Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association
Spring Conference
March 11, 2026
AGENDA
8:55am Opening Remarks
9:00 am – 9:50 am How is Construction Different from Goods & Services (Credit Hours = 1.0)
Valerie Scott, Purchasing & Contracts Manager, City of Longmont
Construction procurement isn’t just “bigger purchasing”—it’s a different animal altogether. This session breaks down how construction differs from goods and services in terms of risk allocation, contracts, pricing, timelines, change management, and legal requirements. Attendees will gain a clear, practical understanding of why construction projects demand specialized procurement strategies and what that means for compliance, project success, and stakeholder expectations.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning, G. Recognize unique attributes of specialized requirements and apply to the procurement process (e.g., construction delivery methods, hazardous and/or controlled goods and services, human services, technologies)
9:50 am – 10:00 am Morning Break
10:00 am - 10:50 am Understand Construction Documents: From Contract to Closeout
(Credit Hours = 1)
Valerie Scott, Purchasing & Contracts Manager, City of Longmont
Construction documents are the backbone of every successful project—but they can be complex and intimidating. This session provides a practical overview of key construction documents, including contracts, drawings, specifications, change orders, pay applications, and closeout materials. Attendees will learn how these documents work together, why accuracy and consistency matter, and how effective document management reduces risk, controls costs, and supports successful project delivery.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning, G. Recognize unique attributes of specialized requirements and apply to the procurement process (e.g., construction delivery methods, hazardous and/or controlled goods and services, human services, technologies); Domain III. Procurement Life Cycle: Sourcing & Supplier Selection, C. Assemble solicitation document(s), F. Apply negotiation strategies and document the process
10:50 am - 11:00 am Morning Break
11:00 am - 11:50 am Legal Considerations in Construction Procurement (Credit Hours = 1)
Valerie Scott, Purchasing & Contracts Manager, City of Longmont
Construction projects carry unique legal risks that go far beyond standard purchasing. This session highlights key legal considerations in construction procurement, including contract terms, statutory requirements, risk allocation, bonding and insurance, claims, disputes, and compliance obligations. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how to identify legal red flags early, collaborate effectively with legal counsel, and structure contracts that protect the organization while supporting successful project outcomes.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain IV. Procurement Life Cycle: Contract Development & Administration, B. Coordinate the contract approval process, C. Administer the contract process
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch Break
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm Maximizing JOC Construction Efficiency through Cooperative Purchasing (Credit Hours = 1)
Are you looking to streamline your Job Order Contracting (JOC) construction projects? Join us for an insightful presentation on leveraging cooperative purchasing through Sourcewell and Gordian to optimize your JOC processes. In this session, we will explore how utilizing EzIQC, a cooperative purchasing solution from Gordian and Sourcewell, can revolutionize your JOC construction projects. By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Streamline project timelines – Discover how your agency can leverage cooperative purchasing through EzIQC to accelerate the procurement process, enabling faster project starts and completions.
- Achieve cost savings – Understand how standardized pricing and pre-negotiated contracts reduce your project costs and mitigate your risk of budget overruns.
- Enhance project efficiency and quality – Learn how cooperative purchasing improves project management, minimizes delays, and helps you achieve higher quality outcomes through proven processes and reliable contractors.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning, G. Recognize unique attributes of specialized requirements and apply to the procurement process (e.g., construction delivery methods, hazardous and/or controlled goods and services, human services, technologies), E. Evaluate cooperative procurement options (e.g., aggregate requirements, government contracts)
1:50 pm - 2:00 pm Afternoon Break
2:00 pm - 2:50 pm The Decider Guide: When to use cooperative purchasing to add public dollar power (Credit Hours = 1)
Ben Henle, Sourcewell
No one knows your job better than you. But if you knew there was a way to do it quicker (while saving money), would you want to know more? Cooperative procurement strives to help public agencies like yours become more efficient. While it is designed to simplify the process, there are steps that need to be completed when utilizing a cooperative contract. Learn how to get started with The Decider Guide — a session created to help with your cooperative purchasing strategy, maximizing the value of your spend and simplifying the process.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning, E. Evaluate cooperative procurement options (e.g., aggregate requirements, government contracts)
2:55 pm Closing Remarks - Adjourn
Thank you to our Spring Conference Sponsor