Procurement of a Humanoid Robot

The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks procurement of one humanoid robot with associated software and API, with quotations due August 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET and technical questions due August 14. The acquisition is unrestricted using full and open competition, reversing an earlier indication of a 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

Place of performance is Gaithersburg, Maryland, with FOB Destination to NIST's facility. The robot must feature a human-like structure with two arms (minimum 6 degrees of freedom each), two legs (minimum 5 degrees of freedom each), and integrated sensing including vision, lidar, and IMU sensors. Required capabilities include self-balancing, walking at speeds up to 0.33 m/s, stair climbing using ASTM E2804-11(2020) standards, rough-terrain traversal (defined as passable non-flat surfaces including asymmetric slopes, steps, and varying-height terrain evaluated via ASTM E2827/E2827M-20), and manipulation of objects weighing up to 5 kg. The robot must operate continuously for at least one hour on battery power (standard dual-battery configuration acceptable) and support tethered operation. The accompanying software and API must enable custom behavior scripting, sensor calibration, data viewing and recording, and integration with external sensing systems. Delivery is required within six months of award. The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees or less. The PSC code is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies. Government evaluation weights technical capability as more important than price. Payment is 100 percent upon installation, acceptance, successful testing, and receipt of a proper invoice with Net 30-day terms. The contract includes standard FAR clauses, Buy American provisions, and NIST-specific requirements for minimum one-year warranty and site access procedures. Quotations should be submitted electronically to robert.cowins@nist.gov.