JOIN US FOR OUR WEB SERIES
The Center for Procurement Excellence is pleased to announce a free interactive web series, “Ask of the RFP Doctor”. In this first-of-its-kind virtual discussion, procurement experts provide practical advice in addressing today’s purchasing, supply chain, and acquisition challenges. Here’s how it works:
• Teaching Moment (15 minutes): the RFP Doctor will kick things off with a brief presentation targeted at a specific topic
• CPE Virtual Peer Group (30 minutes): next, we will split up into small groups and give attendees an opportunity to network with each other and have a discussion on a relevant topic. Learn More
• Ask the RFP Doctor – Office Hours (15 minutes or until the questions run out!): we’ll come back together for an open Q&A session. Have a challenging RFP ahead? Have a unique situation? Bring your questions and let’s get it figured out!
Third Thursdays of every month starting at 12:00pm Central
Register For Ask The RFP Doctor Event
We will send you your personal admission credentials via email.
Upcoming Ask the RFP Doctor Events
Add them to your Calendar!
15
January
Understanding Vendor Profit: What Procurement Needs to Know
Many owners assume that vendors make profitc simply by inflating their bids, but the real story is much more nuanced. This session explores how top-performing vendors maximisze overhead, streamline processes, and even return savings to clients – all while navigating the pitfalls of the micromanaging owners.
19
February
The Known Unknowns
Even the strongest RFPs can’t predict the future—especially when assumptions about site conditions or internal processes are involved. Dr. Brian Lines shows how to identify “Known Unknowns” early and use If/Then statements to define responsibility before missed clarifications become expensive surprises.
19
March
A Primer on Alternative Delivery
Not all delivery methods are created equal—and choosing the wrong one can sink a project before it starts. Dr. Brian Lines breaks down Design-Build, CMAR, and Progressive Design-Build, and shows when to use each model to align risk and protect outcomes.
16
April
Looking Deeper into the Supply Chain
The prime contractor often isn’t doing most of the work—subs and suppliers are. Dr. Jake Smithwick shows how to strengthen your supply chain during the RFP: how to screen subs, build visibility into sourcing, and write transparency into the contract before award.
21
May
IT Disasters: Paper Deliverables
Too many IT projects burn budgets delivering documents instead of working software. Dr. Brian Lines explains how to structure RFPs around testable outcomes, require meaningful demos, and eliminate “paper deliverables” that look impressive but don’t perform.
18
June
Avoiding Protests
Protests cost time, money, and trust—and many are avoidable. Dr. John Savicky breaks down how to design fair, transparent evaluations, build defensible criteria, and conduct confident debriefs that reduce risk and protect the award decision.
16
July
People Will Leave
Turnover is guaranteed—PMs retire, key staff move on, and teams change mid-project. Dr. Brian Lines shows how to build RFPs and contracts that survive staffing changes by baking continuity into specs and scoring team structure—not just resumes.
CPE Virtual Peer Groups
CPE’s Virtual Peer Groups provide attendees an opportunity to network in one of four areas below. We’ll provide a suggested topic, and invite attendees to provide feedback and advice with each other.
| Peer Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Leadership of Procurement Groups | CPOs, Procurement Leaderships, Executives |
| IT Procurement | All things IT including software, hardware, system integrator, and more |
| Capital Projects & Alternative Delivery | Strategies for large design and construction, including best practices for new alternative delivery methods (DB, PDB, CMAR/CMGC, IPD, P3) |
| Procurement Processes | Statements of Work, Evaluations, Interviews, Clarification, Partnering |