline: Not specified in the provided text, but proposals must not exceed 8 pages.

• Evaluation Criteria: "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes" will be weighed equally.

• Eligibility: Any domestic responsible entity may submit proposals for Phase 0.

• Restrictions: U.S. proscribed parties, certain "foreign entities of concern," and individuals involved in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs are ineligible.

• Lead organizations must be registered in SAM.gov.

• NSF will not dictate the composition of X-Labs teams but will sign an OT contract with one lead organization.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions and requirements for submitting a written proposal to the NSF X-Labs Initiative. It outlines the expected content and formatting for proposals.

• Proposal Length: Maximum of 8 single-sided pages, excluding the Conflicts of Interest (COI) statement.
• Formatting: Typed, single-spaced, 12-point font, 8½" x 11" paper, 1" margins. Tables/graphs may use smaller font.
• Submission: Must be submitted as a PDF document. COI statements must be a separate PDF.
• Content Sections:
  1. Mission: Describe novel platform technologies and the team's vision for advancing them.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analyze the current landscape and justify how the proposed technology accelerates research.
  3. Outcomes: Describe high-impact, measurable outcomes over a 5-7 year timescale, including scientific and technical benchmarks.
  4. Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Detail qualifications, technical expertise, commercialization experience, and past efforts.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: Describe how the team's complementary expertise, experience, adaptability, and collaborative approach will execute the Mission. Include governance structure, autonomy, networks, partnerships, and capital resources.

This attachment is critical for bidders as it dictates the structure, content, and submission requirements for their proposals. Failure to adhere to these specifications may result in the proposal being removed from consideration.