Request for Information: Government Team for the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ)

DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) seeks information on capabilities, infrastructure, expertise, resources available to pursue the goals of the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program. The principal objective of HARQ is to establish a new heterogeneous quantum computing (QC) paradigm that eliminates the constraints of homogeneous, single-qubit platforms.

HARQ is structured to assess the plausibility of heterogeneous architectures and test whether they are inherently more scalable than homogeneous architectures through a concerted, multi-thrust effort. Special Notice DARPA-SN-25-98 describes the two performer technical areas (TAs) planned for the program: TA1 focuses on QC circuit optimization using heterogeneous qubit resources, and TA2 focuses on interconnect hardware between heterogeneous qubit platforms.

This RFI seeks responses from interested parties to participate in the third thrust of the program—a heterogeneous QC architecture study by a Government Team comprising one or more organizations alongside DARPA. This RFI also seeks responses from interested parties to perform multiple efforts in independent verification and validation (IV&V), test and evaluation (T&E), and program oversight of performer efforts.

Based on the information provided in the responses, DARPA plans to engage in follow-on discussions with responders to develop projects supporting the enclosed tasks. Note that DARPA may request multi-party discussions to develop collaboration efforts to fully cover the requested tasking.

Responses are welcome from all capable sources including, but not limited to, U.S. Government labs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), university-affiliated research centers (UARCs), not-for-profit research institutions, and other government-affiliated institutions.

To avoid conflicts of interest, DARPA will not allow UARCs, FFRDCs, government laboratories, not-for-profit research institutions, and other government-affiliated institutions to propose as performers under the forthcoming HARQ solicitation.