Douglas Schaefer

Douglas Schaefer serves as a Program Manager responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and oversight of research and development acquisitions within his organization. In this role, he acts as the primary liaison between technical stakeholders and contracting personnel, ensuring that procurement strategies align with mission-critical scientific objectives. He manages the full lifecycle of complex R&D contracts, from requirements definition and source selection to contract administration and performance evaluation, with a focus on advancing physical, engineering, and life sciences capabilities. His work is instrumental in translating national scientific priorities into actionable procurement actions that deliver innovative solutions. Schaefer maintains a broad and diverse contractor base, engaging with leading research institutions, private-sector R&D firms, and specialized technical service providers. He fosters collaborative partnerships with entities capable of delivering high-complexity scientific services, including laboratory operations, computational modeling, and advanced instrumentation development. His contracting approach emphasizes technical excellence, performance-based outcomes, and long-term contractor accountability, with a preference for firms possessing deep domain expertise in experimental design and data-driven research methodologies. His procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, reflecting a singular focus on technical merit and capability rather than socioeconomic classifications. While he does not prioritize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his evaluations are rigorously grounded in past performance, technical approach, and scientific credibility, ensuring that the most qualified entities—regardless of size or certification—are selected to meet mission needs. Schaefer’s primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712, encompassing research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. He consistently acquires services related to laboratory experimentation, materials characterization, prototype development, and scientific data analysis. His domain expertise spans disciplines such as advanced materials engineering, environmental modeling, and applied physics, making him a key driver of innovation in federally funded scientific initiatives.