Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Acquisition Hour: Defense Contract Management Agency Overview
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | WI
Join us for an update on the Defense Contract Management Agency! Topics include:

DCMA’s mission, authority and functions;
How DCMA Partners with The Defense Industrial Base;
The new structure, scope of work and span of control of DCMA;
What is Covered during Post Contract Award Orientation; and
Audience questions!

Speakers:

Bryan L. Erickson, Contracts Supervisor, DCMA Great Lakes – Milwaukee
Mark Dennis, Government Contract Specialist – Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – WI APEX Accelerator

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

Satellite Office: La Crosse – hosted by Veterans in Professions
2025-12-03 09:00 - 16:00 | Veterans in Professions, 1501 St. Andrews Street Ste C-100, La Crosse, WI, 54603, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in Veterans in Professions in La Crosse, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for La Crosse, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Preparations for Marketplace: Maximizing the Value of the Contracting Academy
2025-12-02 12:30 - 13:00 | WI
FEDERAL MARKET INSIGHTS [FMI] is an informal podcast designed to provide valuable information about the government marketplace for businesses interested in government contracting. Each episode is a concise 30-minute session, scheduled during the noon hour on Tuesdays. We review noteworthy items published during the week, delve into key topics, and offer background information and perspectives relevant to the government contracting landscape. Stop by, settle in and take in the conversation.
Presented by Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies, Wisconsin Procurement Institute and Mark Dennis, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
For the list of Federal Market Insights webinar, please click here.

Satellite Office: Camp Douglas
2025-12-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Juneau County Economic Development Corporation, 122 Main Street, Camp Douglas, WI, 54618, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) offices in Camp Douglas, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Camp Douglas JCEDC, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The Contracting Academy, Marketplace; Revolutionary FAR Overhaul
2025-11-25 12:30 - 13:00 | WI

Wisconsin Contractor Connection
2025-11-20 16:00 - 19:00 | The Madison Club, 5 East Wilson Street, Madison, 53703, United States
Wisconsin Contractor Connection is the premier networking event by the Indigenous Business Group designed to connect contractors and businesses across Wisconsin with public and private sector opportunities. Bringing together diverse professionals from construction, trades, consulting, media, infrastructure, energy, engineering, and environmental industries, this event fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business growth. Attendees will engage in targeted networking, hear from industry leaders, and explore new opportunities in contracting and procurement.
For more information, click here.

Cybersecurity for Manufacturers: Protecting the Supply Chain
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
Small manufacturers within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) face rising cybersecurity threats while operating under constrained budgets and limited staff. As stewards of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), these organizations must now meet the expectations of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
This webinar will address manufacturing-specific cybersecurity risks and how Project Spectrum can assist organizations seeking to become compliant.
Core Activities:

Top 5 cyber threats to manufacturing operations
Interactive walkthrough: “From Firewall to Factory Floor—Asset Mapping & Risk”

Speaker:
Rick Ostopowicz
Mr. Ostopowicz is the Strategic Communications Lead for MoveAmerica and works closely with industry, government, and academia. He works closely with the Project Spectrum team to deliver outreach materials to businesses and organizations looking to bolster their cybersecurity posture.
To learn more, click here.

Cyber Thursday: Federal Cyber Update - a Review of current regulations in effect and where they stand
2025-11-20 11:00 - 12:00 | WI
This session will provide a comprehensive update on the current landscape of federal cybersecurity regulations, offering insights into which rules are actively in effect, which are in transition, and what changes are on the horizon. Attendees will receive an overview of key frameworks and requirements—including updates to NIST SP 800-171, CMMC 2.0, DFARS clauses, FedRAMP, and executive orders impacting federal contractors and agencies. The session will also cover recent enforcement actions, guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and how evolving federal policy is shaping expectations for cybersecurity risk management and compliance. This is a must-attend for professionals looking to stay informed and proactively align their security posture with current and emerging federal mandates.
Speaker: Matt Frost, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
For the full schedule of the Cyber Thursday webinars, please click here.

Satellite Office: Fond Du Lac – hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
2025-11-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Envision Greater Fond du Lac, 23 S Main St Ste 101, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in Envision in Fond du Lac, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Fond du Lac, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Office Hours: Madison – How to Sell to Milwaukee County and City of Milwaukee – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus
2025-11-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
WPI will be holding an in-person session on How to Sell to Milwaukee County and City of Milwaukee at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Presentation on How to Sell to Milwaukee County and City of Milwaukee
Presenter: Truphosa Mwololo, Manager, Small Business Programs, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator
Local governments represent important customers for small businesses, purchasing a wide range of goods and services every year. This session is designed to help businesses gain a clear understanding of the Milwaukee-area government marketplace and how to position themselves for success.
Participants will learn:

How to prepare to do business with these local government entities
The types of products and services they purchase
What certifications are available and how to apply
Where to find contracting opportunities and how to successfully bid
Please RSVP/register for the presentation hour here.

10:15 – NOON – register for individual meetings following the session here.
To view the upcoming schedule for Madison – MATC Goodman South, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Getting Started with DLA/ DIBBS for Contractor and Subcontractors Part 2
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is one of the largest procurement organizations in the federal government, providing critical supplies and services to support the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is the main portal where businesses can view solicitations, submit quotes, and compete for contracts.
This two-part training series is designed to help contractors and subcontractors understand how to get started with DLA and navigate the DIBBS system effectively.

Part 1 introduces participants to DLA’s mission, the types of products and services it buys, how to register, and the basics of navigating DIBBS.
Part 2 takes a deeper dive into using DIBBS, including how to search for opportunities, interpret solicitations, submit offers, and position your business for success. WPI will also describe the requirements of Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence (FOCI) as it applies to contractors and subcontractors.

Whether you’re new to DLA contracting or looking to strengthen your ability to compete, this series provides the knowledge and tools to access opportunities with one of the federal government’s largest buyers.
Learn more and register for part 1 here.
Speakers:

Mark Dennis, Government Contract Specialist – Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – WI APEX Accelerator

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

Satellite Office: Manitowoc – hosted by Progress Lakeshore
2025-11-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Progress Lakeshore, 202 N 8th St Ste 101, Manitowoc, WI, 54220, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Progress Lakeshore offices in Manitowoc, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Manitowoc, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

SAME Federal Small Business Conference (SBC) - Phoenix, AZ
2025-11-19 - 2025-11-21 | Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix, AZ
The Federal Small Business Conference is the market research event of the year for the federal A/E/C sector. This conference welcomes small businesses to learn more about working with government and how to compete for contracts, provides networking opportunities and business development platforms for firms across the industry, and offers federal agencies the chance to meet with their service and product providers, and more.
For more information, click here.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Contracting During and Post Shutdown: The Contracting Academy, Marketplace
2025-11-18 12:30 - 13:00 | WI

Satellite Office: Oshkosh – hosted by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
2025-11-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, 111 N. Main Street, Ste 204, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location at the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation in Oshkosh, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Oshkosh, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

DLA Training, Knowledge, and Opportunities (TKO) Seminar
2025-11-18 - 2025-11-19 | DLA Land and Maritime – Columbus, OH, 3990 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH, 43218-3990, United States
The TKO seminar is a course that teaches vendors how to start doing business with DLA Land and Maritime. Vendors learn how to find open solicitations, how to submit a quote through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS), the procedures for viewing/downloading drawings, and how to use Invoicing, Receipt, Acceptance and Property Transfer (iRAPT) to get paid. There are also many other relevant topics of discussion. This session is free and is being held at DLA Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio.
For more information, click here.

Husch Blackwell’s Cream City Workshop
2025-11-13 15:45 - 18:00 | CG Schmidt, 11777 W. Lake Park Drive, Milwaukee, 53224, United States
CG Schmidt With Husch Blackwell’s Communities for Change
What Do General Contractors Consider When Prequalifying Subcontractors
The Blueprints
Join Husch Blackwell and CG Schmidt for a one-hour workshop as we review general contractor considerations for prequalifying subcontractors and suppliers, as well as CG Schmidt’s pipeline of projects for the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
The Framework

Subcontractors: Considerations for prequalifying for subcontractor and supplier opportunities for projects.
Project Opportunities: CG Schmidt will present upcoming projects for the fourth quarter of 2025, and projects available for bidding in the first quarter of 2026; meet project managers for each.
Contracts: Husch Blackwell will highlight key terms to include in contracts.

The Team
Josh Levy, Partner
Eric Meier, Partner
Mike Abuls, Chief Operating Officer, CG Schmidt
Bryce Unger, Vice President, CG Schmidt
The Structure
3:45 p.m. | Registration
4:00 p.m. | Program
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Networking Hour; Appetizers and beverages will be served.
Who Should Attend
Construction companies; CEOs and CFOs; contractors and subcontractors; engineers, architects, and designers; general counsel; lenders; presidents and vice presidents; and real estate developers and investors.
Questions?
Contact Brittany Maynard at 262.340.2366.
To learn more, click here.

New Date Satellite Office: Eau Claire - hosted by the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
2025-11-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Western Dairyland EOC, 418 Wisconsin St, Eau Claire, WI, 54703, United States
The November 13th office hours at Western Dairyland EOC have been cancelled. Counselling is still available this week in the Eau Claire, WI area on November 12th.
Please contact Benjamin Blanc, CFCM | Government Contract Specialist at BenjaminB@WisPro.org | 414-270-3600 to schedule a meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Eau Claire, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Getting Started with DLA/ DIBBS for Contractor and Subcontractors Part 1
2025-11-12 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is one of the largest procurement organizations in the federal government, providing critical supplies and services to support the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is the main portal where businesses can view solicitations, submit quotes, and compete for contracts.
This two-part training series is designed to help contractors and subcontractors understand how to get started with DLA and navigate the DIBBS system effectively.

Part 1 introduces participants to DLA’s mission, the types of products and services it buys, how to register, and the basics of navigating DIBBS.
Part 2 takes a deeper dive into using DIBBS, including how to search for opportunities, interpret solicitations, submit offers, and position your business for success.

Whether you’re new to DLA contracting or looking to strengthen your ability to compete, this series provides the knowledge and tools to access opportunities with one of the federal government’s largest buyers.
Learn more and register for part 2 here.
Speakers:

Mark Dennis, Government Contract Specialist – Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – WI APEX Accelerator

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

Women's Business Conference
2025-11-12 07:30 - 18:00 | Pablo Center at the Confluence, 128 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Designed to inspire and connect you with other empowering women, this event will provide you with the resources you are looking for to start, improve, or expand your business. At this full-day conference, you’ll learn from established members of the business community in Western Wisconsin, talk to business assistance providers, and network with other women in business.

75+ businesses display their services and products in the exhibitor/vendor hall
15 educational sessions and roundtables cover a wide range of topics

Join hundreds of women in business at this popular annual event hosted by the Women’s Business Center, a program of the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency.

Satellite Office: Superior – hosted by the Small Business Development Center at UW – Superior
2025-11-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Small Business Development Center at UW – Superior, 1401 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI, 54880, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Small Business Development Center at UW – Superior in Superior, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Superior, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Wisconsin WBDC Small Business Social 2025
2025-11-06 11:00 - 14:30 | Hilton Milwaukee, 509 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, 53203, United States
“WHEN NOTHING IS SURE, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.”
~Margaret Drabble
In a year defined by change and challenge, let’s take a moment to celebrate the unstoppable spirit of our small business community. Join us for an inspiring and relaxed gathering that shines a spotlight on the power of partnership to fuel sustainable growth and lasting impact.
This event also offers valuable opportunities for business owners to meet, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships with fellow entrepreneurs, corporations, community partners, and sourcing professionals —think interactive experiences, casual conversations, and creative networking spaces designed to spark meaningful connections and open doors to new possibilities.
To learn more, click here.

Office Hours: Madison – Selling to the State of Wisconsin – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus
2025-11-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
WPI will be holding an in-person session on Selling to the State of Wisconsin at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Presentation on Selling to the State of Wisconsin
Presenter: Truphosa Mwololo, Manager, Small Business Programs, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator
The State of Wisconsin spends billions each year purchasing a wide variety of goods and services — from office supplies and IT solutions to construction and professional services. Is your business ready to be a part of this market? In this session, you’ll learn how to successfully pursue contracting opportunities with the State of Wisconsin.
Participants will learn:

How to determine if the State could be a good customer for your business
What the State of Wisconsin buys
How the State of Wisconsin buys
Where to find contracting opportunities
How to prepare and submit a competitive bid
Please RSVP/register for the presentation hour here.

10:15 – NOON – register for individual meetings following the session here.
To view the upcoming schedule for Madison – MATC Goodman South, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Unlocking Industry Growth Through Consortium Partnerships
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring several of MoveAmerica’s government and industry leaders as they explore how consortium partnerships are reshaping the way manufacturers, government contractors, and industrial organizations grow and compete.
You’ll learn:

What a consortium is — and how it differs from traditional partnerships
How shared expertise, funding, and resources open doors to larger contract opportunities
Real-world success stories from companies that accelerated growth through collaboration
Practical guidance on whether a consortium model is right for your organization

This session will help you understand how collaborative contracting can reduce risk, speed innovation, and unlock new opportunities for your business.
To learn more, click here.

Acquisition Hour: Certification Programs for Women and Veteran Owned Businesses
2025-11-05 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
Certification programs can open important doors for women-owned and veteran-owned businesses in the federal, state, and corporate contracting marketplace. These certifications help position businesses for set-aside opportunities, strengthen visibility with buyers, and enhance credibility in competitive procurement environments.
In this session, participants will learn:

The types of certifications available for women-owned and veteran-owned businesses (federal, state, and private sector)
Eligibility requirements and application processes
The benefits and limitations of each certification
How certifications can be leveraged to access contracting opportunities and build strategic relationships

This training will help business owners better understand the certification landscape, determine which programs are right for them, and develop strategies to maximize the value of their certifications.
Speakers:

Shane Mahaffy, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

WIHEDC 2nd Annual Economic Development Conference
2025-11-05 - 2025-11-06 | Lake of the Torches Resort Casino, 510 Old Abe Rd, Lac du Flambeau, WI, 54538, United States
The 2nd Annual Economic Development Conference event is a premier gathering of industry leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and policymakers who are shaping the future of economic growth in our state.
This Conference is Wisconsin’s leading forum where housing experts, economic innovators, and policy makers gather to shape the future of housing and economic growth and strengthen Tribal economic sovereignty.
PLANNED SESSIONS:
• Clean Energy Opportunities for Tribes
• Economic Development Sessions
• Hemp and Cannabis Initiatives in Tribal Communities
• Native Small Business Hubs
• Tribal Agricultural Initiatives
• Wisconsin Native Housing Coalition
• And more!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS FOR NATIVE BUSINESS OWNERS:
• Be Real with Your Business
• Business Planning
• Business Pitch Contest
• And more!
Thursday Lunch will be provided by Native Food Trucks!

For more information, click here.

NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Webinar—Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information
2025-11-04 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
Recently, NIST published a small business primer for NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171, Revision 3, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Nonfederal Systems, to help small and medium-sized businesses understand and implement security requirements for protecting CUI. During this webinar, NIST will provide attendees with an overview of the new primer, including:

A foundational overview of SP 800-171.
Key differences between SP 800-171 Revision 2 and Revision 3.
An overview of the relationship between SP 800-171 and SP 800-171A.
Considerations to be mindful of as small organizations begin implementing the requirements in SP 800-171.
Answers to frequently asked questions.

Time will be reserved to answer audience questions. Please bring your ideas. The speakers will want to hear from attendees to inform follow-on resource development in the form of other guides, webinar topics, etc., to support the small business community’s efforts to protect CUI.
Event Speakers:

Victoria Pillitteri, Co-Author of NIST SP 800-171, NIST
Daniel Eliot, Lead for Small Business Engagement, NIST

Related Resources:

NIST SP 800-171, Revision 3 Small Business Primer
NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations

Owned by Jakia Velazquez On Friday, September 12, 2025

To learn more, click here.

MxD Casting and Forging Industry Workshop
2025-11-04 09:00 - 17:00 | MxD Headquarters, 1415 N Cherry Ave, Chicago, IL, 60642, United States
About the Event
Identifying Pain Points and Challenges in the US Casting and Forging Industry
MxD is developing a technology roadmap focused on how digital manufacturing technologies can benefit the Casting and Forging industry. The roadmap will examine critical phases in the lifecycle, including design, production, and supply chain, and will be informed through a series of in-person workshops with industry, academia, government, and relevant trade associations.
MxD is looking for organizations that would be willing to participate in one or more of the workshops to share their expertise in the industry and their experiences with digital manufacturing technologies and how they might be better utilized throughout the casting and forging lifecycle.
The first workshop will take place on November 4, 2025, at the MxD facility in Chicago, IL and focus on identifying pain points and challenges in the US Casting and Forging industry.
Agenda:
Welcome and Introduction (30 minutes)
Current State of the Industry (45 minutes)
15 minute Break
Identifying Pain Points (1 hour)
15 minute Break
Breakout groups present the Pain Points to entire audience (1 hour)
Lunch Break (1 hour)
Interactive Workshop: Root Cause Analysis (1.5 hours)
Closing Remarks (15 minutes)
For more information, click here.

Satellite Office: Madison – hosted by FEED Kitchens
2025-11-03 09:00 - 16:00 | FEED Kitchens, 1219 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the FEED Kitchens in Madison, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Madison FEED Kitchens, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

To be rescheduled: Federal Contracting Opportunities for Rural Small Businesses
2025-10-30 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
Learn how rural businesses can tap into federal contracting opportunities and benefit from special certifications like HUBZone & woman-owned. Hear success stories and practical advice from newly-certified northcentral Wisconsin businesses sharing their experiences with pursuing government contracts.
Federal government contracting can open new doors for rural businesses — from expanding customer bases to creating steady revenue streams. This FREE event will highlight why small businesses should consider pursuing these opportunities and explore the advantages of certifications such as HUBZone, woman-owned, or veteran-owned.
Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) will discuss the basics & benefits of government contracting. Attendees will also hear directly from northcentral Wisconsin businesses who already have special certifications and are actively pursuing federal government contracts. These local leaders will share their experiences, challenges, and advice to help other rural businesses explore similar opportunities for growth and success.
EVENT AGENDA:

12:00 Welcome
12:05 Government Contracting Basics (10 min)
High-level overview of who holds contracts and the wide range of opportunities available.

To learn more, click here.
