Robert Schmidt, Jr.

Robert Schmidt, Jr. serves as a Contracting Officer for USAID/Mali, where he plays a pivotal role in executing mission-critical acquisitions that advance sustainable development and institutional capacity building in Mali. He is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of procurement actions—from solicitation and source selection to contract award and administration—ensuring compliance with FAR, ADS, and U.S. government international development guidelines. His portfolio primarily supports technical assistance, governance strengthening, and humanitarian response initiatives, with a focus on services that empower local institutions and promote gender equity and education outcomes. Schmidt collaborates with a diverse range of contractors, including international development consultants, local Malian service providers, and U.S.-based professional services firms. He fosters long-term vendor partnerships grounded in performance-based outcomes, emphasizing technical expertise in education systems, gender-inclusive programming, and public sector governance. His contracting approach prioritizes quality, local engagement, and alignment with USAID’s strategic objectives, often requiring contractors to demonstrate deep contextual knowledge of Mali’s socio-political landscape. Schmidt’s procurement portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his awards issued without set-aside designations. While he does not currently utilize 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB set-asides, his contracting decisions remain fully aligned with the intent of the Small Business Act, ensuring fair opportunity for all qualified vendors. His approach prioritizes capability and mission alignment over socioeconomic categorization, consistent with USAID’s emphasis on programmatic impact in complex operating environments. His primary NAICS focus areas—561110 (Office Administrative Services), 561499 (All Other Business Support Services), and 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services)—reflect a demand for administrative, logistical, and specialized technical support services. He routinely procures services such as program monitoring and evaluation, training delivery, institutional assessments, and data management systems tailored to fragile state contexts, demonstrating deep expertise in development-sector contracting.