Learning Lab 2 - A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind
Course

Learning Lab 2 - A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind

  • Date: 02/25/2026
  • Start Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time
  • End Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time
  • Instructor: Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB
    Senior Buyer
    Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB
    — Phone: 590-477-3693
    Victor Leamer has over 35 years of public procurement experience at the county, state department, and state-wide levels. Victor teaches Sourcing in the Public Sector and the Core Certificate: Foundations in Strategy and Policy for NIGP (virtual), the seven-part RFP Learning Lab series, and has presented NIGP webinars on protests, evaluating responsiveness in bids, virtual leadership, and contract price adjustments.  Victor was appointed to the NIGP Talent Council in 2021 and currently serves as Chair, produces the monthly Radio NIGP show, and is a founding member/former Vice President of the Alaska/Hawaii Governmental Procurement Association NIGP Chapter.  Victor is the recipient of the Procurement Professional of the Year (2021) and the Distinguished Service Award (2023) from the Washington State NIGP Chapter.
    , Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
    Procurement Manager
    Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
    — Phone: 306-216-7887
    Stéphanie Dion is a senior public procurement leader with 20 years of experience with various types of public entities in Canada. She is the Procurement Manager for Canoe Procurement of Canada. Stéphanie was previously the Director, Procurement Centre of Excellence with the Government of Manitoba and worked as a strategic sourcing specialist for Manitoba Hydro.  She graduated from university with a teaching degree and has been involved with professional development in various capacities, including as an NIGP instructor and the RFPDreamTeam. She has been an active volunteer and advisor with professional associations since 2012 and was recently appointed as a member of the NIGP Certification Commission and Talent Council. She contributed a few articles to Supply Pro Magazine and is the recipient of NIGP’s 2021 Buyer of the Year Award.
    , Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO
    Senior Procurement Consultant
    Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO
    — Phone: 352-678-8908
    Mike Thornton is a strategic procurement leader with over 30 years of experience as a procurement practitioner and practice lead with Civic Initiatives, LLC. Mike holds his CPPO certification.  Mike has served as a trusted advisor and educator on public procurement best practices. Mike has industry experience in all procurement and contracting methods, including electric utility-related procurement. With in-depth experience in system implementations and business process analysis, Mike applies innovative solutions to improve processes and deliver value. Mike collaborates with leadership and staff to develop and deploy strategic and tactical solutions to improve the procurement process, with a focus on leveraging technology when it is beneficial to improve the procurement experience. At Civic Initiatives, Mike guides and provides expertise to public sector procurement organizations, supporting all areas of their procurement process.
  • Level: Foundation
  • Format: Virtual Instructor-Led
  • Contact Hours: 4
Understanding the supplier perspective and strategic communication are key skills for procurement professionals. NIGP’s Learning Lab 2 - A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind is a 4-hour, activity-based learning experience led by experts in procurement. This course will enhance your ability to engage suppliers effectively and design RFPs that yield better outcomes. By mastering these skills, you can advance your career in public procurement and achieve greater success in supplier relationships.
Pricing:
PriceCostBeginsEnds
Learning Lab 2 022526: A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind (Member)$179.00 02/25/2026
Learning Lab 2 022526: A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind (Non-Member)$279.00 02/25/2026
Learning Lab 2 022526: A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 2 022526: A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Feb 25, 2026)

Objectives

This session focuses on transforming your RFPs into strategic communication tools—maps that guide suppliers toward successful participation. You’ll learn how to: 

  • Design Supplier-Friendly RFPs: Discover how layout, clarity, and transparency influence supplier engagement and proposal quality.
  • Apply the “End in Mind” Principle: Learn how to reverse-engineer your RFPs based on desired outcomes and evaluation criteria.
  • Avoid Common Pitfalls: Identify vague language, hidden risks, and structural issues that discourage supplier participation.
  • Use Real-World Examples: Compare traditional vs. transformational RFP formats and see how small changes can make a big impact.
  • Leverage eProcurement Tools: Explore how digital platforms can streamline processes and improve accessibility for all stakeholders.

Whether you're refining your RFP templates or rethinking your entire approach, this session will help you create solicitations that are not only compliant and complete but also compelling and competitive.  

Intended Audience

This offering is targeted to individuals who meet or exceed the following professional demographics:  

  • Entry-level public procurement and central warehouse professionals who serve as assistants, coordinators, buyers, or equivalent functions within their respective entities.   

  • Non-procurement managers and supervisors who are responsible for either the procurement function or staff who provide procurement functions under delegated authority.   

  • Professionals who are employed by governing entities and special authorities (such as K-12 and higher education, publicly-owned utilities, transportation providers, and other publicly-funded or created organizations) that either serve within or manage the procurement function.  

  • Suppliers or representatives of suppliers seeking to understand the public procurement function from a holistic level, including the policies, standards, and procedures by which public entities must function.  

Miscellaneous

Payment Information

  • Register online with credit card
  • Register online and upload a Purchase Order
  • Register by fax and download the print & fax form

*FORM OF PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY REGISTRATION FORM FOR ORDER TO BE PROCESSED

Methods of Payment Accepted: Check (make checks payable to NIGP), Purchase Orders (via print and fax form or online), and Credit Cards (Master Card, Visa, and American Express).

If paying by check, please make check payable to NIGP and send payment to: 
NIGP, Attn: Seminar Registration 
12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 110 
Reston, VA 20191 
 

Sessions

Cancellation Policy

Registration and payment must be received 24 hours prior to the course start date. After this time, registrations will be based on space availability.  A full refund, less a $75 administrative fee will be given for cancellations made in writing 31+ days prior to the seminar date by emailing RegistrationInfo@nigp.org. No refunds are given for cancellations received within 24 hours of the seminar start date. There are no refunds for no-shows. If the seminar is cancelled for any reason, NIGP's liability is limited to the registration fee only.  

Attendee substitutions within the same agency may be done at any time with email notification to NIGP. If attending via scholarship, please provide documentation verifying the scholarship issuer's name and contact information in lieu of payment information. 

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Learning Lab 2 - A Treasure Map for Suppliers – Designing RFPs with the End in Mind

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