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NSF X-Labs Initiative AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, Virginia · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS
Verified 3 h agoAmended Sep 16
Responses dueThu, Jan 7, 20275:00 PM ET · Virginia time92 days left
PostedWed, Sep 164 amendments, last Sep 18
Solicitation no.NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAISAM.gov
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What the agency is buying

by RFPFinder from the notice and attachments; the solicitation governs

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is soliciting Written Proposals for the AI for Physical Systems Topic under the NSF X-Labs Initiative. Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to advance intelligent, adaptive, and scalable AI systems operating in or interfacing with the physical world.

Scope

  • NSF seeks innovative, early stage platform technologies that advance intelligent, adaptive, and scalable AI systems operating in or interfacing with the
  • physical world, including robotics, embodied systems, human robot interfaces, advanced sensing, and cyber physical systems.
Submission: portalDays to respond: 92
CompetitionCompetition unknownNo award history or sole-source language found for this buyer and code.

From USAspending awards and the notice text, recomputed nightly (Oct 7). A signal, not a verdict.

How to get the bid documents

  1. Download the 6 documents below (no portal account needed)
  2. Check the submission requirements in the compliance checklist
  3. Submit by portal before 5:00 PM ET on Jan 7, 2027
Documents · 6 items, 6 filesDownload all (zip)
  • PDF
    NSF X-Labs OTASO - September 16 Amendment.pdf191 KB · 15 pages
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  • PDF
    Physical AI Topic Announcement.pdf162 KB · 4 pages
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  • PDF
    NSF_X-Labs_Physical_AI_Out-of-Scope_Annex.pdf217 KB · 2 pages
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  • PDF
    NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative-AttachmentA.pdf116 KB · 2 pages
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  • PDF
    Attachment B - Conflict of Interest Statement Form.pdf205 KB · 3 pages
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  • PDF
    Attachment C - Question Submission Template.pdf124 KB · 1 page
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Details

Place of performance
Alexandria, Virginia
Buyer type
Federal
Notice type
Solicitation
Solicitation no.
NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI
NAICS
NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)): 109 open RFPs
PSC
PSC AJ12: 12 open RFPs
Contract type
Other Transaction (OT) from notice
Local presence
Not required
Amendments
4, last Sep 18
Contact
X-Labs
Office
DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS
Email
XLabs@nsf.gov

Not stated in the notice: estimated value, period of performance. Check the bid documents.

Contact details from the source notice. Contact the buyer only about this solicitation.

Key dates

Wed, Sep 16, 2026Posted
Not statedQuestions due
Thu, Jan 7, 2027 · 5:00 PM ETResponses due · 92 days left
Amendment 1
Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Amendment 2
Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Amendment 3
Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Amendment 4
Fri, Sep 18, 2026

Change log

verified Thu, Oct 8 · 12:30 AM ET
  1. Posted · SolicitationWed, Sep 16 · 5:45 AM ET
  2. Amendment · New version of the notice posted at the sourceWed, Sep 16 · 6:34 AM ET
  3. Amendment · New version of the notice posted at the sourceWed, Sep 16 · 6:53 AM ET
  4. Amendment · New version of the notice posted at the sourceWed, Sep 16 · 7:38 AM ET
  5. Amendment · New version of the notice posted at the sourceFri, Sep 18 · 8:43 AM ET
  6. Updated · The notice is an initial solicitation for proposals under the NSF X-Labs Initiative for the AI for Physical Systems Topic.Wed, Oct 7 · 12:31 AM ET

Change log starts Oct 5, 2026 (tracking began); earlier amendments at SAM.gov are being pulled in.

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Notice as published

NSF X-Labs Initiative AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is soliciting Written Proposals under the NSF X-Labs Initiative for the AI for Physical Systems Topic. NSF seeks innovative, early stage platform technologies that advance intelligent, adaptive, and scalable AI systems operating in or interfacing with the physical world, including robotics, embodied systems, human robot interfaces, advanced sensing, and cyber physical systems.

NSF anticipates making one or more Other Transaction (OT) awards under 42 U.S.C. 19116.

Similar federal awards · PSC AJ12

USAspending.gov, last 36 months

25 awards matched · tier 3: PSC AJ12 at any agency; nothing from this office or agency. Most recent:

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Awards updated Tue, Oct 6, 2026 · 7:17 AM ET.

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