Many of us in the proposal business either haven’t heard about Category Management or are worried about what it will do to the industry. Category Management is a new initiative of GSA / OFPP designed to reform procurement. In a nutshell the idea is to divide many of the products and services that are procured into categories. Then each category will be managed centrally, with a goal of having less contracts and lower prices.

Although GSA / OFPP claim they will have safeguards designed to protect industry, there is widespread skepticism among contractors. For example Category Management program leaders say that small business contracting goals will protect the most vulnerable contractors. However, with all the churn created by using less contracts, it appears inevitable that many contractors are at risk of being dropped off the wagon.

There is a low-cost opportunity to learn more about Category Management at the Wednesday July 20, APMP breakfast. The topic is Category Management, and we will have thee panelists who are Government executives helping to implement the program. Our moderator – Government radio host Jason Miller — plans to focus most of the panel discussion on questions from the floor. So here is your chance to ask your questions and learn the latest thinking on Category Management and take this information back to your executives.

Register now here.