- March, 2026 -

FEATURED EVENTS

Per the DBE Interim Final Rule published on October 3, 2025, all Wisconsin-based DBE and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) firms previously certified using race- or sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage must be reevaluated for recertification by the United Certification Program (UCP). All applicants must now prove social and economic disadvantage on an individual, case-by-case basis, rather than relying on race or sex as a presumption. On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Wisconsin UCP will begin accepting DBE and ACDBE Recertification applications.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification can open important doors for small businesses by creating opportunities to work with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and other state and local government entities including Dane County, City of Madison and Milwaukee County. This session will provide training on the value of the DBE program and how to submit your recertification application.

Three locations:

• March 12 – Madison
• March 23 – Milwaukee
• March 24 – Green Bay

March 17

3:00-5:00 pm

1401 Tower Avenue Superior, 54880

Small businesses are invited to a focused session on preparing for government contracting opportunities. Learn how to assess whether your business is contract-ready, explore financing options to support growth, and hear the latest update on the Blatnik Bridge project and what it could mean for local firms as well as information on the new DBE recertification/certification process. Walk away with practical insights and clear next steps to compete for public work.

Agenda:

3:00 Host Introductions

3:10 Business Introductions

3:20 Does Government Contracting Fit Your Business and Q&A – Wisconsin Procurement Institute

4:00 Update on The Blatnik Bridge process and DBE update – MNDOT and WISDOT

4:20 Presentation by FACC – Financing

4:50 Event Wrap-up and Networking

April 1

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

USACE Chicago District Headquarters

231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604

This event is open to businesses of all sizes interested in partnering with the Chicago District. Attendees will receive strategic updates from District leadership and have the opportunity to engage directly with program and acquisition personnel, as well as industry partners. The Open House provides an ideal forum for organizations to present their capabilities and gain insight into upcoming projects and contracting opportunities.

This is an in-person event, and advance registration is required.

To register, please complete the attached invitation. Firms are also encouraged to submit their capability statement in advance to support meaningful engagement discussions.

Registration Deadline: March 31, 2026

Announcing New Virtual Sessions

6:00-7:30 pm

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.

Click on the below dates for more registration and more information. Recordings of past sessions available on the WPI Client Portal

• March 10 – Session 6: FAR Parts 30-33  
• March 17 – Session 7: FAR Parts 34-41
• March 24 – Session 8: FAR Parts 42-53 

Presented by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Wisconsin Chapter, this webinar series covers a range of topics from market entry, sales growth, small business certifications, compliance, and more. Attendees receive 1 CPE credit for attending.

• March 18 – Department of Defense Invoicing – PIEE / Wide Area Workflow 
• March 11 – An Introduction into the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) 

Announcing New Sessions

Previously Cyber Fridays, Now Thursdays

If you are currently, or are planning to be, a contractor or subcontractor supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) you are required to comply with the newly finalized CMMC requirements. 



• March 26 – CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.2 Awareness and Training
• April 30 – CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.3 Audit and Accountability
• May 28 – CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.4 Configuration Management

Announcing New Sessions

Federal Market Insights is an informal podcast designed to provide valuable information about the government marketplace for businesses interested in government contracting. Each episode is a concise 30-minute session, scheduled at the end of the week. We review noteworthy items published during the week, delve into key topics, and offer background information and perspectives relevant to the government contracting landscape. Stop by, settle in and take-in the conversation.



• March 10 – Federal Contracts for Real Estate and Leasing Opportunities 
• March 17 – Government Property Programs  
• March 24 – OTAs and Consortiums
• March 31 – CRADAs: Cooperative Research and Development Agreements
• April 7 – Does Your Business Specialize in Critical Technology Areas?
• April 14 – Unlocking DoD Opportunities for Nontraditional Contractors
• April 21 – Is It Possible to Create Your Own Contract? Let’s See What FAR 15.6 Says
• April 28 – Broad Agency Announcements – Seeking Innovative Research and Development (R&D) Ideas
• May 5 – SAM Data Bank – Follow the Data to Identify Customers
• May 12 – Navigating the Federal Laboratory Consortium: A Guide for Small Business Innovators
• May 19 – Federal Innovation Sites Every Inventor Should Know
• May 26 – IP, Data Rights, and Federal Awards: What Every Company Should Know
• June 2 – Unsolicited Proposals & NSF Project Pitches: Paths Beyond SBIR Topics

ALL EVENTS

Click event title for more information

March

• March 3 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Issues Related to Debarment

• March 3 - 13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 5: Introduction and FAR Parts 19-29

• March 10 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Federal Contracts for Real Estate and Leasing Opportunities

• March 10 - 13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 6: Introduction and FAR Parts 30-33

• March 12 - Introduction to Government Contracting for Small Business (Envision Greater Fond du Lac)

• March 17 - Gov't Contracts, Business Financing & Update on the Blatnik Bridge

• March 17 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Government Property Programs 

• March 17 - 13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 7: Introduction and FAR Parts 34-41

• March 24 - 13th Annual FAR Evening Webinar and Study Group Session 8: Introduction and FAR Parts 42-53



• March 26 - Cyber Thursday: CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.2 Awareness and Training

April

• April 7 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Does Your Business Specialize in Critical Technology Areas?

• April 7-8 - DOW Annual Mentor Protege Program Summit

• April 14 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Unlocking DoD Opportunities for Nontraditional Contractors

• April 21 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Is It Possible to Create Your Own Contract? Let’s See What FAR 15.6 Says

• April 28 - Federal Market Insights [FMI]: Broad Agency Announcements – Seeking Innovative Research and Development (R&D) Ideas

• April 30 - Cyber Thursday: CMMC: Control Set Series: 3.3 Audit and Accountability

Miss one of our sessions? 

LOGIN to the CLIENT DASHBOARD at https://www.wispro.org/wpi-client-dashboard/ for past presentations, podcasts & newsletters. 

If you would like to meet with a WPI Representative, contact us at APEXAccelerator@wispro.org or 414-270-3600

Take a look at our remote office hour schedule at https://www.wispro.org/work-with-wpi/office-hours/

Fond du Lac

• March 12

Green Bay

• March 24

Madison

• March 2

Manitowoc

• March 25

Oshkosh

• March 10

Superior

• March 17
• March 18

Additional Statewide dates to be announced soon at wispro.org

Other News & Events

April 7-9

Arlington, VA

The annual MPP Summit aims to support small businesses through education, networking, and collaboration, in keeping with the mission of the DoW OSBP.



Registration Now Open

Save the Date

May 5-8

Virtual & In-Person

The Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy offers practical advice from business owners who have successfully made it through the initial stages of starting and growing their companies.



Registration Available Soon

June, 2026

Columbus, Ohio

The DLA Supply Chain Alliance Symposium & Exhibition is hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association in partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency’s supply chains to provide a forum to discuss logistics support strategies and challenges, and to streamline efforts to better support the warfighter. The 2026 event will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, June 2-3, 2026.



The forum draws together government and industry leaders to discuss military sustainment. Dynamic speakers from Industry and Defense with backgrounds in logistics and acquisition, as well as General and Flag Officers from the military services will provide critical perspectives across elements of the end-to-end DOW supply chain along with breakout sessions that will give valuable insight on doing business with DLA.

Registration and more information at DLA Supply Chain Alliance Symposium

GOBC Dates Have Been Announced!

• June 16 - 115th TRUAX | Madison 
• July 16 - Volk Field ANG | Camp Douglas 

Government Opportunities Business Conference will be celebrating 20 years! Watch the website for the 2026 schedule. https://wigobc.org/