Funds scientific research and education. Buyer of research services, IT infrastructure, and educational programs.
FY2026 Budget
$10B+ (research funding, science education, infrastructure)
OSDBU Contact
Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov
2026 Trend
Quantum computing research, climate science, artificial intelligence, STEM education programs
Top NAICS Codes for NSF
These industry classifications represent the largest procurement focus areas.
541711
541320
541611
611210
334512
Typical Procurement Areas & Recompetes
Scientific research services and laboratories
STEM education programs and curriculum development
Research infrastructure and computing systems
Data management and analytics services
Procurement Focus & Strategy
- Research and development contracts favor innovation
- Academic partnerships and small research teams valued
- Peer-reviewed research often required
- Publication and intellectual property sharing expected
Forecast Strategy for Contractors
NSF is excellent for research-focused contractors and academic teams. Lower contract volumes but intellectual satisfaction high. Good for specialized R&D. IP ownership more collaborative than typical government contracts.
How to Use This Forecast
- Monitor updates. NSF updates their forecast quarterly. Check back every 3 months for new opportunities.
- Match your NAICS. Focus on recompetes and opportunities in your primary NAICS codes (listed above).
- Research past winners. Use WinBidIQ's USAspending data to find who won the last contract. Model your proposal after them.
- Contact early. Reach out to Office of Small Business Programs - smallbiz@nsf.gov (their small business contact) 6-12 months before RFP release to ask questions and register.
- Prepare the proposal early. Start writing 60-90 days before RFP release. When RFP drops, you're 80% done.
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