Bid document

Program Announcement
Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Announcement Microsystems Technology Office

DARPA-PA-26-02

November 14, 2025

DARPA-PA-26-02

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW INFORMATION

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Federal Agency Name – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO)
Funding Opportunity Title – Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Program Announcement
Announcement Type – Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Number – DARPA-PA-26-02
Dates:
o Posting Date: November 14, 2025
o Closing Date: November 14, 2026
o Due dates specified within QBI Topic (QBIT) announcement Concise description of the funding opportunity: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative approaches to address challenges related to quantum computing. The QBI 2026 program seeks specific solutions to targeted challenges related to developing utility-scale quantum computers, as defined in specific QBI topic (QBIT) calls. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in design, engineering, test, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
Anticipated individual awards: Multiple awards are anticipated Anticipated funding type: 6.2
Types of instruments that may be awarded – To be specified per each QBIT, proposers may anticipate either Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements or Other Transaction (OT) for Research agreements
Attachments to DARPA-PA-26-02:
o QBI Controlled Unclassified Information Guide (signed as of June 11, 2025) Agency contact
o Technical POC: Dr. Joseph Altepeter, Program Manager
o Email: [email protected]
 Additionally, each QBI Topic will identify a program-specific email address. o Mailing Address:

DARPA/MTO

ATTN: DARPA-PA-26-02

675 North Randolph Street,
Arlington, VA 22203-2114

DARPA-PA-26-02

Program Announcement

DARPA-PA-26-02

Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI)
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Microsystems Technology Office (MTO)

1. Description

A. Introduction

The mission of DARPA is to make strategic, early investments in science and technology that will have long-term positive impact on our nation’s national security. DARPA’s MTO’s revolutionary work has helped the United States establish and maintain technological superiority for more than two