Wisconsin Procurement Institute

13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 1: Introduction and FAR Part 16
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | IL
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter will be presenting the webinar, “13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 1: Introduction and FAR Part 16.” This session is part of the 13th 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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The 4 Pillars of Contracting
2026-02-03 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.
Government contract opportunities can be distilled into four basic but all powerful concepts: Bona Fide Need, Budget, Maximum Competition, and Contracting Officer involvement. These ideas most definitely are applicable to business development, but they also apply to, executing a contract or negotiating a modification.
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 – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Commercial Avenue Campus
2026-02-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Commercial Avenue Campus, 2125 Commercial Avenue, Madison, WI, 53704, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Commercial Avenue campus in Madison, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Madison MATC Commerical Avenue, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Satellite Office: Madison– Doing Business with the State of Wisconsin – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus (MATC Goodman South Campus)
2026-01-29 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 at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 AM Presentation
Speakers:

Becky Hoefs, Deputy Bureau Director, WI Department of Administration State Bureau of Procurement
Truphosa Mwololo, Manager, Small Business Programs, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator

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.

18th Annual End of Year Federal Contractor Update – In-Person (Pewaukee, WI)
2026-01-29 08:00 - 16:30 | Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – Pewaukeee Campus – Building S, 800 Main St., Room S104, Pewaukee, WI, 53072, United States
Join Wisconsin’s Federal Government contractors and subcontractors for this annual event. Briefings during the event will provide an overview of the current Federal contracting environment as well as highlight up and coming trends for future business opportunities.
SCHEDULE
8:00 AM – Light Breakfast and Registration
8:30 AM – Welcome and Introductions
9:00 AM – Program
12 NOON – Lunch
4:00 PM – End of Program
4:30 PM – End of Event
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS

Sean Ketter – Vice President, Global Procurement & Supply Chain, Oshkosh Corporation – LinkedIn
David Zvenyach – Founder, Tandem – CEO, MakeGov – LinkedIn
Nathaniel Millsap – Vice President, Security & Compliance, Fincantieri Marinette Marine – LinkedIn
Baly Ambegaoker – CEO and Corporate Director, BTMS Breakthrough Technologies for Mission Success – LinkedIn
Brian Waagner – Partner, Husch Blackwell – LinkedIn
Jason Rathsack – NCMA WI Chapter Board Member
Samuel Jack – Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell – LinkedIn
Frank Demarest – Wisconsin State Deputy District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – LinkedIn
Shane Mahaffy – Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
James Pitcher – Director of Strategic Contracts, Gallatin AI – LinkedIn
Daryl Zahn – Sr. Manager, Contracts & Compliance, DRS Naval Power Systems, Inc. – LinkedIn
Ben Blanc – Government Contracts Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – LinkedIn
Aina Vilumsons – President-Executive Director, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) – LinkedIn

AGENDA

National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) CMMC Academy - in person (Milwaukee - WI)
2026-01-28 | Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – Pewaukee Campus – Building B, 800 Main St., Room B115, Pewaukee, 53072, United States
CNDIA CMMC Academy – Are you CMMC ready?
The NDIA CMMC Academy is your roadmap to staying eligible for federal and Department of War (DoW) contracts. Phase 1 implementation is underway, and new clauses are moving into prime and subcontractor agreements. If you touch federal work in any part of the supply chain, now is the moment to act.
Join NDIA’s Cybersecurity Division and the Great Lakes’ Chapter for a practical briefing on what the regulation includes and what you must do to bid, win, and perform under DoW solicitations.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force
Trey Hodgkins, Chair, NDIA Cybersecurity Division
Andrew K. Green, Chief Business Officer, Strohwig Industries, Inc.
Corey Garretson, RADICL
Scott Singer, CAPT, USN (retired), CCA, CCP, CPI, CEO, CyberNINES
Jerome Miastkowski, President, Aeroplicity
Matt Frost, Government Contracts Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute
Aina Vilumsons, President and Executive Director, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

What you’ll learn:

The evolution of CMMC and why it matters now
The three certification levels and which one fits your business
FCI vs. CUI: how to identify the data you handle
What a C3PAO is and how to select one
When a self-assessment is sufficient versus when a C3PAO certification is required
How DoW and federal agencies are enforcing the new requirements
Trusted resources to accelerate your CMMC journey

Mark your calendar: January 28, 2026.
Click HERE for the full event agenda.
Get clear on the requirements. Protect your eligibility. Move forward with confidence.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Mentor Protégé Program
2026-01-27 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.
This is not a program for all businesses. This is a program for unique businesses. This is a program for that special Large Business – Small Business team. There are three key ingredients: a large business that is interested, a small business of a size and maturity needed to excel and the small business with a defined list of items which they are seeking assistance. A good MPP agreement can benefit the Government, the Prime and the Small Business.
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: Green Bay – hosted by the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Startup Hub
2026-01-27 09:00 - 16:00 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – Startup Hub, 2701 Larsen Road, Green Bay, WI, 54303, United States
WPI will be holding office hours at our satellite location in the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Startup Hub in Green Bay, WI. Contact the counselor directly to schedule your meeting.
To view the upcoming schedule for Green Bay at NWTC’s Startup Hub, please click here.
To view the full list of satellite locations and schedules, please click here.

Satellite Office: Manitowoc – hosted by Progress Lakeshore
2026-01-26 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.

State of Wisconsin Business Entity Lifecycle & Trademark Information Session
2026-01-22 11:00 - 13:00 | IL
This presentation will give a step-by-step guide on how to properly establish, operate and close a business in Wisconsin, along with tops to ensure you file all required Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) reports accurately and on time.
During this session, you will learn:

How to start a business and choose the right business entity
What you must do to keep your business in good standing with the DFI
How to correctly complete and submit required filings
What to do when dissolving or closing a business
An introduction to trademarks – what they protect, when you may need one, and how to register

Participants will leave with practical easy-to-follow information and resources to confidently manage their business compliance responsibilities.

Cyber Thursday: CMMC: Correctly Scoping Your Environment
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
This webinar provides a clear overview of how to correctly scope an environment for CMMC compliance. It explains what systems, users, and data need to be included, and outlines common challenges organizations face when defining their assessment boundaries. The session will cover practical steps for identifying where Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) resides, how it moves, and what assets support it. The goal is to help participants understand the foundational scoping process so that later compliance efforts can be planned and executed more effectively.
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: Madison – hosted by FEED Kitchens
2026-01-22 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.

Satellite Office: Madison– Government Certification Workshop – State (MBE/WBE/DVB) – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus (MATC Goodman South Campus)
2026-01-22 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 at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 AM Presentation
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: The Basics of Cybersecurity for Any Small Business
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
This session introduces the basic ideas of cybersecurity that apply to businesses of any size. It explains common threats, simple protective measures, and the importance of understanding where important data is stored and how it is used. The webinar outlines practical steps such as establishing access control, keeping software updated, training employees, and planning for incidents. The goal is to help participants understand core concepts that support safer and more resilient business operations.

Speakers:

Matt Frost, Government Contract Specialist, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator

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

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS)
2026-01-20 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.
HELP WANTED! – That’s right. Our Help Wanted sign is out! The U.S. needs your help with building ships and submarines. We not only lack the right types of talent we lack the sufficient numbers of talented and skilled in the trades. Yes, DOW needs contractors, but they also need mechanics, machinists, welders and other related talent. Learn about the issues, efforts such as “Buildsubmarines.com” and others.
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.

Acquisition Hour: Selling to the Government – Is There an Opportunity for Your Small Business?
2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
Government agencies buy everything, from office supplies and construction to advanced technology and professional services. But is government contracting the right market for your small business?
In this session, participants will learn:

How the government buys and what it looks for in small business suppliers
Key contracting programs and opportunities available to small businesses
The requirements and responsibilities of becoming a government contractor
Practical steps to assess whether pursuing government contracts aligns with your business goals

This training will help business owners evaluate the potential of selling to federal, state, and local government agencies and decide if this marketplace is a good fit for their company.

Speakers:

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.

Expanding Business Opportunities in Rural Wisconsin WAUSHARA COUNTY – A Newly Designated HUBZone
2026-01-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Waushara County Government Center, 380 S Townline Rd, Wautoma, 54982, United States
AGENDA:
9:00am Registration
9:30am Welcome and Introductions
9:45am Federal Government 101 – How to Successfully Sell to the Federal Government – presented by WPI
10:15am Break
10:30am US SBA Small Business Certification Update – HUBZONE, WOMAN, DISADVANTAGED and VETERAN Getting and Leveraging Your HUBZone Certification – Presented by US SBA
11:15am US SBA Lending Programs – presented by US SBA
11:30am Closing comments
NOON Networking to end of program

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
2026-01-13 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.
In years past, the saying was “loose lips sink ships.” This is still true but today the issue is more complex. What members of the DIB need to be aware of, look out for, and protect against.
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: Oshkosh – hosted by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
2026-01-13 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
2026-01-13 - 2026-01-14 | IL
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.
When:
January-13/14
March-10/11
May 12/13 (In-Person)
July 7/8
September 15/16
November 17/18 (In-Person)
Note: The May and November sessions are in-person only, all others are held virtually. All of these seminars are two days.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO-hrz4pGoYhHo4SavHYNqzKAMv1llQ
For more information, click here.

Satellite Office: Fond Du Lac – hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
2026-01-08 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-18 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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Defense Production Act
2026-01-06 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.
Big issues need a big solution. DPA Title III. An overview of the DPA and recent big problems that it has been used to solve. Going forward, it is logical that this powerful law will be used in the future.
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
2026-01-02 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]: Setting Your Goals for the New Year
2025-12-30 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: WPI Resources to Know About and Take Advantage of
2025-12-23 12:30 - 13:00 | IL

Cyber Thursday: CMMC – From Top to Bottom – A Program Review
2025-12-18 11:00 - 12:00 | IL
A comprehensive overview of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Attendees will gain insight into the implementation process, including how organizations can prepare for assessment and certification. The session will also outline key requirements and practices across the maturity levels, emphasizing their alignment with NIST SP 800-171. Finally, we’ll review the timeline and milestones for rollout and enforcement, offering a clear picture of what contractors can expect in the future.
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.

Office Hours: Madison – Disadvantaged Business Certification (DBE) – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus
2025-12-18 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 Disadvantaged Business Certification (DBE) at the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus in Madison, WI.
Schedule:
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Presentation on Disadvantaged Business Certification (DBE)
Presenter: Truphosa Mwololo, Manager, Small Business Programs, Wisconsin Procurement Institute – WI APEX Accelerator
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification can open important doors for small businesses by creating opportunities to work with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and other state and local government entities. This session will provide an overview of the program and how eligible businesses can benefit.
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: Understanding the US SBA and Department of Defense (DOD) Mentor Protégé Programs (MPP) – What You Need to Know
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) both offer Mentor-Protégé Programs (MPP) designed to help small businesses grow, strengthen their capabilities, and compete more effectively in the government marketplace. While both programs aim to foster collaboration between experienced contractors and emerging small businesses, they differ in structure, requirements, benefits, and application processes.
During this session, participants will learn:

The purpose and key features of the SBA and DoD Mentor-Protégé Programs
Eligibility requirements for mentors and protégés
Benefits and obligations for participating businesses
Application and approval processes
How to leverage these programs to enhance competitiveness and expand into new contracting opportunities

This training will provide valuable insights for businesses considering participation in either program, helping them understand which path best aligns with their goals in the federal contracting space.
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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Develop Your Post-Marketplace Communication Plan
2025-12-16 12:30 - 13:00 | IL
