Establishing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee
Signed: August 30, 2019
Published: September 5, 2019
Document Number: 2019-19367
📋Summary
This executive order creates the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee to help the U.S. maintain leadership in quantum information science and technology. It affects the Department of Energy, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and a group of up to 22 expert members drawn from industry, universities, federal labs, and government agencies. The committee must meet at least twice a year to advise on the National Quantum Initiative Program, respond to requests for analysis and recommendations, and gather input from a wide range of stakeholders. Federal agencies are directed to share relevant information with the committee when asked, the committee may form subgroups, members may be granted security clearances if needed, and the Department of Energy provides funding and administrative support while members serve without pay (but can be reimbursed for travel).
💼Business Impact
This order most affects quantum-computing and quantum-sensing startups, cybersecurity/cryptography vendors, telecom and cloud providers, defense/aerospace contractors, and advanced manufacturing firms that supply components (cryogenics, photonics, semiconductors) because it formalizes a federal advisory body that will shape R&D priorities, standards, and commercialization pathways. While it doesn’t impose direct new compliance obligations, it signals increased federal coordination and potential future requirements around security clearances, controlled information handling, and alignment with emerging quantum standards for companies seeking to participate in government-funded programs or advisory subgroups. The main opportunity is earlier visibility into federal funding directions and procurement needs (DOE, labs, and interagency programs), plus a channel to influence standards and tech-transfer policies. Immediate actions: track the Committee’s membership/meetings and outputs, map your offerings to likely federal use cases (national security, communications, sensing, post-quantum security), and prepare for government engagement by tightening IP/data governance and, if pursuing federal work, assessing clearance needs and partnering with universities/national labs for proposals and pilots.
Full Text
Executive Order 13885 of August 30, 2019
Establishing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 104(a) of the National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368) (Act), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in order to ensure continued American leadership in quantum information science and technology applications, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1 . Establishment. The National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (Committee) is hereby established. The Committee shall consist of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or the Director's designee (Director) and not more than 22 members appointed by the Secretary of Energy (Secretary). Committee members shall represent industry, universities, Federal laboratories, and other Federal Government agencies. Committee members must be qualified to provide advice and information on quantum information science and technology research, development, demonstrations, standards, education, technology transfers, commercial application, and national security economic concerns. The Director shall serve as a Co-Chair of the Committee. The Secretary shall designate at least one of the Committee members to serve as Co-Chair with the Director.
Sec. 2 . Functions. (a) The Committee shall advise the Secretary and the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and Technology Council (Subcommittee) and make recommendations to the Secretary to consider when reviewing and revising the National Quantum Initiative Program (Program) established pursuant to section 101 of the Act. The Committee shall also carry out all responsibilities set forth in section 104 of the Act.
(b) The Committee shall meet at least twice a year and shall:
(i) respond to requests from the Co-Chairs of the Committee for information, analysis, evaluation, or advice relating to quantum information science and technology applications;
(ii) solicit information and ideas from a broad range of stakeholders on quantum information science in order to inform policy making. Stakeholders include the research community, the private sector, universities, national laboratories, executive departments and agencies (agencies), State and local governments, foundations, and nonprofit organizations; and
(iii) respond to requests from the Subcommittee.
Sec. 3 . Administration. (a) The heads of agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide the Committee with information concerning quantum information science and supporting technologies and applications when requested by a Co-Chair of the Committee.
(b) In consultation with the Director, the Committee may create standing subcommittees and ad hoc groups, including technical advisory groups, to assist and provide preliminary information to the Committee.
(c) The Director may request that members of the Committee, its standing subcommittees, or ad hoc groups who do not hold a current clearance for access to classified information, receive appropriate clearances and access determinations pursuant to Executive Order 13526 of December 29, 2009 ( printed page 46874) (Classified National Security Information), as amended, or any successor order.
(d) The Department of Energy shall provide such funding and administrative and technical support as the Committee may require.
(e) Committee members shall serve without any compensation for their work on the Committee, but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
Sec. 4 . General Provisions. (a) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.) (FACA), may apply to the Committee, any functions of the President under the FACA, except for those in section 6 of the FACA, shall be performed by the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Director, in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 30, 2019.