NSF contracts: National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov. Below are the ones open right now, what NSF buys, how much of its money goes to small businesses, and who wins its work.
- Open contracts now
- 5
- Contract spending, FY2026
- $622.4 million
- Share to small businesses
- 26%
Open NSF contracts, due soonest
- Request for Information (RFI): Identifying the Next Generation of NSF X-Labs Topics
Due in 26 daysOct 31, 2026
- NSF Ecosystem for Low-dimensional Electronics: Growth, Assembly, Nanoelectronics, and Translation (NSF ELEGANT)
Due in 75 daysDec 18, 2026
- NSF X-Labs Initiative – AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement
Due in 95 daysJan 7, 2027
- U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initiative
Due in 588 daysMay 14, 2028
- U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initative
Due in 588 daysMay 14, 2028
What NSF is buying right now
NAICS codes on NSF's open notices. Each notice's code sets the size standard for who counts as small.
| Code | Industry | Open now |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | 4 |
NSF contract spending by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $775.7 million |
| FY2025 | $711 million |
| FY2026 | $622.4 million |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
The federal fiscal year starts October 1, so FY2027 began October 1, 2026.
What NSF spends the most on
Industries with the most NSF contract dollars over the last three fiscal years:
| NAICS | Industry | Obligated |
|---|---|---|
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | $1 billion |
| 541512 | Computer Systems Design Services | $304.2 million |
| 541611 | Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | $203.8 million |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | $170.3 million |
| 541511 | Custom Computer Programming Services | $150.4 million |
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $46.8 million |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | $41.8 million |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $36.2 million |
Small business contracts at NSF
About 26% of NSF's contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses. The government-wide goal is 23%.
Dollars awarded under each kind of set-aside in the same period:
- Small business: $115.9 million
- 8(a): $106.9 million
- Service-disabled veteran-owned: $29.3 million
- HUBZone: $1.5 million
- Women-owned: $932,897
Set-asides on NSF's open notices right now:
- No set-aside (full and open): 5
See which set-asides you may qualify for with the free SBA certification screener.
Who wins NSF contracts
Companies with the most NSF contract dollars over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Company | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Leidos, Inc. | $866.6 million |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $164.7 million |
| Battelle Memorial Institute | $141.7 million |
| Directviz Solutions, LLC | $57 million |
| By Light Professional It Services LLC | $45.2 million |
| Synectics for Management Decisions, Inc. | $43.5 million |
| Icf Incorporated, L.L.C. | $27.7 million |
| Spatial Front Inc | $27.1 million |
| Research Triangle Institute | $25.6 million |
| Accenture Federal Services LLC | $22.2 million |
Large primes subcontract part of their work to small businesses. Look up any small business's registration with the free CAGE code and UEI lookup.
Where NSF's open work is
By place of performance, the most open NSF contracts are in Virginia.
- Virginia: 5 open
Frequently asked questions
How do I find NSF contract opportunities?
The National Science Foundation posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the free official site. 5 are open right now. You can search them here by NAICS code, set-aside and state, and set up a free email alert for new ones.
How much does NSF spend on contracts?
The National Science Foundation obligated about $622.4 million on contracts in fiscal year 2026, according to USAspending.gov. About 26% of its contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses.
Who are NSF's biggest contractors?
Over the last three fiscal years, the companies with the most NSF contract dollars were Leidos, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton Inc and Battelle Memorial Institute, per USAspending.gov. Smaller firms often work as their subcontractors.
Who do I talk to about small business contracts at NSF?
Federal law requires every agency with buying power to have an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), sometimes called the Office of Small Business Programs. Its staff help small businesses understand what the agency buys and how. Free counseling is also available from APEX Accelerators.
Keep going
- Contracts from other agencies
- How to find government contracts
- How to research an agency on USAspending.gov
- Free help from APEX Accelerators
FedReady is an independent company, not affiliated with the National Science Foundation, SAM.gov or any government agency. Open-contract counts come from SAM.gov and update daily; spending figures come from USAspending.gov and cover contracts only.