Book Club? Not quite. Learn to win by understanding: The Request for Proposal. We’ll explore the tips loaded within The RFP: Learn to Read and Respond. Bring your copy with you for this 1.5 hour breakdown that will leave you ready to go! Available at Amazon.

Join us here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8263745152

Or point your browser to our YouTube Live channel at the appropriate time.

The book emphasizes the importance of RFPs in public procurement, explaining that these documents standardize and structure the way government agencies solicit goods, services, or commodities from businesses. Knowles breaks down the fundamental elements of an RFP, such as the statement of work, technical specifications, project timelines, deliverables, and contract terms. The goal is to ensure that businesses can provide well-informed and competitive proposals, positioning themselves as suitable suppliers for government contracts.

In addition to explaining the components of an RFP, the book provides practical advice on how businesses should respond to these requests. It highlights the need for attention to detail, adherence to the format requested by the agency, and a thorough understanding of the technical specifications and evaluation criteria. Knowles also encourages businesses to showcase their qualifications and experience while carefully crafting cost proposals that reflect the scope of work. Throughout the book, the author reinforces the importance of preparation and understanding the structured nature of government procurement to increase the chances of winning contracts.

Bring an RFP with you to class so we can review together.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) is holding an industry day focused on providing information on GVSC's ground vehicle systems contracting strategies and mechanisms. This event will showcase opportunities for collaboration with industry, academia, and other government partners. Presentations by GVSC's Acquisition Management Office (AMO) will highlight capabilities from the Special Project and Operations and Consortium and Consortium Based Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) teams. This event is hosted by Automation Alley in Michigan and will be held in person.

Registration is free ,but it is first come first served. Once registration is full it will be closed. The registration period is September 13 to October 21, 2024. To find out more information about this event, including the registration information, click on the link below. The event is Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. 

https://sam.gov/opp/159b3c3a105e404b9c0e9480a7b9260f/view

Interested in learning how to do business with the General Services Administration? If you are, we are glad to inform you that hte General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting a thirty minute webinar on just this very topic. This webinar is open to all small businesses looking for additional information and guidance on GSA and their opportunities. The webinar will be hosted by GSA Region 6 Small Business Technical Advisor Carolina Vargas on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10;30 AM CT. Click on the link to register. Hope to see you there!

https://gsa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsd-igrDosEu3hvKRSJhcjsszhlVsk-u4#/registration

The National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses (NAWOSB) is holding the 10th anniversary of their signature PINK Procurement event at the Tabbris Innovation Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a conference that connects procurement and purchasing buyers and their agencies with women business owners. The event will also celebrate the success of women owned small businesses and will highlight 20 businesses to be featured at the event, giving them and those in attendance the opportunity to meet, introduce, and connect with owners and agencies who want to potentially do business with them. The highlighted businesses are a select group, not a general invitation.

The date for this momentous occasion is Thursday, September 19 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST at 1300 South Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203.

Market research can be a tedious process, and committing long hours to it can be difficult. Although necessary, compiling the information gained and using that to respond to RFIs in an orderly way is it's own challenge. Luckily, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting its Monthly OSDBU National Training (MONT) titled "Making Market Research Easy-Enhancing Industry Partnerships". Presented by Kerry Durkan, Marketing Research Analyst, this free to join webinar will provide innovative insights on how to respond to GSA's RFIs by sharing expert tips and tricks on how to fill out these important surveys. Those that participate will better understand why GSA collects industry responses and how important the data gather is, such as how it shapes future purchasing decisions. 

Some learning objectives for this opportunity include answer why market research is conducted, an overview of the Market Research as a Service (MRAS) Program, effectively completing MRAS RFI surveys, ensuring customers get accurate information about your capabilities, and answering what GSA does with the results. It is a great opportunity to learn about market research and its importance and how it can apply to helping your own business. Although the webinar is free, registration is required but can be completed online. 

The webinar will be held online on Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 PM EST. More information about the webinar and registration can be found here. We hope to see you there!

Understanding the difference between RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs are essential for small businesses. They can facilitate business and allow for companies and agencies to effectively communicate what they need and what they have. However, learning how to respond to them is also of utmost importance. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting its monthly virtual First Friday’s Training on just this very topic. Learning objectives include understanding the power of responding to RFIs and Sources Sought Notices, tips on how to create an effective response, and common mistakes to avoid.

The webinar will also offer insights from Federal contracting officers and as well as explaining the differene between RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, they will give strategies for creating effective responses to each. This webinar will be presented by Claudia Hadley and Kemba Gilmore, Small Business Specialists of GSA OSDBU, and will be free and open to all industry, with registration required.

The event is on September 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST. If interested, sign up at this link:

https://gsa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_qtFO7_2OSEue_Ov-JcUHfQ#/registration

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Acquisition's Industry Partnership and Outreach Program (IPOP) will provide training for small businesses wishing to learn how to do business with CBP. Training will be conducted on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM EST. Interested contractors need to sign up using the CBP Business Connect. This represents a great opportunity to grow your business and foster a good relationship with the United States and other government agencies, while also learning key insight on the inner workings of business relations with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office. To find the registration link and more information, click here or fill out the form at:

https://cbpbusinessconnection.cbp.dhs.gov/vmp?id=training_request

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office Acquisition Management and Office of the Chief Information Officer will host a Virtual Vendor Engagement Day event in support of IT acquisitions. This event is designed to promote meaningful exchanges of information to support a greater understanding of ICE's IT requirements and industry's capabilities. The event will be held on August 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM EDT and will be online via Teams Live and will include briefs of specific requirements listed in the Acquisition Planning Forecast System (APFS) and a segment for questions and answers. Registration is not required and the event is free, meaning it is open to everyone.

To join this live event, click on this link:  http://bit.ly/Aug28VendorDay

The Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Headquarters Marine Corps Installation and Logistics (HQMC I&L) Contracts offices host this event quarterly. The goal for the event is to further communication with industry on current and future requirements. In addition to general information about active projects across the enterprise, the hybrid event will also provide information on projects such as Contracts Developmental Program (CDP), Program Manager (PM) Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare Systems (TEC), Ground Weapons Systems (GWS), and more. As mentioned prior, this is a hybrid event, meaning both virtual via Adobe Connect Seminar and in-person attendance is offered.

To learn more about this opportunity, including the extent of active projects the event will be offering information for and registration information, click here. The meeting address and URL will be distributed to industry partners who have responded by 11:00 EST on August 16, 2024, but the event date is August 22 and starts at 9:30 EST and will last approximately three hours. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds extramural research through the Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) for research and development to fulfill requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art, increasing scientific and/or technical understanding. The collaborative webinar will provide an opportunity for the innovation community as well as NSF staff to learn more about the Foundation’s research areas and understand how BAAs are used to work with the NSF.

Join us on August 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET to learn more. For more information, including registration information, click on the link: https://sam.gov/opp/89771c758a2e4fbf947ad972b17c2a96/view

British Columbia Transit of Chilliwack, British Columbia invites people to attend their online webinar on Mircosoft Teams on August 13, 2024 from 9:30 to noon PDT. The session will go over BC Transit’s operating model, specific information related to the planned Negotiated Request for Proposal (NRFP), and provide industry with an opportunity to comment on potential procurement opportunities. Interested and potential attendees can find more information, including registration, at this link: https://rfpdelivery.com/member/bid/2183256/Vendor-Discovery-Webinar-for-Delivery-of-Transit-Management-Services

Registration closes August 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM PDT.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA),Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting its monthly virtual First Friday's training. This special opportunity will teach attendees the importance of a capabilities statement and how to develop one. These statements are primarily used for marketing outreach and provide key elements for a good understanding of what a company does. Because of their importance, most Government Agencies require them, and can actually help businesses get a foot in the door and allows for these businesses to be remembered. This is especially important because there are numerous organizations fighting for government contracts, and this webinar will help your business stand out.

The webinar will also give tips on developing a capabilities statement and help viewers determine when it is needed. Presented by Michelle Simoes, a Small Business Specialist, it is definitely an opportunity that you will not want to miss. Add in the fact that it is free and open to all of the industry, why would anyone not go? The webinar starts Friday, August 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM EST. For more information, including online registration information, click here.

Learning Objectives include:

• Understand what a Capabilities Statement is and when it is required

• Identify the importance of a Capabilities Statement

• Tips on developing a Capabilities Statement

Sponsored by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), this Industry Day’s purpose is to identify companies that can do complex composite work, including manufacturing and repairing parts for the current H60 fleet and fleet expansion aircraft. There is no cost to attend this event, but they ask that the number of attendees from your company be limited to two people.

To find out more about the event and the registration form, click on this link: https://sam.gov/opp/a7c6864b55f145b1a0aa5fa992e07567/view

Registration ends July 31, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST.

The National Apex Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and your local APEX Accelerator Program is excited to announce the upcoming DCAA Pricing Series. The second part of this Pricing Series includes Indirect Costs and Rates and Monitoring Subcontracts. 

Experts from the DCAA will define direct versus indirect costs, what general indirect rate structures look like, and the relationship between indirect pools and bases. An important topic, the DCAA will also go over the life cycle of indirect rates, then give the opportunity for attendees to view these indirect rates by giving examples of them using the four-step method in allocating indirect costs to Government Contracts. 

In addition, the DCAA will provide information about navigating the world of subcontracting. This will include discussions about he documentation of subcontract selections, subcontracting requirements, and the responsibilities of a prime contractor.  They will also highlight the importance of monitoring subcontracts, what information is required when submitting your annual incurred cost submission, as well as what they subcontractor will need to provide to the prime contractor. 

This useful information will be share via free webinar on August 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM ET. For registration and more information, click here.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, will host a series of learning events titled "Unlocking Opportunities: How to Do Business with DHS" virtually via Adobe on Wednesday, February 28th, Thursday, April 18th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM and Wednesday, July 31st, 10:00AM to 12:00PM.

The purpose of the event is to provide Industry an overview of the key steps on “How to Do Business with DHS,” which includes tips on how to register your business in order to start doing business with the Government; understanding what DHS needs and buys; how to find upcoming opportunities and how to leverage DHS resources; understand how DHS buys; gain proposal information and tips; and glean insights on what to do after winning DHS work!

Please see attached marketing flyer and registration link to sign up for one of these informative educational webinars.

Note: You will have the opportunity to register for one of the three dates on the registration page. 

Please follow this posting for additional updates regarding these webinars.

SEE: https://sam.gov/opp/b18e0ade2529407984dd6f97737bb4e7/view

The Office of Acquisition and Grants Management (OAGM), in collaboration with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and the Professional Services Council (PSC) is holding a two hour discussion that will explain the importance of language and how different language influences a company’s decision on bidding, pricing, teaming, and solution development. The session will also discuss the challenges and consequences of certain types of language and how they play a role in cost and quality of solutions from contractors. The discussion will also include perspectives on multi-step evaluations, small business policies, conflicts of interest, and more.

Register for the event using this link: https://cms.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_fzj-4bu7RYK8vpnZVActew

Storms. Storms. Storms. Are you prepared for procurement?

Join us as live as we discuss the rules related to Disaster Procurement:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8263745152

Or on YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/@GovDirections/streams (subscribe to our YouTube Channel for notification)

All times eastern daylight time. This premium session prepares you for Government Contracting.

GovDirections’ founder Mark Knowles leads the session. Participation is limited to allow more time to personalization. Mark will walk through the fundamentals of how to respond to an Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal. Mark will also help you with the organization of a complete responose and discuss areas such as Bonds, Pricing, Insurance and formatting your response.

You’ll leave with a personalized organization drive, templates required with responses, pricing analytics, and a handbooklet.

Learn to pinpoint the right request for proposal or bid, read and identify the details required, and respond in a winning way. The session is more than learning writing skills, but perfecting the hunt itself to save you time and money.

• Government 101

• Contracting Instruments Used by Governments

• Capability Statements

• Pinpointing Opportunity with the Search Criteria Best Suited for Your Company (Exercise) 

• Registrations (S.A.M., State and Local)

• Staying in the Ballpark with Performance Research (Exercise)

• Perfecting Your Response

• Evaluation and the Win

  Bring an RFP / ITB to class for best experience.

  $129: LIVE on ZOOM

  Can’t attend? Purchase a recording $28: RECORDING

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) is hosting a webinar Thursday, July 18, 2024 and will focus on cultivating supplier diversity and opportunities, along with discussing procurement metrics and going over upcoming opportunities for the Technology and Innovation Division.

There are no prerequisites to join, and interested parties can join using this link: https://cfpbgov.webex.com/cfpbgov/j.php?MTID=m4085cb37ca39dbddaf642a9d21213ff0

The Webinar Number is: 2831 980 4920

Or you can join by phone here: +1-404-397-1590 US Toll

Access Code is: 283 198 04920

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is holding a webinar dedicated to increasing opportunities for minority and women owned businesses. In conjunction with the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, the webinar will focus on cultivating supplier diversity, procurement metrics, and upcoming opportunities for the Technology and Innovation (T&I) Division and will be held on Thursday, July 18 at 2:00 PM ET.

Interested parties can join at this link: https://cfpbgov.webex.com/cfpbgov/j.php?MTID=m4085cb37ca39dbddaf642a9d21213ff0 with the webinar number being 2831 980 4920.

Or join by phone at +1-404-397-1590 with the access code: 283 198 04920.

To find out more click on the source link attached below.

Interested in learning how to develop a subcontracting plan? Tune into this free webinar to learn more!

Tammie Bailey-Fults is here to help you on your RFP Writing journey. She joins us to go over each section of a Request for Proposal and gives professional advice on making an RFP response template for your business. Tammie likes to work with a hands-on, open floor model allowing discussion and Q&A for viewers.

Tammie Bailey-Fults is a Business Procurement Consultant, Entrepreneur, Educator, and Speaker. She is the CEO and President of the National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses, Inc. (NAWOSB) and NOMACON Solutions. 

Cost: $85

Can’t attend live? Purchase a recording for $28 to view on demand