Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Topic (QBIT) Stage A

Solicitation No.

DARPA-PA-26-02-02

Notice Type

Solicitation

Posted Date

March 26, 2026

Response Deadline

September 30, 2026

NAICS Code

541715AI guide

PSC / Class Code

AC12

Contract Code

97AE

Issuing Office

DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY

Sub-Agency

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Agency

DEPT OF DEFENSE

Primary Contact

PA Coordinator

City

ARLINGTON

State

VA

ZIP Code

222032114

AI Product/Service

service

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

1. March 26, 2026Posted Date
2. September 30, 2026Proposals / Responses Due