I’ve worked on multiple DARPA projects (with a private contractor) so I think I know what I’m talking about.
They aren’t “performers” - there’s no DARPA lab where government DARPA employees in white coats are designing death rays or writing code. DARPA headquarters is a small office building where people manage contracts and move money around.
What DARPA does is solicit ideas, generate requests for proposals, choose contractors, fund them, manage programs, and then tries to get the military to transition those projects.
“To fulfill its mission, the Agency relies on diverse performers...”