NSF Awards $8B Contract to Sustain U.S. Presence in Antarctica for the next 20 years

ANTARCTICA — The National Science Foundation has awarded an $8 billion Antarctic Science and Engineering Support Contract to sustain U.S. research operations, logistics, facilities, and field support across Antarctica.

The single-award IDIQ task-order hybrid contract begins in June 2026 and carries a 20-year period of performance. Through the award, KBR will provide planning, management, operations, logistics, maintenance, and science support across one of the most remote operating environments in the world.

The contract supports the U.S. Antarctic Program’s year-round research stations, including McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. In addition, KBR will support U.S. field sites across Antarctica, gateway logistics, port operations, Southern Ocean activities, and the movement of scientific samples back to U.S. laboratories.

“KBR will support far more than a research footprint in Antarctica. This contract covers the people, logistics, facilities, technology, communications, and sustainment systems that keep U.S. science moving in one of the hardest places on earth to operate. For overseas contractors, this is exactly the type of long-term support mission that creates opportunities across logistics, maintenance, facilities, IT, safety, communications, and field operations.” — POC

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KBR’s scope also includes information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cold-chain sample handling, and shipboard support. As a result, the contract connects traditional base operations with advanced science support, secure networks, and complex logistics.

The U.S. Antarctic Program supports American scientific research and related logistics across the continent. NSF manages the program on behalf of the United States, while contractors provide much of the operational backbone required to sustain research stations, remote camps, aircraft support, marine operations, infrastructure, housing, food service, communications, and emergency response.

For KBR, the award expands its role in remote mission support. The company has long supported government customers in austere environments, including science, technology, engineering, logistics, and operations programs for civilian and defense agencies.

Work under the contract will support U.S. operations across Antarctica and related logistics networks through 2046.