Course

Learning Labs

Hands-On Workshops

An educational series that provides learners with best practice guidance on a variety of technical and hard skills needed for public procurement success.

Course Availability:

View upcoming dates for this course.

October 3, 2024
Learning Lab 1 100324: Understanding the role of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that attach to federal grant funds (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 1 100324: Understanding the role of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that attach to federal grant funds (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Oct 3, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
October 17, 2024
Learning Lab 2 101724: Uniform Guidance (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 2 101724: Uniform Guidance (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Oct 17, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA, Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
October 24, 2024
Learning Lab 3 102424: Unique Requirements (Clauses, Cooperatives, Ethics, Outreach, Agency specific requirements: DOT, FTA, HUD, et cetera) (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 3 102424: Unique Requirements (Clauses, Cooperatives, Ethics, Outreach, Agency specific requirements: DOT, FTA, HUD, et cetera) (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Oct 24, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
October 31, 2024
Learning Lab 4 103124: Understanding Cost Analysis, Price Analysis and Independent Cost Estimate Requirements that accompany federal grant funds (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 4 103124: Understanding Cost Analysis, Price Analysis and Independent Cost Estimate Requirements that accompany federal grant funds (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Oct 31, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA, Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
November 7, 2024
Learning Lab 5 110724: Prevailing Wages (Davis Bacon) (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 5 110724: Prevailing Wages (Davis Bacon) (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Nov 7, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA, Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
November 14, 2024
Learning Lab 6 111424: Procurement and Contract Types Allowed (Member) $89.00
Learning Lab 6 111424: Procurement and Contract Types Allowed (Non-Member) $189.00
(prices valid until Nov 14, 2024)
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Ms. Penny M Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, Mr. Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M. CPCP, CPPB, MPA
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
February 6, 2025
Learning Lab 1 020625: Mastering RFP Fundamentals (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 1 020625: Mastering RFP Fundamentals (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Feb 6, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
February 13, 2025
Learning Lab 2 021325: Designing Highly Effective RFPs (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 2 021325: Designing Highly Effective RFPs (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Feb 13, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
February 20, 2025
Learning Lab 3 022025: Evaluating RFP Responses (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 3 022025: Evaluating RFP Responses (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Feb 20, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
March 6, 2025
Learning Lab 4 030625: Advanced Evaluation Strategies (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 4 030625: Advanced Evaluation Strategies (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Mar 6, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
March 13, 2025
Learning Lab 5 031325: Effective RFP Evaluation Management (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 5 031325: Effective RFP Evaluation Management (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Mar 13, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
March 20, 2025
Learning Lab 6 032025: Post-RFP Strategy and Review (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 6 032025: Post-RFP Strategy and Review (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Mar 20, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led
March 27, 2025
Learning Lab 7 032725: Leveraging eProcurement, AI and Automation (Member) $179.00
Learning Lab 7 032725: Leveraging eProcurement, AI and Automation (Non-Member) $279.00
(prices valid until Mar 27, 2025)
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Instructor: Mr. Michael R Thornton, CPPO, Ms. Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, Mr. Victor Leamer, CPPB
Level: Foundation
Virtual Instructor-Led

Deeper Dive into Procurement with Federal Funds

3:00 - 5:00 PM ET
Contact Hours: 2 per lab

Download Flyer

Lab 1: Understanding the role of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that attach to federal grant funds.

 October 3

It’s imperative that local procurement professionals understand CFR and it’s impact on the procurement process. Failure to be well informed could result in loss of grant funds.  

Learn more about and register for the October 3 Lab


Lab 2: Uniform Guidance

 October 17

This lab focuses on the Uniform Guidance, Title 2, Part 200 of the CFR, issued by the federal government and explains why local governments need to follow this “guidance” or your entity may lose or have to repay the grant.

Learn more about and register for the October 17 Lab


Lab 3: Unique Requirements (Clauses, Cooperatives, Ethics, Outreach, Agency specific requirements: DOT, FTA, HUD, et cetera)

 October 24

Explore requirements that are generally unique to the federal government and not typical in local governments but nonetheless must be incorporated into local government procurement as a condition of the grant.

Learn more about and register for the October 24 Lab


Lab 4: Understanding Cost Analysis, Price Analysis and Independent Cost Estimate Requirements that accompany federal grant funds.

 October 31

Find out when and why requirements for cost analysis, price analysis and independent cost estimates are required, seeing practical applications of each.  

Learn more about and register for the October 31 Lab


Lab 5: Prevailing Wages (Davis Bacon)

 November 7

The federal laws, acts and regulations administered by the Department of Labor are collectively called the Davis Bacon and Related Acts. They apply to the expenditure of federal funds for major maintenance and construction projects over $2,000 in value (there are a few exceptions). Failure to properly comply with rules can have major financial and public relations impact.

Learn more about and register for the November 7 Lab


Lab 6: Procurement and Contract Types Allowed

 November 14

Federal rules are very specific as to the procurement methods that are permitted and the types of contracts that can be used or not used for grant funds. Find out how you can identify the allowed methods and contract types and how they are used in practical situations.

Learn more about and register for the November 14 Lab

 

SPEAKERS

Terry L. McKee, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB, MPA, C.P.M. CPCP

Procurement Director, Knoxville's Community Development Corp - The Public Housing & Redevelopment Authority

BIO

Penny M. Owens, NIGP-CPP, CPPO

Purchasing Agent, City of Knoxville, TN

BIO


RFP LEARNING LAB SERIES

The previous RFP Learning Lab Series has been restructured as the new 2025 Version 2.0 with refreshed and updated content.

1 - 5 PM ET
4 Contact Hours per Lab

Download Flyer

Lab 1: Mastering RFP Fundamentals

Kickstart your procurement success by diving into the essentials of RFP best practices. This session explains what RFPs are, how they differ from other procurement methods, and equips you with strategies to effectively engage suppliers before, during and after the RFP process. 

 February 6


Lab 2: Designing Highly Effective RFPs

Transform your approach to RFPs by learning the art of effective design. Understand the importance of creating and using easy to navigate templates and structuring RFPs to effectively communicate your needs.

 February 13


Lab 3: Evaluating RFP Responses

Enhance your evaluative skills to ensure your RFP responses align perfectly with your goals. Learn how to assess effectively, understand the nuances of asking for clarifications versus rectifications and how to manage evaluation dynamics.

 February 20


Lab 4: Advanced Evaluation Strategies

Deep dive into best practice for evaluation methodologies to distinguish the best supplier solution and proposal response. We explore how to set up detailed evaluation criteria, including technical and performance assessments, how to ensure your decision-making is objective and how to incorporate scheduling in your evaluations. 

*New Content.

 March 6


Lab 5: Effective RFP Evaluation Management 

Master creating and managing an evaluation committee with this focused session. Learn how to select the right mix of skills and perspectives, how to set clear roles, and create transparent processes.

 March 13


Lab 6: Post-RFP Strategy and Review* 

Conclude your RFP process as strategically as you began with our comprehensive guide to post-evaluation activities. Connect learning points, discuss innovative RFP types, and refine future strategies. 

*New Content

 March 20


*NEW - Lab 7: Leveraging eProcurement, AI and Automation*

Embrace the future of procurement by exploring eProcurement systems, AI and automation tools. Learn the benefits and challenges of implementing these technologies. 

*New Content

 March 27

SPEAKERS:

Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB

Procurement Manager
Canoe Procurement Group of Canada

BIO

Victor Leamer, CPPB

Senior Buyer
Spokane County

BIO

Mike Thornton, CPPO

Practice Lead
Civic Initiatives 

BIO

Upcoming Learning Labs