Bid or Beware? Bidding in the Age of Cancellations
Don’t be spooked by the shutdown! Shutdowns are scary, Bidding shouldn’t be. Come to our Halloween Eve session for practical guidance and live Q&A.
Program Description
When solicitations stall and awards go ghost, don’t let your pipeline get spooked.
As Halloween Eve approaches and we reflect on a year of shifting priorities and tight timelines, this is a chance to be part of one more standout moment for our GovCon community.
Whether you are local to Northern Virginia or planning to join virtually, we are setting the stage for a candid, high-signal conversation that brings Contracts together with BD, Capture, Sales, and Pricing for real-world takeaways and smart dialogue.
Come for the insights. Stay for the cross-functional energy. Leave with practical moves you can use the next business day.
We are shaking things up with an after-work Thursday session. A triple threat:
- Appetizers + drinks at 5:30 PM. Network with fellow GovCon pros. 🍤🍷
- Fireside chat 6:00-7:30 PM. Bidding in the Age of Cancellation: practical moves when solicitations stall. 📘
- More networking. The best insights often land in the second conversation🍹
- Why delays and cancellations happen, from both the CO and growth lenses
- What COs can share and how to read the signals
- Practical moves for bid pacing, pricing holds, and team morale
- Scripts you can use for status updates, stakeholder alignment, and “pause” decisions
- Cross-functional tactics that keep capture, BD, Sales, and Contracts in sync
- Live Q&A focused on real scenarios
Who Should Attend
Contracts leaders and practitioners. Capture managers. BD and Sales executives. Pricing and Estimating. Proposal managers. Program leadership who supports bids.
Why You’ll Love It
- Two clear vantage points: a current IC Contracting Officer and a Chief Growth Officer
- Straight talk. No policy lecture.
- Tools you can apply the next business day
- Hybrid access. In person or virtual
What You’ll Gain
- A fast go/no-go checklist for uncertainty and rolling timelines
- Messaging scripts for “delay,” “re-plan,” and “withdraw without penalty” conversations
- A simple pricing hold and refresh playbook
- Early warning signs that a cancellation is coming
- A 30-day action plan to protect pipeline and teams
Why Attend Now
Delays and cancellations cost time, money, and credibility. Learn how to keep opportunities warm, decisions disciplined, and leadership informed without burning out your team.
Special Offer
Bring a colleague from BD, Sales, or Pricing and we guarantee a gift for the Contracts attendee who brings one or more colleagues. Virtual attendees are eligible.
When
Where
12777 Fair Lakes Circle
Fairfax, Virginia 22033
Hilton Fairfax
The Presenters
Amanda J. Windle
Chief Growth Officer, Integral
Amanda brings 25+ years across the Intelligence Community, DoD, DHS, and Federal Civilian markets. She has led growth and capture at AWS, Novetta, Raytheon Blackbird Technologies, and ManTech, winning nearly $4B in prime contracts. Amanda built ISO-9001-aligned BD, capture, and proposal processes and knows how growth, pricing, and delivery stay aligned when timelines shift. A U.S. Army veteran and DLI graduate.
Chris Cecka
Contracting Officer, Intelligence Community; NCMA Dulles Corridor Chapter Founder
Chris has 30+ years in acquisition, including 22 years in industry where he developed deep financial and pricing expertise. For the past decade he has served as a Contracting Officer supporting the Intelligence Community. He champions early, clear communication with industry, frequently citing OMB’s “Myth-Busting” guidance, and brings a practical view of how and why solicitations delay, pivot, or cancel, and what contractors can do about it.
Other Details
NCMA Member In-Person
- 1.5 Hours of Continuing Professional Education (C.P.E.) Credits
- Must Register (click button below)
NCMA Member Virtual
- 1.5 Hours of Continuing Professional Education (C.P.E.) Credits
- Must Register (click button below)
Non-Member In-Person
- 1.5 Hours of Continuing Professional Education (C.P.E.) Credits
- Must Register (click button below)
Non-Member Virtual
- 1.5 Hours of Continuing Professional Education (C.P.E.) Credits
- Must Register (click button below)
Reach Us
You can contact us by filling out the form or using one of the methods below.
P.O. Box 231324
Centreville, VA 20120