Jeremy John Schafer

Jeremy Schafer serves as the primary contracting lead for the Western-Upper Great Plains Region within the Department of Energy, overseeing the acquisition of critical electrical infrastructure components essential to grid resilience and rural power reliability. He manages a diverse portfolio of procurements focused on the modernization of transmission and distribution systems, including substations, control devices, and supporting hardware. His role is central to executing the agency’s mission of enhancing energy security in remote regions through strategic, technically rigorous contracting that prioritizes durability, interoperability, and long-term operational integrity. Schafer maintains consistent working relationships with a core group of specialized contractors, including L1 Enterprises Incorporated, McKenzie Construction & Site Development LLC, Energy by Native American Design Corp, Leskca Incorporated, and Nassau Electrical Supply Corp. These partnerships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in electrical system installation, rural site development, and specialized component manufacturing. His contracting approach emphasizes collaborative, performance-based engagements that align vendor capabilities with the region’s demanding environmental and logistical conditions. A strong commitment to small business participation defines Schafer’s procurement strategy, with 87.5% of his acquisitions set aside for small businesses under FAR 19.5. This reflects a deliberate emphasis on fostering economic opportunity in underserved communities, particularly through partnerships with Native-owned and other socioeconomically disadvantaged firms. His contracting patterns consistently prioritize inclusive competition, ensuring broad access to federal opportunities for qualified small entities. His technical focus centers on NAICS 335999 (miscellaneous electrical equipment), with significant activity in hardware manufacturing (332510) and specialized instrument manufacturing for electrical measurement (334515). He routinely procures substation components, protective relays, load control devices, and industrial electrical systems designed for harsh, remote environments. Schafer’s expertise lies in acquiring mission-critical, field-deployable technologies that enhance grid stability and support the Department of Energy’s long-term infrastructure modernization goals.