DARPA-PA-26-02-02.pdf

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: QBIT_Stage_A@darpa.mil

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 make the ultimate impact of quantum computing unclear. First, although a number of algorithms and applications for quantum computers have been suggested, in most cases a rigorous comparison to the best classical alternatives for real-world usage has not been completed. Second, it is unclear mailto:QBIT_Stage_A@darpa.mil https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c26b38bf041a4d70b00ed619bebb4773/view when or if a “utility-scale” quantum computer (USQC)—one whose computational value exceeds its costs—can be built, particularly for applications that require fault-tolerance.

The complexity of a fault-tolerant USQC could approach or exceed that of a classical supercomputer. A verification and validation effort which demonstrates that a utility-scale design is viable, that all the necessary components and subsystems for the computer can be produced at the required specifications, and that all these components and subsystems can be successfully integrated would likely be a difficult, multi-year process. Many scientists and engineers predict that a USQC based on conventional designs is still decades away, making this type of verification and validation effort premature.

However, if an approach to quantum computing is discovered that enables utility-scale quantum computing much faster than anticipated, DARPA is interested in the immediate and timely verification and validation of the approach’s viability—performed in parallel with on-going research and development efforts.

C. QBI Objective/Scope

1. QBI Stages

QBI will use a multi-stage approach to determine viable paths to building a USQC. This process will be divided into Stage A, Stage B, and Stage C, where each new stage represents an increased level of scrutiny into performer-proposed system designs. DARPA is currently soliciting abstracts for Stage A efforts only. Information regarding Stages B and C is provided solely for context on the overall program structure and is not part of the current solicitation under this QBIT.

Stage A: Plausibility

The six-month term for Stage A will focus on the performer’s concept for a USQC. It is anticipated that in the first three months, performers will develop a system concept report which will be delivered to the government test and evaluation (T&E) team and reviewed at a concept design review at month four. This report will detail the performer’s approach to building a USQC. In the final three months of Stage A, the T&E team will evaluate and provide feedback on the draft concept report culminating in a presentation of the Government Team’s understanding of the performer’s baseline system architecture, and the performer’s delivery of a final concept report.

While six months is the expected Stage A term, milestones may be completed early, allowing DARPA the opportunity to evaluate performers’ concepts ahead of the six-month timeline.

Stage B: Research and Development Plan

An approximately twelve-month term for Stage B will focus on examining the performer’s baseline research and development (R&D) plan for building the USQC. Stage B will assess the risks associated with the plan, the planned risk mitigation steps, and the prototypes that can be validated in order to give confidence that the risks to build a USQC have been sufficiently reduced relative to construction and final design.

Stage B will enable DARPA to:

Evaluate the R&D plan for the USQC concept

Expand the utility-scale system evaluation

Gain visibility into ongoing progress on critical components development

Define and prepare for initial Stage C experimental evaluations

Stage C: Validation and Co-Design

Stage C will involve a variable term, nominally estimated at 36-months, tailored to the specific performer’s R&D plan. Stage C is critical for determining whether a USQC can be constructed as designed and operated as intended.

Stage C will enable DARPA to:

Evaluate the utility-scale system design finalization

Perform component testing and direct hardware evaluation

Assess the system-level performance capabilities of major prototypes

Engage in application and algorithm co-design (if appropriate)

Successfully document completion of the prototype project in accordance with 10 U.S.C.

§4022.

2. Program Milestones and Deliverables

a. Stage A

It is anticipated that all QBI Stage A performers will perform the same Tasks, summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 – Stage A Tasks

Task A.1

USQC Concept Design

Task Description

The performer’s concept design will be delivered and presented for assessment according to a hierarchical framework which includes performer processes, physical decomposition, and functional decomposition. Each component will be assessed for the sufficiency of the data provided as well as the quality of the concept design as compared to expectations for this design stage.

Subtask A.1.a

Stage A Kickoff Meeting

Subtask Description

Enable introduction of the government technical team and a review of the Stage A technical schedule.Subtask A.1.b

Concept Design Review

Subtask Description

In-person review based on the initial draft Concept Design Report detailing the USQC concept design.

Subtask A.1.c

Final Concept Design Report

Subtask Description

Refinement of the design for a utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. The performer team will revise the USQC Concept Design Report based on feedback from DARPA and the IV&V team.

It is also anticipated that all QBI Stage A performers will use the same schedule of milestones and payments, summarized in Table 2. The total value of one Stage A award will not exceed $1 million, federal and non-federal resource share, if applicable. See below for a summary of the milestones and payments for Stage A.

Table 2 - QBI Milestones and Deliverables

Milestone Number Milestone Exit Criteria /

Deliverable Due Date

Payment (DARPA funds)

A.1.a Stage A Kickoff Meeting Milestone Report

Month 1 Up to $150,000

A.1.b Concept Design Review Milestone Report

Month 4 Up to $500,000

A.1.c Final Concept Design Report

Milestone Report

Month 6 Up to $350,000

Total Stage A Up to $1,000,000

b. Stage B (Provided for informational purposes only) At the government’s discretion, active QBI Stage A performers may be requested to negotiate a QBI Stage B effort. It is anticipated that all QBI Stage B performers will share a list of critical tasks using a common schedule of payments and milestones with a not to exceed value of $5 Million, federal and non-federal resource share, if applicable.

Stage B performers may negotiate additional milestones and payments focused on preparing for a potential Stage C effort. The total value of these additional milestones shall not exceed $10 Million, federal and non-federal share, if applicable, taking into consideration the performer’s independent expenditures for internal research and development. In addition, the total payments for these additional milestones shall not exceed one third of the performer’s annual costs to research and develop a USQC at the time of Stage B performance. At the time of negotiations, the government may set additional limits on the total non-common milestone payments based on funding availability.

c. Stage C (Provided for informational purposes only) At the government’s discretion, active QBI Stage B performers may be requested to negotiate a QBI Stage C effort. The total value for all Stage C shall not exceed $300M, federal and non-federal resource share, if applicable. In addition, the total payments from Stage C milestones in any given year shall not exceed one half of the performer’s annual costs to research and develop a USQC during that year. At the time of negotiations, the government may set additional limits on the total milestone payments based on funding availability.

Prior to the completion of any stage of QBI, DARPA intends to enter into negotiations for the next stage, as applicable. These negotiations are intended to begin with sufficient lead time to minimize or avoid any work stoppage.

3. Acquisition Strategy The government’s acquisition strategy for QBI is structured to minimize the administrative burden of entry and reduce program risk. To facilitate this objective, the government will use the following acquisition process for Stage A applications:

Questions and Answers. DARPA will post a consolidated Question and Answer (Q&A) document on a regular basis. To access the posting go to: http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities. Under DARPA-PA-26-02-02 will be a link to the Q&A document.

Question(s) should be submitted by e-mail to QBIT_Stage_A@darpa.mil. In order to receive a response sufficiently in advance of the Abstract due date, question(s) should be sent on or before July 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Abstracts. Abstracts are required for this announcement and may be submitted on a rolling basis up until the date and time listed in this announcement. Required abstract content is described in Attachment B. DARPA will acknowledge receipt of the submission and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the abstract. The government will review all conforming abstracts against the criteria stated in Section D.2.c and selected performers will be invited to submit a Full Proposal Package. See Section D.2.b. for abstract submission guidance.

Full Proposal Package. A proposal package will only be accepted from invited organizations as discussed above. Those invited to submit a full proposal package will receive final templates and instructions within their abstract response letter. Full proposal packages from these organizations will be accepted on a rolling basis until the proposal due date and time outlined in this QBIT. DARPA intends to provide a list of questions one week in advance of the scheduled Oral Presentation to give proposers an opportunity to consider their response in advance.

The government will review conforming full proposal packages against the stated evaluation criteria, and selected proposers will be invited to enter negotiations for an OT award. Proposal Packages will not be made public or provided to other proposers.

OT Award Negotiation. DARPA will review full proposal packages, to include the Oral Presentation, to determine which proposed solutions sufficiently meet the evaluation criteria stated in Section D.3.d. Selected proposals that are successfully negotiated will result in the award of either a Research OT or Prototype OT The government will not pay offerors responding to this solicitation for the costs associated with proposal preparation and submission. The government reserves the right to select for negotiation all, some, one, or none of the proposals received in response to this solicitation, and to make awards without discussions with proposers. The government also reserves the right to conduct discussions if it is later determined to be necessary.

If warranted, portions of resulting awards may be segregated into pre-priced options. Additionally, http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities

DARPA reserves the right to select proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award. In the event that DARPA desires to award only portions of a proposal, negotiations may be opened with that proposer. The government reserves the right to fund proposals in stages with options for continued work at the end of one or more of the stages, as applicable.

D. Submission Guidelines

1. General Guidelines

The following general guidelines apply to both the abstract and full proposal package submissions:

Elaborate brochures or marketing materials should not be included; only information relevant to the submission requirements or evaluation criteria should be included.

Use of a diagram(s) or figure(s) to depict the essence of the proposed solution is permitted.

All proposer submissions must be unclassified.

Proposers are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information in all submitted or presented materials. Submissions containing proprietary information must clearly mark the cover page and each page containing such information with a label such as “Proprietary” or “Company Proprietary.” NOTE: “Confidential” is a classification marking used to control the dissemination of U.S. Government National Security Information as dictated in Executive Order 13526 and should not be used to identify proprietary business information.

Submissions sent through other media, channels, or after the prescribed QBIT deadline may not be considered, reviewed, or evaluated.

2. Abstract Submission Guidelines

a. Abstract Format

Abstracts are required for this QBIT. Please refer to the following attachments for abstract content guidance:

Attachment A: QBIT Stage A Abstract Summary Slide Template Attachment B: QBIT Stage A Abstract Template

Use of Attachment A and Attachment B are required for all submissions.

b. Abstract Submission Information

All abstracts sent in response to DARPA-PA-26-02-02 shall be submitted via DARPA's BAA website (https://baa.darpa.mil). Visit the website to complete the two-step registration process.

Proposers must register for an Extranet account (via the form at the URL listed above) and wait for two separate e-mails containing a username and temporary password. After accessing the Extranet, proposers may then create an account for the DARPA BAA website (via the "Register your Organization" link along the left side of the homepage), view submission instructions, and upload/finalize the abstract. Proposers using the DARPA BAA website may encounter heavy https://baa.darpa.mil/ traffic on the submission deadline date; it is highly advised that submission process be started as early as possible.

All abstracts submitted electronically through the DARPA BAA website must be uploaded as zip files (.zip or .zipx extension). The final zip file should only contain the document(s) requested herein and must not exceed 100 MB in size. Only one zip file will be accepted per abstract;

abstracts not uploaded as zip files will be rejected by DARPA.

NOTE: THE ‘FINALIZE PROPOSAL ABSTRACT’ BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE

CREATE PROPOSAL ABSTRACT PAGE MUST BE CLICKED. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL

RESULT IN THE ABSTRACT NOT BEING OFFICIALLY SUBMITTED TO THIS PA AND

THEREFORE NOT BEING REVIEWED. Please note that the DoD-issued certificate associated with the BAA website is not recognized by all commercial certificate authorities, resulting in untrusted connection errors/messages. You can either bypass the warning (possibly by adding https://baa.darpa.mil to your listed of trusted sites, or darpa.mil as a trusted domain), or visit DISA's site to download the Root Certificate Authority (CA): https://public.cyber.mil/from-iase/.

Technical support for DARPA's BAA Website may be reached at BAAT_Support@darpa.mil, and is typically available during regular business hours, (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST Monday - Friday).

c. Evaluation Criteria for Abstracts Abstract evaluation criteria are listed in order of importance. Individual abstracts will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria described below:

Technical Plausibility: The proposed approach establishes technical plausibility for developing a utility-scale quantum computer.

Technical Ability: The proposer’s team and organization are capable of realizing the proposed path to a utility-scale quantum computer on the proposed timeline.

Upon review of abstracts, the Government may elect to invite all, some, or none of the proposers to submit proposal packages.

d. Abstract Response DARPA will respond to abstracts with a written statement as to whether the proposer is invited to submit a full proposal package. If DARPA does not invite the proposer to submit a full proposal package, DARPA may provide feedback to the proposer regarding the rationale for this decision.

https://public.cyber.mil/from-iase/ mailto:BAAT_Support@darpa.mil

3. Full Proposal Package Submission Guidelines

a. Full Proposal Format

The invitation to submit a full proposal package will include templates for both written and oral technical components as well as pricing and budget spreadsheets. In general proposers will be asked to describe their concept for a USQC as well as timelines, roadmaps, and information on current R&D efforts. If DARPA invites a proposer to submit a proposal package, the invitation will provide specific submission instructions, including content submission guidelines. Please note that DARPA will only review full proposal packages from proposers who have received an official invitation in response to an abstract.

b. Oral Presentations Oral Presentation Requirement. With respect to this solicitation, proposers must submit an eForm 60 for all U.S. Permanent Residents and foreign nationals who will be participating in the Oral Presentations no later than the due date for the Notification of Intent to Propose specified in the Overview Information section. Failure to submit the required documentation in a timely manner may result in the individual being denied access to the event without exception.

It is the responsibility of the prime contractor to ensure that all personnel, including those from sub-awardees, who are U.S. Permanent Residents or foreign nationals comply with these requirements.

Submission Link: The form must be submitted electronically via the following secure portal: https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform60/.

Additional instructions will be provided within the template.

Oral Presentation Format. Oral Presentations will consist of one 60-minute presentation. The presentation will be immediately followed by a 120-minute question and answer (Q&A) session.

In the event a proposer does not use all their allotted time for a presentation, the government evaluation team may elect to use that time for additional questions. The government will withhold questions until the end of each presentation.

Additional instructions will be provided within the Proposal Invitation Package.

c. Full Proposal Package Submission The full proposal package will be due on the date and time provided within the invitation letter which will be no later than the date and time listed in this QBIT.

d. Evaluation Criteria for Proposal Packages Individual proposals will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria described below:

1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit. The proposed technical approach is innovative, feasible, achievable, and complete. The proposed technologies and deliverables align with the objectives of the program. The proposed high-level work plan and associated technical elements provided are complete and in a logical sequence with all proposed deliverables clearly defined such that the successful completion of all program goals can be expected as a result of award. The proposal identifies major technical risks, and planned mitigation efforts are clearly defined and feasible. The proposers were able to clearly answer technical questions during https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform60/ the Oral Presentation.

2. Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission. The potential contributions of the proposed effort bolster the national security technology base, and support DARPA’s mission to make pivotal early technology investments that create or prevent technological surprise. The proposed intellectual property restrictions (if any) will not significantly impact the government’s ability to transition the technology. The proposed plan for collaboration with the government test and evaluation team is likely to result in a timely and rigorous verification and validation of the proposed approach.

3. Budget. The proposed solution is realistic and affordable. The budget is realistic and accurately reflects the technical goals and objectives of the solicitation, and reflects a sufficient understanding of the level of effort needed to successfully accomplish the proposed technical approach.

After completing evaluation of Proposal Packages, DARPA will (1) invite the proposer to enter negotiations or (2) inform the proposer that they have not been selected to enter negotiations.

E. Award Information Selected proposals that are successfully negotiated will result in the award of either a Research OT or a Prototype OT. While proposers may request a specific OT type in their submission, the Government retains sole discretion to determine the appropriate OT type based on the nature of the proposed effort and statutory requirements. As a part of the proposal invitation, Proposers will receive a model OT Agreement which should be reviewed prior to submission of the full proposal.

Further details and instructions will be provided therein.

While each arrangement has specific statutory requirements for award, in general:

Research OTs are authorized under 10 U.S.C. §4021 for basic, applied, and advanced research projects. These OTs are intended to spur dual-use research and development (R&D), taking advantage of economies of scale without burdening companies with Government regulatory overhead, which would make them non- competitive in the commercial (non-defense) sector.

Prototype OTs are authorized under 10 U.S.C. §4022 to acquire prototype capabilities and allow for those prototypes to transition into Production OTs. Both dual-use and defense-specific projects are encouraged under section 4022.

The Agreements Officer reserves the right to negotiate directly with the offeror on the terms and conditions prior to execution of the resulting OT agreement, including payment terms, and will execute the agreement on behalf of the government. , Only a government Agreement Officer has the authority to enter into, or modify, a binding agreement on behalf of the United States Government.

In order to receive an award:

a. Proposers must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/ at time of proposal submission and must maintain an active registration for ‘All Awards’ throughout the life of any resulting award.

https://sam.gov/

b. Proposers will be required to submit invoices for payment electronically via Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) at https://wawf.eb.mil, unless an exception applies. Registration in WAWF is required prior to award.

c. Proposers must be determined to be responsible by the Agreements Officer and must not be suspended or debarred from award by the Federal Government nor be prohibited by presidential executive order and/or law from receiving an award.

F. Eligibility

1. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University

Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and Government Entities

a. FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government Entities, to include national laboratories, should not propose directly to this QBIT but are encouraged to contact QBIT_IVandV@darpa.mil to discuss potential involvement.

2. Other applicants eligible to respond to this announcement in any capacity include:

a. For-profit and nonprofit organizations.

b. Institutions of higher education to the extent that such participants comply with CUI requirements and publication restrictions.

c. Non-U.S. organizations and/or individuals to the extent that such participants comply with any necessary nondisclosure agreements, security regulations, export control laws, and other governing statutes applicable under the circumstances.

G. Special Considerations

This solicitation, stated attachments, and websites incorporated by reference constitute the entire solicitation. In the event of a discrepancy between the solicitation, attachments, or websites, the solicitation shall take precedence.

As of the time of publication of this announcement, all proposal submissions are anticipated to be unclassified. Proposers who wish to propose classified solutions should contact QBIT_Stage_A@darpa.mil for further instructions. Included within the request to share classified information should be, if possible, the level of information, information owner, disposition system, and a point of contact for further instructions.

This program is subject to the QBI Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide (signed January 6, 2026). It is the expectation that the Prime contractor will be capable of handling and protecting CUI. All individuals accessing CUI agree to protect CUI in accordance with DoD Instruction 5200.48 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION (CUI) and NIST Special Publication 800-171 (Rev 2) Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. The QBI CUIG is posted with this QBIT for informational purposes.

https://wawf.eb.mil/ mailto:QBIT_IVandV@darpa.mil

DARPA has an organizational conflict of interest (OCI) policy that prohibits contractors/ performers from concurrently providing Scientific Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or similar support services and being a technical performer. Therefore, proposers are required to identify and disclose all facts relevant to potential OCI involving the proposer’s organization and any proposed team member, to include consultants. The proposer is responsible for providing any disclosure with any Executive Summary and Full Proposal submitted to the announcement. The disclosure must include the following:

o A mitigation plan for the proposer and any affected team members. At a minimum, the plan should include a description of the actions the proposer has taken, or intends to take, to prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias the proposer’s judgment and to prevent the proposer from having unfair competitive advantage. The mitigation plan should specifically discuss the disclosed OCI in the context of each of the OCI limitations.

o Affirmation as to whether the proposer or any proposed team member, to include consultants, is providing SETA, A&AS, or similar support to any DARPA office(s) under: (a) a current award or subaward; or (b) a past award or subaward that ended within one calendar year prior to the proposal’s submission date.

o If SETA, A&AS, or similar support is being or was provided to any DARPA office(s), the proposal must include:

The name of the DARPA office receiving the support The prime contract number Identification of proposed team member (subrecipient, consultant) providing the support An OCI mitigation plan o In accordance with agency requirements, the government will evaluate OCI mitigation plans to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate potential OCI issues before award and to determine whether it is in the government’s interest to grant a waiver. The government will only evaluate OCI mitigation plans for proposals that are determined selectable in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria and funding availability. The government may require proposers to provide additional information to assist the government in evaluating the proposer’s OCI mitigation plan.

o If the government determines that a proposer failed to fully disclose an OCI, failed to provide the affirmation of DARPA support as described above, or failed to reasonably provide additional information requested by the government to assist in evaluating the proposer’s OCI mitigation plan, the government may reject the proposal and withdraw it from consideration for award.

DARPA policy is to treat all submissions as competition sensitive, and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, during the evaluation process, submissions may be handled by support contractors for administrative purposes and/or to assist with technical evaluation. All DARPA support contractors performing this role are expressly prohibited from performing DARPA sponsored technical research and development, and are bound by appropriate nondisclosure agreements. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-government consultants/experts who are strictly bound by the appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

At this time, the government anticipates two (2) categories of Data established under resulting Agreements:

o Category 1 Data is data that may be delivered to DARPA and may be distributed among government employees and DARPA support contractors. The government shall receive Modified Government Purpose Rights to Category 1 Data. Category 1 Data, and all derivative documents incorporating Category 1 Data, shall be marked with a specific legend identified in the OTA.

o Category 2 Data is data that may be delivered to DARPA for the purpose of observation, verification, and validation of the performer’s USQC concept design.

Category 2 Data, and derivative documents that incorporate Category 2 Data, may be distributed to DARPA Employees, DARPA support contractors, and the QBI Team. The government shall receive Modified Limited Rights to Category 2 Data.

Category 2 Data, and all derivative documents incorporating Category 2 Data, shall be marked with a specific legend identified in the OTA.

The following terms are specific to this QBIT and any resulting awards:

Authorized Government Support Contractor: An individual, agency, organization, or group of users performing work under a contract or agreement with the Government, the purpose of which is to furnish advice or technical assistance directly to the Government, provided that the contractor (i) is prohibited from public disclosure or public release of proprietary and nonpublic information furnished to the Government; (ii) is not affiliated with any prime contractor or first-tier subcontractor within QBI, or with any direct competitor of such prime contractor, in furnishing end items or services of the type developed or produced within QBI; and

(iii) is permitted to designate or handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), in accordance with 32 C.F.R. Part 2002.

DARPA Employee: Government Employees at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

DARPA Support Contractor: Contractor personnel hired to provide advice or technical assistance directly to DARPA.

Modified Government Purpose Rights: The rights to (i) use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose Data within the Government without restriction; and (ii) release or disclose Data outside the Government and authorize persons to whom release or disclosure has been made to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose that

Data for Government Purposes. Modified Government Purpose Rights do not include the rights to further disseminate Data outside DARPA or the QBI Team without the express permission of DARPA or the Performer.

Modified Limited Rights: The rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose Data, in whole or in part, within DARPA and the QBI Team. The Government may not, without the written permission of the Performer, release or disclose the Data outside DARPA and the QBI Team, use the Data for manufacture, or authorize the Data to be used by another party.

QBI Team: Government Employees or Authorized Government Support Contractors, including subcontractors and consultants, performing work under a contract or agreement with DARPA, the purpose of which is to furnish advice or technical assistance directly to DARPA in connection with

QBI.

Proposers should appropriately identify any potential restrictions on the government’s use of any Intellectual Property or Data to be developed or delivered under the award.

All awards under this PA shall be treated as federal agency procurements for purpose of 41 U.S.C. Chapter 21. Accordingly, the PA competitive solicitation process and awards made thereof must adhere to the ethical standards required by the Procurement Integrity Act.

The government reserves the right to negotiate and award follow-on production contracts and transactions to performers who successfully complete the prototype stage of a Prototype OT awarded under this PA, without further competition, per 10 U.S.C. §4022.