Agenda

Free to attend: Register for DHS PIL Webinar or add-on to your GCMS registration.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected us all in many ways.  One year ago, Operation Warp Speed supported several successful COVID-19 vaccines. The National Strategy for COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness charged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with establishing Community Vaccination Centers to administer these vaccines. This webinar will peak behind the curtain and share the story of one team at FEMA who awarded two $1.6 billion contracts (each) in just 79 days, while receiving over 50 offers!

Mission criticality mandated that the team award quickly. On a tight timeline, the team used a whole host of innovative procurement techniques to rapidly solicit, evaluate, and procure support personnel to administer COVID vaccines. 

This story is ripe with lessons learned. What do you do when down-selects and oral presentations don’t go as smoothly as planned? Do you panic? Of course not! You figure out how to keep moving forward.  We’ll also talk about an innovative technique that is often discounted, but that really gave the team a shot in the arm! 

Join us on December 1st at 1:30pm ET for a booster shot of innovation!

Education Credits: 1.5 CPE/CLP

NCMA Headquarters is proud to present this year’s Winter Chapter Leadership Summit entitled “Powerful Events in The New Normal.”  This year we will give you the ammunition needed on how to keep your chapters engaged through topics of information, inspiration, and empowerment.   We have an array of guest presenters that will speak to issues surrounding Chapter growth and how to overcome them.  

We are looking forward to seeing you and leaving you with the information and tools needed to drive a successful Chapter.  Come ready to network with fellow peers as we believe this year’s WCLS will be second to none!

AGENDA
1:00pm-1:30pm - Welcome and NCMA Update 
Join NCMA CEO, Kraig Conrad, as he gives an NCMA update on membership structure (e.g., Org Subscriptions and how Chapter status is flagged) and the new association management system.

1:30pm-2:30pm - Finding a Powerful Balance of Virtual, Hybrid or In-Person
A dialog on the balance to consider for a program year. We all strive to be back together in person. However, virtual opens access while it may not be as engaging, and hybrid can be difficult and expensive. We will discuss key considerations, collaboration with others, and experiences on costs and technology for Chapters of all sizes.

2:30pm-3:30pm - Engaging Approaches to Keep Your Audience Coming Back
Sage on the Stage is not the most powerful approach to engage and encourage members to join events. The approach to agendas combines content from subject matter experts, experience sharing, and other techniques to engage, such as welcoming new members or attendees at each event and sending follow-up notes of thanks.

3:30pm-3:45pm - Break

3:45pm-4:45pm - Marketing - Getting the Word Out

Education Credits: 4.0 CPE/CLP

This training has a separate registration fee. Please see the Additional Training page for rates. Please note breakfast is not provided on 12/1 for those attending the NES.

In an acquisition environment that increasingly relies on contract managers to drive innovative solutions, collaborative problem solving has become a non-negotiable skill. There is clear evidence that collaboration leads to better results than can be achieved by individual contributors. Driving meaningful collaboration can be challenging for contract managers who manage a wide variety of stakeholders, sometimes with competing priorities. This full-day seminar will explore specific strategies for solving complex acquisition problems through collaboration and provide hands-on practice building high-trust relationships, fostering a collaborative environment, using emotional intelligence and problem-solving models to lead a team solution, leveraging collaboration tools and technology, and avoiding common collaboration pitfalls.
 

Learning Objectives

1. Define meaningful collaboration
2. Recognize the role of collaboration in problem-solving
3. Build a collaborative environment
4. Identify critical stakeholders and decide who to include on the team
5. Measure stakeholder trust and engagement levels
6. Build high-trust stakeholder relationships
7. Build engagement through emotional intelligence
8. Practice using problem-solving techniques
9. Lead a team to analyze and solve a problem
10. Use collaboration tools and technology
11. Avoid common collaboration pitfalls
12. Plan a collaborative effort

Education Credits: 6.5 CPE/CLP

Free to attend. Register for NASA SEWP only or as an add-on to your GCMS registration. 

What is NASA’s Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement, better known as SEWP?  As a federal government acquisition professional, why should you care?  As a company that provides Information and Communications Technology solutions, why should you care?  During this high-level conversation, we will provide procurement information for both government and industry.   Additionally, we will host a panel consisting of federal, industry, and SEWP contract holders.  This panel will address your questions about Information and Communication Technology acquisitions. 

Education Credits: 2.0 CPE/CLP
*Please note education credits will be awarded by NASA SEWP separately from your GCMS conference certificate.

Organization Description: 
The Naval Postgraduate School provides defense-focused graduate education, including classified studies and interdisciplinary research, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological leadership, and warfighting advantage of the Naval service.
The Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) offers world-class education programs and professional development opportunities in defense management and public policy to U.S. and allied military officers, defense civilians, and defense contractors. Our academic and research programs promote national security and support the DON/DOD by developing intellectual leadership in a broad range of topics in defense management including contracting and acquisition management.

Success Story: 
Members of the Enterprise Sourcing program and Simulation and Ideation Lab for Acquisition Sciences (SILAS) at the Naval Postgraduate School have developed a video game for teaching a wide range of contracting topics as part of a graduate program MBA project. The game will be demonstrated as well as data provided about the efficacy of gaming training and education methods for contracting education and training.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Peter W. Singer, described as “the premier futurist in the national-security environment” in the Wall Street Journal, opens GCMS 2021 with a trip to the Urgent Future. Having briefed on future trends, everywhere from the White House to the CIA, Singer will set the stage for both GCMS experiences drawing on his signature gift for soothsaying rooted in deep research and broad knowledge.

 

No author, living or dead, has more books on the professional military reading lists. They range from best-selling nonfiction studies of topics like cybersecurity and robotics to his technothrillers that blend fiction and footnoted fact, like Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War and Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution. Hear what’s ahead in government acquisition from one of the country’s leading strategists as we delve into The Urgent Future: Contracting Agility and Creativity.


     
                 Peter Singer                               Amanda Christian

     
               Kraig Conrad                            Rebecca E. Weirick

Education Credits: 1.5 CPE/CLP

Organization Description:
At MITRE, we solve problems for a safer world. As a non-profit organization, we operate Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) to work across government to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation. FFRDCs are unique organizations that assist the United States government with scientific research and analysis; development and acquisition; and systems engineering and integration. We also have an independent research program that explores new and expanded uses of technologies to solve our sponsors' problems.

Success Story:
One day we had an idea. We wondered, "what should we do with our idea"? With MITRE’s Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Innovation Program, we fed and nurtured it, and most of all, we gave it our attention. Three years in, our idea for Synchronizing Acquisition Strategy and Schedule…Simply! has spread its wings and taken flight in a full-fledged app.

Our Innovation jump-starts acquisition strategy and schedule brings joy to the process and connects teammates. It leverages the best in AI, gamification, human-machine teaming, and decision support to simplify a highly complex process and ramp-up expertise for quicker execution. It incorporates our digital assistant, PEG© (Policy, Education, and Guidance), who taps into your team dynamics to help you move fast, stay flexible, and pivot as needed. 

Come to Innovation Alley and our session to learn about the research on digital assistants in acquisition and contracting. In a research study, we pitted a single digital assistant against multiple digital assistant specialists who focused on specific outcomes. In an interactive experience, you will explore your options when you need to replan around an obstacle (Covid!) and hear from digital assistants on what they advise and why. In our presentation, we will go nerd on you and talk about the aspects of synthetic personalities that were investigated when crafting a digital assistant that acquisition personnel would want on their team. We will describe the advantages of using digital assistants in acquisition as a decision support tool to help your team work smart and be agile. 

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

                 Megan Dake

NCMA thanks CACI for bringing Megan Dake to our General Session stage.

Education Credits: 1.5 CPE/CLP

Session description coming soon!

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

Effective leadership requires the ability to create a vision while also engaging with team members to motivate them to solve problems, remain committed to the vision, and manage delivery of the vision. In this session, contract professionals will discuss how to develop leadership skills needed in the contract profession while balancing daily work activities during urgent matters. Participants will also learn communication tips to interact with other people in a way that feels genuine.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn how to develop the character traits of a leader.
2. Understand how to identify the areas you need to improve.
3. Learn how to communicate with your team and other stakeholders.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 25 on a first-come, first-serve basis

Organization Description: 
The Acquisition Management and Planning (AMP) Division's mission is to provide top-quality acquisition planning services, innovative contracting and productive outreach strategies to our customers and stakeholders. AMP's vision is to have a customer-centric, data-driven and innovative acquisition resource for our customers and stakeholders. Within AMP, the Procurement Innovation Branch (PIB) tests and delivers optimal acquisition solutions by fusing operational contracting with innovation coaching and outreach to stakeholders across IRS and industry.  PIB’s Innovative Contracting Lab (ICL) operates as a center of excellence for piloting innovative acquisition techniques.  It tests, re-tests, and validates procurement approaches to ensure a documented, repeatable process.  As a part of the validation, the ICL documents the approach with Lessons Learned and Best Practices.  Once a technique is validated and repeatable, the ICL moves on to another approach.  ICL’s Focused Approach attempts to define upfront the contracting methodology to be tested and validated.  ICL’s Focused Approach does also offer flexibility in choosing an approach dependent on the requirement.  This approach is designed to ensure ICL does not become another operations section but instead, a lab focused on testing, retesting, and validating specific methodologies.  

Success Story: 
Pilot IRS's latest Solution Challenge has resulted in four solutions that leverage Augmented Reality (AR) or a comparable version of Extended Reality (XR) capability which uses IRS publicly-available information to improve the taxpayer experience through the use of any computing device. The IRS augmented reality solution (AR) challenge is part of Pilot IRS, the iterative procurement technique for testing new technologies faster. See the AR and hear how IRS bought it at GCMS 2021! Get the inside story during Innovation Alley--NCMA’s petting zoo for acquisition innovations. Contractors will support the IRS to improve the interface with IRS websites and information and provide immediate feedback on the taxpayer experience. We're excited to provide the taxpayer an improved experience and leverage mobile and AR expertise to develop innovative solutions to help improve the taxpayer experience. The procurement acquisition lead time was 25 days from the initial Request for Information (RFI) through contract award. The streamlined approach resulted in zero protests and positive feedback from industry. Pilot IRS is an iterative procurement technique focused on outcomes that allows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to test new technologies on faster timelines. If a solution fails to meet expectations, then it will not proceed to the next phase of funding. This methodology creates an agile approach to identify, test, and deploy solutions that support the mission, regardless of whether the solution, technology, or service currently resides within the IRS or the federal government. Pilot IRS was created to overcome lack of acquisition authority challenges and use the flexibilities inherent in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Pilot IRS was created to innovatively pursue a streamlined and cost-effective approach to testing and deploying solutions that will have an immediate impact on its mission and how the IRS supports the American taxpayer.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Please note, for in-person attendees, this session starts at 12:15 pm with lunch. The live broadcast will begin at 12:45 pm for virtual attendees.

Enjoy your lunch and close out your GCMS experience with remarks from Internal Revenue Service’s Chief Procurement Officer, Shanna Webbers, on how agile and creative contracting can address and forestall Urgent Future challenges discussed throughout the conference.


      Shanna R. Webbers

Education Credits: 1.5 CPE/CLP

Made possible by:
 

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

Session description coming soon!


              Jennifer Santos

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Are you a small innovative tech company who has applied to the SBIR process and are wondering how to continue doing business with the federal government? This workshop will provide three key factors that can help you succeed in the federal marketplace: 1. Developing your federal marketplace assessment; 2. Using your assessment to create a data drive pipeline; and 3. Building a contracting, partnership, and infrastructure strategy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine budget breakdowns by agencies, contract vehicles, systems integrators and NAICS codes
2. Design the operational and strategic analysis based on companies offerings
3. Understand compliance barriers, pricing and positioning, and contracting strategies

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Please note this session did not use slides, so there isn't a handout available.

Build and lead your team to achieve new heights. The best teams consistently embody definable qualities, capabilities, cultures, and practices that set them apart. Join executive coach Dr. Chuck Carringer for an exchange of ideas and perspectives focused on building and leading a high-performing team.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 25 on a first-come, first-serve basis

The presentation will cover the contractor's role in supporting commercial item determinations. Topics discussed will include price reasonableness determinations, market research, sales history, public resources, government resources/guidance available, price analysis, and maintaining documentation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recommendations for supporting commercial item pricing
2. Documenting price reasonableness determinations
3. Utilizing government guidance and resources for commercial item pricing

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

We are going to demystify other transaction authority (OTA). So much has been said and done within the the Department of Defense (DoD) using National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) OTA as innovative acquisition strategy. Some non-DoD agencies, like NASA, have their own OTA statutes. Yet there still remain mysteries as to when you can use OTA. What research and development (R&D) and prototype projects are best for OTA uses? How much does OTA use improve procurement administrative lead time (PALT)? We are going back to the basics: effective use of OTA, using Consortia, and engaging nontraditional firms with advanced technology. This session will impart to all government and industry attendees how best to use OTAs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Know OTA Basics and Principles
2. Know how to use OTA/Consortia and non-traditional defense firms
3. Apply OTA knowledge in your workplace - Government and Industry

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Solicitations like CIO-SP4 provide for businesses to earn extra points towards contract award for approved business systems. Many are familiar with pre-award and post-award accounting system reviews (SF 1408 criteria vs. full audit). We will discuss how this same methodology can be applied to estimating systems. Smaller businesses should be considering the use of third-party assessments to get them better positioned for larger procurements. We'll walk you through how outside specialists can get you ready faster than you may think.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the differences between an assessment and an audit.
2. Explain the assessment procedures to show how they meet the DFARS criteria.
3. Describe phases and approach to ensuring a capable estimating system.

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Our geopolitical adversaries face little of the procedural constraint we experience within the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition system. For the past 20 years, adversaries have harvested and fielded the best technologies available from their commercial and military industrial bases. They have quickly identified and adapted advanced commercial technology to warfighting needs; as a result, they are approaching (or have reached) parity with U.S. capabilities. This lesson will discuss how the DoD can capitalize on commercial item acquisition to achieve several vital benefits, to include rapid access to and deployment of state-of-the-art technologies; significant savings in time and life cycle costs; improved access to commercial and “of a type” technology at reasonable pricing; and improved risk management in areas such as sustainability and obsolescence.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will comprehend the benefits of Commercial Item Acquisition and the means by which access to commercial technology can be streamlined
2. Attendees will appreciate the flexibility and innovation they are afforded by understanding and using access to "of a type" technology to address warfighter needs
3. Attendees will better understand procedures leading to successful commercial item determination and commercial pricing

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

The world of government contracts evolves quickly and it is difficult to keep up. From supply chain and the 2022 NDAA to cybersecurity and vaccine mandates, the world of government contracts never stops turning. Join Michelle Currier and Eric Crusius to hear the latest news and find out tips to keep updated.

Learning Objectives:

1. What are the latest regulatory developments that contracting professionals should know?
2. How can contracting professionals stay up to date on the latest developments?
3. What will be the compliance and general challenges contracting professionals will face in 2022?

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Please note this session did not use slides, so there isn't a handout available.

Federal law requires “full and open” competition when acquiring goods and services for the government but permits exceptions when competition is not feasible or desirable. When developing and producing major systems or equipment it is often difficult to provide for competition due to a vendor’s “lock” on the market. This session examines alternative acquisition strategies for systems acquisition and introduces an analytical model to assess whether the benefits of competition outweigh costs, risks, and other considerations associated with providing for competition. Attendees will receive access to download a free book on this subject cowritten by the presenter.

Learning Objectives:

1. Design effective strategies to implement competition when acquiring systems or equipment.
2. Plan for competition during the sustainment phase of the system life cycle.
3. Objectively assess the costs, benefits, and risks of implementing competition.

President Biden has charged the federal agencies with the daunting task of increasing small disadvantaged business awards by 50 percent by 2025. Moreover, the administrations goal in this process is more equitable participation of underrepresented communities in the federal contracting marketplace. MMC Consulting CEO Jennifer Hanks, a former contracting officer and past president of the Tyson’s chapter of NCMA, will lead a robust discussion highlighting the challenges that contracting officers will face as well as potential ways for them to meet the administration's goals. Topics to be covered will include existing participation among the target communities, barriers to entry, potential ways to increase within the current framework, and alternative solutions to the shrinking base of SDB firms serving the federal government.

Learning Objectives:

1. Communicate the elements of Executive Order 13985 and impact on the role of the acquisition professional.
2. Discuss innovative ways in which contracting professionals might work to minimize barriers to entry.
3. Recommend and discuss potential solutions to advance equity within procurement.

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Many career paths have twists and turns. Join executive coach Dr. Chuck Carringer for a discussion focused on navigating career opportunities and challenges. Discussion topics will include creating and maximizing career opportunities, successfully navigating career challenges, and increasing your influence and professional brand. Gain insights to help you achieve your career objectives.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 25 on a first-come, first-serve basis

When acquiring services that are not solicited on a competitive basis, acquisition professionals often face unique challenges in establishing whether a provider is proposing a fair and reasonable price. This session allows participants to explore the applicability of FAR-based price analysis techniques and how they can be used in the non-competitive services environment. The focus of this session will be on the application of market research tools in the price analysis of services.

Learning Objectives:

1. The core differences between price analysis techniques for products vs. services.
2. The best price analysis tools and techniques to apply when determining the reasonableness of services.
3. Practical aspects of using market research to determine price reasonableness when acquiring services.

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

In this breakout session, Mr. Will Roberts and Mr. Keith Gibson will illustrate how the Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) is using two different innovative contracting strategies (FAR-based and non-FAR-based) to enable rapid acquisition and delivery of AI capabilities in an iterative and ethical and responsible manner. They will highlight the juxtapositions of rapid acquisition commercial solutions opening (CSO) and prototype other transaction (OT), focusing on the implementation of Agile/DevSecOps, intellectual property (IP), and responsible AI in each acquisition pathway.

During the first part of the session, Mr. Gibson will
(1) provide a brief history of the defense CSO pilot, a merit-based competitive selection process authorized by Section 879 of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to acquire innovative commercial items, technologies, or services;
(2) discuss the benefits and limitations of rapidly acquiring AI in a FAR-based CSO environment; and (3) describe the establishment of the DoD’s first nonmonetary compensation CSO, including lessons learned, for acquiring innovative technologies from nontraditional companies while maintaining competitive leverage to apply modular contracting principles within the DoD. Mr. Gibson will also explore the timing and significance of applying the principles of Agile/DevSecOps, IP, and responsible AI, specifically the DoD AI Ethical Principles implemented by the Deputy Secretary of Defense in a 26 May 2021 memorandum. Attendees will also attain an understanding of acquisition resources personnel and the criticality of thought leadership and the willingness to take a calculated risk.

During the second part of the session,
Mr. Roberts will
(1) describe the JAIC’s establishment of Tradewind, a non-FAR based OT agreement for AI prototypes and supporting online business process, to work with traditional and non-traditional companies and guide DoD through the AI-tailored agile delivery process from ideation to transition;
(2) discuss the benefits and challenges of using a non-FAR-based contracting strategy; and
(3) show how the JAIC is exploring the acquisition of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence by matching speed with diligence from needs assessment to technology scouting to funding to competition and award, and finally to delivery and performance measurement. Using real examples, Mr. Roberts will demonstrate how the JAIC is working closely with subject-matter experts, particularly in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, across multiple DoD-Service projects to embed Agile/DevSecOps, IP, and responsible AI language and processes into a repeatable automated procurement process. If successful, this rapid-done-right process will ensure the AI technologies provide real mission impact. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the defense CSO pilot and Tradewind OT
2. Compare and contrast a FAR based (CSO) and Non-FAR based (OT) contract strategy
3. Understand the principles of Agile Delivery/DevSecOps, Intellectual Property, and Responsible AI, explain the value of applying these principles in acquisition contracting strategies, and apply them in projects and strategies

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Procurement is evolving. With limited staff and ever-decreasing budgets, contracting teams can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of contracts and labor-intensive tasks involved with identifying new vendors. By taking advantage of effective sourcing techniques and being aware of the risks and rewards with new vendors, we can diversify the communities supporting the federal government.
This session will provide insight into the January 20, 2021 Executive Order (E.O.) 13985 on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. Topics covered include:

• Introduction to E.O. 13985;

Instruction on techniques being utilized to find these communities, including:

• Manual vendor sourcing efforts,
• Partnerships with local PTACs and other organizations, and
• Useful publicly available government systems.

Panel discussion on:

• E.O. 13985 risks to current government initiatives
• The rewards for diversifying the government’s supplier base.

Open Q&A with attendees on E.O. 13985 plans at their agencies and the path forward. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will discuss E.O. 13985, its importance, and future impact.
2. Attendees will be better equipped to implement agency plans to advance racial equity in suppliers and anticipate effects.
3. Attendees will discover ways to find and source from underserved communities

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

In emergent situations, subcontract and supply chain compliance can often take a backseat to subcontract engagement and performance. Whether they are due to geopolitical issues, pandemics, or nature disasters, emergent situations seem to be happening at a breakneck pace. The purpose of this session is to discuss the compliance requirements and associated challenges related to subcontracting and supply chain management during emergent events.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the key compliance elements that can be waived based on the nature of the emergent situation.
2. Discuss the risks associated with non-compliance due to emergent subcontracting.
3. Discuss recent trends associated with compliance and oversight of emergent subcontracting.

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Many small businesses rush from the “Ready for Business” to the “Ready for Procurement” phase without having adequate business infrastructure, resources, or maturity to handle the requirements of a contract. As a result, the small businesses expose their clients to risk and create additional costs to deliver. During this session, we will discuss practices and tools required for being “Ready to Operate” and ways to mitigate and manage risk during the contract management process. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the key components of each phase within a small business lifecycle
2. Discuss the risk involved of not being “Ready to Operate”
3. Share lessons learned and best practices for risk mitigation

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Emerging technology is changing the field of play. Today’s federal contracting teams can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of labor-intensive tasks involved in day-to-day operations and regulatory compliance. Teams mired in cumbersome, manual, repetitive processes are desperate for relief. Learn how agencies are changing their acquisition playbook and revitalizing their toolkits with emerging technologies such as AI and RPA. Topics include:
• Showcase of innovation (both process and technology) at work today in federal contracting;
• Case studies of successful innovation across the federal government; and
• Open discussion with attendees on innovations happening at their agencies and the trends they are seeing. Session Approach
• The panel discussion will use supporting visual material/slides to help attendees grasp key concepts.
• Panelists and Q&A will focus on process and technology and innovation in use today as well as emerging trends.
• Attendees will be engaged with additional polling questions and by the sharing of questions and leadership lessons learned with fellow attendees.
• The session will include open Q&A and discussion with attendees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be think holistically about their current acquisition playbook and target opportunities for innovation
2. Attendees will discuss how technology such as RPA and AI can help their teams work smarter
3. Attendees will examine ways to increase the overall agility of their teams

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

For almost two years, we have lived through extremely trying times—and other challenges. These have collectively generated a need for major changes and placed extraordinary demands on leaders. This exchange will examine selected current and anticipated changes. It will help leaders prepare for the future and gain confidence in how to effectively lead through them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify critical changes—external and internal—facing leaders today and in the near future.
2. Discuss approaches on how best to navigate through major changes.
3. Share knowledge of—and lessons learned from—participants' current actions and initiatives.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 25 on a first-come, first-serve basis

Join William Randolph (Former SES/HCA/SPE, DHS) and Soraya Correa (Former SES/OCPO, DHS) for a special GCMS episode of their ‘Talking Acquisition’ video podcast. On this episode they will be discussing the NCMA/GCMS event theme of Future 2025 – and specifically what the Future 2025 workforce needs to look like, what will be required of them, and what the contracting community leadership of today should be thinking about and doing now to prepare for it. This is a lively pre-recorded conversation on the workforce of tomorrow topic followed by a LIVE/IN PERSON questions and answers session attended by both podcast hosts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the workforce characteristics and demands of the Future 2025 Workforce.
2. Recommend strategies to be responsive to the needs of the current and future acquisition customer base.
3. Predict the knowledge, skills, and abilities that we expect in the Future 2025 workforce environment

Education Credits: 1.2 CPE/CLP

Please note this session did not use slides, so there isn't a handout available.

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

The 2025 Experience is designed to be followed all the way through the conference. You are welcome to register for 2025 up to the first day of the conference. New participants will not be able to join after the first day so as not to disrupt team problem-solving. If you are onsite, please go to the Empire Ballroom to check-in. If you are virtual, join the session from the Sessions tab.

Please note 2025 sessions are not available for Replay due to session format.

This training has a separate registration fee. Please see the Additional Training page for rates. Please note breakfast is not provided on 12/1 for those attending the NES.

In this interactive seminar, participants will try their hands at specific job tasks required of contract managers throughout the contract life cycle: pre-award, award, and post-award. Expert practitioners will lead participants as they explore specific examples and case studies at each stage using NCMA’s Contract Management Body of Knowledge® (CMBOK®) as their guide.

Join us if you are in the early years of your contract management career and are seeking a comprehensive perspective on the business of contracting. If further along in your career, join us to begin preparing for your Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) with this introduction to the CMBOK®.

Participants will receive a copy of NCMA’s CMBOK®, the must-have reference for contract management professionals, based on our internationally recognized third party standard.

Content:

Introduction

o CMBOK® framework

o 7 CMBOK® Competencies: overview

o Contract Life Cycle

o Intro activity: pre-award, award, and post-award in context of competency system

 

Unit 1: Pre-Award

o Pre-award process competencies and job tasks

§ Plan solicitation

§ Request offers

§ Plan sales

§ Prepare offer

o Pre-award case study

Unit 2: Award

o Award process competencies and job tasks

§ Price or cost analysis

§ Plan negotiations

§ Select source

§ Manage disagreements

Award Case Study Unit 3: Post-Award

o Post-award process competencies and job tasks

§ Administer contract

§ Ensure quality

§ Manage subcontracts

§ Manage changes

§ Close out contract

o Post-award case study

Learning Objectives:

1. Build a federal solicitation
2. Build a solicitation plan
3. Outline the steps in the typical market research cycle
4. Select the appropriate contract type based on risks
5. Select the appropriate contracting method (IFB, RFP, etc.) based on goals
6. Outline elements of a typical statement of work
7. Apply the OFPP Mythbusting Memos to buyer-seller communication. 
8. Evaluate a solicitation
9. Determine whether an offer has a fair and reasonable price
10. Document a best-value tradeoff decision
11. Outline contract administration steps
12. Process requests for equitable adjustments and claims
13. Recognize how claims can escalate into appeals to the appropriate court or board
14. Describe the hybrid nature of subcontract management 
15. Outline the six-step contract changes management process for government changes
16. Respond to a cure notice, a show-cause notice, and a termination for default decision
17. Describe the hybrid nature of subcontract management 
18. Outline the six-step contract changes management process for government changes
19. Respond to cure notice, a show-cause notice, and a termination for default decision

Conclusion

This training has a separate registration fee. Please see the Additional Training page for rates.

Education Credits: 6.5 CPE/CLP

Join us in the learning pavilion for a brief look at improving your market research efforts. We’ll discuss market research and market intelligence, provide information sources to expand your search parameters, and demonstrate an automated tool that can be used to make your research efforts painless and to free up time to allow you to concentrate on more complex activities and issues. Next-level market research can improve requirements development and ultimately result in more effective contract performance and outcomes. A “must-see” for everyone in the acquisition community involved with market research and acquisition planning.

 The Marine Corps Platform Integration Center (MCPIC) is a Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) Total Asset Visibility solution that integrates a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to consolidate asset management, and modernize yard and warehouse operations. Bringing CGI’s expertise, MCPIC is expanding beyond the Marine Corps’ logistics community, across the Department of Defense (DoD) and beyond, by providing automated inventories and integrating with existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for seamless implementation and scalability.

NITAAC is the premier IT GWAC program for all your IT services, solutions, and commodity needs! With its unparalleled customer support, NITAAC offers the most streamlined and cost-effective GWAC program for government agencies. Join our session to learn about our GWACs, the value they can provide to your agency

NITAAC is the premier IT GWAC program for all your IT services, solutions, and commodity needs! With its unparalleled customer support, NITAAC offers the most streamlined and cost-effective GWAC program for government agencies. Join our session to learn about our GWACs, the value they can provide to your agency

Artificial Intelligence is proving to be a critical factor to improve contract decision making and drive efficiency across the end-to-end acquisition process. Join our session to learn how contract professionals can: • Leverage AI to automatically surface insights from historical acquisition data • Automate compliance through an intelligent guided acquisition rules engine and contract playbooks • Reduce manual effort and streamline the contract closeout process

Learn how you can become a leader in your organization without the job title!

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to know yourself.
2. Learning to become adaptable, resilient, and empathetic.
3. Get tools that managers can use to influence up, down, and across their organization.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 100 on a first-come, first-serve basis

President of Chenega Technical Innovations, a Chenega MIOS company, Heather Lacroix and Sandy Levy, VP of contracts for Chenega MIOS will discuss how to best meet cyber mission requirements to better serve the federal government and DoD.

Effective leadership requires the ability to create a vision while also engaging with team members to motivate them to solve problems, remain committed to the vision, and manage delivery of the vision. In this session, contract professionals will discuss how to develop leadership skills needed in the contract profession while balancing daily work activities during urgent matters. Participants will also learn communication tips to interact with other people in a way that feels genuine.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn how to develop the character traits of a leader.
2. Understand how to identify the areas you need to improve.
3. Learn how to communicate with your team and other stakeholders.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 100 on a first-come, first-serve basis

Join the conversation to explore what contracting professionals are looking for in future leadership opportunities. What is important for you as a leader and the future teams you will lead? How to negotiate what you want and need to lead your teams? If you are an employer, what are your challenges in attracting the leadership talent to lead your organizations?

Learning Objectives:

1. Know what to look for in future leadership positions.
2. Negotiate for what you need to lead your teams.
3. Identify and overcome the challenges to attracting leadership talent.

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 100 on a first-come, first-serve basis

Want to learn how to build a world-class contracting operation?  Even if you are a start-up, a small business or have a strong Union presence?  Attendees will learn practical advice from two managers' hard-won experience.  Learn how to diagnose your current organization and how to find sources to pursue a path for making a positive difference.  Issue sharing will be encouraged.

Learning Objectives:

1. Acquire a threshold understanding of High Performing Organization concepts and application
2. Learn the importance of collaborative work modalities
3. Overcome common barriers to becoming a High Performing Organization

Education Credits: 0.9 CPE/CLP

Limited capacity of 100 on a first-come, first-serve basis
 

For contracts professionals, navigating the complexities of government contracting can be challenging and laborious. Some organizations rely on cumbersome spreadsheets to track contract details and obligations, while others have adopted some type of CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) technology, only to discover it’s not well suited for managing the unique requirements of doing business with the federal government or complying with agency-specific regulations. In this virtual session, we will share a proven playbook that’s used by some of the largest government contractors when deploying a CLM solution, and can enable organizations to streamline the arduous tasks of digitizing contracts and managing clauses, automate workflows in order to better manage risk and compliance throughout the lifecycle of a contract.

The key to a strong supplier base is competition, and it takes many suppliers to make that happen. In this session, we will discuss how to help grow the suppliers that you work with through supplier strategy and experience. As well as how to engage with small and disadvantaged businesses to help drive competition and inclusion.

A high level overview of DNI and their subsidiary companies.

Learn about how government organizations are modernizing their acquisition systems using Appian's Government Acquisition Management solutions. Appian’s innovative low-code automation platform provides intelligent automation that can quickly transform acquisition systems and processes. Appian gives organizations the power to modernize every step of the acquisition process, including requirements management, contract writing, clause automation, source selection, and post-award management.