Bids opened for financing, construction and design of the National Quantum Facility and “Quantum Works”
CHICAGO – The University of Illinois System has published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for two state-of-the-art facilities, the National Quantum Facility (NQF) and Quantum Works (QW), at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) – a first-of-its-kind park built for quantum technology scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development.
The RFP is posted on the Illinois Public Higher Education Bulletin and invites qualified partners to submit bids to develop the new facilities. The RFP represents a unique opportunity for companies to participate in a public-private partnership that will help shape Illinois’ role as a global destination for quantum technology, innovation and job creation.
“This RFP marks an exciting milestone in our plans to build a world-class ecosystem for quantum research and innovation right here in Illinois,” said Dr. Harley Johnson, Executive Director and CEO of the IQMP. “The National Quantum Facility and Quantum Works will serve as catalysts for discovery, investment and workforce development, bringing together researchers, industry leaders, community members and educators in one collaborative environment.”
The RFP seeks experienced development teams with expertise in cryo distribution systems, quantum dry lab space and large-scale helium cooling to collaborate on the financing, design and construction of the new facilities. These spaces will support next-generation technologies and advanced research in quantum and microelectronics science.
“The mission of the University of Illinois System is to help build a future in which our state and the people who call it home can thrive. That mission is coming to life through IQMP and these two cornerstone facilities,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “The building blocks of that future will take shape at the National Quantum Facility, while workforce development and community engagement – core strengths of the Discovery Partners Institute – will be further amplified through Quantum Works.”
The NQF will be an advanced quantum research laboratory featuring a dedicated cryogenic plant infrastructure to support a diverse ecosystem of quantum computing enterprises — from early-stage startups to established companies and research institutions. The facility will total approximately 62,000 square feet, including 46,000 SF for research, offices, amenities and specialty tenant space, including 16,000 SF for the IQMP’s cryogenic plant, which will provide cooling to the extremely low temperatures needed for quantum computing.
Planned as the Discovery Partners Institute’s (DPI) new workforce development building, “Quantum Works” will be approximately 150,000 square feet and will include research areas, offices, amenities and private-sector tenant space. The building will serve as a hub for workforce development programming and research collaboration, DPI programming spaces and will feature amenities such as a lobby, café, auditorium, and gathering spaces designed to foster community and innovation.
“Quantum Works represents a transformative investment in Illinois’ quantum future,” DPI Principal Officer and Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering Rashid Bashir said. “This facility will provide unparalleled infrastructure to bridge cutting-edge research and real-world application while training the workforce that will power this new economy. This is how we strengthen Illinois’ position as a global leader in quantum science and create lasting impact for our state and beyond.”
Bids for the development of the NQF and Quantum Works are due January 9, 2026. Interested parties can attend an in person pre-proposal meeting at the Salud Center, 3039 E.91 St., Chicago, Illinois, on December 8, 2025. Companies can also reach out to SystemREServ@uillinois.edu with any questions.
The IQMP, which is designed to support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners working to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, including the world’s first fault-tolerant computers, broke ground in fall 2025.
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About the IQMP
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is a first-of-its-kind park built for quantum technology scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development. The Park is designed to support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners working to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, including the world’s first fault-tolerant computers. Learn more at https://iqmp.org/.
