; (4) assess the utility of commercial quantum and quantum-hybrid applications for meeting the near-term needs of warfighters; and (5) seek to build and strengthen relationships between the Department of Defense, academic institutions, small businesses, and nontraditional defense contractors (as defined in section 3014 of title 10, United States Code) in the technology industry that may have unused or underused solutions to specific operational challenges of the Department relating to quantum and quantum-hybrid applications. (d) Briefing and reports (1) Interim briefing Not later than 30 days before commencing the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing that— (A) identifies the entities the Secretary intends to partner with for the purposes of carrying out the pilot program, including— (i) any entities specified in subsection (b); (ii) any of the Armed Forces; and (iii) any other departments and agencies of the Federal Government with pre-existing quantum technology research efforts; and (B) describes the plan of the Secretary for developing and operating the program. (2) Annual report By December 1 of each year in which the pilot program under subsection (a) is carried out, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes— (A) a description of the problem sets and capabilities that were evaluated by organizations of the Department of Defense under the program; (B) an explanation of whether and to what extent the program resulted in the identification of potential solutions based on quantum and quantum-hybrid applications; (C) any potential barriers to the use of quantum and quantum-hybrid applications to solve near-term problems for the Department of Defense, including the Armed Forces