Events

We’ve had lots of great feedback on our latest issue of the APMP NCA quarterly eZine. So, congratulations, and thank you for your continuous contribution. Now it’s time to think about the next issue. Upcoming Summer 2013 eZine will have  "Proposal Professionals – How did we get here? Where are we going? How do we get there?" as a main theme. I invite you to contribute an article to the upcoming issue. Below you’ll find issue details, submission deadlines and requirements.

Benefits to authors and sponsors:

-  Distribution: to about 1000 apmp nca members.

-  Benefits for authors: targeted audience, highest click rate on apmp nca website, personal and company’s PR.

Upcoming issue details:

1.     APMP NCA quarterly eZine: Summer 2013

2.     Topic:  Proposal Professionals – How did we get here? Where are we going? How do we get there?

3.     Articles due (submission deadline): May 24, 2013 (early submissions are always greatly appreciated)                        

4.     Sponsor’s ads due: May 24, 2013

5.     Release: July 8, 2013

Articles submission requirements:    

-  Font: 12, times new roman, single spaced.

-  Pages: normal margins, 2-3 pages long.

-  Graphics are always encouraged, but not required.

-  Short author’s bio and author’s picture.

-  Submit your articles to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Advertising rates and guidelines:

Rates are for digitally provided actual-sized color or black and white artwork. Minimum resolution is 150 dpi. Minimum .25" of negative space on all sides. Artwork may be provided in .jpg, .ai, .eps, or .pdf format. Send all proposal/business development-related advertisement submissions to Alexis Dimouro, eZine Chair, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  (artwork only) and Eric Schwarz, Treasurer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (copy of artwork and payment details).

Payment must be received via check made payable to:

“APMP-NCA

C/O Treasurer

PO Box 711

Arlington, VA 22216-0711

by the advertisement submission deadline for the advertisement to appear in that corresponding issue. Late submissions will appear in the following issue of the Executive Summary.

Thank you!

Government agencies issue Requests for Information (RFIs) as part of their market research process prior to issuing an RFP.  RFI’s can offer an opportunity to differentiate your company from the competition, especially in today’s environment where budgets are limited and competition is increasing. 

While RFI responses can be great ways to establish relationships before the RFP hits, Government contractors often wonder whether to respond, how to respond, and what happens to their response once submitted. Three panelists, including two Government procurement professionals and one industry expert, will discuss strategies for how to respond effectively to obtain the outcome you want, whether it be the type of procurement (competitive, sole source, down-select), set-aside type, technical scope, and requirements for key personnel, past performance and certifications. The panel will provide two perspectives: what is the most effective RFI response strategy for contractors AND what does the Government want?

Some key takeaways from this event:

·     When to respond to RFIs

·     Strategies for responding effectively to ensure the outcome(s) you want

·     Why the Government issues RFIs

·     How the Government evaluates RFI responses

·     How to analyze RFIs to write the best response and differentiate your company from the competition

Join us on May 15^th at Westin Tysons to learn all you need to know about RFI’s and their effectiveness. Schedule:

5:30pm – Networking & Cocktails     

6:30pm – Dinner

7:15pm - Chapter Business
7:30pm – Panelist Presentations and Q&A 

8:30pm – Adjournment

Your Panel for the Event:

Olessia Smotrova-Taylor, AF.APMP, is the President/CEO of OST Global Solutions, Inc., a business development, capture, and proposal management company that helps businesses grow in the federal market. She has won more than $19 billion for her clients, and helped many small businesses acquire game-changing opportunities. She is the President of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) National Capital Area (NCA) chapter, and a well-known speaker and author (her most recently published book is How to Get Government Contracts: Have a Slice of the $1 Trillion Pie). She has developed and taught a graduate course in proposal development at NASA for the Stevens Institute of Technology. Prior to founding OST, she won business for Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and wrote for the Financial Times of London.

Patrick Breen is the Acquisition Group Manager for the Civilian Sector of FEDSIM within the Office of Assisted Acquisition Services in General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. As Acquisition Group Manager, Mr. Breen manages the performance of the group, assists with business development, provides oversight for acquisitions, and advises internal and external stakeholders, among other duties.  Prior to becoming the Acquisition Group Manager, Mr. Breen worked for the Department of the Treasury for nine years, starting in the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Procurement.  Mr. Breen went on to lead an acquisition team for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.  In 2010, he became Chief of the Procurement Services Division’s TEOAF Branch, which provided acquisition support to the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Office of Information and Analysis, and Disclosure Services. 

Lenise Lago serves as the Deputy Chief for Business Operations of the U.S. Forest Service, the largest agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  In this position, Ms. Lago oversees acquisition, business operations, human resources, Civil Rights and other functions that impact every Forest Service employee.  She previously served as the Deputy Regional Forester in the Pacific Northwest Region, where she had oversight for numerous technical and support functions, including acquisition.  Prior to serving as Deputy Regional Forester, Ms. Lago was the Forest Service Budget Director in DC. She prepared and presented five agency budget requests to Congress, and worked closely with congressional staff on annual appropriations, emergency supplementals and the Recovery Act.  Lenise holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Timber Management and a Master's Degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia.

Moderator:

Jeremy Arensdorf is a Vice President at Jefferson Consulting Group, where he manages the firm’s government practice, Jefferson Solutions.  He supports federal agencies on a host of acquisition and management initiatives. These include developing performance-based acquisitions, conducting organizational and process assessments, developing messaging, branding and marketing plans, and monitoring and providing analysis of acquisition legislation and policy. Jeremy also leads Jefferson’s proposal efforts, and provides procurement expertise, proposal support, and orals coaching to Jefferson's commercial clients.  He is the Chair-elect for the ACT-IAC Acquisition Management Special Interest Group (SIG), and currently serves as the SIG’s Vice Chair.  In this role, has led a number of initiatives to improve government-industry communication during the acquisition process.  

Re: 2013 APMPNCA Boot Camp

After extensive internal discussions with board members and event organizers, it has been determined that this years Boot Camp would better serve all members if it were merged with the Mid-Atlantic Conference this fall. Many members expressed interest in this format, citing the extraordinary circumstances surrounding budget pressure/sequestration issues and fewer than expected registrations. It was not an easy decision and we sincerely apologize for the late change of plans. We do realize this is short notice and for that we do apologize. We will be giving each registrant the option to use the registration fee that was paid for the larger event and will not be charging you the difference. If you would prefer to have a refund you will of course be given that as an option.

 Announcing an inaugural APMP joint Chapter event! 

The APMP Chesapeake and National Capital Area Chapters are proud to host

“IDIQ Contracting: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
Presented by Mr. Gregory A. Garrett

Mr. Gregory A. Garrett will address a joint meeting of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Chesapeake Chapter and the National Capital Area Chapter on "IDIQ Contracting: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" - an overview of the current U.S. Federal Government business environment with a focus on the use of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracting vehicles. A unique aspect of the presentation is the three different viewpoints of IDIQ contracting: the U.S. Federal Government, prime contractors, and subcontractors. For each viewpoint, the pros and cons of IDIQ contracting are discussed in a very compelling manner.

Date: Wednesday April 24, 2013
Location: Marriott Bethesda Hotel, 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
(Free Parking with validation)
Time: 7:00 am - Registration and Networking
         7:45 am - Plated Breakfast and Program
         9:25 am - Raffle Prize Drawing
         9:30 am - Program Concludes
Price: Members $38, Non-Members $44
Target Audience: Business Developers, Capture Managers, Proposal Managers, Program Managers, Company Executives
Benefits of Attending: (1) Learn how to expand your business using this contracting vehicle. (2) Government contracting trends show that IDIQ contracts are here to stay. Don't get left out of billion dollar markets!

Mr. Garrett is an internationally recognized expert in government contracting, proposal/capture management, and program management. He is also a highly respected business consultant, best-selling author of 21 business books and 100+ business articles. During the past 30 years, he has managed more than $30B of large complex contracts and projects in both the U.S. government and industry. He is the recipient of numerous national and international business awards for his writing, teaching, consulting, and leadership.

APMP will raffle off an assortment of Mr. Garrett’s books. You have to be present to win!

Registration ends Friday, April 19th, 2013

 2013 Speaker Series Lineup

We hope to see you there!