S.Amdt. 5848

SA 5848, submitted by Mr. Kim, aims to add a section to bill S. 4784 regarding University Affiliated Research Center Quantum Information Science Research.

The purpose of this amendment is to have the Secretary of Defense assess if it is feasible and advisable to expand the capabilities, capacity, or scope of an existing university affiliated research center that operates at the Office of the Secretary of Defense level to support national security applications, quantum engineering, and quantum science.

Key Objectives

• Assessment and Planning: The Secretary of Defense must determine if expansion is advisable. If the determination is positive, a detailed plan must be submitted to congressional defense committees, including an assessment of the host institution's capacity and existing capabilities.

• Plan Requirements: The required plan must include:

  • An evaluation of the center's ability to conduct research in quantum technologies for national defense and integrate these technologies across defense agencies.
  • The investments needed for laboratories, secure research environments, and workforce development.
  • Recommendations and metrics to strengthen and measure the center's role in advancing quantum technologies.

• Support and Implementation: The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering is authorized to provide grants, contracts, or other agreements to support this expansion. This support is intended to improve infrastructure, recruit experts, and accelerate the transition of quantum technologies into operational use.

• Accountability: The Secretary must submit a report including the plan to congressional defense committees within one year of the Act's enactment and post the plan on a public Department of Defense website.