2020 Virtual Conference Program
More guest speakers, presenters, panelists, conference tracks, and roundtable discussions to be announced!
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Conference Tracks
Federal Government Procurement Opportunities
Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local) |
Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
GWACS (MACS and BICS) Pathway to Growth |
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - Printable PDF
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Welcome, Plenary, Keynote Panel
Breakout Session: HHS, DHS, GSA
Breakout Session: Contracting Opportunities with the State of Maryland
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Lockheed Martin Reverse Mentoring
Breakout Session: CMMC: What Contractors Need to Know
Breakout Session: HHS, DHS, GSA
Breakout Session: Contracting Opportunities with the State of Maryland
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Lockheed Martin Reverse Mentoring
Breakout Session: CMMC: What Contractors Need to Know
Thursday, August 6, 2020 - Printable PDF
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Breakout Session: Trending IT & Acquisition Services: Center of Excellence
Breakout Session: DoD Panel
Breakout Session: Artificial Intelligence
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Breakout Session: Costing Strategies in a Low-Ball World: How Can You Beat the Competition at Their Own Game?
Breakout Session: NASA SEWP
Breakout Session: Using the New Simplified Acquisition Threshold to Your Advantage
Breakout Session: DoD Panel
Breakout Session: Artificial Intelligence
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Breakout Session: Costing Strategies in a Low-Ball World: How Can You Beat the Competition at Their Own Game?
Breakout Session: NASA SEWP
Breakout Session: Using the New Simplified Acquisition Threshold to Your Advantage
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - Printable PDF
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Welcome, Montgomery County Procurement Information
Breakout Session: State and Metro Maryland Purchasing Panel
Breakout Session: CIO- SP4: Actions Now, Success Later
Breakout Session: GSA's Innovative Approach to Acquisitions
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Breakout Session: The Power of Pivot: What it Takes to Position a Business in the GovCon Space to Quickly and Effectively Adjust to Unexpected Circumstances
Breakout Session: Montgomery County (Maryland) Agencies Panel
Breakout Session: State and Metro Maryland Purchasing Panel
Breakout Session: CIO- SP4: Actions Now, Success Later
Breakout Session: GSA's Innovative Approach to Acquisitions
Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
Breakout Session: The Power of Pivot: What it Takes to Position a Business in the GovCon Space to Quickly and Effectively Adjust to Unexpected Circumstances
Breakout Session: Montgomery County (Maryland) Agencies Panel
Thursday, August 13, 2020 - Printable PDF
click for more details, including session descriptions, speakers, and sponsors
1:1 Matchmaking
Exclusive Event for Sponsors and Conference Stakeholders
Exclusive Event for Sponsors and Conference Stakeholders
Pathway to Growth Conference Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Conference Media Sponsor
For more on the 2020 Virtual Procurement Conference, please contact Melissa Leigh Childress.
Day 1: Wednesday, August 5 (8:00 am - 2:00 pm)
8:00 - 8:25 am - Welcome and Keynote
- Georgette "Gigi" Godwin, President & CEO, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
- The Honorable Chris Van Hollen, Honorary Procurement Conference Chair, U.S. Senate (Maryland)
- Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Emily Murphy, Administrators, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Georgette "Gigi" Godwin
President & CEO Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce |
The Honorable Chris Van Hollen
Honorary Procurement Conference Chair U.S. Senate (Maryland) |
The Honorable Emily Murphy
Administrator U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) |
8:25 - 9:10 am - Keynote Panel
Moderator: Jon Williams, Partner, PilieroMazza PLLC
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Mathew Blum, Associate Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy, U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- Crystal Philcox, Associate Commissioner, Enterprise Strategy Management for Federal Acquisition Service, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
- Francis Spampinato, Associate Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Mathew Blum
Associate Administrator Office of Federal Procurement Policy U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) |
Crystal Philcox
Associate Commissioner Enterprise Strategy Management for Federal Acquisition Service U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) |
Francis Spampinato
Associate Administrator Office of Government Contracting and Business Development U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) |
Jon Williams
Partner PilieroMazza PLLC |
9:15 - 10:00 am - Breakout Session: HHS, DHS, GSA
This panel features current acquisition thought leaders within the federal government. They will provide you with insight into their agencies' acquisition priorities as well as new and upcoming procurement opportunities. You won't want to miss this opportunity to engage with these acquisition experts!
Track: Federal Government Procurement Opportunities
Track: Federal Government Procurement Opportunities
Moderator: Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), Federal Acquisition Services, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Christopher Bennethum, Assistant Commissioner for Assisted Acquisition Services, GSA
- Paul Courtney, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- James E. Simpson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions (DAS-A), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Christopher Bennethum
Assistant Commissioner for Assisted Acquisition Services U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) |
Paul Courtney
Deputy Chief Procurement Officer U.S. Department of Homeland Security |
James E. Simpson
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions (DAS-A) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
Keith Nakasone
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Acquisition Office of Information Technology Category (ITC) Federal Acquisition Services U.S. General Services Administration |
10:00 - 10:05 am - Break
10:05 - 10:50 am - Breakout Session: Contracting Opportunities with the State of Maryland
Learn about contracting opportunities with various agencies from the State of Maryland.
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Moderator: Alison Tavik, Communications Director, Maryland Governor's Office of Small, Minority, And Women Business Affairs
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Dana Dembrow, Director of Procurement, Maryland Department of Health (MDH)
- Tom Hickey, Director of Procurement, University System of Maryland
- Danny Mays, Director of Procurement, Office of State Procurement, Department of General Services
Dana Dembrow
Director of Procurement Maryland Department of Health |
Tom Hickey
Director of Procurement University System of Maryland |
Danny Mays
Director of Procurement Office of State Procurement Maryland Department of General Services |
Alison Tavik
Communications Director Maryland Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs |
10:50 - 11:00 am - Break
Guest Speaker: Pasquale (Pat) DeSanto, Corporate Supplier Diversity Manager and Certified Supplier Diversity Professional, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Pasquale (Pat) DeSanto
Corporate Supplier Diversity Manager and Certified Supplier Diversity Professional
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Corporate Supplier Diversity Manager and Certified Supplier Diversity Professional
Lockheed Martin Corporation
This panel presentation will provide an overview of DoD's upcoming Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). CMMC will eventually be required for all DoD contractors and may be expanded for civilian agencies as well. As such, CMMC represents a significant change in how contractors will do business with the federal government, in particular with DoD. Cybersecurity is fast becoming much more than a compliance issue - it is also a critical means to gain (or not lose) a competitive advantage in the market for federal contractors.
This panel will feature representatives from a large contractor (CACI International, Inc.) and a small contractor (X-Energy) who will share their understandings and experiences in preparing for CMMC and in tackling the existing federal cybersecurity requirements. The panel will also include a cybersecurity firm, SysArc, to help contractors understand what they can and should be doing now to prepare for CMMC.
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
This panel will feature representatives from a large contractor (CACI International, Inc.) and a small contractor (X-Energy) who will share their understandings and experiences in preparing for CMMC and in tackling the existing federal cybersecurity requirements. The panel will also include a cybersecurity firm, SysArc, to help contractors understand what they can and should be doing now to prepare for CMMC.
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Moderator: Jon Williams, Partner, PilieroMazza PLLC
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Tim Brennan, CEO, SysArc
- Kim Lester, Director, Contracts, Procurement, and IT, X-Energy
- Joanna Patterson, Director, CACI International, Inc.
Tim Brennan
CEO SysArc |
Kim Lester
Director Contracts, Procurement, and IT X-Energy |
Joanna Patterson
Director CACI International, Inc. |
Jon Williams
Partner PilieroMazza PLLC |
Day 2: Thursday, August 6 (8:00 am - 2:20 pm)
8:00 - 8:45 am - Breakout Session: Trending IT & Acquisition Services: Center of Excellence
The United States Department of Health and Human Services embarked on a journey to modernize the way it delivers healthcare and support services. The ReImagine Initiative was created to identify, pilot, and scale-out groundbreaking ideas. Hear from the innovators who are leading and modernizing the acquisition, grants, and public health processes using emerging technologies. Learn about what's next and how it will impact the federal government and industry.
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Moderator: David Nguyen, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, United Solutions
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Charles Keckler, Associate Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS)
- Oki Mek, Senior Advisor to HHS CIO, HHS ReImagine, HHS
- Mike Peckham, CFO, Program Support Center (PSC), HHS
Charles Keckler
Associate Deputy Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
Oki Mek
Senior Advisor to HHS CIO, HHS ReImagine U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
Mike Peckham
CFO Program Support Center U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) |
David Nguyen
Founder, Chief Executive Officer United Solutions |
8:50 - 9:35 am - Breakout Session: DoD Panel
This breakout session will provide updates on the Department of Defense Small Business Program's processes and policies, including how to better situate small businesses to do business with the DoD.
Track: Federal Government Procurement Opportunities
Track: Federal Government Procurement Opportunities
Moderator: Pamela L. Monroe, Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of Army
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Kimberly Buehler, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of Army
- Carlen Capenos, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
- Joseph M. McWilliams, Director, Office of Small Business Program U.S. Air Force
- Jimmy Smith, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Navy
Kimberly Buehler
Director Office of Small Business Programs U.S. Department of Army |
Carlen Capenos
Director Office of Small Business Programs Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) |
Jimmy Smith
Director Office of Small Business Programs U.S. Navy |
Pamela L. Monroe
Assistant to the Director Office of Small Business Programs U.S. Department of Army |
9:35 - 9:45 am - Break
9:45 - 10:30 am - Breakout Session: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) has already begun to reshape and accelerate government. Hear from these distinguished panelists on what the federal government and industry are doing with AI, machine learning, deep learning, and robotic process automation. Learn from these experts about what they expect to see in the future.
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
- Steve Babitch, Head of Artificial Intelligence Portfolio, U.S. Technology Transformation Services
- Omar E. Bouaichi, Data Technology Director, Office of Enterprise Data & Technology Solutions, Ginnie Mae
Steve Babitch
Head of Artificial Intelligence Portfolio U.S. Technology Transformation Services |
Omar Bouaichi
Data Technology Director Office of Enterprise Data & Technology Solutions Ginnie Mae |
10:30 - 10:35 am - Break
11:35 - 11:50 am - Break
11:50 am - 12:35 pm - Breakout Session: Costing Strategies in a Low-Ball World: How Can You Beat the Competition at Their Own Game?
This session will cover the following topics:
- The trade-off between value and price
- Understanding the best value continuum in proposal evaluation
- Key differences between LPTA and best value
- Business strategies and capture
- Technical proposal strategies
- Types of cost
- Cost realism, cost volume completeness, and cost reasonableness
Guest Speaker: Olessia Smotrova, President, OST Global Solutions
Olessia Smotrova
President
OST Global Solutions
President
OST Global Solutions
12:45 - 1:30 pm - Breakout Session: NASA SEWP
NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) is a Best-in-Class Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) that simplifies the purchase of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and services for Federal government agencies.
NASA SEWP Program Director Joanne Woytek will explain who uses SEWP, what can be procured through SEWP, why SEWP is the industry’s fastest growing GWAC, and how you can get your products onto a SEWP Contract.
Track: GWACS (MACS and BICS)
NASA SEWP Program Director Joanne Woytek will explain who uses SEWP, what can be procured through SEWP, why SEWP is the industry’s fastest growing GWAC, and how you can get your products onto a SEWP Contract.
Track: GWACS (MACS and BICS)
Guest Speaker: Joanne Woytek, NASA SEWP Program Manager, NASA
Joanne Woytek
NASA SEWP Program Manager
NASA
NASA SEWP Program Manager
NASA
1:30 - 1:35 pm - Break
1:35 - 2:20 pm - Breakout Session: Using the New Simplified Acquisition Threshold to Your Advantage
The New Simplified Acquisition is a game-changer for informed small businesses in the federal marketplace. Now all acquisitions between $10,000 and $250,000 per transaction are automatically set-aside for small businesses provided that government decision-makers can find the small businesses who can actually perform the work or provide the products. This will amount to billions of dollars in revenues to those companies who can adapt and plan a proactive process to pursue those opportunities under $250,000 per transaction. Attendees will learn the steps to take advantage of this new change, the tools to use for success, and the decision-makers who can make these purchases. This session will provide a front-row glance at:
- What is the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)?
- What is the Micro Purchase Threshold (MPT)?
- Why are both important to vendors?
- Decision-makers using MPT and SAT
- How to use both to your clients' advantage
- Proactively marketing services and products using the SAT and MPT
Guest Speaker: Gloria Larkin, President, TargetGov
Gloria Larkin
President
TargetGov
President
TargetGov
Day 3: Wednesday, August 12 (8:00 am - 1:45 pm)
8:00 - 8:15 am - Welcome and Montgomery County (Maryland) Procurement Info
- The Honorable Marc Elrich, County Executive, Montgomery County
- Ash Shetty, Chief Procurement Officer, Montgomery County
- Benjamin H. Wu, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)
The Honorable Marc Elrich
County Executive Montgomery County, Maryland |
Ash Shetty
Chief Procurement Officer Montgomery County |
Benjamin H. Wu
President and CEO Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) |
8:15 - 8:25 am - Break
8:25 - 9:10 am - Breakout Session: State and Metro Maryland Purchasing Panel
This session will offer conference attendees an opportunity to meet the Procurement Directors or Managers from the State of Maryland and local government. Panelists will provide insight into upcoming procurement opportunities for their jurisdictions and advise on how to help ensure that your bid is among those considered.
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Moderator: Grace Denno, Chief, Division of Business Relations and Compliance, Montgomery County Office of Procurement
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Pam Jones, Procurement Division Chief, Montgomery County Office of Procurement
- Shawn Brooks, Operations Manager, Prince George's County Contract Administration and Procurement Division
- Carla Tucker, Minority and Small Business Marketing Manager, Baltimore County Purchasing Division
- Mahesh Sabnani, Equal Business Opportunity Program Coordinator, Howard County Government Office of Purchasing
Pam Jones
Procurement Division Chief Montgomery County Office of Procurement |
Shawn Brooks
Operations Manager Prince George's County Contract Administration and Procurement Division |
Carla Tucker
Minority and Small Business Marketing Manager Baltimore County Purchasing Division |
Mahesh Sabnani
Equal Business Opportunity Program Coordinator Howard County Government Office of Purchasing |
Grace Denno
Division Chief Division of Business Relations and Compliance Montgomery County Office of Procurement |
9:10 - 9:20 am - Break
9:20 - 10:05 am - Breakout Session: CIO-SP4: Actions Now, Success Later
NIH's CIO-SP4 is one of the most significant procurements for small and large government contractors this year. Ahead of the Fall 2020 RFP release, NIH issued a draft RFP in May identifying required elements and probable scoring components. Contractors need to take actions now to improve their proposal scoring! Join industry experts sharing tips on how contractors can use draft RFP knowledge to win one of these coveted slots. The presentation will specifically address:
- Minimum technical area requirements
- The critical role of teaming agreements for smaller contractors
- Go/No Go evaluation criteria - adequate accounting system
- Maximizing self-scoring
Guest Speakers:
- Donna Dominguez, Partner, Aronson LLC
- Tom Marcinko, Principal Consultant, Aronson LLC
Donna Dominguez
Partner Aronson LLC |
Tom Marcinko
Principal Consultant Aronson LLC |
10:05 - 10:50 am - Breakout Session: GSA's Innovative Approach to Acquisitions
This panel will provide recent strategic changes and updates to the Multiple Award Schedule Program, Phase 3, as well as updates to the IT Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts. This information will be great for industry partners and the government acquisition workforce.
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Track: Trending IT & Acquisition Strategies
Moderator: Keith Nakasone, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acquisition Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), Federal Acquisition Services, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Paul Martin, Director, Office of IT (Non-MAS) Acquisition Operations, U.S. General Services Administration
- Stephanie Shutt, MAS PMO Director, GSA
Paul Martin
Director Office of IT (Non-MAS) Acquisition Operations U.S. General Services Administration |
Stephanie Shutt
MAS PMO Director U.S. General Services Administration |
10:50 - 10:55 am - Break
10:55 - 11:55 am - Exhibitor Roundtable Networking
12:10 - 12:55 pm - Breakout Session: The Power of Pivot: What it Takes to Position a Business in the GovCon Space to Quickly and Effectively Adjust to Unexpected Circumstances
Given the incredible impact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on businesses nationally and internationally, this session will explore what it takes for leadership to position a business in the GovCon space to be able to quickly and effectively adjust (pivot) to meet market demands under unexpected circumstances.
Track: Pathway to Growth
Track: Pathway to Growth
Moderator: Hope Lane, Partner, Aronson LLC
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Antonio Doss, District Director, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Lisa Firestone, President and Owner, Managed Care Advisors
- Pamela L. Monroe, Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of Army
- Paul Murphy, Senior Data Analyst, Bloomberg Government
- Wayne Pizer, Executive Director of Small Business, CACI International, Inc.
1:00 - 1:45 pm - Breakout Session: Montgomery County (Maryland) Agencies Panel
This session will offer conference attendees an opportunity to meet the Procurement Directors or Managers of Montgomery County, Maryland Agencies. Panelists will identify upcoming opportunities and offer best practices to win contracts with their agencies.
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Track: Maryland Procurement Opportunities (State & Local)
Moderator: Grace Denno, Chief, Division of Business Relations and Compliance, Office of Procurement, Montgomery County, Maryland
Panelists:
Panelists:
- Angela McIntosh-Davis, Team Leader, Procurement Unit, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
- Tracey Edwards, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, WSSC Water
- Patrick Johnson, Director of Procurement, Montgomery College
- Jessica Lewis, Director of Procurement, City of Rockville
Angela McIntosh-Davis
Team Leader, Procurement Unit Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) |
Tracey Edwards
Supplier Diversity Program Manager WSSC Water |
Patrick Johnson
Director of Procurement Montgomery College |
Jessica Lewis
Director of Procurement City of Rockville |
Grace Denno
Division Chief Division of Business Relations and Compliance Montgomery County Office of Procurement |
Day 4: Thursday, August 13, 2020
8:00 - 11:00 am
8:00 - 10:00 am - 1:1 Matchmaking
10:00 - 10:10 am - Break
10:10 - 11:00 am - Exclusive Gathering for Conference Sponsors and Stakeholders
2020 Procurement Conference Steering Committee
HONORARY CHAIR:
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Maryland
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Antonio Doss District Director, Washington Metropolitan Area District Office |
U.S. Department of Army
Pamela L. Monroe Assistant to the Director Office of Small Business Programs Subcontracting and Native American Program Manager Office of the Secretary of the Army |
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Pasquale (Pat) DeSanto Corporate Supplier Diversity Program Manager and Certified Supplier Diversity Professional |
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Keith Nakasone Deputy Assistant Commissioner, IT Acquisition Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) |
Office of Procurement, Montgomery County
Grace Denno Chief, Division of Business Relations and Compliance |