Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association
Spring Conference
March 18, 2024
AGENDA
7:30 am - 7:55 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
7:55 am - 8:00 am Welcome, Opening Remarks
Trudi Peepgrass, President RMGPA
8:00 am - 9:30 am Building Positive Relationships (Credit Hours = 1.5)
Bill Sutter, CFO Boulder Valley School District
Work as a team and build positive relationships with Board/Council Members, Community Members, Associations and other Agency/District Leadership. Create a sense of responsibility by building positive relationships. The key to strong relationships is to come up with a clear, shared vision. Learn how to bridge the gap between agency and community.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain V. Leadership, D. Prepare and deliver information for a target audience, E. Determine and leverage outreach methods for internal and external stakeholders, I. Recognize the impact of socio-political factors on procurement, J. Identify conflicts and challenges and employ strategies for resolution.
9:30 am - 9:45 am Morning Break
9:45 am - 10:45 am Technology Procurement (Credit Hours = 1)
Mike Whalen, Senior Procurement Agent, Office of Procurement and Vendor Services
In the ever-changing world of public purchasing, effective strategies are critical for maintaining a professional edge. However, in recent years, technology has emerged as a separate domain marked by its distinctive challenges and opportunities. Often complicated by complex and long-term engagements, technology purchases have their own set of mandatory requirements. How do you manage a team who are head-over-heels in love with one solution while overlooking potentially better options? How do you manage demo's, qualitative user stories and technology mandates? This presentation will provide attendees with insights into these intricacies of technology procurement and equip them with several approaches for achieving success.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain III. Sourcing and Solicitation, I. Recognize unique terminology, attributes, and risk of technology commodities and services, K. Differentiate and select terms and conditions for sourcing and contract documents, O. Construct solicitation documents, P. Determine evaluation methodology and criteria, Q. Manage the solicitation process from issue to award, T. Facilitate review of supplier samples and/or demonstrations.
10:45 am - 11:00 am Morning Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Marketing the Value of Purchasing: How Buyers have to be Sellers too! (Credit Hours = 1)
Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners
Procurement is often at the hub of all activities within their organizations - responding to leadership goals, meeting operational needs, to serve the organization and surrounding community. But the importance of procurement is often overlooked. To address this issue, are you marketing the value of the procurement function? Through this session, discover how to create your own personal brand and 5 ways to improve your customers' experience. While you can't control everything across your entity, begin to take a more active role in marketing your worth, expertise and contributions. Strive to be MVP for your organization and create a stellar experience for your customers.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain II. Procurement Planning and Analysis, J. Conduct sourcing analyses (e.g., make, lease or buy, market research, outsourcing), L. Conduct market analysis (e.g., forecasting, historical, economic conditions), Domain V. Leadership, A. Advocate and demonstrate the value of public procurement, B. Demonstrate professional values and ethics (e.g., accountability, impartiality), C. Integrate the mission, vision, and values of the procurement department into practice.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm RMGPA Business Meeting & Networking Lunch
RMGPA Board of Directors and Committees
Connect with colleagues at the networking lunch! Share tips and tricks of the trade or connect with people on a personal level. In-person networking has great value! TIP: Sit with someone you don’t know.
New member recognition and first-time attendees
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The Paper Chase (Credit Hours = 1)
What is purchasing’s role in negotiating? What type of leadership is required for negotiating?
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain III. Sourcing and Solicitation, Y. Recognize and apply negotiation strategies and techniques (e.g., best and final offer), Z. Conduct and document the negotiation process, Domain V. Leadership, E. Determine and leverage outreach methods for internal and external stakeholders, H. Provide guidance and training for internal and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, end users, leadership), I. Recognize the impact of socio-political factors on procurement, J. Identify conflicts and challenges and employ strategies for resolution.
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Afternoon Break
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Procurement Fraud Prevention & Detection Strategies (Credit Hours = 1)
Ayla Grady, Manager at CliftonLarsonAllen
This session will provide an overview of common procurement fraud schemes and who commits them. Participants will learn how to identify red flags of fraud and strategies that can be implemented to help prevent instances of fraud
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain I. Legal Framework, D. Detect and report fraud and antitrust activities.
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Afternoon Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Grants Management (Credit Hours = 1)
Sam Hellwege, Principal at CliftonLarsonAllen
Learn what good grant management looks like and what public agencies should have in place to be good stewards of state and federal funds.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain III. Sourcing and Solicitation, Recognize the impact of funding sources to the procurement process (e.g. operating, capital grant, federal).
4:30 pm Closing Remarks - Adjourn
Trudi Peepgrass, President RMGPA
Thank you to our Spring Conference Sponsor
Download the agenda by clicking on the link below!
2024 Spring Conference Agenda