- December 14, 2022 -

A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

For the last 35 years, the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI has) has served as our State’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

The PTAC program is now being retired.

On October 1, the program was transferred to the

Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs.

The Wisconsin Procurement Institute will now operate as one of our Nation’s 90+

FROM https://www.apexaccelerators.us/#/

The APEX Accelerators program, under management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), plays a critical role in the Department’s efforts to identify and engage with a wide range of businesses entering and participating in the defense supply-chain. The program provides the education and training that all businesses need to participate to become capable of participating in DOD and other government contracts.

12/15/22

Racine Unified School District Small Business Session #1

Webinar

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1/5/23

Racine Unified School District Small Business Session #2

In-Person

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1/10/23

Acquisition Hour: The SBA 8(a) Program and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Program

Webinar

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1/25/23

15th Annual End of Year Federal Contractor Update – (Oshkosh, WI) In-Person

In-Person

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Veteran-Owned Small Business and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business-Certification

The Small Business Administration (SBA) amends its regulations to implement a statutory requirement to certify Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns participating in the Veteran Small Business Certification Program. Effective date January 1, 2023. Contact us at 414-270-3600 or info@wispro.org for assistance.

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WOSB Federal Contract Program Beta. Certify Home Page Refresh 

GCBD's WOSB Federal Contract Program (WOSB Program) is pleased to announce that in response to customer service feedback, SBA has changed the WOSB Program’s official application site URL to better help firms navigate our resources: beta.Certify.sba.gov will now be https://WOSB.Certify.sba.gov .

This action is in line with the original intent for “beta” to be a temporary placeholder for a more permanent URL. Now that WOSB is two years into the certification process, our application site is permanent and consistent with other SBA site-naming conventions. We are confident that this change will enhance user experience and limit confusion around the application process.

For the next 90 days, beta.Certify.sba.gov will automatically redirect to the new URL, after which time it will become obsolete. We anticipate a positive response to this change and appreciate your support in ensuring the best experience for all firms hoping to begin their federal contracting journey with the WOSB Program.

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For assistance on WOSB certifications, contact Kim Garber at KimG@wispro.org or 414-270-3600

Federal Acquisition Regulation: Effective Communication between Government and Industry

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. This rule clarifies that agency acquisition personnel are permitted and encouraged to engage in responsible and constructive exchanges with industry, so long as those exchanges are consistent with existing law and regulation and do not promote an unfair competitive advantage to particular firms.

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Defense Department Launches Innovation Pathways Website

Arlington, VA – The DoD announced today significant updates to the Innovation Pathways website that will allow it to serve as a "one-stop shop" for learning how to deliver innovation to the DoD. Located at www.ctoinnovation.mil, this site serves as a gateway for industry, small businesses, students, universities, and other organizations within the Department itself to discover opportunities with DoD organizations and affiliate programs involved in research and development.

"The Innovation Pathways website allows those inside and outside the Department to quickly connect with the innovation organizations best suited to their needs," said Jen Bird, Director of the Innovation Steering Group in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. "The site includes a guided tour tool so that users can identify relevant opportunities across the defense innovation ecosystem."

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CYBER SECURITY - For Department of Defense Contractors and Subcontractors

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS

No-Cost Counseling Available

Currently, manufacturers operating within the DOD Supply Chain are required to comply with:

• DFARS 252.204-7012
• DFARS 252.204-7019
• DFARS 252.204-7020

WPI can help you support your contract compliance requirements. WPI's initial engagement will include a site visit of your business or a virtual call during which we can learn about what you do and provide a demonstration of self-assessment techniques according to NIST SP 800-171a and the NIST Audit Guide. We can also assist in the preparation of your NIST Summary Score (and uploading it into SPRS). Following this, we can also counsel you in the construction of your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM) helping you support your contract compliance requirements. All for no cost!

Assisting with

• Systems Security Plan
• Plan of Actions & Milestones
• NIST Summary Score
• Basic Assessment

To schedule an appointment, contact Matthew Frost at mattf@wispro.org or (608) 293-0920

FEATURED EVENTS

15th Annual End of Year Contractor Update

January 25, 2023

7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center 

1 North Main Street Oshkosh, WI 54901