DARPA-SN-21-25 RFI QB.pdf

RFI DARPA-SN-21-25 1

Request for Information (RFI)

DARPA-SN-21-25

Quantum Benchmarking

Responses Accepted: Until 4:00 PM (Eastern) on May 11, 2021

Point of Contact: Joe Altepeter, Program Manager, DARPA/DSO

Email Address: QuantumBenchmarking@darpa.mil

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is publishing this Special Notice in support of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the

Quantum Benchmarking program (HR001121S0026). The Quantum Benchmarking BAA provides detailed instructions on how to submit a proposal for funding supplied through a cooperative agreement, procurement contract, or Other Transaction. However, some organizations may be interested in supporting the selection, creation, and testing of quantum benchmarks or hardware resource estimates through an alternate instrument – such as a Cooperative Research and

Development Agreement (CRADA) – without receiving Government funding. (For more information on CRADAs, please see https://aaf.dau.edu/aaf/contracting-cone/rd-agreements/crada/.)

Organizations interested in supporting the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking program through an alternative instrument (such as a CRADA) and who are not seeking Government funding to do so, should prepare a brief summary containing the following information:

• A summary of how your organization proposes to substantively support the Technical Areas or Government team for the Quantum Benchmarking program

• An estimate/description of the resources you propose to commit to this effort

• Any additional conditions or considerations that are relevant

SUBMISSION FORMAT

Respondents to this RFI are encouraged to be as succinct as possible, while also providing actionable insight. Page limits for each section are indicated below. Format specifications for responses include 12-point font, single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11-inch paper, with 1-inch margins in MS Word or Adobe PDF format.

Respondents are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information. Responses containing proprietary information must have each page containing such information clearly marked with a label such as “Proprietary” or “Company Proprietary.” DO NOT INCLUDE

ANY CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN THE RFI RESPONSE.

A. Cover Sheet (1 page): Provide the following information.

1. Response Title

2. Technical point of contact name, organization, telephone number, and email address

B. Technical Description (1 page)

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

All responses to this RFI must be emailed to QuantumBenchmarking@darpa.mil. Responses mailto:QuantumBenchmarking@darpa.mil https://aaf.dau.edu/aaf/contracting-cone/rd-agreements/crada/ mailto:QuantumBenchmarking@darpa.mil

RFI DARPA-SN-21-25 2

will be accepted any time from the publication of this RFI until 4:00 PM (Eastern) on May 11, 2021. Early responses are encouraged.

All technical and administrative correspondence and questions regarding this RFI should also be sent to the same email address. Emails sent directly to the Program Manager may result in delayed/no response.

ELIGIBILITY

DARPA invites participation from all those engaged in related research activities and appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources including, but not limited to, universities, university-affiliated research centers (UARCs), Federally-Funded Research and Development

Centers (FFRDCs), private or public companies and Government research laboratories.

DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES

• This is an RFI issued solely for information and new program planning purposes; it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government as such.

• Responses do not bind DARPA to any further actions related to this topic including requesting follow-on proposals from respondents to this RFI.

• Submission is voluntary and is not required to propose to a subsequent Broad Agency

Announcement (BAA) (if any) or other research solicitation (if any) on this topic.

• DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

• Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.

• DARPA will disclose submission contents only for the purpose of review. Submissions may be reviewed by the Government (DARPA and partners); Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs); and Scientific, Engineering and Technical

Assistance (SETA) support contractors.