Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Satellite Office: Madison – hosted by FEED Kitchens
2026-01-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-02 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Cyber Thursday: CMMC: Correctly Scoping Your Environment
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00 | WI
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.

State of Wisconsin Business Entity Lifecycle & Trademark Information Session
2026-01-22 11:00 - 13:00 | WI
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.

Satellite Office: Manitowoc – hosted by Progress Lakeshore
2026-01-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-25 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.

Satellite Office: Green Bay – hosted by the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Startup Hub
2026-01-27 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-24 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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Mentor Protégé Program
2026-01-27 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.
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.

National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) CMMC Academy - in person (Milwaukee - WI)
2026-01-28 | Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – Pewaukee Campus, 800 Main St, Pewaukee, 53072, United States
NDIA 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.
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.
Get clear on the requirements. Protect your eligibility. Move forward with confidence.

18th Annual End of Year Federal Contractor Update – In-Person (Pewaukee, WI)
2026-01-29 08:00 - 16:30 | Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) – Pewaukee Campus, 800 Main St, Pewaukee, 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

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
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

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
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.

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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The 4 Pillars of Contracting
2026-02-03 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.
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: Oshkosh – hosted by the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
2026-02-10 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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The Contracting Triangle
2026-02-10 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.
Responsible, Terms and Conditions and Fair and Reasonable price. These three elements summarize the essential requirements necessary to be awarded a contract. Therefore, these are the elements that companies should focus on and use as their North Star in determining what is important and what is not.
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: Is the GSA Schedule Right for Your Business?
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
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.
Speakers:

Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies – 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: Madison– Federal Certifications – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus (MATC Goodman South Campus)
2026-02-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States

Satellite Office: Fond Du Lac – hosted by Envision Greater Fond du Lac
2026-02-12 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.

Satellite Office: Eau Claire - hosted by the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
2026-02-17 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-18 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.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: The Contracting Equation
2026-02-17 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.
The elements of The Contracting Triangle apply to the totality of the supply chain, not just to the prime. As a prime, you are responsible for your supply chain. Supply chain members, you are responsible to the prime. There can be no weak points and no assumptions. There needs to be clarity of expectations.
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: Overview of the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
Past Performance will impact future contract awards.
As a Federal Contractor it is critical for you to understand the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), which collects and maintains Contractor’s Past Performance Information. Past performance is now included in the selection criteria in Government contracts. It is essential for the Contractor to review the comments and ratings for timeliness and accuracy. Contractors should be aware that there may be an opportunity to modify results with the assessing official and possibly shape the performance evaluation.
Understanding the process and management of your CPARS record will support a stronger past performance evaluation of your next bid or proposal.
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.

The Importance of JCP Certification in Defense Contracting
2026-02-20 11:00 - 13:00 | WI
Join us as we go over the importance of JCP Certification in defense contracting. The JCP was established in 1985 to allow United States (U.S.)/Canadian contractors to apply for access to Department of Defense/Department of National Defense (DOD/DND) unclassified export controlled technical data/critical technology on an equally favorable basis in accordance with DODD 5230.25, “Withholding of Unclassified Technical Data and Technology from Public Disclosure,” and Canadian Technical Data Control Regulations.
We will learn about JCP requirements and application process along with DEV (DLA Enhanced Validation) – formerly EJCP.
Instructor:
Stephanie Holdridge,
U.S. and Canadian Joint Certification Program (JCP)
Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Information Services (J34A-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
Defense Logistics Agency
Ohio APEX Accelerator at Ohio University
Arkansas APEX Accelerator
Minnesota Department of Administration APEX Accelerator
Nevada APEX Accelerator
Northwest Commission APEX Accelerator (Pennsylvania)
Southern Ohio APEX Accelerator
Pre-registration is required. There is a two-part registration for this event. Please follow the link below and fill in the required information to receive the webinar link:
https://ohioapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/3158
To learn more, click here.

NDIA 2026 Tactical Wheeled Vehicles Conference - Pittsburgh, PA
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-25 | Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, 600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA, 1522, United States
Join us in Pittsburgh, PA, from February 23 – 25, 2026, for the next Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (TWV) Conference. This extraordinary event brings together leaders from the Department of Defense, the military services, industry, prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and academia to address present and future tactical wheeled vehicle requirements. The conference provides a unique atmosphere for open discussion between participants on the needs of the military users.
Why Attend?
This conference is recognized industry-wide as the premier event focused on the tactical wheeled vehicle industry and its support to the Department of Defense and our nation’s warfighters. Kicking off the calendar year with the most updated information in the tactical wheeled vehicle industry. The information and dialogue which will be presented is invaluable to all organizations which play a role in the design, development, innovation, acquisition, production, delivery and sustainment of tactical wheeled vehicles to our government customers. Interactive panel discussions and several networking events offer attendees direct access to OEMs and military leaders.
For more information, click here.

Federal Market Insights [FMI]: FAR 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns
2026-02-24 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.
This clause most likely applies to your contract. We will break down this clause and its requirements and how it can apply to both large and small businesses alike.
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– Doing Business with the Federal Government – hosted by the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus (MATC Goodman South Campus)
2026-02-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States

Cyber Thursday: CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.1 Access Control
2026-02-26 11:00 - 12:00 | WI
This session focuses on the Access Control requirements found in CMMC practice group 3.1. It explains how access to systems and data should be limited to authorized users and approved activities. The webinar outlines expectations for account management, authentication, and control of remote access. It also discusses common challenges organizations encounter when implementing access rules and tracking who has access to sensitive information.
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 [FMI]: Issues Related to Debarment
2026-03-03 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.
What should you do if you learn that one of your subcontractors/suppliers has been debarred is proposed for debarment? We will discuss the following FAR concepts and how they apply to the issue.
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
2026-03-10 - 2026-03-11 | WI
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.
