2022 Annual Forum and Products Exposition

Sessions

• August 23, 2022
  Today's high costs of procurement demand that State, Local Government, and Education practitioners change to a more efficient process that reduces total costs and creates value. Graybar can assist in mapping your existing processess, then analyze the work functions and recommend changes and improvemets to those processes. Through a full suite of vendor managed services we keep departments working and your projects on time and on budget.
• August 22, 2022
  Every procurement incurs risk. Procurement Officers are uniquely positioned to help their entities make strategic decisions about how to manage them. In this interactive session, participants are expected to create their own risky situation and be consider the pros and cons of their decisions with colleagues as we discuss the best way to manage risk for routine procurements.
• August 22, 2022
  If you’ve ever asked a procurement peer “Do you have a contract I can use?”, you know that the spirit of collaboration in public procurement is strong. Cooperative purchasing and piggybacking allows public agencies to share contracts to deliver better, faster public services to the public. But even now, finding the right contract at the right time often feels like a losing game of “Go, Fish!” How can you leverage technology (and the wisdom of your peers) to minimize the time you spend on the logistics of collaboration and maximize its benefits to your agency and the public? Join CoProcure as we connect with leaders pushing the boundaries of procurement collaboration in the digital age. In this session, you’ll connect with individuals and tools that can help you maximize the value of cooperative procurement for your entity and the broader public. You won’t want to miss it!
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  Let's celebrate our collective achievements and recognize our special individual, entity and chapter award winners!
• August 24, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  One of the high priority initiatives of many public entities is sustainability. Though it is not a new concept, there is an ever-increasing focus on public entities to ensure they are doing their part to make a difference in this area. Most procurement organizations have a generalized statement of policy or procedure that goes into our solicitations, but where do we go from there? Is there more we can do? The answer is "yes", there is. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  Small, Woman and Minority – owned business enterprises, Service-Disabled Veteran owned business enterprises– how does your organization support these businesses? Learn what and how the City of Virginia Beach has created programs, facilitated conversations and increased participation in City Contracts. City of Virginia Beach Purchasing Division and SWaM Office discuss the continued growth of our SWaM and SDV program. We will explore disparity studies, procurement initiatives, educational programs, expos and more.
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  This topic focuses on negotiating rates for professional services in an unprecedented labor market. Many states have legislation that hinders negotiation with professional services providers, such as engineers and architects. Negotiating with these entities can already be difficult in a normal labor market, but even more so in today’s market.
• August 21, 2022
  Don't miss this year's products expo featuring the latest and greatest products and services available to state and local governments! The Innovation Theater is new this year and for today, features sessions from Ion Wave Technologies, Greenfields Outdoor Fitness and Gordian. Check out the main session schedule for exact times. Stick around for our "Taste of Boston" Booth Crawl and reception starting at 5pm. Many exhibitors are hosting food and beverage items in their booths, plus we'll have many other delicious items for you to savor!
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) is NIGP's certification for mid to executive level leaders in procurement. The focus of the NIGP-CPP is competency-based - the work that a procurement leader does on the job. The NIGP-CPP is unique in that it is integrated with Pathways for holistic learning and credentialing, and it is refreshed by ongoing research which keeps the NIGP-CPP relevant and meaningful.
• August 24, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  We will review how COVID and subsequential emerging technologies has impacted how procurements are created, collaborated, and completed. This session focuses on Workforce development and consistent emerging technology changes and challenges, along with the impact of remote work has challenged the seasoned procurement professional. We will review what we can do to adapt, and what changes we may (will?) see in the foreseeable future.
• August 23, 2022
  Amazon Business is the purchasing solution trusted by governments and public sector agencies of all sizes. Let us help you serve your citizens with tools built for the unique needs of government organizations. In this session, learn how you can enable strategic buying and modernize legacy processes with digital procurement solutions to help optimize costs, simplify processes, and facilitate compliance. Learn more about supporting responsible purchasing goals with tools to guide buyers towards local and certified diverse sellers, and products with sustainability certifications. Joining this session is Annie Perez, Chief Procurement Officer of the City of Miami, who will share how City of Miami is enabling city purchasers to buy local – a key initiative to help open the door for more small businesses sell to the government. This session will cover: • How Amazon Business can digitize purchasing to increase purchase visibility, facilitate financial stewardship, and meet sourcing goals while monitoring compliance. • Ways procurement can support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals by identifying certified products and sellers, guiding purchases, and proactive reporting for stakeholders to support local businesses, diverse sellers, and more sustainable products. • Strategies implemented by City of Miami to direct spend toward local businesses and proactively measure progress.
• August 24, 2022
  Fast-track your understanding of the Top 12 List of Best Practices in job order contracting from the industry's designated non-profit resource center and credentialing body of experts. You'll get "the list" and learn what makes a great program. It's the secret sauce to creating your government's Key Performance Indicators for JOC. Do you have questions about job order contracting? It's your chance to ask the experts from the Center for JOC Excellence so attend the session, learn, collaborate, and succeed!
• August 23, 2022
  Description Five lessons learned from the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Complex will be shared. These are actions and mindsets that will help you everyday in your career and life. In addition, to make the best use of these lessons, get ready to be involved, as we issue a call to action for an exciting new endeavor of procurement community support and kindness. Disclaimer: This session will include media and discussion around the topic of workplace violence. Please be aware that this content may be difficult. I encourage you to consider your well-being before choosing to attend.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  The Vehicle Marketplace is a one-stop, online eProcurement platform created by New York State for State and local governments to purchase vehicles in classes 1 – 8. This presentation will give an overview of the innovative use of technology that led to streamlined work processes and improved services for users Statewide. Those attending will learn about the history and features of the Vehicle Marketplace which include faster purchases, more competitive pricing, additional purchasing options for buyers, and simplified business procedures.
• August 23, 2022
  As we all work to be more inclusive, knowing each of our team members and how they operate is key to effective leadership. Come experience fun, informative personal assessments that help you better understand yourself and others, that you can then take back to the office and use with your employees for awareness and making necessary adjustments for individual satisfaction and team success.
• August 22, 2022
  "Using a real life example, as a group participants will identify risks, develop a risk mitigation strategy and create a contract administration plan Identify types of risks that can occur for any contract  Identify risks that are likely to occur for a specific contract, by utilizing risk evaluation methodologies.  Develop a risk management plan. Incorporate this risk management plan into pre-award and post award activities and create a contract administration plan.."
• August 23, 2022
  Results Driven Contracting aims to transform the procurement process. We will discuss how to build a results-driven RFP to get the outcomes you want and how to automate that data collection to track your outcomes.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  "With compressing budgets, increasing demands and limited staff, you are under intense pressure to discover efficiencies and put them into practice. How do you cut or contain costs, without sacrificing quality? How do you ensure you are getting competitive pricing and purchasing at market price? In this session you will learn about a successful private sector practice that is now used in the public sector. You will gain an understanding of what works well in a Reverse Auction, what doesn’t work and how RA’s differ from paper bids. We will discuss format options, your supplier relationships, and FAQs of buyers and suppliers. Finally, you will view a Reverse Auction demo and see how this process creates competition, transparency, quickly negotiates pricing and finds true market value"
• August 22, 2022
  The success of capital improvement and capital expense projects lies with choosing the appropriate project delivery method, and entities can and must migrate from the standard approach to projects, especially construction. To successfully implement any project requires project deliver methods to be updated, along with a clear process and a strong functional team biased toward achieving results. Information on the construction industry, funding mechanisms, and processes available to assist governments are shared in this seminar.
• August 19, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Recent research sponsored by NIGP and Gordian concludes that Job Order Contracting (JOC) requires fewer resources and less time than traditional construction procurement methods. But JOC is not a one-size-fits-all solution – procurement offices must strategically apply their available procurement methods to their project list. Where does Job Order Contracting fit? Join this session to discover when it is most advantageous to use Job Order Contracting to purchase construction services and how your peers are deploying JOC to overcome common obstacles to efficient construction procurement.
• August 23, 2022
  Hear directly from Small/Mid-sized companies and Women/Minority-owned businesses the challenges – and benefits! - of working with governments. In this conversation, we will confront common barriers that exclude diverse suppliers, including old rules like $5m annual revenue requirements, excessive/invasive certification requirements, multiple registries across governments, and the perception that governments don’t want to work with small businesses. We will also hear from business owners themselves, both in-person and in the results of a survey of SMBs and WMBEs to be released at NIGP.
• August 19, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Design-Build Project Delivery: "It’s the fastest growing and most popular method used to deliver construction projects in America." What is Design-Build and what do research studies tell us about it compares to other project delivery methods in terms of cost growth, schedule growth, and delivery speed? Presentation will review how Design-Build differs from other project delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build , Construction Management at Risk, Multi-prime) reviewing delivery method structures, procurement characteristics, and contract administration implications for successful project delivery. Discussion will also delve into how risk factor impacts differ when using design-build in a vertical (building) versus a horizontal (transportation) environment. Discussion will present how organizations need to be process adaptive and flexible to manage design-build contracts for best results.
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  This “open mic” would be for an arena for any questions related to RFP's . Many individuals new to the public procurement world often have questions but no forum to ask. This would be a “safe environment” for any question and open to newbies with their questions and also for the expert who has advice/stories to share.
• August 24, 2022
  In 2016, The Georgia Dept of Transportation Procurement Department found itself in the news, and not in a good way! This fun and interactive session will highlight the pitfalls and challenges faced by procurement professionals when, inevitably, a politician (any non-procurement individual) tries to influence the selection and awarding process. This session will focus on what was done, how procurement can preserve the process, and what to do if (when) an elected official decides the outcome of a solicitation. Maintaining the integrity, credibility, and effectiveness of the process will be discussed.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 21, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Join us for our opening plenary session as NIGP chair, Carrie Mathes, welcomes us back to Forum and featuring Jon Petz.
• August 24, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Where you spend your money is an indication of where you set your priorities. The Disparity Study is an equity tool for setting spending priorities within the public sector. Share in on a collaborative effort between Procurement and the Small Minority and Business Resource team in executing a contract to complete a Disparity Study for the City of Austin.
• August 24, 2022
  Small businesses are a vital part of the federal, state and local economy. This session will discuss the Small Business Administration's analysis on the current state of small businesses; highlight feedback from multiple small business owners and supporters; and, share suggestions on how your agency can better engage the small businesses in your community.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 20, 2022
  Join us before the Awards Dinner to get reacquainted with your friends after three years, or meet new ones! Light snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available. Special thanks to our sponsor Beacon Bid Implementation!
• August 22, 2022
  Come be a part of the Jury for a Live Courtroom Drama! Our cast of characters will present a dramatization of a real-life procurement case that made it to the courtroom, let you decide who best presented their "case", and provide the actual outcome and its relationship to what we do every day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
• August 22, 2022
  In the current era of generous federal funding, many public entities find themselves in the role of ‘recipient’ and therefore set the procurement compliance standards for eligible ‘subrecipients’ who are often not familiar with or accustomed to public procurement rules and regulations. Add period of performance requirements, such as with ARPA funding, and a whole new layer of procurement challenges have to be managed. Sedgwick County, Kansas, faced this exact scenario. Through the collaborative efforts and expertise of the County, the Arena’s third-party management company, federal disaster grant consultants, and suppliers, an innovative yet compliant plan was initiated utilizing ARPA funding to bring about much-needed renovations to the county arena to better serve and promote a healthy community. Join us as we use this case study to discuss the need for innovative procurement strategies to achieve successful outcomes for resilient communities using COVID-19 federal funding sources.
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  How did we get to where we are in government procurement? And what does Oliver Cromwell have to do with the FAR? People often think that procurement is simply process with no context, so let's explore some of the more interesting procurement events that got us to where we are today.
• August 23, 2022
  For thousands of years boatwrights have plied their trade to transform roughhewn materials into elegant, efficient and seaworthy craft. They have developed principles of design and construction that have withstood the challenges of time. We will apply the principles of these masters, combined with over 30 years of successful procurement leadership, to the challenges of you face every day. Come and explore the tools and techniques of the boatwrights shop and learn how these approaches and principles can be applied to the creation and formation of effective teams, helping individuals realize their full potential and shaping a brighter and more resilient future for the communities we serve.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Can you use a performance bond for something other than construction? How can a public agency using the low-bid system in awarding public works contracts be sure that the lowest bidder is dependable? How can private sector construction project owners manage the risk of contractor failure? Most public agencies and construction contractors are familiar with the process of obtaining surety bonds, but they may not be aware of the legal relationships that bonds establish. Bonds confirm the relationships among the principal (the contractor), the obligee (usually the owner) and the surety. This session will answer these questions and more. Participants will get a brief overview of bonding and insurance, see an outline for timing, and be able to identify when to use a particular type of bond.Training session is targeted to beginning procurement professionals.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  As more and more of our agencies are directed to include social equity and sustainability in our procurements, It is critical that we execute those requirements consistent with the core values of Accountability, ethics, impartiality, professionalism, service and transparency. Procurement officers often feel challenged about how to offer vendors with certain characteristics preferences while still preserving competition and this session will explore how social equity ( labor, MWBE, DBE) requirements and sustainability requirements are not only not in conflict with our core values bust essential to them.
• August 21, 2022
  With great power comes great responsibility…and no one knows this better than procurement teams. With the power of unprecedented funding dollars flowing through the public sector, procurement professionals have the responsibility to ensure maximum impact to their communities—all while navigating new challenges like “the Great Resignation” which is seeing more and more employees leave the public sector. To overcome these challenges and meet the needs of their constituents, procurement teams are embracing a new secret weapon—procurement technology. Join Mitch Shim, Manager, Implementation & Professional Services at Bonfire as he chats with Cheri Estradal from Tacoma School District, Brenda Byers-Banks from North Carolina State University and Adam Stearns from Magnolia ISD. This session’s panelists are recent winners of the Bonfire Procurement Awards for their achievements in leadership and procurement excellence in their agencies. In this case study session, our industry experts will share their experience with leading the digital transformation efforts at their respective agencies, and how technology has enabled better collaboration, client service, and ultimately, greater impact on the constituents they serve. You’ll learn: ● Our panelists’ experience with driving eProcurement at their agency, including what pushed them to pursue procurement technology in the first place ● The procurement “superpowers” enabled by procurement technology that will enable your team to tackle new challenges and priorities in stride ● How procurement technology is making a direct positive impact on their communities
• August 23, 2022
  Ever wondered how cooperative agencies and cooperative contracts work? Attend this session and learn how to analyze and develop a cooperative procurement program within your organization. We will cover the importance of compliance with local regulations and how to apply cooperative purchasing as an effective tool in your procurement function.
• August 24, 2022
  Going through the solicitation process for the first time can be a bit of a daunting task—every entity does it differently and knowing where to start can be a challenge. When should you use the Invitation for Bid process? What is the difference between specifications and scope of work? How do we know we haven't missed anything? Explore the basics of the IFB process and specification writing, consider how checklists can be a great guide to get you through your process, and discuss other tips to help make your IFBs a success in this discussion-focused, lecture-style session.
• August 21, 2022
  Please join us for a panel discussion and Q&A as three procurement professionals at different stages of their careers share the experiences that got them where they are today. The panelists have performed procurement for Municipalities, Municipalities that own their Airport and Utilities, Counties, School Districts, and Higher Education. This session is informative for those who are interested in different career paths in procurement.
• August 19, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The 2030 electrification deadline is around the corner – where are you on the road to electrification? The public sector needs to plan and start the groundwork now, not tomorrow. EV transition can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be. A comprehensive EV Transition Plan includes the Project Design and Management; EV Fleet Transition Analysis; Charging Infrastructure Plan and Funding Strategies. Attendees will leave with a template to be customized for their organization.
• August 24, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 22, 2022
  Discover how cutting edge, AI technology, enables both in-person and remote participants to use gesture control and facial recognition to engage authentically in an intuitive experience with customized views to inspire today’s complex hybrid team collaboration needs.
• August 24, 2022
  Where does your passion lie? What is important to you and, possibly, your family. Join your peers and friends to discuss the value of contributing to your community regardless of whether you define that community as local, global, professional, or any combination thereof. We’ll discuss how to identify what is a good fit for you as well as the potential benefits to you as an individual and your community at large. Join some colleagues who volunteer, both with NIGP and other organizations, to discuss what convinced them to volunteer, why they do it, and what benefits they have experienced.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Many procurement folks feel that once they've prepared the solicitation, sent it to the vendors, opened and evaluated the responses and posted the award, their work is done. However, looking at the breadth of the contract management cycle tells us that this is likely to be the least amount of time that will be invested in the contract for they are often put in place for terms of a year or more. That makes it imperative to understand what is necessary for good contract administration and that information needs to be conveyed to the using departments who deal with the contractor everyday. This session will cover the basics of proper contract administration, while keeping in mind what is to be accomplished with the solicitation. There will also be two hands-on exercises in which participants will practice creating a Contract Administration Plan and a Performance Assessment Plan.
• August 21, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Reaching Suppliers in Underserved Markets. As we seek to expand our pool of suppliers, we often have a difficult time identifying suppliers that are located in our underserved communities. This session will introduce attendees to tools that will assist in identifying and reaching those hard-to-find vendors. This session will also present an overview of the various small business certifications used by the federal government and how they can assist local procurement officials in meeting their goals.
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The ability to connect with others is a determining factor in reaching your potential. Learn simple practices that you can apply in your professional and personal life to connect with others. Participate in a fun and impactful game that will challenge you to become a better communicator.
• August 22, 2022
  Join us to discuss the foundations of cooperative procurement. This is a great session for a new Procurement Specialist or Contract Administrator as it covers the basics of cooperative procurement. There are no prerequisites needed to attend.
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  How to better leverage strategic partnerships with vendors to help mitigate continued supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures.
• August 23, 2022
  Does it feel like you have to choose between the ease and speed of cooperative procurement and meeting your entity’s goals around supporting local or diverse businesses? What if you could achieve the best of both worlds? In this session, you’ll hear from procurement leaders who are simultaneously leveraging the benefits of cooperative procurement and supporting local and diverse businesses, and leave with actionable tactics for how you can, too.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Like it or not, information technology products and services are making up more and more of our entities' spend each year. For the uninitiated, IT-related procurement can seem daunting and overwhelming. But what if I told you there was a tool that can assist you through every step of the procurement cycle - from acquisition planning and market research through specification development, evaluation, demostration, negotiation, and contract administration? That tool is the Functionality Matrix, and in this session you will learn what the Matrix is, how to create one, and how it will help make your IT-related procurements more efficient and effective.
• August 22, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  This session focuses on Purchasing Manuals and Policies and the relevancy in your organization. Just a quick thought, when was the last time you actually did a comprehensive review and update of your existing documents?
• August 22, 2022
  Understand where to begin with assessing your current procurement spending in the community and how you can improve the impact. Provide specific examples of what SD County has implemented to both increase community and diverse contractor engagement and drive positive economic impacts from public spending. Consider how examples can be adapted for each organization's own needs.
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The acquisition of technology has become a major procurement initiative. This informative session will assist the procurement professional in constructing evaluation criteria for as-a-Service. Participants will work collaboratively with facilitators to review as-a-Service solicitations and develop relevant, measurable evaluation criterion.
• August 24, 2022
  Whether you are a procurement practitioner or executive, you are leading. Confidence greatly impacts the outcome of effectively leading and ultimately reaching desired levels of success. It can also define and guide individual and team performance, decision making, problem resolution, process application, vendor and customer relationship, professional development, and more. Leading with Confidence is an interactive workshop which explores strategic concepts relative to transitioning from individual confidence to shared confidence for procurement professionals and its relationship to effective leadership. Attendees will gain a new perspective on how their confidence impacts their success as a procurement professional and realistic tools and resources to help develop, execute, and manage effective confidence.
• August 23, 2022
  This session will teach Procurement managers how to think about their relationships with managers bosses and leadership, and will focus on communicating to leadership in ways that meet their needs as well as the needs of your teams and specific procurements or stakeholders. Skill will include understanding leaderships goals, anticipating their needs, setting expectations and then exceeding them.
• August 24, 2022
  This session is an exploration of the approaches professional public agencies use to evaluate RFPs. We will discuss scoring, non-scoring, and hybrid methods along with specific approaches used for technical and price scoring and review examples where many of these methods are used. The intent is to bring awareness to the different methods, help us understand how our own approaches fit within the range of options, and explore where we might best use certain approaches.
• August 21, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Research sponsored by NIGP and Gordian concludes that Job Order Contracting (JOC) performs equally to or better than other construction project delivery methods. The same research finds that public organizations should consider JOC when executing routine repairs, renovations or less complex construction projects. However, there are different types of JOC contracts available - customized JOC programs and cooperative JOC programs. Organizations must understand these options to ensure they' select the right JOC contract for them, based on their needs and procurement guidelines. This presentation will cover the differences between implementing your own JOC program and piggybacking off a cooperative contract or inter-local agreement, and tips for deciding which option is best for your organization. We'll also talk about nuances that could impact your decision, and you'll hear how your peers have implemented successful JOC programs through each type of contract.
• August 23, 2022
  Description: As we have seen over the past several months, pricing and availability have been unpredictable in certain industries. Find out what’s causing this and how we can work together to navigate these uncharted waters. Learning Outcomes: - Find out what impact “status quo” has on suppliers, competition, and ultimately… your pricing. - Learn what other agencies have done to help weather this storm. - Best practices to help navigate these uncertain times. "
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Digital procurement has been high in demand as buyers want to move from paper-based to purpose-based. It’s become the obvious choice as they seek to build a stronger supplier base, streamline processes, and save time. Want to learn how you can reduce your annual spend, save time and receive responsive compliant submissions? Join us in an in-depth discussion with Sourcewell to learn how they are optimizing their digital procurement platform with the latest digital tools to capitalize on their supplier base. Learning objectives: • Mitigate risk by using a digital procurement platform that incorporates best practices • Equip your platform with online resource planning to save valuable time • Boost collaboration and tracking with an evaluation process • Help suppliers get notified sooner with planned procurement
• August 23, 2022
  In this session #RFPDreamTeam will present NIGP's new best practice on debriefs. We will provide some tips and also conduct mock debriefs.
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  We’ve been told that our ability to think is what separates us from the animals. “I think, therefore I am,” proclaimed Rene’ Descartes in the 17th century. Situations, problems and opportunities confront us on a daily basis. How we handle them and move on is fundamental to long-term success in any endeavor. We each have our own experiences and points of view from which we make assumptions. To that we add facts, opinions and observations to try and arrive at a course of action. This requires the skill set of critical thinking, which examines assumptions, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions. This workshop will examine many of the facets of critical thinking and provide some useful tools for its proper application. There will be two exercises in small groups. One involves the use of a concept map for problem solving and the other involves a brainstorming session.
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Cook County has launched a series of improvement initiatives to make procurement more efficient and effective. Cook County CPO Raffi Saffarian and implementation partner Civic Initiatives founder Dustin Lanier will host a lively discussion with lots of opportunities for questions. Topics to be covered include: - What are the conditions that drove the County to launch this effort? - What are the examples of the major work efforts that are underway? - How have supplier partners like Civic Initiatives and others contributed, and how does public and private work together most effectively? - Where will this work take the County and what lessons are there for other locals considering a similar level of effort?
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Participate in this session to learn how a strong finance and procurement relationship can lead to success within your organization. We will share examples of what helps build a successful relationship as well as things which may hinder the relationship. When working in tandem, these two areas can help ensure the success of the organization's financial operations.
• August 22, 2022
  Let's face it - you know your job and you do it well but, some of our internal customers only think of procurement as a necessary evil. Let's change that mentality from a negative to a positive in this interactive session and become the customer oriented professionals that will make you and your procurement team shine.
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  As many new individuals are entering the public procurement profession, it is important to provide them with the skills to succeed in the profession and in life. Mentorship is often the professional bridge between being a novice and becoming a leader. This critical conversation focuses on the power and impact that mentoring has on the public procurement profession, and this discussion will include current thought leaders in the area of mentorship, as well as highlight how the NIGP Mentorship Program will help you and your organization move to the next level as leaders in the profession. Join us as we have a frank discussion about the value of mentorship for public procurement.
• August 23, 2022
  Join us as we explore principles of organic leadership and discuss how to effectively recognize those qualities within your team. This will be an introspective experience where we examine leadership traits, challenges and opportunities. Hack your leadership with a personalized strategic plan! We will introduce relevant tools to promote the establishment of a performance management based organizational culture that involves coaching and conscious attempts at continuous dialogue within work teams to achieve breakthrough improvements in manager-employee relationships and on-the-job results.
• August 24, 2022
  Anaheim reminded us of the incredible success Disney has created at the "Happiest place on earth." We may not manage amusement parks, but there are critical business elements we can take from Walt and apply them to our procurement shops. Come learn about the secret success formula and brainstorm together on changes we can make in our businesses to improve our customer and employee experiences.
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement Officers are currently in the middle of what is a complicated time of market volatility across many commodities. This volatility has greatly impacted our construction projects by creating impediments to meeting our goals. Particularly, our budgets. This session seeks to explore innovative ways to address related challenges. What are some of the impacts or consequences of our traditional ways of handling price escalation? How do we address escalation needs for procurements awarded prior to market volatility? How do we write requirements in a way that allows us to address price escalation needs in the future? How do we balance the needs of the entity while preserving the integrity of our procurement processes and protecting valid concerns of our supplier communities?
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Built in 1918 and located in Boston’s theater district, Royale is a former opera house that’s been transformed into a chic mega night club which boasts the original beauty and grandeur from the roaring 20s. You’ll feel ‘royal’ as you stroll down the red carpet and marvel at the opulence that surrounds you. Enjoy an unforgettable evening that includes amazing entertainment and some of Boston’s best, local fare. Visit the NIGP Possibilities Pavilion during expo hours for a sneak preview of the incredible activities you’ll find at Royale. Bring the fun and dress the part in your favorite dancing dress or bring a fedora to fit into the 1920's! Dressing up not required to have a roarin’ great time! Buses will begin departing at 6:15 PM from each hotel and will return from the venue as needed.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  : Many entities are continuing to experience the pains of COVID, the supply chain disruption, the shift in workforce management, the large number resigning and retiring....and now the economic pinch. No wonder entities are struggling! Experiencing challenges with finding employees? Struggling to keep up with the workload? This conversation will discuss challenges, but more importantly, ways in which entities are solving their resources struggles for staff support. Bring your challenges to share, but more importantly, bring your ideas (especially those that have been a success!)
• August 24, 2022
  Your name has been called so… ”Come on Down” …..you are the next contestant to test you skills at getting the right price. We as procurement professionals have spent years crafting our skills to get the right price. It’s one of the first things we learn in government procurement, award goes to the responsive, responsible supplier with the lowest price. We've got that strategy down, so, what else is out there? Is there more we can do to get value beyond price that has a positive impact for our entities and demonstrates procurement’s strategic value? (HINT: You might even get a chance to “Come on Down” and test your skills at getting the right price).
• August 21, 2022
  Through this educational track attendees will see and learn the elements of working with an electronic bidding application creating solicitations, managing supplier outreach options, monitoring response activity, viewing tabulation and evaluation reports, and making award decisions. As an early adopter of electronic bidding, the presenter will show live examples of the types of solicitations currently being conducted by peer agencies online including Quotations, Sealed Bids, Request for Proposals, and Construction Bids.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  1. Come and see how the new electronic procurement office can achieve. 2. Check our process to see how contract management is vital to the success of the organization. 3. Explore what methods have been used to solve procurement challenges.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Running surveys, holding focus groups, and soliciting broad feedback from prospective and current suppliers can be a powerful way to close knowledge gaps around how to improve operations and attract a larger, more diverse group of suppliers. Join the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab for an in-depth exploration of best practices for designing and running surveys and focus groups with the supplier community. In this session, participants will explore how to use surveys and focus groups to solicit feedback on procurement processes, understand knowledge or capacity barriers that prospective suppliers face, and assess suppliers’ experience working with your entity once hired.
• August 23, 2022
  The Model Procurement Code is the standard for procurement codes and enabling legislation across the country. It was last revised/updated in 2000. Have you ever thought “why would they make that law” or “I wish I could change the Law” or, to quote Dickens, ever think “[t]he law is a ass – a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience – by experience.” (Oliver Twist, chapter 51) Here’s your chance to open the eye of the law by experience, to influence change, to make a difference. The American Bar Association is embarking on a revision of the Model Procurement Code. You are invited to participate, to share your experience. Come help identify issues and prioritize the efforts of the MPC revision task force, hear about the process and learn from the ABA’s local government Reporter, Michael Bevis, how you can become involved.
• August 24, 2022
  We all serve in different roles over the life of our careers. Some will rise to the top levels of leadership, some will be strong informal leaders and many will work diligently in various roles supporting their customers and their entity in front line positions. No matter where you sit in an organization, you have the ability to help transform your procurement function. Transformation is a word that is tossed around alot, but do you really understand what it means to transform service function in government? This session will share the case study of Orange County Procurement, and their partners at NIGP Consulting, as they embarked on their own journey of procurement transformation. Hear about how focusing on your greatest asset, your human capital, can redefine your entire organization . So join us as we share how Orange County CA is Blazing a Trail into their new future of procurement!
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  This panel of industry peer experts will share tips, "tricks," and strategies for getting the most out of using cooperative purchasing contracts. You'll hear real examples of successful uses of cooperative contracts in the most unlikely (AKA a global pandemic, supply chain problems, etc) situations. Want to hear how your peers are navigating the thousands of available cooperative contacts? Each panelist will provide real examples from their agencies that will provide attendees more effective processes to take home to their agencies. Attendees are encouraged to prepare questions to bring to this session for the panelists and interact with their own examples throughout. Join us!
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement expertise includes performance of specialized skills, knowledge, and competencies. Over many years public procurement has transformed from a very traditional process to a transformational process. The transformation process can introduce more gray area which requires more decision making by the public procurement professional. This session will explore professional judgment as it applies to public procurement. The attendee will explore with the presenters what is professional judgment, why is it so important now, and when is it needed. As well as examples and discussion with the group.
• August 22, 2022
  As procurement organizations race to adopt new tech, new processes, and new legislation it is critical that we learn how to prepare our organizations for change, and develop a skill set that will allow us to surf the waves of innovation instead of drowning in them. Join Ben Koberna as he walks us through a fun and interactive program designed to develop the leadership skills necessary to navigate our procurement modernization journey.
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement professionals invest so much time energy and capital into developing solicitations and contracts, that little time is left to invest in one of the most important aspects of meeting the needs of our buying customers; vendor management. In this session we will discuss ways that allow you to leverage tools that simplify the effort, and provide critical data about how well vendors on your contracts are performing for your buying customers, and your organization. Just think about how fast and easy it is for you to make a decision about a restaurant or a destination on Yelp or Trip Advisor. These are the types of approaches and opportunities that we look forward to sharing with you during our time together.
• August 21, 2022
  Embrace the future; create solutions, lead your communities into a better and more resilient future. The problems we face are significant and ever evolving, market changes, climate change, poverty, the need for education, the desire to protect the vulnerable among us, lack of opportunity, and the list goes on. Current solutions sometimes have limited success, sometimes fail, sometimes, but rarely succeed and change the lives and fortunes of those around us. This session will focus on how procurement processes can find and develop new solutions, prove them in the real world and then contract to make them a lasting reality. We will explore the start-up in residence program as a procurement process and a way to redefine our approach to and impact on the future of our communities.
• August 24, 2022
  Join us for an exciting "Ride-A-Long" as we show you how Procurement became an integral part of the transition team that launched a Police Department. How important flexibility in your procurement rules are and ways you can modify them to meet challenging and difficult times.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  We spend more money on construction than anything else. Do you really understand the different ways to buy construction? Do you want a diagnostic that can guide you and your clients in selection a construction delivery method? Come to this session where we will compare and contrast the primary construction delivery methods Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, Design-Build, Job Order Contracting and various IDIQ contracting methods. We will also work through a process for the development of your own diagnostic tool to support project based decision-making.
• August 23, 2022
  The adage, “we learn from our mistakes” holds true for even the most seasoned procurement officer. We’ve all made them in the early days of our careers and we are all better for them. It’s even better when we learn from the mistakes of others. Participants in this session will discuss mistakes learned by professionals, who are better at what they do because they experiences lapses in judgement in their past procurement lives.
• August 24, 2022
  Come join our panel as we discuss the intricacies of the RFP process. This session will mimic the entire process from issuance of the solicitation through to negotiation of contract with the intended awardee. The negotiation portion will be a real-life demonstration of how to handle this part of the process. Be a part of the action by asking questions, offering comments, and making alternative suggestions!
• August 21, 2022
  In this session we will: - Discuss the increasing need for fitness opportunities in the outdoors - Review the evolution of outdoor fitness in general - Share the various types of exercise opportunities which are available to create an inclusive and multigenerational destinations for the whole community - Highlight successful practices for implementation of such amenity - Pinpoint the benefits of using Co-Op Purchasing to achieve the above - Answer questions
• August 21, 2022
  REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE isn't just terminology, it is a tangible part of the Circular Economy that becomes more critical every year as we look to eliminate processes and products that are environmentally wasteful or inefficient. Every public agency has sustainability initiatives that may include carbon neutrality, reduced waste, reuse and recycling programs, fleet electrification or a host of many other defined goals. This session will describe and quantify just how much different types of technology solutions can bring you closer to your surpassing your benchmarks.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Procurement officials are often focused on compliance-based functions, and ensuring minimum standards are met during the procurement process. Procurement Officials do not often consider vendor engagement until there is problem with not receiving enough responses to a solicitation. It can be very difficult to see the perspective of a vendor since procurement officials have insider knowledge and only see one side of the process. Taking innovative approaches at vendor engagement can lead to greater competition for government procurement methods. The innovative approach of Town Hall – takes an established political strategy and revolutionizes it to a modern forum to collect input, suggestions, and ideas to improve government processes, procedures, and communication methods.
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  Thank you to our sponsor, Beacon Bid Implementation for sponsoring tonight's receptions!
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Welcome back to day 2 of our products expo! Check out the main session schedule for more Innovation Theater sessions, featuring Cobblestone Software, EasiBuy, LLC and eBridge Procurement. Lunch will be available from 12-1:30pm, with more of Boston's local fare!
• August 23, 2022
  Healthy Building Strategies
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  CobbleStone Software has helped thousands of contracting professionals for over 20 years. CobbleStone’s trusted contract management software - CobbleStone Contract Insight® - is built on powerful contract AI that supports full contract lifecycle management. Our user-friendly, scalable, low-friction, and feature-rich contract management solution is the preferred CLM solution for public procurement professionals and is available on the GSA Schedule 70 and numerous other cooperative purchasing options. Come visit The NIGP Innovation Theater located in the exhibit hall on Monday at 11AM to view an interactive live demonstration of our robust software solution.
• August 22, 2022
  Data can be overwhelming; however, analytics help tell a story, create dialogue, save time, and increase productivity. Leveraging data is critical to make smarter decisions for our organizations. Having the right information helps to increase awareness and transparency of spend. Additionally, it creates opportunities to increase efficiencies, reduce rogue spend, and centralize procurement. This session shares ways that your procurement team can leverage data to help your organization.
• August 23, 2022
  While often in separate departments, procurement and finance need to work as one to serve the needs of the organization. In this session, speakers will explore the connections between finance and procurement and show how a better more collaborative relationship between procurement and finance can lead to improved outcomes in budgeting, long-term planning, cash flow analysis, debt management, accounting, contract management and more. Attendees will explore not only what makes for better integration, but how you can get started building more effective relationships with your peers from the finance office.
• August 24, 2022
  Procurement professionals are typically the last group to hold the project football before it enters the end zone. Because of this, many feel the pressure to complete the project/solicitations quickly and are the recipients of great frustration from their end user clients along the way. This conversation will fucus around talking about how to effectively teach your end users about the procurement process to reduce frustration, and provide tools on how you can stay positive with the high pressures and ultimately change the culture.
• August 19, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Learn simple, insightful ways to interact more positively with others and increase your organizational success. If you're a manager, see your team respond with new enthusiasm when you adopt these techniques.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  1. Come and explore the impact of 2 cfr 200 to your procurement processes. 2. Federal funds require special attention to meet compliance requirements. 3. Explore ways to make sure that internal controls and processes meet the federal requirements.
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  2022 Annual Forum and Products Exposition
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  We hear this a lot: "We moved from paper to electronic procurement, but we didn't gain the efficiency we had hoped to achieve". The move from paper to PDF documents solved the "physical paper" issue, but many agencies have discovered that a virtual mound of PDF-based solicitations and scanned documents as responses isn't much better, and in most cases, creates additional operational drag. By connecting the talent that exists within your government together, streamlining the necessary regulations and processes into guided workflows, and eliminating word processors and spreadsheets as your primary productivity tools - you can make streamlined strategic procurement a part of the core culture for your agency going forward.
• August 24, 2022
  MWBE’s ( Minority Women Business Enterprises) can struggle with contracting with the government for a various number of reasons. These reasons can vary from an overburdensome procurement process, to discrimination, to access to capital. Most governments have realized that the need to increase contracts with MWBE’s. This session will dive into strategies that cities can use to help raise their minority spend when they do not have a disparity study to give preference to MWBE’s.
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Our entityies' data is becoming more and more valuable, yet we are moving away from on-premises software solutions and opting to entrust the safeguarding of our most valuable asset to contractors and third-parties. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent, and making headlines daily. How do we determine whether our data will be safe, and what steps can we take to address the consequences of a cyber attack on our data? This session will discuss two aspects of cybersecurity: 1. Assessing whether a potential Contractor meets our security standards. We will discuss different methods of assessment, including questionnaires, surveys, and using third-party solutions. 2. Cyberliability insurance. We will examine what it is, the current state of the market, and how to determine when we need it and how much we need.
• August 21, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  The cooperative world is changing - do you know the latest that is out there? During this informative session, discover how many of your pinch points can be solved by fully using what is offered through cooperative contracting. While many use cooperative contracts for commodities, there's a whole expanding world of contracts that your team should be familiar with. Construction, repairs, financing, leasing, consulting services - you might be surprised what you can buy. Tammy Rimes will lead a fun trivia game at the end to cement the learning with "Let's Just Cooperate" t-shirts given away. Discover more from other agency success stories and panelist insights.
• August 19, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The intent of this workshop is to introduce the participants to the importance of case law and court cases which have had an impact upon the decisions made by procurement professionals. there will be an introduction discussing why case law and precedent are so important in our legal system. We will look at cases from other jurisdictions including US Supreme Court decisions, so that participants can see how others interpret laws and regulations impacting procurement. The presenter will introduce pertinent facts of a particular case, and then asks questions to drive the participants toward what they believe was the court decision in the case. Rarely will all participants agree, which allows for a spirited discussion amongst the participants and the presenter.
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The fundamental principle of a competitive solicitation is that it represents a fair, objective, merit based process and all bidders have the same opportunity to compete and win. If the procurement is impacted by bias – whether it is conscious or unconscious bias – then this fundamental principle is no longer held true. This can result in missed opportunities and contribute to business community distrust, especially when it comes to small and diverse businesses seeking to do business with your organization. In this session, we will share the tools used by our state agency to assist team members with structuring and conducting evaluations in a way that minimizes the risks of bias.
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Your procurement processes likely take longer than desired, but it can be difficult to pinpoint which steps most contribute to lengthy cycle times. Join the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab to learn how to map the procurement process as a first step to improving the process for internal customers and suppliers alike. In this interactive session, participants will practice mapping procurement processes and then learn how to analyze their maps to identify the “value” created by each process step, downtime in the process, unnecessary activities, or steps that could be taken in tandem. From this session, you will be equipped with techniques and tools for running your own process mapping activity.
• August 23, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement departments are positioned to ensure enterprise system purchases meets their needs simply by taking the lead on the sourcing of such systems. Procurement's organizational knowledge of departments strategically aligns procurement to be the friend in technology purchases and not the foe. Technology has changed supply chain systems in private industry, government, and a myriad of small businesses. All entities must drive down costs and improve operational efficiencies, keep pace with the technology of the business world, and make technology sourcing decisions holistically.
• August 20, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 20, 2022

• August 23, 2022
  Today's high costs of procurement demand that State, Local Government, and Education practitioners change to a more efficient process that reduces total costs and creates value. Graybar can assist in mapping your existing processess, then analyze the work functions and recommend changes and improvemets to those processes. Through a full suite of vendor managed services we keep departments working and your projects on time and on budget.
• August 22, 2022
  Every procurement incurs risk. Procurement Officers are uniquely positioned to help their entities make strategic decisions about how to manage them. In this interactive session, participants are expected to create their own risky situation and be consider the pros and cons of their decisions with colleagues as we discuss the best way to manage risk for routine procurements.
• August 22, 2022
  If you’ve ever asked a procurement peer “Do you have a contract I can use?”, you know that the spirit of collaboration in public procurement is strong. Cooperative purchasing and piggybacking allows public agencies to share contracts to deliver better, faster public services to the public. But even now, finding the right contract at the right time often feels like a losing game of “Go, Fish!” How can you leverage technology (and the wisdom of your peers) to minimize the time you spend on the logistics of collaboration and maximize its benefits to your agency and the public? Join CoProcure as we connect with leaders pushing the boundaries of procurement collaboration in the digital age. In this session, you’ll connect with individuals and tools that can help you maximize the value of cooperative procurement for your entity and the broader public. You won’t want to miss it!
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  Let's celebrate our collective achievements and recognize our special individual, entity and chapter award winners!
• August 24, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  One of the high priority initiatives of many public entities is sustainability. Though it is not a new concept, there is an ever-increasing focus on public entities to ensure they are doing their part to make a difference in this area. Most procurement organizations have a generalized statement of policy or procedure that goes into our solicitations, but where do we go from there? Is there more we can do? The answer is "yes", there is. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  Small, Woman and Minority – owned business enterprises, Service-Disabled Veteran owned business enterprises– how does your organization support these businesses? Learn what and how the City of Virginia Beach has created programs, facilitated conversations and increased participation in City Contracts. City of Virginia Beach Purchasing Division and SWaM Office discuss the continued growth of our SWaM and SDV program. We will explore disparity studies, procurement initiatives, educational programs, expos and more.
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  This topic focuses on negotiating rates for professional services in an unprecedented labor market. Many states have legislation that hinders negotiation with professional services providers, such as engineers and architects. Negotiating with these entities can already be difficult in a normal labor market, but even more so in today’s market.
• August 21, 2022
  Don't miss this year's products expo featuring the latest and greatest products and services available to state and local governments! The Innovation Theater is new this year and for today, features sessions from Ion Wave Technologies, Greenfields Outdoor Fitness and Gordian. Check out the main session schedule for exact times. Stick around for our "Taste of Boston" Booth Crawl and reception starting at 5pm. Many exhibitors are hosting food and beverage items in their booths, plus we'll have many other delicious items for you to savor!
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) is NIGP's certification for mid to executive level leaders in procurement. The focus of the NIGP-CPP is competency-based - the work that a procurement leader does on the job. The NIGP-CPP is unique in that it is integrated with Pathways for holistic learning and credentialing, and it is refreshed by ongoing research which keeps the NIGP-CPP relevant and meaningful.
• August 24, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  We will review how COVID and subsequential emerging technologies has impacted how procurements are created, collaborated, and completed. This session focuses on Workforce development and consistent emerging technology changes and challenges, along with the impact of remote work has challenged the seasoned procurement professional. We will review what we can do to adapt, and what changes we may (will?) see in the foreseeable future.
• August 23, 2022
  Amazon Business is the purchasing solution trusted by governments and public sector agencies of all sizes. Let us help you serve your citizens with tools built for the unique needs of government organizations. In this session, learn how you can enable strategic buying and modernize legacy processes with digital procurement solutions to help optimize costs, simplify processes, and facilitate compliance. Learn more about supporting responsible purchasing goals with tools to guide buyers towards local and certified diverse sellers, and products with sustainability certifications. Joining this session is Annie Perez, Chief Procurement Officer of the City of Miami, who will share how City of Miami is enabling city purchasers to buy local – a key initiative to help open the door for more small businesses sell to the government. This session will cover: • How Amazon Business can digitize purchasing to increase purchase visibility, facilitate financial stewardship, and meet sourcing goals while monitoring compliance. • Ways procurement can support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals by identifying certified products and sellers, guiding purchases, and proactive reporting for stakeholders to support local businesses, diverse sellers, and more sustainable products. • Strategies implemented by City of Miami to direct spend toward local businesses and proactively measure progress.
• August 24, 2022
  Fast-track your understanding of the Top 12 List of Best Practices in job order contracting from the industry's designated non-profit resource center and credentialing body of experts. You'll get "the list" and learn what makes a great program. It's the secret sauce to creating your government's Key Performance Indicators for JOC. Do you have questions about job order contracting? It's your chance to ask the experts from the Center for JOC Excellence so attend the session, learn, collaborate, and succeed!
• August 23, 2022
  Description Five lessons learned from the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Complex will be shared. These are actions and mindsets that will help you everyday in your career and life. In addition, to make the best use of these lessons, get ready to be involved, as we issue a call to action for an exciting new endeavor of procurement community support and kindness. Disclaimer: This session will include media and discussion around the topic of workplace violence. Please be aware that this content may be difficult. I encourage you to consider your well-being before choosing to attend.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  The Vehicle Marketplace is a one-stop, online eProcurement platform created by New York State for State and local governments to purchase vehicles in classes 1 – 8. This presentation will give an overview of the innovative use of technology that led to streamlined work processes and improved services for users Statewide. Those attending will learn about the history and features of the Vehicle Marketplace which include faster purchases, more competitive pricing, additional purchasing options for buyers, and simplified business procedures.
• August 23, 2022
  As we all work to be more inclusive, knowing each of our team members and how they operate is key to effective leadership. Come experience fun, informative personal assessments that help you better understand yourself and others, that you can then take back to the office and use with your employees for awareness and making necessary adjustments for individual satisfaction and team success.
• August 22, 2022
  "Using a real life example, as a group participants will identify risks, develop a risk mitigation strategy and create a contract administration plan Identify types of risks that can occur for any contract  Identify risks that are likely to occur for a specific contract, by utilizing risk evaluation methodologies.  Develop a risk management plan. Incorporate this risk management plan into pre-award and post award activities and create a contract administration plan.."
• August 23, 2022
  Results Driven Contracting aims to transform the procurement process. We will discuss how to build a results-driven RFP to get the outcomes you want and how to automate that data collection to track your outcomes.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  "With compressing budgets, increasing demands and limited staff, you are under intense pressure to discover efficiencies and put them into practice. How do you cut or contain costs, without sacrificing quality? How do you ensure you are getting competitive pricing and purchasing at market price? In this session you will learn about a successful private sector practice that is now used in the public sector. You will gain an understanding of what works well in a Reverse Auction, what doesn’t work and how RA’s differ from paper bids. We will discuss format options, your supplier relationships, and FAQs of buyers and suppliers. Finally, you will view a Reverse Auction demo and see how this process creates competition, transparency, quickly negotiates pricing and finds true market value"
• August 22, 2022
  The success of capital improvement and capital expense projects lies with choosing the appropriate project delivery method, and entities can and must migrate from the standard approach to projects, especially construction. To successfully implement any project requires project deliver methods to be updated, along with a clear process and a strong functional team biased toward achieving results. Information on the construction industry, funding mechanisms, and processes available to assist governments are shared in this seminar.
• August 19, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Recent research sponsored by NIGP and Gordian concludes that Job Order Contracting (JOC) requires fewer resources and less time than traditional construction procurement methods. But JOC is not a one-size-fits-all solution – procurement offices must strategically apply their available procurement methods to their project list. Where does Job Order Contracting fit? Join this session to discover when it is most advantageous to use Job Order Contracting to purchase construction services and how your peers are deploying JOC to overcome common obstacles to efficient construction procurement.
• August 23, 2022
  Hear directly from Small/Mid-sized companies and Women/Minority-owned businesses the challenges – and benefits! - of working with governments. In this conversation, we will confront common barriers that exclude diverse suppliers, including old rules like $5m annual revenue requirements, excessive/invasive certification requirements, multiple registries across governments, and the perception that governments don’t want to work with small businesses. We will also hear from business owners themselves, both in-person and in the results of a survey of SMBs and WMBEs to be released at NIGP.
• August 19, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Design-Build Project Delivery: "It’s the fastest growing and most popular method used to deliver construction projects in America." What is Design-Build and what do research studies tell us about it compares to other project delivery methods in terms of cost growth, schedule growth, and delivery speed? Presentation will review how Design-Build differs from other project delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build , Construction Management at Risk, Multi-prime) reviewing delivery method structures, procurement characteristics, and contract administration implications for successful project delivery. Discussion will also delve into how risk factor impacts differ when using design-build in a vertical (building) versus a horizontal (transportation) environment. Discussion will present how organizations need to be process adaptive and flexible to manage design-build contracts for best results.
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  This “open mic” would be for an arena for any questions related to RFP's . Many individuals new to the public procurement world often have questions but no forum to ask. This would be a “safe environment” for any question and open to newbies with their questions and also for the expert who has advice/stories to share.
• August 24, 2022
  In 2016, The Georgia Dept of Transportation Procurement Department found itself in the news, and not in a good way! This fun and interactive session will highlight the pitfalls and challenges faced by procurement professionals when, inevitably, a politician (any non-procurement individual) tries to influence the selection and awarding process. This session will focus on what was done, how procurement can preserve the process, and what to do if (when) an elected official decides the outcome of a solicitation. Maintaining the integrity, credibility, and effectiveness of the process will be discussed.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 21, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Join us for our opening plenary session as NIGP chair, Carrie Mathes, welcomes us back to Forum and featuring Jon Petz.
• August 24, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Where you spend your money is an indication of where you set your priorities. The Disparity Study is an equity tool for setting spending priorities within the public sector. Share in on a collaborative effort between Procurement and the Small Minority and Business Resource team in executing a contract to complete a Disparity Study for the City of Austin.
• August 24, 2022
  Small businesses are a vital part of the federal, state and local economy. This session will discuss the Small Business Administration's analysis on the current state of small businesses; highlight feedback from multiple small business owners and supporters; and, share suggestions on how your agency can better engage the small businesses in your community.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 20, 2022
  Join us before the Awards Dinner to get reacquainted with your friends after three years, or meet new ones! Light snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available. Special thanks to our sponsor Beacon Bid Implementation!
• August 22, 2022
  Come be a part of the Jury for a Live Courtroom Drama! Our cast of characters will present a dramatization of a real-life procurement case that made it to the courtroom, let you decide who best presented their "case", and provide the actual outcome and its relationship to what we do every day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
• August 22, 2022
  In the current era of generous federal funding, many public entities find themselves in the role of ‘recipient’ and therefore set the procurement compliance standards for eligible ‘subrecipients’ who are often not familiar with or accustomed to public procurement rules and regulations. Add period of performance requirements, such as with ARPA funding, and a whole new layer of procurement challenges have to be managed. Sedgwick County, Kansas, faced this exact scenario. Through the collaborative efforts and expertise of the County, the Arena’s third-party management company, federal disaster grant consultants, and suppliers, an innovative yet compliant plan was initiated utilizing ARPA funding to bring about much-needed renovations to the county arena to better serve and promote a healthy community. Join us as we use this case study to discuss the need for innovative procurement strategies to achieve successful outcomes for resilient communities using COVID-19 federal funding sources.
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  How did we get to where we are in government procurement? And what does Oliver Cromwell have to do with the FAR? People often think that procurement is simply process with no context, so let's explore some of the more interesting procurement events that got us to where we are today.
• August 23, 2022
  For thousands of years boatwrights have plied their trade to transform roughhewn materials into elegant, efficient and seaworthy craft. They have developed principles of design and construction that have withstood the challenges of time. We will apply the principles of these masters, combined with over 30 years of successful procurement leadership, to the challenges of you face every day. Come and explore the tools and techniques of the boatwrights shop and learn how these approaches and principles can be applied to the creation and formation of effective teams, helping individuals realize their full potential and shaping a brighter and more resilient future for the communities we serve.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Can you use a performance bond for something other than construction? How can a public agency using the low-bid system in awarding public works contracts be sure that the lowest bidder is dependable? How can private sector construction project owners manage the risk of contractor failure? Most public agencies and construction contractors are familiar with the process of obtaining surety bonds, but they may not be aware of the legal relationships that bonds establish. Bonds confirm the relationships among the principal (the contractor), the obligee (usually the owner) and the surety. This session will answer these questions and more. Participants will get a brief overview of bonding and insurance, see an outline for timing, and be able to identify when to use a particular type of bond.Training session is targeted to beginning procurement professionals.
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  As more and more of our agencies are directed to include social equity and sustainability in our procurements, It is critical that we execute those requirements consistent with the core values of Accountability, ethics, impartiality, professionalism, service and transparency. Procurement officers often feel challenged about how to offer vendors with certain characteristics preferences while still preserving competition and this session will explore how social equity ( labor, MWBE, DBE) requirements and sustainability requirements are not only not in conflict with our core values bust essential to them.
• August 21, 2022
  With great power comes great responsibility…and no one knows this better than procurement teams. With the power of unprecedented funding dollars flowing through the public sector, procurement professionals have the responsibility to ensure maximum impact to their communities—all while navigating new challenges like “the Great Resignation” which is seeing more and more employees leave the public sector. To overcome these challenges and meet the needs of their constituents, procurement teams are embracing a new secret weapon—procurement technology. Join Mitch Shim, Manager, Implementation & Professional Services at Bonfire as he chats with Cheri Estradal from Tacoma School District, Brenda Byers-Banks from North Carolina State University and Adam Stearns from Magnolia ISD. This session’s panelists are recent winners of the Bonfire Procurement Awards for their achievements in leadership and procurement excellence in their agencies. In this case study session, our industry experts will share their experience with leading the digital transformation efforts at their respective agencies, and how technology has enabled better collaboration, client service, and ultimately, greater impact on the constituents they serve. You’ll learn: ● Our panelists’ experience with driving eProcurement at their agency, including what pushed them to pursue procurement technology in the first place ● The procurement “superpowers” enabled by procurement technology that will enable your team to tackle new challenges and priorities in stride ● How procurement technology is making a direct positive impact on their communities
• August 23, 2022
  Ever wondered how cooperative agencies and cooperative contracts work? Attend this session and learn how to analyze and develop a cooperative procurement program within your organization. We will cover the importance of compliance with local regulations and how to apply cooperative purchasing as an effective tool in your procurement function.
• August 24, 2022
  Going through the solicitation process for the first time can be a bit of a daunting task—every entity does it differently and knowing where to start can be a challenge. When should you use the Invitation for Bid process? What is the difference between specifications and scope of work? How do we know we haven't missed anything? Explore the basics of the IFB process and specification writing, consider how checklists can be a great guide to get you through your process, and discuss other tips to help make your IFBs a success in this discussion-focused, lecture-style session.
• August 21, 2022
  Please join us for a panel discussion and Q&A as three procurement professionals at different stages of their careers share the experiences that got them where they are today. The panelists have performed procurement for Municipalities, Municipalities that own their Airport and Utilities, Counties, School Districts, and Higher Education. This session is informative for those who are interested in different career paths in procurement.
• August 19, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The 2030 electrification deadline is around the corner – where are you on the road to electrification? The public sector needs to plan and start the groundwork now, not tomorrow. EV transition can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be. A comprehensive EV Transition Plan includes the Project Design and Management; EV Fleet Transition Analysis; Charging Infrastructure Plan and Funding Strategies. Attendees will leave with a template to be customized for their organization.
• August 24, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 22, 2022
  Discover how cutting edge, AI technology, enables both in-person and remote participants to use gesture control and facial recognition to engage authentically in an intuitive experience with customized views to inspire today’s complex hybrid team collaboration needs.
• August 24, 2022
  Where does your passion lie? What is important to you and, possibly, your family. Join your peers and friends to discuss the value of contributing to your community regardless of whether you define that community as local, global, professional, or any combination thereof. We’ll discuss how to identify what is a good fit for you as well as the potential benefits to you as an individual and your community at large. Join some colleagues who volunteer, both with NIGP and other organizations, to discuss what convinced them to volunteer, why they do it, and what benefits they have experienced.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Many procurement folks feel that once they've prepared the solicitation, sent it to the vendors, opened and evaluated the responses and posted the award, their work is done. However, looking at the breadth of the contract management cycle tells us that this is likely to be the least amount of time that will be invested in the contract for they are often put in place for terms of a year or more. That makes it imperative to understand what is necessary for good contract administration and that information needs to be conveyed to the using departments who deal with the contractor everyday. This session will cover the basics of proper contract administration, while keeping in mind what is to be accomplished with the solicitation. There will also be two hands-on exercises in which participants will practice creating a Contract Administration Plan and a Performance Assessment Plan.
• August 21, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Reaching Suppliers in Underserved Markets. As we seek to expand our pool of suppliers, we often have a difficult time identifying suppliers that are located in our underserved communities. This session will introduce attendees to tools that will assist in identifying and reaching those hard-to-find vendors. This session will also present an overview of the various small business certifications used by the federal government and how they can assist local procurement officials in meeting their goals.
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The ability to connect with others is a determining factor in reaching your potential. Learn simple practices that you can apply in your professional and personal life to connect with others. Participate in a fun and impactful game that will challenge you to become a better communicator.
• August 22, 2022
  Join us to discuss the foundations of cooperative procurement. This is a great session for a new Procurement Specialist or Contract Administrator as it covers the basics of cooperative procurement. There are no prerequisites needed to attend.
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  How to better leverage strategic partnerships with vendors to help mitigate continued supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures.
• August 23, 2022
  Does it feel like you have to choose between the ease and speed of cooperative procurement and meeting your entity’s goals around supporting local or diverse businesses? What if you could achieve the best of both worlds? In this session, you’ll hear from procurement leaders who are simultaneously leveraging the benefits of cooperative procurement and supporting local and diverse businesses, and leave with actionable tactics for how you can, too.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Like it or not, information technology products and services are making up more and more of our entities' spend each year. For the uninitiated, IT-related procurement can seem daunting and overwhelming. But what if I told you there was a tool that can assist you through every step of the procurement cycle - from acquisition planning and market research through specification development, evaluation, demostration, negotiation, and contract administration? That tool is the Functionality Matrix, and in this session you will learn what the Matrix is, how to create one, and how it will help make your IT-related procurements more efficient and effective.
• August 22, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  This session focuses on Purchasing Manuals and Policies and the relevancy in your organization. Just a quick thought, when was the last time you actually did a comprehensive review and update of your existing documents?
• August 22, 2022
  Understand where to begin with assessing your current procurement spending in the community and how you can improve the impact. Provide specific examples of what SD County has implemented to both increase community and diverse contractor engagement and drive positive economic impacts from public spending. Consider how examples can be adapted for each organization's own needs.
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  The acquisition of technology has become a major procurement initiative. This informative session will assist the procurement professional in constructing evaluation criteria for as-a-Service. Participants will work collaboratively with facilitators to review as-a-Service solicitations and develop relevant, measurable evaluation criterion.
• August 24, 2022
  Whether you are a procurement practitioner or executive, you are leading. Confidence greatly impacts the outcome of effectively leading and ultimately reaching desired levels of success. It can also define and guide individual and team performance, decision making, problem resolution, process application, vendor and customer relationship, professional development, and more. Leading with Confidence is an interactive workshop which explores strategic concepts relative to transitioning from individual confidence to shared confidence for procurement professionals and its relationship to effective leadership. Attendees will gain a new perspective on how their confidence impacts their success as a procurement professional and realistic tools and resources to help develop, execute, and manage effective confidence.
• August 23, 2022
  This session will teach Procurement managers how to think about their relationships with managers bosses and leadership, and will focus on communicating to leadership in ways that meet their needs as well as the needs of your teams and specific procurements or stakeholders. Skill will include understanding leaderships goals, anticipating their needs, setting expectations and then exceeding them.
• August 24, 2022
  This session is an exploration of the approaches professional public agencies use to evaluate RFPs. We will discuss scoring, non-scoring, and hybrid methods along with specific approaches used for technical and price scoring and review examples where many of these methods are used. The intent is to bring awareness to the different methods, help us understand how our own approaches fit within the range of options, and explore where we might best use certain approaches.
• August 21, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Research sponsored by NIGP and Gordian concludes that Job Order Contracting (JOC) performs equally to or better than other construction project delivery methods. The same research finds that public organizations should consider JOC when executing routine repairs, renovations or less complex construction projects. However, there are different types of JOC contracts available - customized JOC programs and cooperative JOC programs. Organizations must understand these options to ensure they' select the right JOC contract for them, based on their needs and procurement guidelines. This presentation will cover the differences between implementing your own JOC program and piggybacking off a cooperative contract or inter-local agreement, and tips for deciding which option is best for your organization. We'll also talk about nuances that could impact your decision, and you'll hear how your peers have implemented successful JOC programs through each type of contract.
• August 23, 2022
  Description: As we have seen over the past several months, pricing and availability have been unpredictable in certain industries. Find out what’s causing this and how we can work together to navigate these uncharted waters. Learning Outcomes: - Find out what impact “status quo” has on suppliers, competition, and ultimately… your pricing. - Learn what other agencies have done to help weather this storm. - Best practices to help navigate these uncertain times. "
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Digital procurement has been high in demand as buyers want to move from paper-based to purpose-based. It’s become the obvious choice as they seek to build a stronger supplier base, streamline processes, and save time. Want to learn how you can reduce your annual spend, save time and receive responsive compliant submissions? Join us in an in-depth discussion with Sourcewell to learn how they are optimizing their digital procurement platform with the latest digital tools to capitalize on their supplier base. Learning objectives: • Mitigate risk by using a digital procurement platform that incorporates best practices • Equip your platform with online resource planning to save valuable time • Boost collaboration and tracking with an evaluation process • Help suppliers get notified sooner with planned procurement
• August 23, 2022
  In this session #RFPDreamTeam will present NIGP's new best practice on debriefs. We will provide some tips and also conduct mock debriefs.
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  We’ve been told that our ability to think is what separates us from the animals. “I think, therefore I am,” proclaimed Rene’ Descartes in the 17th century. Situations, problems and opportunities confront us on a daily basis. How we handle them and move on is fundamental to long-term success in any endeavor. We each have our own experiences and points of view from which we make assumptions. To that we add facts, opinions and observations to try and arrive at a course of action. This requires the skill set of critical thinking, which examines assumptions, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions. This workshop will examine many of the facets of critical thinking and provide some useful tools for its proper application. There will be two exercises in small groups. One involves the use of a concept map for problem solving and the other involves a brainstorming session.
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Cook County has launched a series of improvement initiatives to make procurement more efficient and effective. Cook County CPO Raffi Saffarian and implementation partner Civic Initiatives founder Dustin Lanier will host a lively discussion with lots of opportunities for questions. Topics to be covered include: - What are the conditions that drove the County to launch this effort? - What are the examples of the major work efforts that are underway? - How have supplier partners like Civic Initiatives and others contributed, and how does public and private work together most effectively? - Where will this work take the County and what lessons are there for other locals considering a similar level of effort?
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Participate in this session to learn how a strong finance and procurement relationship can lead to success within your organization. We will share examples of what helps build a successful relationship as well as things which may hinder the relationship. When working in tandem, these two areas can help ensure the success of the organization's financial operations.
• August 22, 2022
  Let's face it - you know your job and you do it well but, some of our internal customers only think of procurement as a necessary evil. Let's change that mentality from a negative to a positive in this interactive session and become the customer oriented professionals that will make you and your procurement team shine.
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  As many new individuals are entering the public procurement profession, it is important to provide them with the skills to succeed in the profession and in life. Mentorship is often the professional bridge between being a novice and becoming a leader. This critical conversation focuses on the power and impact that mentoring has on the public procurement profession, and this discussion will include current thought leaders in the area of mentorship, as well as highlight how the NIGP Mentorship Program will help you and your organization move to the next level as leaders in the profession. Join us as we have a frank discussion about the value of mentorship for public procurement.
• August 23, 2022
  Join us as we explore principles of organic leadership and discuss how to effectively recognize those qualities within your team. This will be an introspective experience where we examine leadership traits, challenges and opportunities. Hack your leadership with a personalized strategic plan! We will introduce relevant tools to promote the establishment of a performance management based organizational culture that involves coaching and conscious attempts at continuous dialogue within work teams to achieve breakthrough improvements in manager-employee relationships and on-the-job results.
• August 24, 2022
  Anaheim reminded us of the incredible success Disney has created at the "Happiest place on earth." We may not manage amusement parks, but there are critical business elements we can take from Walt and apply them to our procurement shops. Come learn about the secret success formula and brainstorm together on changes we can make in our businesses to improve our customer and employee experiences.
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement Officers are currently in the middle of what is a complicated time of market volatility across many commodities. This volatility has greatly impacted our construction projects by creating impediments to meeting our goals. Particularly, our budgets. This session seeks to explore innovative ways to address related challenges. What are some of the impacts or consequences of our traditional ways of handling price escalation? How do we address escalation needs for procurements awarded prior to market volatility? How do we write requirements in a way that allows us to address price escalation needs in the future? How do we balance the needs of the entity while preserving the integrity of our procurement processes and protecting valid concerns of our supplier communities?
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Built in 1918 and located in Boston’s theater district, Royale is a former opera house that’s been transformed into a chic mega night club which boasts the original beauty and grandeur from the roaring 20s. You’ll feel ‘royal’ as you stroll down the red carpet and marvel at the opulence that surrounds you. Enjoy an unforgettable evening that includes amazing entertainment and some of Boston’s best, local fare. Visit the NIGP Possibilities Pavilion during expo hours for a sneak preview of the incredible activities you’ll find at Royale. Bring the fun and dress the part in your favorite dancing dress or bring a fedora to fit into the 1920's! Dressing up not required to have a roarin’ great time! Buses will begin departing at 6:15 PM from each hotel and will return from the venue as needed.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  : Many entities are continuing to experience the pains of COVID, the supply chain disruption, the shift in workforce management, the large number resigning and retiring....and now the economic pinch. No wonder entities are struggling! Experiencing challenges with finding employees? Struggling to keep up with the workload? This conversation will discuss challenges, but more importantly, ways in which entities are solving their resources struggles for staff support. Bring your challenges to share, but more importantly, bring your ideas (especially those that have been a success!)
• August 24, 2022
  Your name has been called so… ”Come on Down” …..you are the next contestant to test you skills at getting the right price. We as procurement professionals have spent years crafting our skills to get the right price. It’s one of the first things we learn in government procurement, award goes to the responsive, responsible supplier with the lowest price. We've got that strategy down, so, what else is out there? Is there more we can do to get value beyond price that has a positive impact for our entities and demonstrates procurement’s strategic value? (HINT: You might even get a chance to “Come on Down” and test your skills at getting the right price).
• August 21, 2022
  Through this educational track attendees will see and learn the elements of working with an electronic bidding application creating solicitations, managing supplier outreach options, monitoring response activity, viewing tabulation and evaluation reports, and making award decisions. As an early adopter of electronic bidding, the presenter will show live examples of the types of solicitations currently being conducted by peer agencies online including Quotations, Sealed Bids, Request for Proposals, and Construction Bids.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  1. Come and see how the new electronic procurement office can achieve. 2. Check our process to see how contract management is vital to the success of the organization. 3. Explore what methods have been used to solve procurement challenges.
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Running surveys, holding focus groups, and soliciting broad feedback from prospective and current suppliers can be a powerful way to close knowledge gaps around how to improve operations and attract a larger, more diverse group of suppliers. Join the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab for an in-depth exploration of best practices for designing and running surveys and focus groups with the supplier community. In this session, participants will explore how to use surveys and focus groups to solicit feedback on procurement processes, understand knowledge or capacity barriers that prospective suppliers face, and assess suppliers’ experience working with your entity once hired.
• August 23, 2022
  The Model Procurement Code is the standard for procurement codes and enabling legislation across the country. It was last revised/updated in 2000. Have you ever thought “why would they make that law” or “I wish I could change the Law” or, to quote Dickens, ever think “[t]he law is a ass – a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience – by experience.” (Oliver Twist, chapter 51) Here’s your chance to open the eye of the law by experience, to influence change, to make a difference. The American Bar Association is embarking on a revision of the Model Procurement Code. You are invited to participate, to share your experience. Come help identify issues and prioritize the efforts of the MPC revision task force, hear about the process and learn from the ABA’s local government Reporter, Michael Bevis, how you can become involved.
• August 24, 2022
  We all serve in different roles over the life of our careers. Some will rise to the top levels of leadership, some will be strong informal leaders and many will work diligently in various roles supporting their customers and their entity in front line positions. No matter where you sit in an organization, you have the ability to help transform your procurement function. Transformation is a word that is tossed around alot, but do you really understand what it means to transform service function in government? This session will share the case study of Orange County Procurement, and their partners at NIGP Consulting, as they embarked on their own journey of procurement transformation. Hear about how focusing on your greatest asset, your human capital, can redefine your entire organization . So join us as we share how Orange County CA is Blazing a Trail into their new future of procurement!
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  This panel of industry peer experts will share tips, "tricks," and strategies for getting the most out of using cooperative purchasing contracts. You'll hear real examples of successful uses of cooperative contracts in the most unlikely (AKA a global pandemic, supply chain problems, etc) situations. Want to hear how your peers are navigating the thousands of available cooperative contacts? Each panelist will provide real examples from their agencies that will provide attendees more effective processes to take home to their agencies. Attendees are encouraged to prepare questions to bring to this session for the panelists and interact with their own examples throughout. Join us!
• August 22, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement expertise includes performance of specialized skills, knowledge, and competencies. Over many years public procurement has transformed from a very traditional process to a transformational process. The transformation process can introduce more gray area which requires more decision making by the public procurement professional. This session will explore professional judgment as it applies to public procurement. The attendee will explore with the presenters what is professional judgment, why is it so important now, and when is it needed. As well as examples and discussion with the group.
• August 22, 2022
  As procurement organizations race to adopt new tech, new processes, and new legislation it is critical that we learn how to prepare our organizations for change, and develop a skill set that will allow us to surf the waves of innovation instead of drowning in them. Join Ben Koberna as he walks us through a fun and interactive program designed to develop the leadership skills necessary to navigate our procurement modernization journey.
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement professionals invest so much time energy and capital into developing solicitations and contracts, that little time is left to invest in one of the most important aspects of meeting the needs of our buying customers; vendor management. In this session we will discuss ways that allow you to leverage tools that simplify the effort, and provide critical data about how well vendors on your contracts are performing for your buying customers, and your organization. Just think about how fast and easy it is for you to make a decision about a restaurant or a destination on Yelp or Trip Advisor. These are the types of approaches and opportunities that we look forward to sharing with you during our time together.
• August 21, 2022
  Embrace the future; create solutions, lead your communities into a better and more resilient future. The problems we face are significant and ever evolving, market changes, climate change, poverty, the need for education, the desire to protect the vulnerable among us, lack of opportunity, and the list goes on. Current solutions sometimes have limited success, sometimes fail, sometimes, but rarely succeed and change the lives and fortunes of those around us. This session will focus on how procurement processes can find and develop new solutions, prove them in the real world and then contract to make them a lasting reality. We will explore the start-up in residence program as a procurement process and a way to redefine our approach to and impact on the future of our communities.
• August 24, 2022
  Join us for an exciting "Ride-A-Long" as we show you how Procurement became an integral part of the transition team that launched a Police Department. How important flexibility in your procurement rules are and ways you can modify them to meet challenging and difficult times.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  We spend more money on construction than anything else. Do you really understand the different ways to buy construction? Do you want a diagnostic that can guide you and your clients in selection a construction delivery method? Come to this session where we will compare and contrast the primary construction delivery methods Design-Bid-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, Design-Build, Job Order Contracting and various IDIQ contracting methods. We will also work through a process for the development of your own diagnostic tool to support project based decision-making.
• August 23, 2022
  The adage, “we learn from our mistakes” holds true for even the most seasoned procurement officer. We’ve all made them in the early days of our careers and we are all better for them. It’s even better when we learn from the mistakes of others. Participants in this session will discuss mistakes learned by professionals, who are better at what they do because they experiences lapses in judgement in their past procurement lives.
• August 24, 2022
  Come join our panel as we discuss the intricacies of the RFP process. This session will mimic the entire process from issuance of the solicitation through to negotiation of contract with the intended awardee. The negotiation portion will be a real-life demonstration of how to handle this part of the process. Be a part of the action by asking questions, offering comments, and making alternative suggestions!
• August 21, 2022
  In this session we will: - Discuss the increasing need for fitness opportunities in the outdoors - Review the evolution of outdoor fitness in general - Share the various types of exercise opportunities which are available to create an inclusive and multigenerational destinations for the whole community - Highlight successful practices for implementation of such amenity - Pinpoint the benefits of using Co-Op Purchasing to achieve the above - Answer questions
• August 21, 2022
  REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE isn't just terminology, it is a tangible part of the Circular Economy that becomes more critical every year as we look to eliminate processes and products that are environmentally wasteful or inefficient. Every public agency has sustainability initiatives that may include carbon neutrality, reduced waste, reuse and recycling programs, fleet electrification or a host of many other defined goals. This session will describe and quantify just how much different types of technology solutions can bring you closer to your surpassing your benchmarks.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Procurement officials are often focused on compliance-based functions, and ensuring minimum standards are met during the procurement process. Procurement Officials do not often consider vendor engagement until there is problem with not receiving enough responses to a solicitation. It can be very difficult to see the perspective of a vendor since procurement officials have insider knowledge and only see one side of the process. Taking innovative approaches at vendor engagement can lead to greater competition for government procurement methods. The innovative approach of Town Hall – takes an established political strategy and revolutionizes it to a modern forum to collect input, suggestions, and ideas to improve government processes, procedures, and communication methods.
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  Thank you to our sponsor, Beacon Bid Implementation for sponsoring tonight's receptions!
• August 21, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Welcome back to day 2 of our products expo! Check out the main session schedule for more Innovation Theater sessions, featuring Cobblestone Software, EasiBuy, LLC and eBridge Procurement. Lunch will be available from 12-1:30pm, with more of Boston's local fare!
• August 23, 2022
  Healthy Building Strategies
• August 20, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  CobbleStone Software has helped thousands of contracting professionals for over 20 years. CobbleStone’s trusted contract management software - CobbleStone Contract Insight® - is built on powerful contract AI that supports full contract lifecycle management. Our user-friendly, scalable, low-friction, and feature-rich contract management solution is the preferred CLM solution for public procurement professionals and is available on the GSA Schedule 70 and numerous other cooperative purchasing options. Come visit The NIGP Innovation Theater located in the exhibit hall on Monday at 11AM to view an interactive live demonstration of our robust software solution.
• August 22, 2022
  Data can be overwhelming; however, analytics help tell a story, create dialogue, save time, and increase productivity. Leveraging data is critical to make smarter decisions for our organizations. Having the right information helps to increase awareness and transparency of spend. Additionally, it creates opportunities to increase efficiencies, reduce rogue spend, and centralize procurement. This session shares ways that your procurement team can leverage data to help your organization.
• August 23, 2022
  While often in separate departments, procurement and finance need to work as one to serve the needs of the organization. In this session, speakers will explore the connections between finance and procurement and show how a better more collaborative relationship between procurement and finance can lead to improved outcomes in budgeting, long-term planning, cash flow analysis, debt management, accounting, contract management and more. Attendees will explore not only what makes for better integration, but how you can get started building more effective relationships with your peers from the finance office.
• August 24, 2022
  Procurement professionals are typically the last group to hold the project football before it enters the end zone. Because of this, many feel the pressure to complete the project/solicitations quickly and are the recipients of great frustration from their end user clients along the way. This conversation will fucus around talking about how to effectively teach your end users about the procurement process to reduce frustration, and provide tools on how you can stay positive with the high pressures and ultimately change the culture.
• August 19, 2022
• August 23, 2022
  Learn simple, insightful ways to interact more positively with others and increase your organizational success. If you're a manager, see your team respond with new enthusiasm when you adopt these techniques.
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  1. Come and explore the impact of 2 cfr 200 to your procurement processes. 2. Federal funds require special attention to meet compliance requirements. 3. Explore ways to make sure that internal controls and processes meet the federal requirements.
• August 22, 2022
• August 20, 2022
  2022 Annual Forum and Products Exposition
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 24, 2022
  We hear this a lot: "We moved from paper to electronic procurement, but we didn't gain the efficiency we had hoped to achieve". The move from paper to PDF documents solved the "physical paper" issue, but many agencies have discovered that a virtual mound of PDF-based solicitations and scanned documents as responses isn't much better, and in most cases, creates additional operational drag. By connecting the talent that exists within your government together, streamlining the necessary regulations and processes into guided workflows, and eliminating word processors and spreadsheets as your primary productivity tools - you can make streamlined strategic procurement a part of the core culture for your agency going forward.
• August 24, 2022
  MWBE’s ( Minority Women Business Enterprises) can struggle with contracting with the government for a various number of reasons. These reasons can vary from an overburdensome procurement process, to discrimination, to access to capital. Most governments have realized that the need to increase contracts with MWBE’s. This session will dive into strategies that cities can use to help raise their minority spend when they do not have a disparity study to give preference to MWBE’s.
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
• August 20, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  Our entityies' data is becoming more and more valuable, yet we are moving away from on-premises software solutions and opting to entrust the safeguarding of our most valuable asset to contractors and third-parties. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent, and making headlines daily. How do we determine whether our data will be safe, and what steps can we take to address the consequences of a cyber attack on our data? This session will discuss two aspects of cybersecurity: 1. Assessing whether a potential Contractor meets our security standards. We will discuss different methods of assessment, including questionnaires, surveys, and using third-party solutions. 2. Cyberliability insurance. We will examine what it is, the current state of the market, and how to determine when we need it and how much we need.
• August 21, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  The cooperative world is changing - do you know the latest that is out there? During this informative session, discover how many of your pinch points can be solved by fully using what is offered through cooperative contracting. While many use cooperative contracts for commodities, there's a whole expanding world of contracts that your team should be familiar with. Construction, repairs, financing, leasing, consulting services - you might be surprised what you can buy. Tammy Rimes will lead a fun trivia game at the end to cement the learning with "Let's Just Cooperate" t-shirts given away. Discover more from other agency success stories and panelist insights.
• August 19, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The intent of this workshop is to introduce the participants to the importance of case law and court cases which have had an impact upon the decisions made by procurement professionals. there will be an introduction discussing why case law and precedent are so important in our legal system. We will look at cases from other jurisdictions including US Supreme Court decisions, so that participants can see how others interpret laws and regulations impacting procurement. The presenter will introduce pertinent facts of a particular case, and then asks questions to drive the participants toward what they believe was the court decision in the case. Rarely will all participants agree, which allows for a spirited discussion amongst the participants and the presenter.
• August 21, 2022
• August 23, 2022
• August 24, 2022
  The fundamental principle of a competitive solicitation is that it represents a fair, objective, merit based process and all bidders have the same opportunity to compete and win. If the procurement is impacted by bias – whether it is conscious or unconscious bias – then this fundamental principle is no longer held true. This can result in missed opportunities and contribute to business community distrust, especially when it comes to small and diverse businesses seeking to do business with your organization. In this session, we will share the tools used by our state agency to assist team members with structuring and conducting evaluations in a way that minimizes the risks of bias.
• August 19, 2022
• August 22, 2022
  Your procurement processes likely take longer than desired, but it can be difficult to pinpoint which steps most contribute to lengthy cycle times. Join the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab to learn how to map the procurement process as a first step to improving the process for internal customers and suppliers alike. In this interactive session, participants will practice mapping procurement processes and then learn how to analyze their maps to identify the “value” created by each process step, downtime in the process, unnecessary activities, or steps that could be taken in tandem. From this session, you will be equipped with techniques and tools for running your own process mapping activity.
• August 23, 2022
• August 21, 2022
  Reflecting the communities in which we live and work, NIGP’s Entity Networking Sessions promote interpersonal collaboration with your peers to discuss some of your entity’s biggest challenges. Identified by practitioners like you, these topics span state and local government entities across North America, promoting panel-driven discussion and dialogue among Forum attendees.
• August 23, 2022
  Procurement departments are positioned to ensure enterprise system purchases meets their needs simply by taking the lead on the sourcing of such systems. Procurement's organizational knowledge of departments strategically aligns procurement to be the friend in technology purchases and not the foe. Technology has changed supply chain systems in private industry, government, and a myriad of small businesses. All entities must drive down costs and improve operational efficiencies, keep pace with the technology of the business world, and make technology sourcing decisions holistically.
• August 20, 2022
• August 19, 2022
• August 20, 2022