JOIN US FOR OUR NEW WEB SERIES
The Center for Procurement Excellence is pleased to announce a free new 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!
21
October
Handling Large IT Hardware Buys With Different Scope Packages
A common question in large IT procurements is, “Can one vendor do it all?” This session will explain how to structure your RFP to solve this question, including firsthand experiences from a former state Chief Procurement Officer.
18
November
Vendor of Record Programs
They go by many names: standing order, on-call, IDIQ, vendor rosters, and more! Join us to learn key considerations when setting up a Vendor of Record program & common mistakes that organizations make.
17
March
7 Most Deadly Marketing Phrases
Evaluators beware! These 7 marketing phrases are cluttered across EVERY proposal you read. Join us to learn how to spot them. Don’t be fooled by marketing fluff that adds no value!
20
January
It’s a New Year – Ready for the Next Level?
Who says there are no new and exciting ways to run our RFPs? Not our guest speaker, Dr. Kenneth Sullivan, who will join us to share advanced procurement practices from Expertise-Based Project Delivery (XPD). This is a primer for those who want to consider “cream-of-the-crop” tools for their most challenging projects.
17
February
It’s a New Year – Ready for the Next Level?
Who says there are no new and exciting ways to run our RFPs? Not our guest speaker, Dr. Kenneth Sullivan, who will join us to share advanced procurement practices from Expertise-Based Project Delivery (XPD). This is a primer for those who want to consider “cream-of-the-crop” tools for their most challenging projects.
17
March
Got RFP Soft Skills?
Procurement professionals need to be master facilitators. We’ll share leadership tips to help guide your internal business units through the RFP process.
21
April
Pitfalls of IT Software RFPs
Do IT projects have a higher rate of failure than all other project types? Unfortunately, yes. So let’s cover the most common pitfalls that can sink your next IT Software RFP.
19
May
Understanding Procurement Protests: Who, What, and WHY?!
There is no bigger headache than ending up in a protest. Join us to discuss ways to prevent protests, how to respond when they happen … and of course to swap stories!
16
June
IT Software Demonstrations
Want to hear a joke? A guy walks into a traditional software demo… and walks out with a product that doesn’t work as advertised. Wait, that’s not a joke, it’s just a sad reality! 🙁 So how can we fix it???
21
July
Amazing Pre-Proposal Meetings
Don’t make your Pre-Proposal meeting a snooze-fest. Learn how to take your next Pre-Proposal from snoozing to cruising. From snoring to not-at-all-boring. From totally lame to procurement fame!
18
August
Responding to Vendor RFIs
Answering vendor questions via addenda is both an art and a science. Let’s talk about how to respond in ways that will enable your vendors to submit higher quality proposals!
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 |