APTAC Releases Call for Presentations for Spring 2018 Conference

Conference Theme: “Cyber Security and Information Technology: Are You Ready?”

The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) will hold its Spring 2018 Training Conference from March 4-8, 2018 in Jacksonville, FL. The Training Conference will be at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront, 225 E. Coastline Drive.

The Department of Defense, on November 18, 2013, published the DFARS 252.204-7012, “Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information.”  This clause “requires a contractor to report to the Department the possible exfiltration, manipulation, or other loss or compromise of unclassified CTI; or other activities that allow unauthorized access to a contractor’s unclassified information system on which unclassified CTI is resident or transiting.”  It is the intent under this supplement to assist participants with carrying out their responsibilities associated with the reporting requirement in the event a DFARS compromise occurs.  In addition to DoD, other federal agencies are likely to follow DoD’s lead and implement cybersecurity requirements.

PTACs are critical to helping ensure contractors know and comply with this requirement.  This requirement will be included in DoD solicitations if there will be unclassified controlled technical information by December 31, 2017.  PTACs help ensure these firms are ready to enter the marketplace suitably prepared to succeed.  Armed with realistic expectations, access to market intelligence, effective strategies, and technical assistance, PTAC clients compete effectively and efficiently. Understanding the rules, they control risk and uncover opportunities.

To meet this mission, PTACs require ongoing, up-to-date training on the most effective strategies for helping the firms in our regions.

Presentation Topics: APTAC is now accepting presentation proposals from engaging and experienced experts to address our conference theme in topical areas such as the following:

  • Understanding DFARS 252.204-7012
  • Network Security Requirements
  • Contract Compliance Issues for Cyber Security Impacting Small Businesses
  • Compliant Accounting Systems/Accounting Controls (for non-CPAs)
  • NIST SP800-171
  • Cyber Security Standards – How Can Small Businesses Prepare and Compete?
  • The Business Impact of the New Administration:  How are Procurement Opportunities Shifting?
  • Changes in Government Contracting Regulations: What’s new and what’s gone?
  • Open submittal – you are invited to submit topics relevant to government contracting

Audience: The members of APTAC – representatives of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers – are an elite, national corps of individuals who provide training, counseling and technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products/services to the public sector. APTAC members work with businesses to identify opportunities, provide training on a broad array of topics related to Government procurement, as well as providing technical assistance related to Government programs and acquisition. The goal of this conference is to provide APTAC members with practical tools, techniques and resources that can be directly used to guide businesses in understanding how to meet the Government sector’s current standards and thereby become more successful in the Government marketplace. Attendance at the Training Conference is estimated at 300-350 persons, representing PTACs hosted by colleges and universities, economic development organizations, non-profits, and units of state and local government from across the country. Since this is a train-the-trainer conference, there will not be any businesses attending this event.

Please see our full Call for Presentations for details on submitting a session proposal!


 

 For help with Government Contracting: contact your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Funded through Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. Department of Defense and state and local governments/institutions, PTACs provide free and low-cost assistance in virtually all areas of government contracting.