QIC Applauds Passage of FY22 NDAA, Provisions Strengthen US Quantum Leadership and DOD Collaboration with Quantum Industry
WASHINGTON, DC, December 15, 2021 -- The Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC) applauds Congress for its passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, which was approved by the Senate today and now awaits President Biden’s signature. In addition to the $111,111,000 it authorizes specifically for quantum information sciences (QIS) R&D, QIC is highly supportive of provisions in the bill that will accelerate dual-use quantum capabilities, elevate economic and security considerations during federal QIS investment decision making, and allow DOD to better leverage the innovation and talent of the US quantum industry. QIC thanks Chairman Smith, Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Rogers, and Ranking Member Inhofe for negotiating a bill that authorizes robust emerging technology investments and strengthens US global leadership.
The bill’s quantum-related language and funding authorizations can be found below.
Bill Language
Section 229 - Activities to Accelerate Development and Deployment of Dual-Use Quantum Technologies
This section requires the Secretary of Defense to accelerate the development and deployment of dual-use quantum capabilities, and mandates that DOD QIS investments consider the potential economic and security implications of these capabilities in addition to their value to scientific progress. The section also establishes a program to award financial assistance to organizations for the identification of defense applications for dual-use quantum technologies, the acceleration of such technologies, and the deployment of such capabilities. It authorizes DOD to utilize prizes, grants, contracts, pilot programs, and procurements to assist or acquire innovative commercial products, technologies, and services. QIC is highly supportive of this approach, as it allows DOD to better leverage the innovation and resources of the US private sector and acknowledges the need to balance scientific progress with the commercialization and deployment of QIS technologies for the nation’s economic and defense interests.
Section 6606 - Establishment of Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science
This section establishes a Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science within the National Science and Technology Council, which will stand separate from the Council’s existing Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science. QIC applauds the addition of a subcommittee focused on guiding federal QIS R&D investments toward quantum technologies with critical economic and security implications.
Specifically, the Subcommittee’s responsibilities will include:
Coordinating with the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science to ensure that QIS federal R&D investment decisions balance the value of scientific progress with the technology’s potential economic and security implications;
Making recommendations to federal agencies and departments regarding QIS R&D investment strategies that advance US economic and security interests;
Tracking federal QIS R&D investments;
Assessing counterintelligence risks and foreign threats to such investments; and
Making recommendations regarding export controls on QIS technology.
Section 1251 - Comparative Analyses and Reports on Efforts by the United States and the People’s Republic of China to Advance Critical Modernization Technology with Respect to Military Applications
This section requires DOD to conduct comparative analysis assessments of the US and China’s efforts to develop and deploy critical modernization technologies, including quantum science, with respect to military applications. As China is the US’ greatest competitor in the development of defense-critical QIS technologies, QIC agrees that it is crucial to better understand China’s progress in this space.
Section 551 - Modification of Grant Program Supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to Include Quantum Information Sciences
This section adds QIS to the list of subjects covered by the JROTC STEM Grant Program. QIC supports DOD’s commitment to enhancing its talent pipeline for the defense-critical field of QIS.
Programmatic Funding Authorizations
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Defense-Wide
Applied Research
Information & Communications Technology, 0602303E, Line 015
Quantum computing acceleration
$100,000,000
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Air Force
Applied Research, 0602788F, Line 014
Program increase—quantum network testbed.
$10,000,000
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Defense-Wide
Basic Research
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions, 0601228D8Z, Line 007
CPF—augmenting quantum sensing research, education, and training in DOD COE at DSU.
$1,111,000
About Quantum Industry Coalition
The Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC) is the voice of the US quantum industry. QIC is dedicated to maintaining US leadership in the development of quantum technologies. QIC regularly engages and informs Congress and the Administration to ensure policymaking that maintains and enhances the nation’s position as the world leader in the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, while working closely with allied governments and their countries’ academic and commercial sectors. QIC’s members range from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies addressing a variety of aspects of quantum technology, including hardware, software, and application development. Learn more about joining QIC here.