Mark D. Bennington

Mark D. Bennington serves as Director, Contracting Management Office (CMO) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he oversees the strategic acquisition of high-risk, high-reward research and development contracts aligned with DARPA’s mission to pioneer transformative military technologies. He manages a portfolio of complex, mission-critical procurements focused on advanced scientific innovation, particularly in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials. His role ensures that DARPA’s technical vision is translated into agile, performance-based contracting vehicles that accelerate breakthroughs across physical, engineering, and life sciences domains, often through non-traditional and non-governmental research partners. Bennington maintains close working relationships with a select group of prime contractors including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These partnerships reflect a preference for specialized technical firms with proven capabilities in cutting-edge R&D, systems integration, and applied science. His contracting approach emphasizes performance outcomes over prescriptive specifications, fostering innovation through flexible contract structures such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and research-focused Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) vehicles. Bennington’s procurement portfolio is entirely non-set-aside, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects DARPA’s emphasis on technical excellence and speed over socioeconomic preferences, prioritizing the most capable performers regardless of business size or certification status. While small business participation is not mandated, his team actively evaluates innovative small firms through open solicitations and collaborative research channels. His primary NAICS focus lies in 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), supported by 541618 (Other Management Consulting Services) and 541330 (Engineering Services). He procures advanced R&D, systems engineering, computational modeling, and bio-technical integration services, demonstrating deep expertise in managing procurements for emerging domains such as neurotechnology, quantum computing, and autonomous decision systems.