Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Topic (QBIT) Stage A

Agency	DEPT OF DEFENSE
Solicitation Number	DARPA-PA-26-02-02
Notice Type	Solicitation
NAICS	541715
Set-Aside	No Set-Aside
Place Of Performance
Posted	Jul 29, 2026
Source	Federal — SAM.gov
Response Deadline	Nov 30, 2026 23 days left as of Nov 7, 2026
Time Left	23 days left as of 2026-11-07
Primary	PA Coordinator · [email protected]
Official Notice	View On SAM.gov

About this opportunity

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

Who can apply

Set-aside: NONE — as stated in the official notice: “NONE”. Verify eligibility on the official notice before bidding.

Source: SAM.gov. Verify every deadline on the official notice.