Quantum Sensor Gravity Data Production & Analysis for Maritime Floor Mapping

This effort seeks to evaluate advanced quantum gradiometer technologies—specifically cold atom interferometry-based systems—for high-resolution bathymetric mapping of the ocean floor to enhance the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s GEOINT foundation data capabilities. The focus is on demonstrating whether these quantum sensing approaches can generate bathymetric products that meet established NGA standards, offering a complementary data source to existing methods such as SWOT and multibeam echo sounders. Proposers must assess commercially available or research-grade quantum sensors without developing new hardware, and detail how real-world sensor data will be collected, processed, and translated into actionable bathymetric maps using simulation frameworks like path integral methods and Monte Carlo techniques. The evaluation must occur under realistic submarine platform conditions, with emphasis on achievable collection rates, spatial coverage efficiency, and the ability to fill critical gaps in global ocean floor mapping. Proposals must include a clear methodology for validating sensor outputs against existing high-quality bathymetric datasets, ensuring that the quantum-derived results are accurate, reliable, and operationally viable for defense and intelligence applications. The solicitation is open only to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees under a Total Small Business Set-Aside, reflecting a strategic push to leverage innovative private-sector capabilities. All work must be conducted within the constraints of existing sensor technologies and must not involve new sensor development. The response deadline is August 26, 2026, and the effort falls under the broader mission of the Department of Defense to modernize geospatial intelligence through cutting-edge quantum sensing, with performance expected to support future maritime domain awareness and operational planning.