[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25076-25077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-11317]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Information on National Strategic Overview for 
Quantum Information Science

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of Request for Information.

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SUMMARY: The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) 
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science (SCQIS) release of the 
``National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science'' 
(hereafter ``Strategic Overview'') calls upon agencies to develop plans 
to address six identified key policy areas to enable continued American 
leadership in quantum information science. The National Science 
Foundation (NSF), working with the NSTC, is requesting information from 
the American research and development (R&D) community working within 
quantum information science (QIS) to inform the Subcommittee as the 
Government develops the means to address specific policy 
recommendations. This notice reopens the prior Request for Information 
described in FR Doc. 2018-26754 and FR Doc. 2018-27151, enabling and 
encouraging additional input in response to the passage of the National 
Quantum Initiative Act.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 29, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments submitted in response to this notice may be sent by 
either of the following methods:

[[Page 25077]]

     Email: [email protected]. Email submissions should be 
machine-readable and not be copyright-protected. Submissions should 
include ``RFI Response: National Strategic Overview for Quantum 
Information Science'' in the subject line of the message.
     Direct input to the website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QIS-RFI_Responses.
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each individual or 
institution is requested to submit only one response. Submissions must 
not exceed the equivalent of one page for each question, or eight pages 
total, in 12 point or larger font, with a page number provided on each 
page. Responses should include the name of the person(s) or 
organization(s) filing the comment.
    Responses to this RFI may be posted online as discussions proceed. 
Therefore, we request that no business proprietary information, 
copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be 
submitted in response to this RFI.
    In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not 
offers and cannot be accepted by the Government for the purposes of 
forming a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all 
expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Denise Caldwell at (703) 292-7371 
or [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET), Monday through 
Friday for assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science and Technology 
Council's Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science released its 
``National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science'' 
(hereafter ``Strategic Overview'') in September 2018. This document 
calls upon agencies to develop plans to address six identified key 
policy areas to enable continued American leadership in quantum 
information science. On December 21, 2018, the National Quantum 
Initiative Act was signed into law to further the Nation's efforts in 
quantum information science. Now the NSTC Subcommittee on Quantum 
Information Science seeks public input to inform the Subcommittee as 
the Government develops the means to address the specific policy 
recommendations included in the ``Strategic Overview'' and the overall 
goals of the National Quantum Initiative Act. Responders are asked to 
answer one or more of the following questions, consistent with the 
prior published RFI:
    1. What specific actions could the U.S. Government take that would 
contribute best to implementing the policy recommendations in the 
Strategic Overview? What challenges, not listed in section 3, should 
also be taken into account in implementation of the Strategic Overview 
recommendations?
    2. What are the scientific and technological challenges that, with 
substantial resources and focus over the next ten years, will transform 
the QIS research and development landscape?
    3. Regarding industrial engagement, what roles can the U.S. 
Government play in enabling the innovation ecosystem around QIS-related 
technologies? Are there critical barriers for industrial innovation in 
this space? How can these barriers be addressed? What role can the U.S. 
Government play in mitigating early or premature investment risks?
    4. How can the U.S. Government engage with academia and other 
workforce development programs and stakeholders to appropriately train 
and maintain researchers in QIS while expanding the size and scope of 
the `quantum-smart' workforce?
    5. What existing infrastructure should be leveraged, and what new 
infrastructure could be considered, to foster future breakthroughs in 
QIS research and development?
    6. What other activities/partnerships could the U.S. Government use 
to engage with stakeholders to ensure America's prosperity and economic 
growth through QIS research and development?
    7. How can the United States continue to attract and retain the 
best domestic and international talent and expertise in QIS?
    8. How can the United States ensure that U.S. researchers in QIS 
have access to cutting-edge international technologies, research 
facilities, and knowledge?
    Reference: National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information 
Science, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Strategic-Overview-for-Quantum-Information-Science.pdf.
    Submitted by the National Science Foundation in support of the NSTC 
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science on May 24, 2019.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-11317 Filed 5-29-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P