Quantum_Algorithms_BAA-W911NF-19-S-0010-FINAL1.pdf

U.S. ARMY RESEARCH OFFICE

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR

Development of Quantum Algorithms

W911NF-19-S-0010

Issued by:

U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground

Research Triangle Park Division

P.O. BOX 12211

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 4

A. Required Overview Content 4

1. Federal Agency Name(s): 4

2. Funding Opportunity Title: Development of Quantum Algorithms 4

3. Announcement Type 4

4. Research Opportunity Number: 4

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 4

6. Response Dates: 4

B. Additional Overview Information 4

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 5

A.1 Funding Opportunity Description 5 A.1.1 Out of Scope 6

B. Federal Award Information 6

C. Eligibility Information 8

1. Eligible Applicants: 8

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: 8

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities: 8

D. Application and Submission Information 9

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement 9

2. Content and Form of Application Submission 9

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 21

4. Submission Dates and Times: 21

5. Intergovernmental Review 23

6. Funding Restrictions: 23

7. Other Submission Requirements: 23

E. Application Review Information: 23

1. Criteria: 23

2. Review and Selection Process: 24

3. Recipient Qualification 24

F. Award Administration Information: 27

1. Award Notices: 27

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 27

3. Reporting: 34

G. Agency Contacts: 35

H. Other Information: 36

1. CONTRACT Proposals: 36

2. GRANT and COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Proposals: 45

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:

A. Required Overview Content

1. Federal Agency Name(s):

U.S. Army Research Office

Issuing Acquisition Office:

U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park

Division (ACC-APG RTP Division)

2. Funding Opportunity Title: Development of Quantum Algorithms

3. Announcement Type

Initial Announcement

4. Research Opportunity Number: W911NF-19-S-0010

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. Response Dates:

White Papers: 4:00 PM Eastern Time on: 5 June 2019

Proposals: 4:00 PM Eastern Time on: 1 August 2019 See Section II, D, 4 for additional information.

B. Additional Overview Information

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) which sets forth research areas of interest to the

Army Research Laboratory- Army Research Office (ARL-ARO) and the National Security

Agency (NSA) is issued under paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR), and 10 USC 2358 which provides for the competitive selection of basic research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provision of Public

Law 98-369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984" and subsequent amendments.

The Department of Defense agencies involved in this program reserve the right to select for award; all, some, or none of the proposals submitted in response to this announcement. The participating DoD agencies will provide no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of participating DoD agencies to treat all proposals as sensitive, competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A.1 Funding Opportunity Description

The U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) together with the National Security Agency

(NSA) is soliciting proposals to develop new quantum computing algorithms for hard computational problems, develop insights into the power of quantum computation, and consider issues of quantum complexity and computability.

Proposals for research in quantum algorithms should primarily be to devise novel quantum algorithms for solving mathematically and computationally hard problems from such diverse fields as algebra, number theory, geometry, analysis, optimization, graph theory, differential equations, combinatorics, topology, logic, and simulation. Quantum algorithms that are developed should focus on constructive solutions for specific tasks and on general methodologies for expressing and analyzing algorithms tailored to specific problems. Complexity analysis such as upper and lower bounds on algorithms, including developing new methodologies for deriving such bounds, is encouraged. Noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) computation produces approximate solutions. The error in these solutions depends upon the noise. Complexity analysis of quantum algorithms for such approximate solutions produced by NISQ machines is of interest.

Investigators should presuppose the existence of a fully functional quantum computer and consider what algorithmic tasks are particularly well suited to such a machine. A necessary component of this research will be to compare the efficiency of the quantum algorithm to the best existing classical algorithm for the same problem. Although quantum algorithm proposals may consider general architectural constraints (e.g. nearest neighbor only gates) for implementing algorithms, they should otherwise concentrate on developing the algorithm. Quantum algorithm proposals may consider computational models other than the circuit model (e.g. the adiabatic model).

To characterize the efficiency of candidate quantum algorithms, metrics must be developed to quantify the performance of quantum algorithms relative to their classical analogues. The problems to which they are being applied must have well-defined inputs, and well-defined outputs, along with a well-defined statement of what exactly is being computed. A full accounting of all computational resources must be made; typical units include numbers of qubits, numbers of quantum gates, runtime of the algorithm, amount of memory being used, amounts of classical pre-computation and post-computation, and probability of success. Worst-case analyses of the algorithms are preferable to average case analyses, but if average case analysis is to be used in an efficiency measure, the distribution of all cases must be made explicit as well as the placement of average cases within this distribution. In addition, proposals that study the algorithmic limitations of fully functional quantum computers will be considered as long as similar performance metrics are specified and quantified.

A.1.1 Out of Scope

The Quantum Algorithms program is not investing in research or development in the following areas:

Quantum annealing.

Fault tolerant error correction and error-correction codes

Quantum cryptography

Quantum supremacy demonstrations

B. Federal Award Information

Anticipated awards will be made in the form of procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, and are subject to the availability of appropriations. Funding for the second year and beyond will be contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

The ACC-APG RTP Division has the authority to award a variety of instruments on behalf of

ARL-ARO. The ACC-APG RTP Division reserves the right to use the type of instrument most appropriate for the effort proposed. Applicants should familiarize themselves with these instrument types and the applicable regulations before submitting a proposal. Following are brief descriptions of the possible award instruments.

1. Procurement Contract. A legal instrument, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6303, which reflects a relationship between the Federal Government and a State Government, a local government, or other entity/contractor when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.

Contracts are primary governed by the following regulations:

a. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) http://farsite.hill.af.mil/

b. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) https://www.federalregister.gov/defense-federal-acquisition-regulation-supplement-dfars-

c. Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS) http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vmafara.htm

2. Grant - A legal instrument that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship:

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ https://www.federalregister.gov/defense-federal-acquisition-regulation-supplement-dfars-http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vmafara.htm

a. The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law or the United States, rather than to acquire property or services for the DoD's direct benefit or use.

b. In which substantial involvement is not expected between the DoD and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the grant.

c. No fee or profit is allowed.

3. Cooperative Agreement. A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of relationship as a grant (see definition "grant"), except that substantial involvement is expected between the DoD and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement. The term does not include "cooperative research and development agreements" as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a. No fee or profit is allowed.

4. Grants and cooperative agreements for Institutions of Higher Education and nonprofit organizations are primary governed by the following:

A. Federal statutes

B. Federal regulations

C. 2 CFR part 200, as modified and supplemented by DoD's interim Implementation found in

2 CFR part 1103

D. 32 CFR Parts 21, 22, 26, and 28.

E. DoD R&D General Terms and Conditions dated July 2018

F. ACC-APG-RTP Division Assistance, Research General Terms and Conditions dated

August 2016, hereinafter referred to as “Agency Specific Requirements”

G. Award-specific terms and conditions

5. Grants and cooperative agreements for for-profit and nonprofit organizations exempted from

Subpart E—cost principles of part 200, are primary governed by the following:

a. Federal statutes

b. Federal regulations

c. 32 CFR Parts 21, 22, 26, and 28.

d. DOD 3210.6-R, Part 34 - Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with

For-Profit Organizations

Copies of OMB regulations may be obtained from:

Executive Office of the President Telephone: (202) 395-7332

Publications Service FAX Requests: (202) 395-9068

New Executive Office Building https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/

725 17th Street, N.W., Room 2200

Washington, DC 20503

An electronic copy of the DoDGARs may be found at http://www.ecfr.gov (Title 32: National

Defense,Subchapter C – DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants:

Eligible applicants under this BAA include Institutions of higher education (foreign and domestic), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit concerns (large and small businesses).

Proposals are encouraged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (as determined by the Secretary of Education to meet requirements of Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. §1061)) and from Minority Institutions defined as institutions “whose enrollment of a single minority or a combination of minorities exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment.” [20 U.S.C. § 1067k(3) and 10 U.S.C. § 2362]. However, no funds are specifically allocated for HBCU/MI participation.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching:

There is no requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation to be eligible for award under this BAA and cost sharing and matching is not an evaluation factor used under this BAA.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government

Entities:

a. FFRDCs

FFRDCs are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this

BAA in any capacity unless they meet the following conditions: (1) FFRDCs must clearly demonstrate that the proposed work is not otherwise available from the private sector. (2)

FFRDCs must provide a letter on official letterhead from their sponsoring organization citing the specific authority establishing their eligibility to propose to Government solicitations and compete with industry, and their compliance with the associated FFRDC sponsor agreement’s terms and conditions. This information is required for FFRDCs proposing to be awardees or sub-awardees.

b. Government Entities

Government Entities (e.g., Government/National laboratories, military educational institutions, etc.) are subject to applicable direct competition limitations. Government entities must clearly demonstrate that the work is not otherwise available from the private sector and http://www.ecfr.gov/ provide written documentation citing the specific statutory authority and contractual authority, if relevant, establishing their ability to propose to Government solicitations. This information is required for Government Entities proposing to be awardees or subawardees.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement

This BAA may be accessed from the following:

1) Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)

2) FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov)

3) ARL website http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?Action=6&Page=8.

Amendments, if any, to this BAA will be posted to these websites when they occur.

Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments.

The following information is for those wishing to respond to the BAA:

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. General Information

A proposal submitted under this BAA must address unclassified fundamental research.

Proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and DoD regulations. Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information. The participating DoD agencies will provide no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of participating

DoD agencies to treat all proposals as sensitive, competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

Post-Employment Conflict of Interest: There are certain post-employment restrictions on former federal officers and employees, including special government employees

(Section 207 of Title 18, U.S.C.). If an applicant believes a conflict of interest may exist, the situation should be discussed with Point of Contact listed in Section G:

Agency Contacts, who will then coordinate with appropriate ARO/ARL legal personnel prior to having applicant expend time and effort in preparing a white paper or proposal.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.fbo.gov/ http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?Action=6&Page=8

Statement of Disclosure Preference: Please complete ARO Form 52 or 52A stating your preference for release of information contained in your white paper or proposal.

Copies of these forms are available at http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#baaforms

NOTE: A white paper or proposal may be handled for administrative purposes by support contractors. These support contractors are prohibited from competing on BAA proposals and are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

Equipment: Normally, title to equipment or other tangible property purchased with

Government funds vests with nonprofit institutions of higher education or with nonprofit research organizations if vesting will facilitate scientific research performed for the Government. For profit, organizations are expected to possess the necessary plant and equipment to conduct the proposed research. Deviations may be made on a case-by-case basis to allow commercial organizations to purchase equipment but disposition instructions must be followed.

b. Submission of a White Paper:

Stage 1 White Papers – Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit

White Papers. The purpose of requesting a White Paper is to minimize the labor and cost associated with the production of a detailed proposal that has very little chance of being selected for funding. Based on assessment of the White Papers, feedback will be provided to an applicant to enable that applicant to make a determination as to whether they should submit a proposal. If offerors have not submitted White Papers under Stage

I of the BAA, offerors may still submit full proposals for consideration for funding.

White Paper Format and Content:

White Papers must be submitted electronically to usarmy.rtp.rdecom-aro.mesg.qcbox@mail.mil in the following format:

Single PDF file as an email attachment

Page Size: 8 ½ x 11 inches

Margins – 1 inch

Font – No smaller than Times New Roman, 12 point

Number of Pages – no more than ten (10) single-sided pages. Any pages exceeding the ten page limit will not be evaluated.

White Papers must contain the following:

Title page. The title page should be labeled “Quantum Algorithms White Paper” and should include the BAA number, proposed title, Principal Investigator (PI) with http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#baaforms telephone number and email address, and an executive summary. (Not to exceed one page.)

Expected expenditures and justifications. (Not to exceed one page.)

Curriculum vitae sketches. (Not to exceed one page.)

Technical portion including all references and figures. Introduce the problem to be addressed, briefly survey related work, identify key obstacles, outline the proposed solution and well-defined objective, outline the yearly research plan with milestones, and state the impact if successful. (Not to exceed seven pages.)

c. Preparing an Application

Stage 2 Proposal - After Stage 1 reviews are completed, interested offerors should submit proposals in accordance with the requirements set forth in this BAA.

This format applies to all proposals submitted via email and via Grants.gov. Offerors' proposals should show the location of each section of the proposal, as well as major subdivisions of the project description.

COVER PAGE ARO FORM 51: for Contract proposals submitted by email. The Form

SF 424 (R&R) is for all proposals submitted through Grants.gov (Assistance

Instruments must submit through Grants.gov):

1. A Cover Page is required. Proposals will not be processed without either: (1) a signed Cover Page, ARO Form 51, or (2) an SF 424 R & R Form.

2. Should the project be carried out at a branch campus or other component of the submitting organization, that branch campus or component should be identified in the space provided (Block 11 on the ARO Form 51 and Block 12 on the SF424 R&R).

3. The title of the proposed project should be brief, scientifically representative, intelligible to a scientifically literate reader, and suitable for use in the public domain.

4. The proposed duration for which support is requested should be consistent with the program duration of twenty four months.

5. Specification of a desired starting date for the project is important and helpful however, requested effective dates cannot be guaranteed.

6. To evaluate compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 {20

U.S.C. A§ 1681 Et. Seq.), the Department of Defense is collecting certain demographic and career information to be able to assess the success rates of women who are proposed for key roles in applications in STEM disciplines. To enable this assessment, each application must include the following forms completed as indicated.

Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form:

The Degree Type and Degree Year fields on the Research and Related Senior/Key

Person Profile {Expanded) form will be used by DoD as the source for career information. In addition to the required fields on the form, applicants must complete these two fields for all individuals that are identified as having the project role of

PD/Pl or Co-PD/Pl on the form. Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button.

Research and Related Personal Data form:

This form will be used by DoD as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information for the Project Director/Principal

Investigator and all other persons identified as Co-Project Director{s)/Co-Principal

Investigator(s). Each application must include this form with the name fields of the

Project Director/Principal Investigator and any Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal

Investigator(s) completed; however, provision of the demographic information in the form is voluntary. If completing the form for multiple individuals, each Co-Project

Director/Co-Principal Investigator can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button.

The demographic information, if provided, will be used for statistical purposes only and will not be made available to merit reviewers. Applicants who do not wish to provide some or all of the information should check or select the "Do not wish to provide" option.

7. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 7701, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 [Section 31001(I)(1), Public Law 104-134], federal agencies shall obtain each awardees’ Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). This number may be the Employer

Identification Number for a business or non-profit entity or the Social Security

Number for an individual. The TIN is being obtained for purposes of collecting and reporting on any delinquent amounts that may arise out of an awardees’ relationship with the Government.

8. Offerors shall provide their organization's Unique Entity Identifier (formerly DUNS).

This number is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information

Services. See Section II.D.3 of this BAA for requirements pertaining to the Unique

Entity Identifier.

9. Offerors shall provide their assigned Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE)

Code. The CAGE Code is a 5-character code assigned and maintained by the Defense

Logistics Service Center (DLSC) to identify a commercial plant or establishment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Use the following Format for the Proposal Table of Contents, Forms are available at http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#baaforms

SECTION PAGE NUMBER

Table of Contents A-1

Statement of Disclosure Preference (Form 52 or 52A) B-1

Research & Related Other Project Information B-2

Project Abstract C-1

Project Description (Technical Proposal) D-1 - D-

Biographical Sketch E-1 - E-

Bibliography F-1 - F-

Current and Pending Support G-1 - G-

Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources H-1 - H-

Proposal Budget I-1 - I-

Contract Facilities Capital Cost of Money (DD Form 1861) J-1

Appendices K-

List Appendix Items:

This format applies to proposals submitted via email and via Grants.gov. Offerors' proposals should show the location of each section of the proposal, as well as major subdivisions of the project description.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE PREFERENCE (FORM 52 OR 52A): Complete and sign ARO Form 52 (Industrial Contractors) or ARO Form 52A (Educational and

Nonprofit Organizations), form can be found at the following website:

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218.

RESEARCH AND RELATED Other Project Information: The form entitled “Research and Related Other Project Information” found at the following website:

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218, shall be completed and signed by all organizations.

PROJECT ABSTRACT:

1. The Project Abstract shall be completed on the form entitled “Publicly Releasable

Abstract” found at the following website:

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218.

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#baaforms http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218

2. Unless otherwise instructed in this BAA, the Project Abstract shall include a concise statement of work and basic approaches to be used in the proposed effort. The abstract should include a statement of scientific objectives, methods to be employed, and the significance of the proposed effort to the advancement of knowledge.

3. The abstract should be no longer than one (1) page (maximum 4,000 characters).

4. The project abstract shall be marked by the applicant as publicly releasable. By submission of the project abstract, the applicant confirms that the abstract is releasable to the public. For a proposal that results in a grant award, the project abstract will be posted to a searchable website available to the general public to meet the requirements of Title VII (General Provisions), Section 8123, of the Department of Defense

Appropriations Act, 2015. (Division C of the Consolidated and Further Continuing

Appropriations Act, Public Law 113-235) The website address is https://dodgrantawards.dtic.mil/grants

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (PROJECT DESCRIPTION): The technical portion of the proposal shall be no longer than 20 pages including tables and figures, single spaced text, size 12 Times New Roman font with one inch page margins, and shall contain the following:

1. Technical Approach: Introduce the problem to be addressed, survey related work, identify key obstacles, and outline the proposed solution and well-defined objective.

Proposals should describe an approach to all technical areas with unambiguous and quantitative milestones. Proposers must justify the utility of the proposed work and highlight its benefits over the current state-of-the-art. Proposals should clearly address the expected key challenges and proposed methods to overcome these difficulties taking into consideration the current state of field. Proposers should set aggressive yearly quantitative milestones that define a path toward the end-of-the-program goals and analyze the impact if successful.

2. Project Schedule, Milestones, and Deliverables: A summary of the schedule of events, milestones, and a detailed description of the results and products to be delivered.

3. Management Approach: A discussion of the overall approach to the management of this effort, including brief discussions of: required facilities; relationships with any sub-awardees and with other organizations; availability of personnel; and planning, scheduling, and control procedures. A brief description of your organization, including if the offeror has extensive government contracting experience. If this information has been previously provided to the ARL/ARO, the information need not be provided again. A statement setting forth this condition should be made.

4. The names of other federal, state, local agencies, or other parties receiving the proposal and/or funding the proposed effort. If none, so state. Concurrent or later submission of the proposal to other organizations will not prejudice its review by the

ARL/ARO if we are kept informed of the situation.

5. A statement regarding possible impact, if any, of the proposed effort on the environment considering as a minimum its effect upon water, atmosphere, natural resources, human resources, and any other values.

6. The offeror shall provide a statement regarding the use of Class I and Class II ozone- depleting substances. Ozone-depleting substances mean any substance designated as Class I by EPA, including but not limited chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform and any substance designated as Class II by EPA, including but not limited to hydrochlorofluorocarbons. See 40 C.F.R. Part 82 for detailed information. If Class I or II substances are to be utilized, a list shall be provided as part of the offeror's proposal. If none, so state.

7. The type of additional support, if any, requested (e.g., facilities, equipment, and materials). Government Furnished Information or Equipment (GFI/GFE) available to all proposers is described in A.2.4.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

1. This Section shall contain the biographical sketches for senior and key personnel only.

a. Primary Principal Investigator: The “Primary” PI provides a single or initial point of communication between the sponsoring agency(s) and the awardee organization(s) about scientific matters. If not otherwise designated, the first PI listed will serve as the “Primary” PI. This individual can be changed with approval of the agency. The sponsoring agency(s) does not infer any additional scientific stature to this role among collaborating investigators.

b. Co-Principal Investigators: The individual(s) a research organization designates as having an appropriate level of authority and responsibility for the proper conduct of the research and submission of required reports to the agency. When an organization designates more than one PI, it identifies them as individuals who share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the research, intellectually and logistically. The sponsoring agency(s) does not infer any distinction among multiple PIs.

c. Key personnel: The individual(s) a research organization designates as having a high level of technical expertise in the topics proposed to be researched and who will both play an active role in the research and supervise the work of more junior personnel on a daily basis.

2. The following information is required:

a. Relevant experience and employment history including a description of any prior

Federal employment within one year preceding the date of proposal submission.

b. List of up to five (5) publications most closely related to the proposed project and up to five (5) other significant publications, including those being printed. Patents, copyrights, or software systems developed may be substituted for publications.

c. List of persons, other than those cited in the publications list, who have collaborated on a project or a book, article, report or paper within the last four (4) years. Include pending publications and submissions. Otherwise, state "None."

d. Names of each investigator's own graduate or post graduate advisors and advisees.

The information provided in "c" and "d" is used to help identify potential conflicts or bias in the selection of reviewers.

e. The time commitment of each senior or key person to this project.

3. For the personnel categories of postdoctoral associates, other professionals, and students (research assistants), the proposal may include information on exceptional qualifications of these individuals that merit consideration in the evaluation of the proposal.

4. The biographical sketches are limited to three (3) pages per investigator and other individuals that merit consideration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A bibliography of pertinent literature is required. Citations must be complete (including full name of author(s), title, and location in the literature).

CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT:

1. All project support from whatever source must be listed. The list must include all projects requiring a portion of the principal investigator's and other senior personnel's time, even if they receive no salary support from the project(s) including Cooperative

Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) or other technology transfer agreements with federal labs. Funding provided under any award resulting from this

BAA may only be used in support of the effort funded by that award, and not for any other project or purpose.

2. The information should include, as a minimum:

(a) the project/proposal title and brief description,

(b) the name and location of the organization or agency presently funding the work or requested to fund such work,

(c) the award amount or annual dollar volume of the effort,

(d) the period of performance, and

(e) a breakdown of the time required of the principal investigator and/or other senior personnel.

FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER RESOURCES: The offeror should include in the proposal a listing of facilities, equipment, and other resources already available to perform the research proposed.

BUDGET PROPOSAL (including DD Form 1861):

1. Each proposal must contain a budget for each year of support requested and a cumulative budget for the full term of requested support. The budget form (Form 99) may be reproduced as needed. Locally produced versions may be used, but you may not make substitutions in prescribed budget categories nor alter or rearrange the cost categories as they appear on the form. The proposal may request funds under any of the categories listed so long as the item is considered necessary to perform the proposed work and is not precluded by applicable cost principles. Additionally, a budget by major proposed research tasks using the same budget categories must be included.

2. A signed summary budget page must be included. The documentation pages should be titled "Budget Explanation Page" and numbered chronologically starting with the budget form. The need for each item should be explained clearly.

3. All cost data must be current and complete. Costs proposed must conform to the following principles and procedures:

Educational Institutions: 2 CFR Part 200 (formerly OMB Circular A-21)

Nonprofit Organizations: 2 CFR Part 200 (formerly OMB Circular A-122*)

Commercial Organizations: FAR Part 31, DFARS Part 231, FAR Subsection

15.403-5, and DFARS Subsection 215.403-5.

*For those nonprofit organizations specifically exempt from the provisions of 2 CFR

Part 230, FAR Part 31 and DFARS Part 231 shall apply.

4. Sample itemized budgets and the information they must include for a contract and for grants and cooperative agreements can be found at Section II. H. (Other

Information). Before award it must be established that an approved accounting system and financial management system exist.

APPENDICES: Some situations require that special information and supporting documents be included in the proposal before funding can be approved. Such information and documentation should be included by appendix to the proposal.

e. Submission of Complete Research Proposals

Proposals must be submitted through the offeror’s organizational office having responsibility for Government business relations. All signatures must be that of an official authorized to commit the organization in business and financial affairs.

Proposals must be submitted electronically using one of the two following formats , based on award type sought. The content will remain the same whether using email or

Grants.gov.

EMAIL SUBMISSION (for Contracts only):

1. Proposal requesting award of a contract must be emailed directly to

Do not email full proposals to the Quantum Algorithms Program Point of Contact. All e-mailed proposals must contain the information outlined in Section II, D, 2, entitled

“Table of Contents” including the electronic forms as follows:

(a) ARO Form 51, Proposal Cover Page;

(b) ARO Form 99, Summary Proposal Budget or equivalent,

(c) ARO Current and Pending Support (unnumbered form),

(d) ARO Form 52 or ARO Form 52a.

(e) "FAR 52.209-11 – Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax

Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016). See Note below."

These forms may be accessed at http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#forms under BAA Forms. The fillable PDF forms may be saved to a working directory on a computer and opened and filled in using the latest compatible Adobe Reader software application found at this

Grants.Gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html mailto:usarmy.rtp.rdecom-aro.mesg.qcbox@mail.mil http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218&forms https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

Note: A completed 52.209-11 – Representation by Corporations Regarding

Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016), is not required if the offeror's SAM Certifications and Representations have been updated since March 2016. If the offeror's SAM has not be updated since March 2016, the completed representation must be submitted and include POC information and signature of the authorized representative.

2. All forms requiring signature must be completed, printed, signed, and scanned into a PDF document. All documents must be combined into a single PDF formatted file to be attached to the e-mail.

3. Proposal documents (excluding required forms) must use the following format:

• Page Size – 8 ½ x 11 inches

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single

• Font – Times New Roman, 12 point, single-sided pages

GRANTS.GOV SUBMISSION (For all Assistance Instruments):

1. Grants.gov Registration (See Section II.D.2. f. Grants.gov Registration below) must be accomplished prior to application through this process. Note- All web links referenced in this section and “Grants.gov Registration” (below) are subject to change by grants.gov and may not be updated here.

2. Specific forms are required for submission of a proposal. The forms are contained in the Application Package available through the Grants.gov application process. To access these materials, go to http://www.grants.gov, select "Apply for Grants,” and then select "Get Application Package." A Grant Application Package and Application

Instructions are available for through the Grants.Gov Apply portal under CFDA

Number 12.431/Funding Opportunity Number W911NF-19-S-0010. Select “Apply” and then “Apply Now Using Workspace.” The following documents are mandatory:

(1) Application for Federal Assistance (Research and Related) (SF 424 (R&R), and (2)

Attachments form.

(a) The SF 424 (R&R) form is to be used as the cover page for all proposals.

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) usernames and passwords serve as

“electronic signatures” when your organization submits applications through Grants.gov.

By using the SF 424 (R&R), proposers are providing the certification required by 32 CFR

Part 28 regarding lobbying. The SF 424 (R&R) must be fully completed.

(b) The Attachments form must contain the information outlined in Section II, D, 2 (b.

http://www.grants.gov/

Preparing an Application), entitled “Table of Contents” of this BAA including the electronic forms as follows:

(1) Research and Related Other Project Information;

(2) ARO Form 99, Summary Proposal Budget;

(3) ARO Current and Pending Support (unnumbered form)

(4) Representation by Corporations Regarding conviction of a Felony Criminal

Violation under any Federal or State Law and Representation by Corporations

Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability

Items (1)-(4) forms may be accessed at http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218#forms Item (4) “Representation relating to Tax Liability and Felony Convictions” may be submitted on a word document and attached to available field within the attachments form. The fillable PDF forms may be saved to a working directory on a computer and opened and filled in using the latest compatible Adobe Reader software application found at this Grants.Gov:

Note: Representation by Corporations Regarding Conviction of a Felony Criminal

Violation and Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability require POC information and signature of the authorized representative.

(c) All documents must be combined into separate and single PDF formatted files titled using the Table of Contents names listed in “Section II.D.2.b. Preparing an Application”:

Preparation of complete Research Proposals”. Include “W911NF-19-S-0010” in title so the proposal will be distinguished from other BAA submissions and upload using the mandatory Attachments form.

(d) The training demonstration at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html?inheritRedirect=true will assist AORs in the application process. Remember that you must open and complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Research and

Related) (SF 424 (R&R)) first, as this form will automatically populate data fields in other forms. If you encounter any problems, contact customer support at 1-800-518-4726 or at support@grants.gov. If you forget your user name or password, follow the instructions provided in the Credential Provider tutorial. Tutorials may be printed by right- clicking on the tutorial and selecting “Print”.

(e) As it is possible for grants.gov to reject the proposal during this process, it is strongly recommended that proposals be uploaded at least two days before any established deadline in the BAA so that they will not be received late and be ineligible for award consideration. It is also recommended to start uploading proposals at least two days before the deadline to plan ahead for any potential technical and/or input problems http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=218&forms https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html?inheritRedirect=true https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html?inheritRedirect=true mailto:support@grants.gov involving the applicant’s own equipment.

f. Grants.Gov Registration

Registration. Each organization that desires to submit applications via Grants.Gov must complete a one-time registration. There are several one-time actions your organization must complete in order to submit applications through Grants.gov (e.g., obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, register with the System for Award Management (SAM), register with the credential provider, register with

Grants.gov and obtain approval for an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) to submit applications on behalf of the organization). To registered please see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

Please note the registration process for an Organization or an Individual can take between three to five business days or as long as four weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner.

Questions relating to the registration process, system requirements, how an application form works, or the submittal process should be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110(d)) is required to:

(i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

(ii) Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and

(iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times:

White Papers:

White Papers must be submitted electronically via e-mail to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html mailto:support@grants.gov and received at the Army Research Office by 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time on 5

June 2019. The email subject line should contain the following: W911NF-19-S-0010 QA

White Paper. White Papers received after the deadline will not be reviewed. Feedback on the White Papers will be e-mailed directly to the proposed principal investigators by 30 June

2019.

Proposals:

Proposals transmitted to be considered for award must be received by Grants.gov no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time on 1 August 2019.

Applicants are responsible for submitting electronic proposals in sufficient time to insure

Grants.gov receives it by the time specified in this BAA. If the electronic proposal is received by Grants.gov after the exact time and date specified for receipt of offers, it will be considered “late” and will not be considered for award. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt by Grants.gov includes documentary evidence of receipt maintained by

Grants.gov.

Because of potential problems involving the applicants’ own equipment, to avoid the possibility of late receipt and resulting in ineligibility for award consideration, it is strongly recommended that proposals be uploaded at least two business days before the deadline established in the BAA.

If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at grants.gov by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation closing date, the time specified for receipt of proposals will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

Proposal Receipt Notices – After a proposal is submitted to Grants.gov, the AOR will receive a series of three emails from Grants.gov. The first two emails will be received within

24 to 48 hours after submission. The first email will confirm time of receipt of the application by the Grants.gov system and the second will indicate that the application has either been successfully validated by the system prior to transmission to the grantor agency or has been rejected due to errors. A third email will be received once the agency has confirmed receipt of the proposal. The document, Tracking Your Application Package, located at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html?inheritRedirect=true explains this process. The proposal is not considered received until the AOR receives email

#3.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html?inheritRedirect=true

5. Intergovernmental Review

Not Applicable

6. Funding Restrictions:

Multiple three-year awards are anticipated. Proposals are expected to request less than

$750K over the three-year period. Exceptional proposals beyond this limit may be considered.

The actual amount of each award will be contingent on availability of funds and the scope of the proposed work. Depending on the results of the proposal evaluation, there is no guarantee that any of the proposals submitted will be recommended for funding.

7. Other Submission Requirements:

Information to Be Requested from Successful Offerors- Offerors whose proposals are accepted for funding will be contacted before award to provide additional information required for award. The required information is normally limited to clarifying budget explanations, representations, certifications, and some technical aspects.

For Contracts Only- Performance Work Statements (PWS) - prior to award the Contracting

Officer may request that the contractor submit a PWS for the effort to be performed, which will be incorporated into the contract at the time of award.

An applicant may withdraw a proposal at any time before award by written notice or by email. Notice of withdrawal shall be sent to the Contracting/Grants Officer identified in

Section G, of this BAA. Withdrawals are effective upon receipt of notice by the

Contracting/Grants Officer.

E. Application Review Information:

1. Criteria:

a. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA will be evaluated on the following criteria, of most importance, both of equal weight:

(i) Scientific and technical merits of the proposed research; and

(ii) Potential contribution of the research, if successful, to significantly enhance the feasibility of quantum computing.

b. Other evaluation criteria, of lesser importance, but weighted equal to each other include:

(i) Experience and qualifications of the principal investigator, other key research personnel, management approach, and the institution sponsoring the proposal; and

(ii) The realism and reasonableness of cost.

NOTE: Cost sharing will not be considered in the evaluation.

2. Review and Selection Process:

The proposal selection process will be conducted based upon a technical review by a panel of government scientists according to the evaluation criteria specified in Section

E.1 (Criteria). Each proposal will be evaluated based on the merit and relevance of the specific proposal as it relates to the research topic rather than against other proposals for research in the same general area.

3. Recipient Qualification

a. For Grant, Cooperative Agreement:

In accordance with OMB guidance in parts 180 and 200 of Title 2, CFR, it is DoD policy that DoD Components must report and use integrity and performance information in the

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), or any successor system designated by OMB, concerning grants, cooperative agreements, and

TIAs as follows:

(i) If the total Federal share will be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold on any Federal award under a notice of funding opportunity (see §200.88 Simplified

Acquisition Threshold):

(a) The Federal awarding agency, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, will review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C.

2313);

(b) An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;

(c) The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk…