Contracts & Purchasing Academy
Government Procurement Services Courses
Courses are offered virtually or in person; in-person courses are held at the NCTCOG offices in Arlington. Click on the course type below to expand the section and see the course date options. To enroll, please click your preferred date.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
November 5, 2026 (2026 pricing $340)
May 25, 2027
September 14, 2027
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
Course Description
This workshop provides contract management professionals with the knowledge, tools, and practical techniques needed to successfully administer government contracts throughout the contract lifecycle. Participants will explore best practices, proven procedures, and current approaches to effective contract administration, from post-award planning through contract closeout. Through a combination of instructor-led discussion, real-world examples, small-group exercises, and case studies, participants will develop practical skills they can immediately apply to strengthen oversight, reduce risk, and improve vendor performance outcomes. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 16
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central, daily
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training
In-Person Training ($570)
(lunches included)
Course Description
This workshop provides essential knowledge and practical tools for contract personnel responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective contract management program. Effective contract management is critical to ensuring successful outcomes, regulatory compliance, and strong vendor performance in public sector contracting. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the full contract lifecycle — from planning and specification development through procurement, administration, and closeout. The course emphasizes industry best practices, risk management strategies, and practical processes that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Instruction includes a combination of lecture, facilitated discussion, and small-group exercises to reinforce learning and encourage collaboration. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
Course Description
This workshop provides public procurement professionals with a practical understanding of ethics and integrity in government contracting. Participants will explore ethical principles, applicable laws and standards of conduct, and the critical role ethical decision-making plays throughout the procurement lifecycle. The course is designed to help participants recognize ethical risks and dilemmas, apply structured decision-making tools, and maintain public trust through responsible procurement practices. In addition, the workshop examines common types of procurement fraud and provides guidance on identifying fraud indicators. Instruction includes lecture, facilitated discussion, small-group exercises, and scenario-based exercises to reinforce practical application. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 16
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central, daily
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training
In-Person Training ($570)
(lunches included)
December 9-10, 2026 (2026 pricing $560)
November 3-4, 2027
Course Description
This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the public procurement lifecycle, also known as the Procurement Cycle. Participants will learn the foundational principles of government purchasing, key regulatory considerations, and industry best practices for planning, soliciting, evaluating, and awarding procurements. The training combines instructor-led discussion with practical examples, interactive exercises, and group activities designed to reinforce real-world application. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
Course Description
This workshop provides a structured framework for understanding and applying effective negotiation strategies within government procurement and other professional environments. Negotiation is a critical competency for achieving organizational objectives, managing supplier relationships, and reaching mutually beneficial outcomes. Participants will explore core negotiation principles, practical planning techniques, and proven strategies to achieve successful outcomes. Through a combination of instructor-led discussion, interactive exercises, real-world case studies, and hands-on practice sessions, attendees will build confidence and strengthen their ability to negotiate effectively in a variety of situations. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
November 18, 2026 (2026 pricing $340)
March 4, 2027
December 9, 2027
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunches included)
Course Description
The Procurement Management Academy is designed for public procurement professionals currently serving in management roles and those preparing to advance into leadership positions. This workshop provides practical guidance, strategies, and best practices for effectively managing a high-performing public procurement function. The curriculum incorporates principles reflected in the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) framework developed by the National Procurement Institute, a nationally recognized benchmark for organizational excellence in public procurement. Through instructor-led discussion, case studies, and interactive group exercises, participants will explore the organizational, operational, and strategic responsibilities of procurement management, including organizational structure, procurement authority, ethics and governance, workforce development, spend management, policies and procedures, and performance measurement. Participants will examine organizational structure, governance, performance measurement, ethics, and strategic procurement practices through lectures, facilitated discussions, case studies, and interactive group exercises. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
November 9, 2026 (2026 pricing $375)
July 22, 2027
Course Description
This workshop provides a practical overview of the public purchasing process, focusing on core principles, best practices, ethical standards, and effective procurement methods. Participants will gain a clear understanding of purchasing authority, solicitation procedures, cooperative purchasing, and evaluation and award processes. The training combines instructor-led discussion and interactive small-group exercises to reinforce practical application. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
December 11, 2026 (2026 pricing $375)
October 6, 2027
Course Description
This workshop provides practical skills for developing clear, effective specifications for procuring goods and services. Well-written specifications are critical to achieving successful procurement outcomes, ensuring fair competition, and supporting effective contract administration. Participants will learn a structured approach to specification development that combines technical writing principles with real-world procurement practices. The workshop includes lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises to reinforce learning through practical application. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 3
Class Time: 8:30 am to 11:30 am Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($180)
In-Person Training
(lunch included)
Course Description
This three-hour workshop provides Texas state and local government personnel with a practical overview of the small purchase procurement method, typically ranging from $3,000 to $50,000. Participants will examine how small purchases fit within the overall procurement framework, applicable procedures and requirements, and best practices for ensuring fair, competitive, and compliant acquisitions. The training includes lectures, facilitated discussions, and small group exercises designed to reinforce real-world application. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
Course Description
This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for complex public procurements. Participants will learn to plan, develop, evaluate, and negotiate RFPs using structured, defensible methodologies. The course focuses on practical application, combining classroom instruction with real-world scenarios to help participants conduct objective evaluations and achieve best-value outcomes. Additional Details.
Details
Continuing Education Hours: 8
Class Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central
Instructor: Janet Hasty
Virtual Training ($350)
In-Person Training ($385)
(lunch included)
Course Description
This workshop focuses on developing effective Statements of Work (SOW) for service procurements. Unlike commodity specifications, services often lack standardized “spec sheets,” making SOW development more complex and requiring careful planning, clear scope definition, and measurable outcomes. Participants will gain a structured understanding of SOW components, best practices, and practical techniques to create clear, defensible, and results-oriented documents. The course includes lectures, discussions, small-group exercises, and real-world case studies to reinforce learning. Additional Details.
Staff
Emily Cook
Program Administrator
(817) 704-5614
Patrick Shinkle
Senior TDI Manager
(817) 608-2370
Addresses
Training & Development Institute of
North Central Texas Council of Governments
616 Six Flags Drive
Arlington, TX 76011
www.NorthTexasTDI.org
northtexastdi@nctcog.org