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Professional Development

Class Registration and Class Schedule

Other Continuing Education Opportunities

Certified Individuals are required to complete 120 hours of continuing education (CE). The hours may be averaged over a five (5) year period with no more than 45 hours during any one year period. To meet the CE requirement, TPASS encourages certified individuals to obtain 24 hours of continuing education per calendar year. CE hours in excess of the 45 hour per year maximum will not be carried over and applied for credit in subsequent years.

In order to accommodate the overwhelming request for these classes, it is very important that you attend*. If it is determined that you are not able to attend a class you have registered for, you have the ability to cancel your participation, substitute a class, or substitute a student using the on-line registration system. All cancellations or substitutions should occur a minimum of five (5) days prior to the scheduled start date of the class.

TPASS Brown Bag

The Brown Bag Lunches are held the 1st Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise stated) at the Robert E. Johnson (REJ) Conference Center located at 15th Street and Congress from noon until 1 p.m. Earn one (1) CE hour.

Please register online for the Brown Bags and other professional development classes at: https://cmblreg.cpa.state.tx.us/reg-pd/index.cfm.

If you have any additional questions, comments and/or concerns about professional development, please contact Training and Certification Program at 512-463-5355.

Webinar Descriptions

Professional Development Class Descriptions/Flyers

Creating an Effective Statement of Work (SOW)

A Statement of Work is a written description of an agency requirement, used in the acquisition of supplies or services. State and agency requirements state that objective and requirements be described in a manner which promotes full and open competition to the maximum extent possible. It is best to state the requirements in terms of functions to be preformed, the performance required, or the essential physical characteristics of the requirement. This will allow the vendor or supplier to express the items, services and a combination thereof in the best manner to satisfy the agency and its customer for a Best Value determination. The SOW is often used in complicated acquisitions and service requirements. Typically, the SOW is the heart of the solicitation process which can in turn become the heart of the final order or contract.

Specification Writing

  • Understand the importance of specifications.
  • Learn the four "C"s of specifications
  • Learn the different types of specifications and when to use each type
  • Understand technical writing skills necessary for specification development
  • Know how to determine minimum requirements
  • Learn to write a Statement of Work for services
  • Understand the various payment methods and when to use each type

Communicating With The Contractor Do's and Don't's

  • This session is designed to provide a myriad of topics a buyer can find himself when working with securing the services and managing a Contractor.
  • In addition n addition to identifying some of the various activities we can be so engaged there is also the aspects of how this fits with and compliments the State of Texas Procurement process.
  • While the aspects could be endless for both dialog and discussion these are some of the common issues we encounter in the process.
  • What is critical for every purchaser, contract administrator as well as project owners is to identify the issues and be prepared to offset these with concerns before they become a problem to the Agency.
  • Define:
    • Contractor
    • Independent Contractor
    • Legal status
    • Risk to organization

Using Request for Proposals Workshop

Duration: 2 Days 8:00 - 5:00
Continuing Education Hours: 16

This workshop provides "hands-on" experience in developing RFPs used in the procurement of commodities and services. Participants will develop a thorough understanding of the RFP process and how to incorporate skills learned into future procurements. Participants will learn by practical application in addition to classroom theory.

Who Should Attend?

  • All public procurement professionals responsible for the development of RFPs
  • Program staff who develop RFPs
  • Anyone interested in learning how to develop RFPs for the public sector

Workshop:

  • Using the Request for Proposal method
  • Proposal Development
    • Statement of Work
    • Services vs. Commodities
    • Payment Types
  • Pre-proposal Conferences
  • Proposal Submission
  • Evaluation and Selection
    • Evaluation Criteria
    • Evaluation Teams
    • Competitive Range Determination
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Contract Award and Execution

Benefits of Attendance - You will be able to:

  • Identify the most appropriate circumstances for using the RFP method
  • Develop a Statement of Work (the foundation of an RFP)
  • Learn technical writing skills for RFP development
  • Understand the different payment methods and select the appropriate method
  • Develop an Evaluation Scoring Matrix
  • Apply various methods of evaluation and selection
  • Recognize model contract language for contracts.

Developing a Killer RFP from Beginning to End

Despite the importance of the RFP process it rarely is identified as a critical success element in the business and procurement tapestry. That is until you need a project such a new computer system, an IT software installation, a new production line installed or a turn-key construction project then the lack of understanding and knowledge can cost you millions.

This acquisition methodology is employed by private corporations, and government entities to solicit proposals from contractors and suppliers, the RFP document becomes the driving force for a successful project. A well developed and properly written and organized RFP clarifies technical goals, communicates administrative and financial expectations, and set the tone for good communication and a trusting relationship between buyer and supplier.

In this session the participant will learn to:

  • Plan and RFP project
  • Identify when to employ this tool
  • Calculate the trade-off between time and risk
  • Understand how to develop write and administer the process
  • Develop a feasible flow process to employ
  • How to better qualify your Proposer's needs
  • How to employ a team evaluation methodology
  • When to invoke a BAFO or negotiate to Best Value
  • How to develop criteria for the assessment
  • Establish the proper closing measures
  • Developing a supplier score card
  • and, the tools for closing a project of this magnitude

This session is designed for all levels of purchasing and supply management; buyer, supervisors of purchasing, manager, and directors of materials and supply. The goal is to educate them about one of the most dynamic and potentially volatile tools in the procurement arsenal that is rarely employed and when not to its best potential. With nearly every firm securing both major IT acquisitions, looking at construction endeavors of either new plant or remodeling, and securing more turn-key service related providers the demand for such an understanding of this process is very timely.