Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Announcement
Dept of Defense · DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)
- Response deadline
- Nov 13, 2026, 7:00 PM EST
- Posted
- Nov 13, 2025
- Solicitation
- DARPA-PA-26-02
- Set-aside
- None listed
- Place of performance
- —
- Contracting office
- DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY · ARLINGTON · VA
- Source
- SAM.gov · updated May 9, 2026
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative approaches to address challenges related to quantum computing. The Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) aims to examine approaches for 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, test, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. To rapidly capitalize on new opportunities, DARPA announces the QBI 2026 opportunity, which seeks specific solutions to targeted challenges related to developing utility-scale quantum computers, as defined in specific QBI topic (QBIT) calls. Each QBIT will (1) outline specific details regarding the research topic of interest and (2) provide proposal and submission instructions, including the due date for proposal submission, in addition to those outlined in this PA. Proposals must only be submitted in response to a QBIT. Proposals submitted directly to this PA will not be considered.
What similar awards have paid
Real federal awards already on the books in a similar lane — so you can size the opportunity, not guess. This is public history, not a bid price, cost estimate, or prediction that you will win.
Typical award size
$2.45M
Middle of the pack for similar past awards
Most similar awards fall between $832,508 and $14.31M
Who has won work like this
Public awardees in this lane — useful for competitor scan or teaming ideas, not a ranked list of “best” firms.
- 1G2 OPS, INC.1 award$119.09M
- 2LINQUEST CORPORATION2 awards$112.86M
- 3SEHLKE CONSULTING LLC2 awards$50.13M
- 4MILE TWO LLC5 awards$45.31M
- 5NIMBIS SERVICES INC1 award$32.87M
- 6GALOIS, INC.1 award$28.02M
- 7EDAPTIVE COMPUTING INC3 awards$23.96M
- 8TENET 3, LLC2 awards$19.53M
Recent examples
A few of the newest similar awards in our index.
- KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLCSep 29, 2025General Services Administration$14.58MSource
- MILE TWO LLCSep 29, 2025General Services Administration$68.39MSource
- UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY SPONSORED PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH, INCSep 26, 2025Department of Homeland Security$249,811Source
- INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - INSTITUT INTERNATIONAL DU DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLSep 25, 2025Department of Homeland Security$36,500Source
- SEHLKE CONSULTING LLCSep 25, 2025General Services Administration$14.04MSource
- LINQUEST CORPORATIONSep 25, 2025General Services Administration$64.11MSource
Drawn from official USAspending contract records in our index. Always confirm requirements on the SAM.gov notice before you bid.
Intelligence only — not legal advice or a guarantee of award. Always verify requirements on the official SAM.gov notice. Past award amounts are public history, not a suggested bid or prediction. Notice ID c26b38bf041a4d70b00ed619bebb4773.