S. 2998 — Introduced in Senate

II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2998 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 5, 2018 Ms. Harris introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require the Secretary of Defense to establish the Defense Quantum Information Consortium, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Quantum Computing Research Act of 2018. 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) focused and continued investment in the development of viable quantum information science technology is vital to national security; (2) quantum information science should address two critical development problems, namely quantum communication and quantum computing; (3) alignment of effort within the United States government, academic, and private sectors are vital to ensuring the best technology is made available for the defense of the United States; and (4) to the extent possible to protect national security, work performed under section 3 should be maintained at the lowest possible classification level to promote coordination between consortium partners and growth within the field of quantum information science. 3. Defense Quantum Information Consortium (a) Consortium (1) Establishment (A) In general The Secretary of Defense shall, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, establish a consortium on matters relating to quantum information sciences. (B) Designation The consortium established under paragraph (1) shall be known as the Defense Quantum Information Consortium (in this section the Consortium). (2) Membership The Consortium shall consist of— (A) one component composed of members selected by the Chief of Naval Research from among institutions of higher learning and industry partners located in the eastern half of the United States which are recognized for achievement in quantum information science; and (B) one component composed of members selected by the Director of the Army Research Laboratory from among institutions of higher learning and industry partners located in the western half of the United States which are recognized for achievement in quantum information science. (3) Duties (A) Chief of Naval Research The Chief of Naval Research shall— (i) coordinate and administer the grants awarded under subsection (b) to members selected under paragraph (2)(A); and (ii) coordinate partnerships between such members. (B) Director of the Army Research Laboratory The Director of the Army Research Laboratory shall— (i) coordinate and administer the grants awarded under subsection (b) to members selected under paragraph (2)(B); and (ii) coordinate partnerships between such members. (b) Board (1) Establishment The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Director, establish a board to support the Consortium. (2) Membership The board established under paragraph (1) shall be composed of members as follows: (A) The Chief of Naval Research and a designee of the Chief. (B) The Director of the Army Research Laboratory and a designee of the Director. (C) The Assistant Director of Quantum Information Science at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (D) Members of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI). (3) Duties The duties of the board established under paragraph (1) are as follows: (A) To award grants under subsection (c). (B) To assist with ongoing research being conducted by members of the Consortium relating to quantum information sciences. (C) To facilitate partnerships between members of the Consortium. (c) Grants (1) In general The board established under subsection (b)(1) shall award grants to members of the Consortium to conduct research on matters relating to quantum information science. (2) Application A member of the Consortium seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit to the board established under subsection (b)(1) an application therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the board may prescribe. (3) Selection (A) Establishment of selection committees The board established under subsection (b)(1) shall establish a committee to select applicants for the award of grants under this subsection. (B) Selection process In selecting applicants for awards of grants under this subsection, the committee established under subparagraph (A) shall— (i) develop a competitive application and grant making process that furthers the goals of ensuring the competitiveness of the United States in quantum information science; and (ii) exercise that process to solicit grant applications from Consortium members, select among applications, and grant high quality awards. (4) Conflicts of interest In any case in which a member of the board established under subsection (b)(1) or the committee established under paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection has a conflict of interest with an applicant or an application for a grant under this subsection, such member shall recuse him or herself from all matters relating to consideration of such applicant or application. (d) Termination The requirements and authorities of this section shall terminate at the end of fiscal year 2024. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.