The District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) will host a series of free procurement roundtable and workshop discussions for local businesses interested in doing business with the Government of the District of Columbia. 

The Spring 2008 Procurement Awareness Series will feature contracting officers and procurement staff for various District agencies.  The focus is to create an ongoing forum for local businesses to gather, exchange information and find solutions for challenges in our procurement process. 

Participants will learn about upcoming procurement opportunities and elements of the procurement process as well as the process for applying for the DC Supply Schedule.  Attendees will have an opportunity to speak one-on-one with key contracting staff responsible for agency and commodity group buying throughout the District.  The 2008 Procurement Awareness Series represents a joint collaboration between OCP, Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), and the Washington DC Small Business Development Center at Center for Urban Process (DC SBDC). 

The workshop and roundtable topics and dates are as follows: 

Roundtable Series        
Featuring Information Technology Related Equipment and Services
Annie Watkins, Acting Contracting Officer, Office of Contracting and Procurement 
Thursday, April 17 (Register by April 11)

Featuring City-Wide/DC Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency,
Department of Corrections, Fire and EMS, and more
William Sharp, Contracting Officer, Office of Contracting and Procurement 
Wednesday, May 28 (Register by May 23)

Featuring the Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Insurance,
Banking and Securities, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and more
Joseph Albanesi, Contracting Officer, CPPB, Office of Contracting and Procurement 
Wednesday, June 25 (Register by June 20)

Workshop Series    
Expand Your Business: Learn About Programs and Services to Help You Grow and Succeed
Shaunta Johnson, Director, Small Business Utilization Center, U.S General Services
Administration (GSA)
Thursday, April 8 (Register by April 4)

Exploring other Markets to Increase Your Sales
Jack Schreibman, Director, Contracts and Procurement Services, Washington Convention
Center Authority, Walter E. Washington Convention Center  
Tuesday, May 13 (Register by May 9)

Polish Your Professional Presence: Success with Etiquette
Shawn Gilleylen, President CEO, Administrative Support Associates
Tuesday, May 20 Register by May16)

Growing Your Business Relationships    
Karlton Hart, President of Facilities Resources, Verizon Center 
Tuesday, June 10 (Register by June 6)

Roundtables and workshops are held from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at 441 4th St., NW 11th Floor South.  Those interested in registering or receiving additional information should contact Evelyn Ross at (202) 727-0252 or evelyn.ross@dc.gov.