Wisconsin Procurement Institute

DARPAConnect Minneapolis (Minneapolis, MN)
2025-02-25 | McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Southeast Oak Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is the U.S. Department of Defense’s premier research and development agency, dedicated to advancing the nation’s technological edge.

Whether you’re new to DARPA or a seasoned performer with the agency, this event will provide insights on “How to DARPA” with its leadership and networking opportunities to help advance your efforts in national security innovation. This full-day event offers industry, academia, and emerging businesses an opportunity to gain insights into DARPA through sessions led by DARPA office directors, program managers, and staff.
For more information, click here.

Acquisition Hour: Know Your Davis-Bacon: The Updates and the Essentials!
2025-02-25 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
At times, keeping up with the Davis-Bacon contract requirements under federal law can feel challenging. And when changes occur to the law, the updates can seem overwhelming. But have no fear, this session by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour is just for you! This webinar will feature information on the updates made to the Davis-Bacon Requirements in 2023. And if you’re a little fuzzy on prevailing wages, fringe benefits and other rules that apply to federal construction projects under the Davis-Bacon provisions, this webinar will also help you brush up on the basics! Re-connect with these critical requirements under federal law!
Speaker: Corey Walton, Community Outreach and Resource Planning Specialist, U.S. Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 2: Introduction and FAR Parts 1-4
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 2: Introduction and FAR Parts 1-4.” This session is part of the 12th annual FAR Evening Sessions.
The FAR Evening Sessions are designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam.
Speakers:

Daryl Zahn, Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance, Leonardo DRS
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

This webinar is eligible for 1.5 CPE credit.
To view the full schedule of FAR Evening sessions, please click here.

Satellite Office: Manitowoc – hosted by Progress Lakeshore
2025-02-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-19 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.

Acquisition Hour: Understanding the US SBA and Department of Defense (DOD) Mentor Protégé Programs (MPP) – What You Need to Know
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:00
During this session, you will learn about the two primary Federal Mentor Protégé Programs.

The US SBA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) helps eligible small businesses (protégés) gain capacity and win government contracts through partnerships with more experienced companies (mentors). A mentor and its protégé can joint venture as a small business for any small business contract, provided the protégé individually qualifies as small. The joint venture may also pursue any type of set-aside contract for which the protégé qualifies, including contracts set aside for 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, and HUBZone businesses.
DoD’s Mentor-Protégé Program is the oldest continuously operating federal mentor-protégé program in existence. Originally established in the midst of the First Gulf War, the MPP helps eligible small businesses expand their footprint in the defense industrial base. Under the MPP, small businesses are partnered with larger companies. In the past five years, DoD’s MPP has successfully helped more than 190 small businesses fill unique niches and become part of the military’s supply chain. Many mentors have made the MPP an integral part of their sourcing plans. Protégés have used their involvement in the MPP to develop technical capabilities. Successful mentor-protégé agreements provide a winning relationship for the protégé, the mentor and the DoD.

This session will be presented by:

Shane Mahaffy, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist – U.S Small Business Administration (SBA)
Ben Blanc, 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.

Cyber Friday: CMMC: Are You Ready for a C3PAO Assessment?
2025-02-28 11:00 - 12:00
This webinar will help businesses determine their readiness for a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) evaluation. It will cover key preparation steps, including conducting gap analyses, organizing documentation, and performing mock assessments. Attendees will learn how to identify vulnerabilities, address compliance gaps, and confidently prepare for the formal certification process. Practical checklists and strategies will be discussed to streamline preparation and ensure success during the assessment.
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.

Federal Market Insights: Navigating DoD Sales: From Regulations to Strategic Planning
2025-02-28 12:30 - 13:00
FEDERAL MARKET INSIGHTS 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 at the end of the week. 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.
Selling to the Department of Defense sounds easy. “I can sell anything they need” isn’t the answer. Companies need to know exactly what they are selling, regulations that apply and not only who is their customer but how do they buy. Not only will this episode dive into these ideas it will also discuss the data that can help you clearly answer these questions and develop a viable strategic plan.
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: Madison (FEED Kitchens)
2025-03-03 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.

DOT Blatnik Bridge Project Bonding Education Program
2025-03-04
The Bonding Education Program’s mission is to increase small businesses’ economic competitiveness. The program includes the following:

Project specific workshops in cooperation with Primes, SBA, MBDA, and other local agencies
A variety of topics are covered by industry experts
A closing workshop focused on networking
One-on-one interactions with local surety bond producers who volunteer to help small businesses

This event will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 4 – 27, 2025.
For more information, click here.

12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 3: Introduction and FAR Parts 5-12
2025-03-04 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 3: Introduction and FAR Parts 5-12.” This session is part of the 12th annual FAR Evening Sessions.
The FAR Evening Sessions are designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam.
Speakers:

Daryl Zahn, Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance, Leonardo DRS
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

This webinar is eligible for 1.5 CPE credit.
To view the full schedule of FAR Evening sessions, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Marketing Materials for One-on-One Buyer Meetings: Capabilities Statements and other Collateral
2025-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
Opportunities are coming up for small businesses to meet with Government Agencies and their Prime Contractors. To take full advantage of these opportunities, you must do your homework and be prepared. In preparation for one-on-one buyer meetings, a business must:

Do their market research on the buyers / primes
Determine how the company brings value to the government buyer or prime contractor
Have a business card
A well prepared and focused capabilities statement, and other marketing collateral
A website

Join Jack Laufenberg from WPI for a discussion on how to prepare for one-on-one buyer meetings. If you are planning to attend In-person / Virtual local buyer meetings and would like individualized assistance in preparing for your meetings, contact WPI at 414-270-3600 or apexaccelerator@wispro.org.
Speaker: Jack Laufenberg, Special Projects Coordinator and Small Business Advisor, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

Satellite Office: Madison (MATC Goodman South Campus)
2025-03-06 09:00 - 16:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Federal Certifications: Beyond Titles to Strategic Value
2025-03-07 12:30 - 13:00
FEDERAL MARKET INSIGHTS 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 at the end of the week. 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.
Federal certifications matter and federal certifications can change the trajectory of a business. The strategic use of certifications requires more than just using the title and adding it to your capability statement. This episode will review federal certifications and how to create value both for you and your customer.
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.

DLA Training, Knowledge, and Opportunities (TKO) Seminar
2025-03-11 - 2025-03-12
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.
For more information, click here.

VHA Procurement & Logistics Office (P&LO) Regional Program Office (RPO) Central (NCO 9) Quarterly Virtual Business Opportunity Session
2025-03-11 14:00 - 15:00
NCO 9 will host the Regional Procurement Office Central’s Quarterly Virtual Business Opportunity Session to provide information for those small business vendors wishing to do business with the VA and NCO 9.
Applicable NAICS:
NAICS Description
236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
541310 Architectural Services
541330 Engineering Services
621111 Office of Physicians
811219 Precision Equipment Repair
Desired Federal Socio-Economic Classifications:

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
Small Business

For more information, click here.

12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 4: Introduction and FAR Parts 13-18
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 4: Introduction and FAR Parts 13-18.” This session is part of the 12th annual FAR Evening Sessions.
The FAR Evening Sessions are designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam.
Speakers:

Daryl Zahn, Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance, Leonardo DRS
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

This webinar is eligible for 1.5 CPE credit.
To view the full schedule of FAR Evening sessions, please click here.

Satellite Office: Fond Du Lac – hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
2025-03-13 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.

Doing Business with U.S. Department of the Army
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00
Are you a small business owner looking to work with the US Army?
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration for the 2025 Federal Contracting Series: Doing Business with the U.S. Department of the Army.
Get the tools and insights you need to navigate federal contracting and connect with opportunities within the Army. Plus, hear directly from Ms. Kim Buehler, Director of the Army Office of Small Business Programs.
🗓️ Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 12:00 Noon
🔗 No registration required, join the session here: https://lnkd.in/gTwSfa8Z

Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century Series: Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition – Chippewa Falls, WI
2025-03-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) – Chippewa Falls Campus, 770 Scheidler Road Rm 108, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729, United States
ANNOUNCING A NEW 3-PART SERIES: Manufacturing Competitiveness in the 21st Century
1. Training Within Industry (TWI)
2. Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning
3. Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition
The third in this series: Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition
In today’s digital world, safeguarding data and protecting against cyber threats is not just the responsibility of IT departments; every employee plays a crucial role. The “Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition” workshop will explore the world of a cyber event for IT and non-IT personnel alike. This workshop will provide practical guidance and hands-on exercises to explore tools that create, implement, and enforce cybersecurity policies within organizations.
Learn more about the 3 sessions:

Training Within Industry (TWI)
Vision Inspection with AI Deep Learning
Cyber Culture for Compliance and Competition

To Register: click here.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The Language of Government Contracting: Why Definitions Matter
2025-03-14 12:30 - 13:00
FEDERAL MARKET INSIGHTS 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 at the end of the week. 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.
Government contracting runs on not just general definitions but precise definitions. This episode will be one of many which identifies key terms and their definitions and provides general background as to how to apply these terms and why it matters.
Presented by Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies, Wisconsin Procurement Institute and Philip G. Bail, Jr., CPCM, Fellow, Owner of Phil Bail & Associates.
For the list of Federal Market Insights webinar, please click here.

Satellite Office: Oshkosh – hosted by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
2025-03-18 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.

12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 5: Introduction and FAR Parts 19-29
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 5: Introduction and FAR Parts 19-29.” This session is part of the 12th annual FAR Evening Sessions.
The FAR Evening Sessions are designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam.
Speakers:

Daryl Zahn, Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance, Leonardo DRS
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

This webinar is eligible for 1.5 CPE credit.
To view the full schedule of FAR Evening sessions, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Navigating AI: Practical Tips for Federal Contractors
2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
Have you wanted to experiment with AI but don’t know how or where to start? This webinar will provide that starting point – the prompt. Prompts drive the results, and of course good prompts are required to drive great results. It will provide you with concrete examples of how Federal Contractors can use AI for a variety of tasks. AI can assist with many tasks such as market research, general research, proposal development, correspondence development and review, idea generation and even creating posts for Twitter and LinkedIn. These tools are here and have become an integral part of daily business activities. Register and let’s get started!
Speaker: Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.

Government Certification Workshop - Federal Certifications - Madison, WI
2025-03-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
Are you a Disadvantaged, Small, Women, or Veteran owned or HUBZone located business? Join the Wisconsin Procurement Institute’s Tru Mwololo, the Wisconsin Procurement Institute’s Manager of Small Business Programs, for a once a month Government Certifications Workshop where you will learn about what local, state, or federal certifications your business may qualify for and how these certifications could help you gain a competitive edge in the government marketplace.
The topic of this workshop is federal certifications. Federal certifications include:

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
8(a)
SBA Mentor-Protege
HUBZone

Agenda:

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Overview of Certification Kinds and Benefits
15 minute break
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM Certification Application Overview
15 minute break
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Q&A

Schedule of Topics: click here to view the full schedule and topics for the Government Certification Workshops

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Federal Information Security: Programs Every Contractor Should Know
2025-03-21 12:30 - 13:00
FEDERAL MARKET INSIGHTS 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 at the end of the week. 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.
We handle our social security number, bank account information and other information with care. We have passwords, shred sensitive information at home and are wary of strangers who ask personnel questions. These ideas also apply to working with federal information. Federal information needs to be secure and protected. The episode will review several of the key information security programs applicable to federal contractors.
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.

2025 SAME Capital Week - Rockville, MD
2025-03-24 - 2025-03-26 | Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Rd, Rockville, MD, 20852
Open exclusively to SAME members, this opportunity will help in planning your company’s acquisition strategy. Hear about the government’s upcoming engineering, design, construction, and environmental programs during the FY2026 DOD & Federal Agency Programs Briefings.
Network with leaders and meet directly from contracting representatives, flag and general officers, and other decision-makers from the engineering components of the military services and several federal agencies.
CAPITAL WEEK HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Concurrent Briefings Presented by Government Agencies
Executive Leader Panel
Networking Opportunities
Foundation Silent Auction
IGE Pre-Conference Summit

Check out the schedule, secure your seat, and book your hotel!
Uniformed Service/Government attendance is complimentary (but you still need to register).
Not a Member? You will have the option to join SAME during registration.
For more information, click here.

DLA Training, Knowledge, and Opportunities (TKO) Seminar
2025-03-25 - 2025-03-26
This TKO webinar is a course that teaches vendors the necessary steps to print and apply labels while using the correct packaging, marking, and pallets in accordance with contract requirements for material shipped to the Defense Logistics Agency. This session is free.
For more information, click here.

12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 6: Introduction and FAR Parts 30-33
2025-03-25 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “12th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 6: Introduction and FAR Parts 30-33.” This session is part of the 12th annual FAR Evening Sessions.
The FAR Evening Sessions are designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam.
Speakers:

Daryl Zahn, Senior Manager, Contracts and Compliance, Leonardo DRS
Jason Rathsack, Senior Contract Specialist, Defense Contract Management Agency
Ben Blanc, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

This webinar is eligible for 1.5 CPE credit.
To view the full schedule of FAR Evening sessions, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Is a GSA Schedule Right for Your Business?
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Billions are Sold Through Schedule Contracts. The GSA Schedule, also known as Federal Supply Schedule, and Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term governmentwide contract with commercial companies that provide access to millions of commercial products and services. Join us as we look at what a GSA Schedule is, how it works and how it could expand your Federal sales.
Speaker: Carol Murphy, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.
