Skip to main content

Policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense

Division A · Title II: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION · Subtitle C: Plans, Reports, and Other Matters

Plain-language summaryAI

The Department of Defense must create a policy within 180 days to guide how it develops and acquires quantum computing systems, including defining these systems and setting up a process to validate and verify them. No quantum computing system can be developed or acquired without this validation and verification, unless the Secretary of Defense grants a waiver and informs Congress with a written explanation within 15 days. The policy must also align with findings from a specific quantum research initiative.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 251.
Source →PrevNext

(a) Policy required

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue a policy to guide the development and acquisition of quantum computing systems for the Department of Defense. Under the policy, the Secretary shall—

(1)

establish a definition of quantum computing system for purposes of the policy;

(2)

establish a process for validating and verifying quantum computing systems before such systems are developed or acquired by the Department; and

(3)

ensure that the development and acquisition of such systems is consistent with and informed by the findings and processes of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (or any successor initiative).

(b) Limitation and waiver

(1) Limitation

Following issuance of the policy under subsection (a), a quantum computing system may not be developed or acquired by an element of the Department of Defense unless the system has been validated and verified in accordance with such policy.

(2) Waiver

The Secretary of Defense may waive the limitation under paragraph (1), on a case by case basis, with respect to a specific quantum computing system. In the event the Secretary issues such a waiver, the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees, not later than 15 days after date on which the waiver was issued—

(A)

written notice of such waiver; and

(B)

the Secretary’s justification for the waiver.