QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCES
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, AFRL - Rome Research Site, has issued Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7001 for Quantum Information Sciences. This open, two-step BAA seeks white papers for research, design, development, concept testing, evaluation, and experimentation to advance quantum algorithms, computing, information processing, networking, and novel QIS technologies. The BAA remains open until September 30, 2027.
Scope of Work
Research efforts focus on five key areas:
- Quantum Algorithms and Computing: Development and testing on current hardware.
- Quantum Information Processing: Entanglement distribution, information processing, photon-based qubits.
- Memory-Node-Based Quantum Networking: Emphasizing trapped-ion and superconducting qubits.
- Heterogeneous Quantum Platforms: Development of new devices and exploration of fundamental physics for networking.
- Quantum Information Science: Novel quantum bit technologies, protocols, and enabling technology development.
Contract Details
- Type: Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
- Estimated Total Funding: Approximately $499.9 million.
- Individual Awards: Typically 36 months, ranging from $0.5M to $27M, with potential for up to $99.9M.
- Award Instruments: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs).
- Set-Aside: None specified (open to all qualified offerors).
- NAICS Code: 541715
Submission & Evaluation
This is a two-step process, beginning with white paper submissions. Formal proposals are by invitation only. White papers should be 2-4 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, including specific sections (Title, Period of Performance, Cost, Company Info, POCs; Task Objective; Technical Summary & Deliverables). Evaluation criteria include Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs. Crucially, for assistance instruments, Gold Standard Science (GSS) implementation and commitment (per EO 14303) is a Go/No Go evaluation criterion. White papers promoting racial preferences, denying the sex binary, facilitating illegal immigration, or promoting anti-American values are prohibited. A Security Risk Review process for Science and Technology (S&T) Protection is conducted prior to award, requiring specific documentation with proposals.
Key Amendments & Updates
- Amendment 9 (Latest): Republishes the BAA, updating the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to $350,000 and the Certified Cost and Pricing Data Threshold to $2.5M. It also deletes the previous paragraph regarding a 15% indirect cost cap.
- Amendment 8: Incorporates new language regarding Gold Standard Science (GSS) in accordance with Executive Order 14303, making GSS implementation a critical evaluation factor for assistance instruments.
- Amendment 5: Republishes, adding language regarding Other Transactions (OTs) and updating proposal formatting guidance.
- Amendment 3: Updates S&T Protection language, requiring specific documentation for a security risk review integrated into the evaluation process.
- Amendment 1: Republishes, updating white paper and proposal formatting language, and clarifying award instrument types.
Contact Information
- Primary: JON M. MAGGIOLINO (Jon.Maggiolino@us.af.mil, 315-330-2720)
- Secondary: Amber M.Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605)