Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Summer Cyber Reboot: NIST's Tips and Tactics for Ransomware Protection
2021-08-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | WI
WPI’s Cyber Friday webinar series is shifting temporarily to Thursdays for the summer months.
Applying NIST’s Tips and Tactics for Ransomware protection for both primes and subcontractors
Discover the practical steps that can be used to combat Ransomware. Ransomware has become a major threat to all businesses. An unintended mouse click can wreak havoc. There is no outrunning it. In a blink, it will devastate your network. Both computers and the network become effectively useless. This webinar will review NIST’s Tips and Tactics for protection against Ransomware.
Speaker: Marc Violante, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

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

Dept. of Labor Seminar on Prevailing Wage Requirements
2021-08-25 12:30 - 14:30, 2021-08-12 12:30 - 14:30, 2021-08-11 12:30 - 14:30 | WI
To help employers, workers and others stakeholders understand federal standards for prevailing wages on federally funded construction and service contracts, the U.S. Department of Labor is offering virtual compliance seminars for contracting agencies, contractors, unions, workers and other stakeholders. The seminars will be from 12:30 – 2:30 PM on August:
– August 11
– August 12
– August 25
– August 26
Attendance is free, but registration is required by Aug. 11. Click here to register.
Participants will have access to pre-recorded trainings on a variety of Davis-Bacon and SCA compliance topics, followed by the opportunity to participate in an overview and Q & A on these topics with DOL staff from the Government Contracts Enforcement Division, the Branch of Construction Wage Determinations, the Branch of SCA Wage Determinations, and Regional Enforcement Coordinators.

FAST 2021 Conference Series- Facilities Maintenance and Repair
2021-08-18 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
The General Services Administration will be hosting the virtual FAST 2021 Conference Series – Facilities Maintenance and Repair on Wednesday, August 18, 12:00 PM CDT.
This live webinar will be led by GSA category and acquisition experts, and explore techniques and tools for sourcing facilities maintenance & repair solutions. The session kicks-off with an overview of the government-wide category followed by a series of scenario-based sessions covering research techniques, best practices, and tailored acquisition planning resources.
To register, please click here.

Invention-Con 2021
2021-08-18 11:00 - 2021-09-10 16:00 | WI
Are you a young or independent inventor, an entrepreneur, or a small business owner whose success depends on guarding your creative work? Then don’t miss your chance to learn how different types of intellectual property (IP), such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, are critical to your business strategy. Presentations and workshops will cover:

Putting your creativity to work
How IP applies in various fields, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, agriculture, fashion, music, and literature
Types of IP protection: patents, trademarks, and copyrights
Marketing, manufacturing, and building a competitive advantage around your ideas
Fun, free educational resources for kids and teens
Innovation and the fight against COVID-19
And much more

To register, please click here.

Acquisition Hour: Overview of CPARS
2021-08-17 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
Past Performance may 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 one of the most important selection criteria in Government contracting. It is critical 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 the CPARS process may be critical to you winning the next contract you are bidding.
This webinar will provide insights into:

What is CPARS
What contracts are reported by CPARS
The CPARS process
How to maximize your past performance rating

Speaker: Carol Murphy, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

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

TKO Packaging - Webinar
2021-08-17 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
The Training, Knowledge, and Opportunities (TKO) seminar will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.
The TKO seminar is a session that teaches vendors how to START doing business with Defense Logistics Agency. 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 Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) to get paid. There will also be many other relevant topics of discussion. This course is designed for dealers, distributors, and manufacturers, but NOT a company that provides services.
To register for this event go to https://tko.dla.mil, select “DLA Land and Maritime,” and fill out the registration form. Additional information will be provided to you.

A Roadmap to Developing Successful Teams and Partnerships
2021-08-17 10:00 - 11:45 | WI
**REGISTRATION for panel discussion and networking session is at the bottom of this page. The networking session will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions with the panel members – a valuable opportunity**
Partnering With Purpose Series:
View speaker bios by clicking HERE.
The Partnering With Purpose Three Part Series (6/15, 7/20 & 8/17) will focus on partnering and teaming as an intentional business strategy. The purpose of the series is to help bring awareness and elevate teaming approaches and skills to our women-owned businesses. The series is designed to address how a successful partnering strategy can expand capabilities, capacity, and add value to your existing and potential customers to meet their sourcing needs.
This session will offer a roadmap that will help guide you on developing your own teaming and partnership arrangements. We will explore types of contract opportunities, methods of developing relationships, performing due diligence, and various levels of formality.
Schedule of events:
10:00 – 10:10am Welcome and introduction of moderator
10:10 – 11:10am Panel discussion, complete with Q&A
11:10 – 11:15am Break
11:15 – 11:45am Panelist and Attendee Networking via Zoom Session, hosted by Jessie Leonard, Associate Director, WBDC
Panelists and Presenters:
Panelists and Presenters (click HERE for bios):

Anisha Jackson – Supplier Diversity Manager – American Family
Eric Ness – Wisconsin District Director – U.S. SBA
Adonica Randall – President and Chief Problem Solver – Abaxent LLC
Jean Marie Thiel – President – Belonger Corporation Inc.
Peter Coffaro – Deputy Director, Community Outreach and Business Engagement – MMSD
Tim Connelly – Government Contract Attorney – Tim Connelly Law PLLC
Yvette N. Stevens, P.E., PMP – Vice President – Gilbane Building Company
Karen Goldner – Managing Director, Established Business Services – Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
Jessie Leonard – Associate Director – Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
Aina Vilumsons – CEO – Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

REGISTRATION (CLICK HERE) – when registering at this link, complete both the GoToWebinar and Zoom pages. This will ensure access to the entire event including Networking.
For more information on the full Partnering With Purpose series, click here.

GSA Great Lakes Region 5 Vendor Industry Day
2021-08-17 10:00 - 11:30 | WI
The General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Service (PBS), will be holding a Facilities Maintenance Industry Day for interested vendors seeking information regarding upcoming facilities management-related procurements in Region 5, which comprises the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The event will be held virtually.
To register, please click here.

Access to Capital: Be Ready and Stay Ready
2021-08-12 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)is hosting the webinar, “Access to Capital: Be Ready and Stay Ready” on Thursday, August 12, 1:00 – 2:00 PM CDT.
OSDBU. in collaboration with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and OSDBU’s Great Lakes Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC), are hosting this webinar to provide small businesses the opportunity to increase their knowledge about financial tools, products, and services that exist and provide insight on how best to prepare your company to be successful with securing capital. Event participants will hear from experts within the DOT, SBA, Great Lakes SBTRC, and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and have an opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A Session.
To register, please click here.

B2B Construction Industry Forum
2021-08-12 07:30 - 15:00 | WI
The 6th annual Construction Industry Business-to-Business Virtual Forum will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 from 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM central.
The event is an opportunity to network with buying companies like CenterPoint Energy, CG Schmidt, Ecolab, Findorff, Gilbane, Hunzinger, JCP Construction, JP Cullen, Kraus Anderson, KS Energy Services, Mayo Clinic, Michels, Mortenson-WI, Ryan Companies, VJS Construction, WEC Energy Group, WHEDA, Xcel Energy, and others.
To register, please click here.
A virtual flyer with an agenda can be found by clicking here.

Doing Business with DLA – Webinar
2021-08-11 12:30 - 13:30 | WI
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Office of Small Business Programs offers monthly webinars to educate small businesses and others about DLA’s mission and opportunities to participate in our various supply chains.
To register for this event go to https://tko.dla.mil select “HQ DLA Small Business Programs” fill out the registration form and additional information will be provided to you.

Acquisition Hour: The Federal Spend to the End
2021-08-11 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
July 1st marks the start of the Federal Government’s buying season as they Spend to the End of the Fiscal year. Now is the time to learn about this unique time of year, explore the market and start your preparations. Federal procurement will likely continue to be vibrant and will offer opportunities for those who are prepared and who are ready to respond to opportunities and perform when selected. Be prepared. Don’t be left behind as the Federal Government ramps up to Spend to the End of the fiscal year – September 30th.
Speaker: Marc Violante, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

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

August 2021 HHS Vendor Outreach Session (VOS) - Teleconference
2021-08-10 08:00 - 15:00 | WI
August 2021 Teleconference Vendor Outreach Session
Registration will open Monday, July 26, 2021 at 7:00AM
In light of the current COVID-19 Health advisory alert, the Vendor Outreach Session(VOS) will continue as a Teleconference VOS until further notice. You will receive an order confirmation containing the phone number you should call at the time of your meeting. It is your responsibility to call.
Prior to attending the Vendor Outreach Session, please be sure your company is registered in our Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) system.
You can register at: osdbu.hhs.gov.

NDIA Michigan 13th Annual GVSETS
2021-08-10 - 2021-08-12 | WI
This year’s Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium, hosted by the Michigan chapter of NDIA, will be August 10-12th, 2021 in Novi, Michigan. Engage and network with Ground System Defense Executives, Leaders, Program Managers, Engineers, and other key decision-makers to learn about the latest technology transitions, initiatives, programs and plans in the ground systems domain for both manned and unmanned systems.
Registration is available by clicking here. An early bird discount is available to those who register before June 30th.

Suspension and Debarment: What Small Businesses Should Know
2021-08-05 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
The U.S. general Services Administration will be presenting a free webinar to discuss suspension and debarment in federal contracting on Wednesday, August 5 at 1:00 PM CT. The webinar will explore the impact suspension or debarment can have on small businesses, and proactive steps your business can take to avoid such mishaps in your organization.
To register, please click here.

Summer Cyber Reboot: NIST's Cybersecurity Framework and the FAR/DFARS
2021-08-05 11:00 - 12:00 | WI
WPI’s Cyber Friday webinar series is shifting temporarily to Thursdays for the summer months.
Investigate NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework and how it applies to FAR & DFARS requirements
Take the information that you learned in our Fundamentals session, dig deeper into the framework and see how you can apply these concepts to your business and protecting both company and customer information. The framework is designed to be robust and applicable to all companies and can be beneficial in providing a proven process to use when tackling both old and evolving cyber-issues. This webinar will explore how this model can be beneficial in complying not only with current cyber requirements but also in preparing for requirements related to CMMC.
Speaker: Marc Violante, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

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

Wisconsin Center Expansion Information Session
2021-08-04 15:00 - 16:00, 2021-07-27 15:00 - 16:00 | WI
CAA ICON and Gilbane | Smith are hosting two Virtual Information Sessions, on July 27 and August 4 for the Wisconsin Center Expansion Project. During the briefings, businesses will learn about the project and the procurement process, as well as economic inclusion commitments and early sitework packages. Both sessions will include the same content so attendees only need to register for either the July 27 or August 4 event.

Click HERE to register for the July 27th, 3:00 PM event.
Click HERE to register for the August 4th, 3:00 PM event.
Click HERE to download an informational flyer for the event.

To contact the organizer with any questions, please use the “Contact” button on the bottom of the Event Brite webpage.

Sea-Air-Space 2021 Conference and Expo
2021-08-02 - 2021-08-04 | Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD, 20745, United States
The Navy League of the United States will be hosting the Sea-Air-Space Conference and Exposition on August 2-4, 2021 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. This multi-day event will be held in-person.
To register for the event, please click here.
For a full schedule of the day’s programing, please click here.

Summer Cyber Reboot: Fundamentals of Cyber Security for Federal Contractors
2021-07-29 11:00 - 12:00 | WI
WPI’s Cyber Friday webinar series is shifting temporarily to Thursdays for the summer months.
Learn about the Fundamentals of Cyber Security for Federal Contractors
Gain an understanding of the all-important fundamentals of cyber-security that are necessary for federal contractors to understand, implement and actively utilize. Create the foundation to better understand DFARS 252.204-7012 and FAR 52.204-21. This webinar will review how to identify and manage risk, apply a five step framework to help safeguard your information and what it means to “work safely and securely.”
Speaker: Marc Violante, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

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

SAME Facilities Management (FM) Workshop - Virtual
2021-07-26 - 2021-07-30 | WI
Virtual FM Workshop is your opportunity to connect with the federal Facilities Management and Public Works Communities, as well as members and organizations nationally across government, defense, industry, and academia. You will engage with high-level decision-makers and thought leaders from across the service branches and federal agencies; access tools, techniques protocols, best practices, and analysis needed to make important decisions.

Click Event Details in the grey box above to learn more.

NCMA World Congress 2021
2021-07-25 - 2021-07-28 | WI
MAKE 2021 YOUR YEAR!
JOIN NCMA AND THE VERY BEST OF CONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN DENVER!
Join us next year, July 25-28, 2021 for World Congress in Denver, Colorado. Start your registration by clicking here.

15th Annual Wisconsin Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC) - Day 1 - Virtual
2021-07-22 08:00 - 16:00 | WI
Registration now OPEN – July 22, 2021
Day 1 of the 15th Annual Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC) is scheduled as a full-day virtual event. Stay connected at wigobc.org for updates including the full day’s agenda and confirmed speakers. CLICK HERE for the full conference site and registration to Day 1. To download a copy of the day’s agenda, please CLICK HERE.

This year’s speakers include:

William Hughes, Partner, Husch Blackwell – Milwaukee Office
Julia Banegas, Associate, Husch Blackwell – Washington D.C. Office
Sam Rikkers, Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, WEDC
Eric Ness, Wisconsin District Director, SBA
Nancy VanderMeer and Tony Kurtz, Wisconsin Assemblypersons
Major Eric Dunford, United States Air Force – Volk Field ANG
Col. Michael D. Poss, Garrison Commander – Fort McCoy
John Frederick, The Boeing Company, Director, State and Local Government Relations
Brad Bruce, The Boeing Company, Manager, Global Supplier Diversity
Varick Williams, The Boeing Company, Senior Team Lead, Global Supplier Diversity
Jason Rathsack, Group Lead, Business Operations, Defense Contract Management Agency
Megan McKinney, Business Development, Beacon Interactive Systems
Ron Hagemann, Chief Executive Officer, New Composite Partners
Dele Ojelabi, Founder and President, Comcentia
Norma Alberts, Small Business Liaison Officer and Plan Administrator, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co LLC

Watch for further updates on Day 2 – October 21, 2021
Day 2 of the 15th Annual Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC) will be a full-day traditional in-person event. Join us in-person at the Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, WI in October.

Our Partners and Sponsors

Fort McCoy
Volk Field
Juneau County Economic Development Corporation
Bentley World Packaging
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
AICCW-FACC
Calumet County Economic Development
Door County Economic Development Corporation
Envision Greater Fond du Lac
Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation
Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation
Indianhead Community Action Agency, Inc.
Leonard Wood Institute – Session Sponsor
National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Wisconsin Chapter
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Great Lakes Chapter
Nicolet College
Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC)
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Progress Lakeshore
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Lake Michigan Post
UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC)
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council
Wisconsin Procurement Institute

To download a copy of the day’s agenda, please CLICK HERE.

HUBZone Matchmaking Web Event
2021-07-21 13:00 - 14:00 | WI
The U.S. General Services Administration, Great Lakes Region, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization(OSDBU) is hosting a virtual event on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. CST. Joining the event will be the Turner-Whiting Contracting Company, who will share best practices, strategies and tips on how to be successful in the federal marketplace. Time will be allotted for Q & A’s.
Registration is not needed. To access the event, follow this link: https://meet.google.com/vvb-kmgp-rnk
You may join up to 10 minutes before the event.

Acquisition Hour: Government Property Management for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors
2021-07-21 12:00 - 13:00 | WI
The Federal government supplies billions of dollars worth of Government-furnished property (GFP) to contractors for use in performing contracts. As a contractor for the Federal Government or a subcontractor to a prime contractor, you may receive government property. Managing this property is a contractual obligation.
There are costs associated with government property management that must be considered by a prime or a subcontractor. An unfavorable assessment of a contractor’s Property Management System may result in financial penalties.
This webinar will cover:

Government Property clauses
How to apply the clauses
What tools/ processes must be in place before you are able to receive government property

Speaker: Benjamin Blanc, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

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

Challenges in Developing Successful Business Teams and Partnerships
2021-07-20 10:00 - 11:45 | WI
**REGISTRATION for panel discussion and networking session is at the bottom of this page. The networking session will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions with the panel members – a valuable opportunity**
Partnering With Purpose Series:
View speaker bios by clicking HERE.
The Partnering With Purpose Three Part Series (6/15, 7/20 & 8/17) will focus on partnering and teaming as an intentional business strategy. The purpose of the series is to help bring awareness and elevate teaming approaches and skills to our women-owned businesses. The series is designed to address how a successful partnering strategy can expand capabilities, capacity, and add value to your existing and potential customers to meet their sourcing needs.
This session will focus on challenges and risk mitigation, offer legal insights into teaming approaches and agreements, and locating good partners or team members.
Schedule of events:
10:00 – 10:10am Welcome and introduction of moderator
10:10 – 11:10am Panel discussion, complete with Q&A
11:10 – 11:15am Break
11:15 – 11:45am Panelist and Attendee Networking via Zoom Sessions, hosted by Jessie Leonard, Associate Director, WBDC and Aina Vilumsons, CEO, WPI – during this session you will be able to continue the discussion with the speakers and other attendees
Panelists and Presenters (click HERE for bios):

Anisha Jackson – Supplier Diversity Manager – American Family
Shane Mahaffy – Lead Business Opportunity Specialist – U.S. SBA
Adonica Randall – President and Chief Problem Solver – Abaxent LLC
Jean Marie Thiel – President – Belonger Corporation Inc.
D.M. (Daryl) Hodnett – System Director-Supplier Diversity and Inclusion, Advocate Aurora Health
Tim Connelly – Government Contract Attorney – Tim Connelly Law PLLC
Jeff Chmielewski – Facility Manager – WEC Energy Group
Jessie Leonard – Associate Director – Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
Aina Vilumsons – CEO – Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)

REGISTRATION (CLICK HERE) – when registering at this link, complete both the GoToWebinar and Zoom pages. This will ensure access to the entire event including Networking.
For more information on the full Partnering With Purpose series, click here.

Tech Warrior Medical OPS
2021-07-19 07:00 - 2021-07-23 17:00 | WI
Tech Warrior Enterprise – an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program – will host its free virtual Tech Warrior Medical OPS event for all qualified small businesses on July 19-23.
The virtual five-day event, designed to help small businesses overcome the entry barriers to government procurement, will give U.S.-based small businesses the opportunity to participate in a two-part demonstration of their Tactical Combat Casualty Care, physical therapy, or mental health technologies.
Those interested must register for the webinar (click here) to gain access. Registration closes on June 25, 11:00 PM CST. Only 20 qualifying small businesses will be chose to present.

2021 National SBIR Week - Virtual
2021-07-19 - 2021-07-23 | WI
The 2021 National SBIR Week is a virtual event connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies to the country’s largest source of early stage funding – The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Also known as America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR/STTR programs provide over $4 billion in funding to small businesses each year in a wide variety of technology areas.
This event provides you with an opportunity to participate in live streaming panels and presentations with participating federal agencies that administer over 7,000 new awards annually and to meet virtually One on One with program decision makers.
