- January 30, 2024 -

1/30/24

11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 1: Introduction and FAR Part 16

Webinar

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2/1/24

Emerging Issues: Sharing Sensitive Information (CUI, JCP, ITAR): Can I Just Send an Email or Is More Required?

Webinar

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2/6/24

11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 2: FAR Parts 1-4

Webinar

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2/7/24

Acquisition Hour: Federal Contracting: Contract Methods and Types of Contracts

Webinar

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DLA Small Business Training Resources

The Defense Logistics Agency Office of Small Business Programs offers monthly webinars to educate small businesses and others about DLA's mission and opportunities to participate in our various supply chains. View the Doing Business with DLA webinar dates provided on the Outreach Calendar. Choose a date, click on the title, Doing Business with DLA webinar, and follow the registration process provided within the event details.

Regular training opportunities are also available for small businesses who work with DLA's Aviation and Land and Maritime purchasing activities through the Training Knowledge Opportunities system  (TKO). TKO dates and topics are provided on the Outreach Calendar along with a registration link.  

QUESTIONS about TKO? Email [email protected] 

or Call 1-800-262-3272.

Find additional training resources from across the agency on DLA's Training page.  

Wisconsin businesses may obtain contracting assistance at no cost from Wisconsin Procurement Institute, contact us at [email protected] or 414-270-3600. See our website Calendar of Events at www.wiswpro.org

DOD Releases First-Ever National Defense Industrial Strategy

The Department of Defense today released its inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), which will guide the Department's engagement, policy development, and investment in the industrial base over the next three to five years. Taking its lead from the National Defense Strategy (NDS), this strategy will catalyze generational change from the existing defense industrial base to a more robust, resilient, and dynamic modernized defense industrial ecosystem.

"The current and future strategic environment demands immediate, comprehensive, and decisive action to strengthen and modernize our defense industrial base ecosystem so it delivers at speed and scale for our warfighters," Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said. "DoD's first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy will help ensure we build the modern defense industrial and innovation ecosystem that's required to defend America, our allies and partners, and our interests in the 21st century."

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DOD to Accelerate Investments in Defense Industrial Base With New Other Transaction Agreement Vehicle

The Department of Defense today announced the award of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Advanced Technology International (ATI) to serve as the consortium manager for the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC). This DIBC OTA will enable rapid research and allow access to commercial solutions for defense requirements and innovations from industry, academia, and non-traditional contractors.

"The Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement will not only help stimulate the growth of the defense industrial base, but it will also enable more rapid execution of Defense Production Act funding," said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. "Additionally, this helps us execute the National Defense Industrial Strategy, address defense supply chain pain points, develop the industrial workforce, sustain critical production, and allow for complementary investments from other federal agencies to build a robust, resilient, and modernized defense industrial ecosystem."

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The Defense Innovation Board

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB), established in 2016 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, provides independent recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and other senior DoD leaders on emerging technologies and innovative approaches that DoD should adopt to ensure U.S. technological and military dominance. Recommendations are designed to be concise, actionable, and high-impact. To date, the Board’s recommendations have been used to inform DoD leadership strategy and action, as well as congressional legislation. Most recent report published Jan 2024 

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From the Congressional Research Service - Federal Small Business Contracting Goals

Updated January 18, 2024

Since 1988, the federal government has maintained annual goals for small and small “disadvantaged” business participation in federal contracting. At that time, Congress required that small businesses receive “not less than 20 percent of the total value of all prime contract awards for each fiscal year” and that small disadvantaged business (those owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals) receive “not less than 5 percent of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards for each fiscal year” (P.L. 100-656). Congress has since increased the small business contracting goal. 

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FEATURED EVENTS

Evening FAR Sessions Return January 2024

The Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – Wisconsin Chapter present the webinar series, “11th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Sessions.” This 8 part series is designed specifically for current Federal contractors. In addition, these sessions will help you prepare for the NCMA CFCM certification exam. All sessions run from 6:00 – 7:30 PM and qualify for 1.5 CPE credit.

Emerging Issues Series Returns

Over the last several years, cybersecurity has been front and center and garnered most of DoD’s contractor’s time and energy as it should. Cybersecurity is a major issue that needs to be addressed but it is not the only issue. There are existing and evolving issues that DoD contractors need to know about and in many cases require affirmative actions related to compliance.

This series, WPI’s Emerging Issues Series, is intended as an information tool and resource for contract managers and those with a compliance function. The topics selected for the initial group of Webinars are just some of the important topics. Some have not held the spotlight like others but nevertheless they are important. Others, such as Innovation and AI have recently emerged and have shown that they are not just a passing curiosity but truly topics of importance that will continue to impact DoD policy and provide procurement opportunities. These topics included in our first group, are current topics that need attention and need to be addressed. We expect that over time other issues – topics will emerge and come to the forefront. As these topics are identified we will add them to this series.

• February 1 – Sharing Sensitive Information (CUI, JCP, ITAR): Can I Just Send an Email or is more Required?

• February 15 – Analyzing and Understanding the DIBBS RFQ – Overlooked Requirements can Create Contract Compliance Issues 

• February 29 – From SBIR/STTR to DPA Title III – An Overview of Federal Innovation Programs, Needs and Marketplace

• March 14 – Suggested Process for Creating a Federal Business Development Strategy

• March 28 – Defense Production Act Title III – Unique Opportunities for Unique Companies

• Be sure to follow WPI on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X) for regular updates on events, news and opportunities.