DLA DIBBS: Quoting
2024-03-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
An introduction on the quoting process using the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS).
For more information, click here.

11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 6: FAR Parts 30-33
2024-03-05 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 6: FAR Parts 30-33.” This session is part of the 11th 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 at 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.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

DLA Doing Business with DLA with an emphasis on the Women-owned Small Business Program (WOSB)
2024-03-06 13:30 - 14:30
Under the WOSB Program, DLA and other federal agencies reserve certain contracts exclusively for competition among woman-owned small businesses (WOSBs) or economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). This webinar will discuss the program along with an overview of our Major Subordinate Commands (MSC) and what they procure.
Unique to the WOSB Program, only certain contracts are eligible. The Small Business Administration (SBA) designates industries where woman-owned small businesses are underrepresented and eligibility for the program is determined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to the contract. You do not have to be a WOSB to attend this webinar.
For more information, click here.

U.S. Department of Transportation - 4th Annual Women's Small Business Transportation Summit
2024-03-12
In observance of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will host the 4th Annual Women’s Small Business Transportation Summit on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm ET.
The purpose of this virtual event is to celebrate women entrepreneurs and provide an opportunity to learn about technical assistance resources, capacity building, access to capital, and upcoming USDOT initiatives, including Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) opportunities.
Throughout the morning, subject matter experts will discuss topics including:

Navigating Resources for WOSB: Local programs, Technical Assistance, and Capital
WOSB and Federal Contracting: Challenges and Opportunities
What’s Next? USDOT Programs, Initiatives, and Upcoming Projects

The remainder of the event will be dedicated to one-on-one business matchmaking via the Connections MarketPlace (CMP) platform. Business matchmaking will include USDOT’s procurement specialists, federal partners, state, and local technical assistance specialists, financial resources, prime contractors, and other stakeholders for matchmaking.
Though the event will focus on WOSB firms, all small businesses and socioeconomic groups are welcome to attend.
For more information, click here.

DLA Training, Knowledge, and Opportunities (TKO) Seminar
2024-03-12 - 2024-03-13
The TKO seminar is a course that teaches vendors how to start doing business with DLA. Vendors will 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 will also be other relevant topics of discussion. All sessions are free and held virtually.
Training is provided by DLA Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio, but benefits all DLA suppliers.
For more information, click here.

Satellite Office: Eau Claire - hosted by the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
2024-03-12 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Western Dairyland EOC, 418 Wisconsin St, Eau Claire, WI, 54703, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Western Dairyland EOC’s offices located in Eau Claire, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting with them.
To view the upcoming schedule for Eau Claire, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

You won a Federal Contract: What are the cybersecurity requirements? -- Chippewa Falls
2024-03-12 10:00 | Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) – Chippewa Falls Campus, 770 Scheidler Road Rm 108, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729, United States
In the ever-expanding landscape of government contracting, safeguarding Federal Contract Information (FCI) is not just a regulatory obligation but a crucial aspect of earning and maintaining trust with federal agencies. This session is designed for manufacturers, service providers and other small businesses currently supplying or aspiring to enter the Federal Government Supply Chains.
Gain valuable insights into the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements, understand the significance of securing covered contractor information systems, and learn practical strategies for implementing effective security measures.
If you are currently a federal government supplier, or are considering entering the federal government market, this session is your gateway to understanding compliance, building credibility, and positioning your organization for success in this marketplace. Don’t miss this opportunity!

SCHEDULE
10AM – 11AM Presentation
11AM – Start of Networking

Location Note:
This session will take place in Room 108 at CVTC.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

Acquisition Hour: U.S. SBA Surety Bond Guarantees: What to Know
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
The U. S. Small Business Administration’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program can help your small business obtain contract bid, performance, & payment bonds. Surety bonds help small businesses win contracts by providing the customer with a guarantee that the work will be completed.
Many public and private contracts require surety bonds, which are offered by surety companies. The SBA guarantees surety bonds for certain surety companies, which allows the companies to offer surety bonds to small businesses that might not meet the criteria for other sureties.
Does your business have: Limited Financial Resources? You have no Prior Bonded Work Experience? Trouble Bonding as a Startup? A Desire to Increase its Current Bond Limits? – if the answer is YES – YOU SHOULD ATTEND!
This webinar will cover contract bonds:

What they are and why they are required
Your potential bonding capacity
Ways to maximize your surety credit
SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program
Up to $6.5 million for non-federal contracts and up to $10 million for federal contracts.
The SBA advantage
Costs and getting started

This webinar will also include a presentation by WPI on locating government contract opportunities and marketing your small business.
Speaker:
Shane Mahaffy, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
Ben Blanc, Government Contact Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
View a schedule of all upcoming Acquisition Hour webinars.
The SBA has recently announced statutory increases for the Surety Bond Guarantee Program. This change will give small businesses access to projects up to $9 million and federal contracts up to $14 million. To read more, please view this press release.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 7: FAR Parts 34-41
2024-03-12 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 7: FAR Parts 34-41.” This session is part of the 11th 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.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

VA 2nd Quarter FY 2024 Office of Construction and Facilities Management Virtual Scheduled 1 on 1 Meetings
2024-03-13
In response to the Veteran-Owned Small Business and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business community request to have business networking dialogue with a senior leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC), the Department made available a series of quarterly events.
The 2nd Quarter FY 2024 event will be hosted by Dr. Zebulon Fox, Associate Executive Director for the Office of Facilities Acquisition (OFA) and Head of Contracting Activity within the Office of Construction and Facilities Management (CFM) for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The event is intended for firms operating under the following North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes:
236220 – General Construction
237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
541310 – Architectural
541330 – Engineering
541360 – Seismic Geophysical Surveying Services
For more information, click here.

WEM - 2024 Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Lake Geneva, WI)
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-15 | Grand Geneva, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147, United States
The conference offers multiple tracks designed to help attendees explore how different aspects of emergency management and homeland security intersect. Whether you come from communications, public health, the private sector, emergency response, or homeland security, the 2024 conference strives to help attendees gain skills to disentangle complex situations during an emergency.
The agenda features presentations highlighting the following tracks:

Interoperable Communications and Technology
Critical Infrastructure and Private Sector
All-Hazards Response and Recovery
Public Health and Community Resilience
Managing Cyber and Physical Threats
Emerging Trends

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will be presenting Wisconsin Certified Emergency Manager certificates during the conference to those who have achieved this important milestone in their training.
For more information, click here.

St. Croix EDC's Good Morning! Business Education and Networking Event
2024-03-13 07:30 - 11:00 | United States
The Federal Government buys products and services – including but not limited to military vehicles, tree planting services, office furniture, plumbing services, facility maintenance, and IT support. Sales have been to a broad range of agencies from the US Forest Service, USDA, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and many more. The State of Wisconsin and local governments also purchase a wide range of goods and services. In addition, there are opportunities to subcontract to government prime contractors. This session is designed as an introduction to the government market for small businesses who are considering or new to the government market.
Topics and Speakers:

Enhancing Employee Value Perception – Alicia Schwartz, Consultant | JA Counter, Alera Group
Behavior Recognition and Response – Dave Skinner | CEO & Founder | NTS Security Services
Selling to the Government – Is there an opportunity for your small business? – Benjamin Blanc CFCM, Government Contract Specialist | Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

There will be a focus on three key objectives: optimizing compensation and rewards, fueling career growth, and cultivating an inclusive culture. The event is open to businesses of all sizes and there is no cost to attend.
For more information, click here.

Satellite Office: Fond Du Lac – hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
2024-03-14 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.

Emerging Issues: Suggested Process for Creating a Federal Business Development Strategy
2024-03-14 11:00 - 12:00
Over the last several years, cybersecurity has been front and center and garnered most of DoD’s contractor’s time and energy as it should. Cybersecurity is a major issue that needs to be addressed but it is not the only issue. There are existing and evolving issues that DoD contractors need to know about and in many cases require affirmative actions related to compliance.
This series, WPI’s Emerging Issues Series, is intended as an information tool and resource for contract managers and those with a compliance function. The topics selected for the initial group of Webinars are just some of the important topics. Some have not held the spotlight like others but nevertheless they are important. Others, such as Innovation and AI have recently emerged and have shown that they are not just a passing curiosity but truly topics of importance that will continue to impact DoD policy and provide procurement opportunities. These topics included in our first group, are current topics that need attention and need to be addressed. We expect that over time other issues – topics will emerge and come to the forefront. As these topics are identified we will add them to this series.
A federal business development strategy requires as a first step, a company to develop a process for identifying and ranking its most likely customers, their acquisition strategies, tendencies and other marketplace factors. This webinar will cover how available and accessible data can be combined with information from other resources to gain a more complete understanding of your highest ranked prospects.
Speaker: Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.
For the list of Emerging Issues webinar, please click here.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

Envision University - Wisconsin Procurement Institute: Government Contracting
2024-03-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Envision Greater Fond du Lac, 23 S Main St Ste 101, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, United States
This session is designed as an introduction to the government market for small businesses who are considering or new to the government market.
What you will learn:

How to determine if your business is “government ready”
Small and diverse business programs
Locating opportunities – as a prime or subcontractor
Where you can get help – at no cost

For more information, click here.

IL Apex Accelerator Government Contracting Summit
2024-03-19 | United States
This First Annual Government Contracting Summit is a networking and training event for small business owners and interested parties to learn how to “WIN” government contracts.
This year’s theme, “Get the WIN” is for small businesses seeking to perform services and sell products to the federal, state and municipal government within Illinois. During this summit, there will be breakout training sessions and exhibitor networking opportunities that focus on skill areas needed to improve your business’s chance of winning contracts or expanding existing contracts with the government customer.
For more information, click here.

Satellite Office: Oshkosh – hosted by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
2024-03-19 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.

11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 8: FAR Parts 42-53
2024-03-19 18:00 - 19:30
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 8: FAR Parts 42-53.” This session is part of the 11th 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 at 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.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator

Save the Date! CFM Women-Owned Small Business Industry Day 2024
2024-03-20
The virtual industry day will highlight opportunities for Women-Owned Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and other small and disadvantaged businesses that seek to do business with the Office of Construction & Facilities Management (CFM). Participants will learn about CFM’s mission and priorities and also understand the requirements, best practices, and expectations of doing business with the organization. Attendees will also have an opportunity to attend networking break-out sessions with CFM acquisition leaders.
For more information, click here.

Government Certification Workshop - Federal Certifications
2024-03-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
Are you a Minority, 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

Satellite Office: Manitowoc – hosted by Progress Lakeshore
2024-03-20 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.

You won a Federal Contract: What are the cybersecurity requirements? -- Manitowoc
2024-03-20 10:00 | Progress Lakeshore, 202 N 8th St Ste 101, Manitowoc, WI, 54220, United States
In the ever-expanding landscape of government contracting, safeguarding Federal Contract Information (FCI) is not just a regulatory obligation but a crucial aspect of earning and maintaining trust with federal agencies. This session is designed for manufacturers, service providers and other small businesses currently supplying or aspiring to enter the Federal Government Supply Chains.
Gain valuable insights into the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements, understand the significance of securing covered contractor information systems, and learn practical strategies for implementing effective security measures.
If you are currently a federal government supplier, or are considering entering the federal government market, this session is your gateway to understanding compliance, building credibility, and positioning your organization for success in this marketplace. Don’t miss this opportunity!

SCHEDULE
10AM – 11AM Presentation
11AM – Start of Networking

Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Expo
2024-03-20 12:00 - 18:30 | Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, United States
The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Business Expo goes on for one day every year at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Over 100 businesses set up booths and offer a way to make connections, learn more about area businesses’ products, services, and upcoming job openings. Several activities are offered by exhibitors for attendees throughout the day.
For more information, click here.

Monroe County Economic Development & Tourism Spring Conference
2024-03-21 - 2024-03-22 | Cranberry Country Lodge, 319 Wittig Rd, Tomah, WI, 54660, United States
Discover the latest trends, strategies, and opportunities in economic development and tourism as industry experts share their insights through presentations and workshops. Network with professionals, exchange ideas, and forge connections. Gain knowledge, learn from success stories, and explore innovative approaches to boost economic growth and tourism in Monroe County.
For more information, click here.

2024 Expanding Business Opportunities in Rural Wisconsin - Lincoln, Langlade Counties (Antigo)
2024-03-21 10:00 - 12:00 | NTC Antigo Campus, 312 Forrest Avenue, Antigo, WI, 54409, United States
Governor Evers’s application to the U.S. Small Business Administration for HUBZone status for Lincoln and Langlade Counties has recently been approved.
The HUBZone program (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) supports small business growth with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars as well as 3% of large federal contractor subcontracting dollars to certified companies each year. The HUBZone map now includes Juneau County on the SBA HUBZone map as “Governor-Designated Covered Areas.” Currently, many Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors are not meeting their HUBZone goals. Certified HUBZone firms have a unique preference in Federal government contracting.
Joining the session will be representatives from:

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Wisconsin Office of Rural Prosperity
Regional resource providers
Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

During this session, you will learn about:

Benefits of and applying for an SBA HUBZone certification
HUBZone certification requirements
The certification process
Locating HUBZone opportunities
Marketing your HUBZone certified business

Wispolitics reports — Small businesses in Juneau, Langlade and Lincoln counties will get a leg up in competing for federal contracts after the SBA approved their designation as Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
The federal agency yesterday announced it approved a request from Gov. Tony Evers to designate the three counties as HUBZones, giving small businesses there “price preferences and other advantages” in competing for federal contracts.
With the latest designations, Wisconsin now has more than 120 HUBZones, according to the release.
Eric Ness, SBA’s Wisconsin district director, says more federal contracts are becoming available through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPs Act and other sources.
“Now is an ideal time for small businesses in Juneau, Langlade, and Lincoln counties to get their HUBZone certification and pursue these contracts,” he said.
See more program details.

7th Latino Economic Unsummit: Growing Your Business With Us - Racine
2024-03-22 08:00 - 13:00 | Delta Hotel Racine, 7111 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI, 53406
Topics:
Scaling Your Business Track
-Financing to Buy Commercial Real Estate
-Recruiting & Retaining Talent after the Great Resignation
-Leveraging Digital Marketing & Social Media to Grow Your Business
Starting Your Business Track
-Financing Your Business Idea
-Hiring Your First Employee
-Getting Your Business Certified
Panelists will be contributing their expertise and insights to the event and represent a spectrum of professions, including seasoned bankers, human resources professionals, and government officials. Each panelist brings a different perspective and knowledge to the table for engaging discussions and takeaways.
For more information, click here.

2024 SAME Capital Week
2024-03-25 - 2024-03-27 | Bethesda North Mariott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Open exclusively to SAME members, this opportunity will help you in planning your company’s acquisition strategy. Hear about the government’s upcoming engineering, design, construction, and environmental programs during the FY2025 DOD & Federal Agency Programs Briefings.
Network with senior leaders and meet directly with contracting representatives, flag and general officers, and other decision-makers from the engineering components of the military services and several federal agencies.
For more information, click here.

NWSCDC MKE Business Apex Sessions
2024-03-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Rise and Grind Cafe, 2737 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee, WI, 53212, United States
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC), in partnership with Milwaukee’s North East Business Improvement Districts, is launching the MKE Business Apex Sessions. The first session will be hosted by the Historic King Drive BID at Rise and Grind Cafe. The presenter will be Brandon Polachowski, and this session will focus on Staff Retention.
Topic: Staff Retention
For more information, click here.

AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition
2024-03-26 - 2024-03-28 | Von Braun Convention Center, 700 Monroe Street SW, Huntsville, AL, 35801, United States
SCOPE: The Army will transform to become a fighting force with a lower signature and lethality that is sustainable in a contested environment.
Getting our Soldiers what they need to fight anywhere in the world and deliver critical requirements to the Combatant Command.
OBJECTIVE: Create opportunities for the Army, academia, and defense industry leaders to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest to ensure highly trained, modern and ready the Army that operates from ground to space with sufficient, credible combat power to reassure our allies and partners and win our nation’s wars.
Theme: Continuous Transformation to Deliver Ready Combat Formations.
For more information, click here.
