Bid document

Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Topic (QBIT)

DARPA-PA-26-02-02

QBI Stage A
All dates and times are specific to DARPA-PA-26-02-02 only Posting Date: March 9, 2026
Abstract Responses Due: July 31, 2026, by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Full Proposal Responses Due: September 30, 2026, by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Oral Proposals are anticipated to be held between May 15, 2026, and November 2, 2026. Exact date and time will be coordinated with each proposer. Technical Point of Contact: Micah Stoutimore, DARPA/MTO Email: [email protected]

A. Topic Description

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is issuing a Quantum Benchmarking Initiative topic (QBIT) to solicit innovative approaches addressing challenges related to quantum computing. The QBIT will examine approaches to constructing a utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer and computational workflows that include quantum compute steps. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in design, engineering, testing, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. The purpose of this QBIT is to encourage new entrants to QBI, ensuring DARPA has visibility into all approaches and potential solutions. While this QBIT is not intended to solicit proposals from performers selected under prior QBI or US2QC solicitations, those performers are not precluded from submitting new proposals under this PA if they believe their approach offers new or distinct contributions to the QBI initiative.
This QBIT is issued under DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), described in the QBI 2026 Program Announcement (PA), DARPA-PA-26-02. To view the original DARPA PA for QBI 2026, visit SAM.gov under solicitation number DARPA-PA-26-02: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c26b38bf041a4d70b00ed619bebb4773/view If selected for negotiation of an award, proposers should anticipate either an Other Transaction for Research agreement (herein referred to as “Research OT”) under 10 U.S.C. §4021 or an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement (herein referred to as “Prototype OT”) under 10 U.S.C. §4022. See Section E, Award Information, for additional details regarding award type.

B. Introduction

It has been credibly hypothesized—but not proven—that quantum computers will have a transformative impact on a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. Two separate factors