The Advanced Procurement for Construction course is for procurement professionals in the public sector who are called upon for their expertise in developing and administering large, sometimes complex procurement for construction.
Although the Introduction to Construction is not a pre-requisite for the Advanced Construction course, it is strongly advised that learners have experience in construction procurement. The Advanced course qualifies as one of the two additional courses required to be eligible to write the Principles exam. Learners do not have to be enrolled in the Principles Certificate program to take this course.
Instructor: Carl Bonitto, CPPO, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Explain many of the pre-construction activities and activities that need to be addressed during a construction project: i.e., studies, assessments and surveys
• Explore a variety of sustainability considerations; including LEED
• Identify the phases of a construction project
• Describe the types of contract methods that can be used for a construction project; including control, risk and cost considerations
• Explain the roles and responsibilities the Prime Consultant and the Construction Manager and their relationships to the Owner
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom virtual learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:00pm - 9:00pm
AND
Thursday, April 3rd at 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 10 days before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
OPBA Principles Program seminars are designed for student participation. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure two-way discussion, students are encouraged to fully participate by having camera and microphone on during the virtual session, or to actively participate in chat where access to a A/V equipment is not possible.
Students are also encouraged to maintain a respectful learning environment by minimizing multi-tasking distractions, and background noise. Please ensure mobile phones and computer notifications are off or muted, and place yourself on mute until you want to, or are called upon, to speak.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Attendance Credit: Six (6) contact hours. Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancelations: Course fees are nontransferable to other courses. Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancelations and/or refunds.
April 2 + 3, 2025
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET
Virtual Learning
Registration closesFriday, March 28, 2025
DESCRIPTION
This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public procurement cycle and other aspects of the function of procurement. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations procurement staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.
Instructor: Carl Bonitto, CPPO, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of public procurement, and the differences from the private sector
• Explain the importance of developing clear purchasing policies and procedures
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized and decentralized purchasing organization structure
• Outline the seven ’R’s of public purchasing and the steps associated with the public purchasing cycle
• Describe the legalities associated with public purchasing
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom virtual learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
AND
Thursday, April 3 at 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment the morning of Monday, March 31. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
April 3, 2025 - 1 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Format: Interactive Zoom meeting Registration closes on April 2, 2025 at 12 PM
The Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) is hosting part 2 of our OPBA Talks session on navigating U.S. tariffs. Following the engaging discussion in Part 1 of OPBA Talks: Preparing for U.S. Tariffs, this follow-up session will continue the conversation, diving deeper into the evolving landscape of potential tariffs and their impact on public procurement.
Key Topics for Discussion:
Member experiences and approaches since the initial session
Strategies implemented leading up to April 2 to mitigate risk
Procurement strategies for mitigating risks and financial impacts
This session will again bring together a panel of experienced public procurement leaders to provide insights and facilitate discussion. As with Part 1, this is not about having all the answers—it’s about creating a space for OPBA members to collaborate, share experiences, and support each other in navigating these challenges.
Panelists:
Sunita Chander (Supply Ontario)
Eleonora Filippone, Legal Counsel (City of Mississauga)
April 10 + 11, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes April 2, 2025
DESCRIPTION
The Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) is a recognized certification designed for procurement professionals performing essential functions within the procurement cycle. Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, learners must also complete the CPPB exam as the final step in earning their CPPB certification. Please note, any queries around exam eligibility can only be answered by the UPPCC. Preparation is important and the CPPB BoK-C (Body of Knowledge and Competencies) is your best resource. The CPPB BoK-C will guide your preparation efforts as it provides a comprehensive listing of the content that you will find on the exam, as well as the number of questions that will be presented from each of the content domains that comprise the BoK-C for CPPB.
As a recognized training partner of the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC), the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) has developed this examination preparation course based on the BoK-C. Led by a qualified instructor, the course will cover the six (6) domain areas which comprise the BoK-C for CPPB exam. The course will help learners understand their strengths and the areas that require additional focus.
This course has been designed to be one of the tools in a learner’s study toolbox, and participation in this class does not guarantee success on the examination.
Instructor: Melissa Mordue, CPPO, CPPB
DATE & TIME
Thursday, April 10 at 9am - 4pm
and
Friday, April 11 at 9am - 4pm
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
This course does not have any pre-work assignments.
FORMAT
Learn more about the Zoom platform and its system requirements here. Remember to use a wired internet connection (as opposed to wi-fi, if possible) for the best viewing experience. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure two-way discussion, students are encouraged to fully participate by having camera and microphone on during the virtual session, or to actively participate in chat where access to a A/V equipment is not possible. Students are also encouraged to maintain a respectful learning environment by minimizing multi-tasking distractions, and background noise. Please ensure mobile phones and computer notifications are off or muted, and place yourself on mute until you want to, or are called upon, to speak.
UPPCC CERTIFICATION
Attendance Credit: six (6) contact hours. Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
This course is to prepare for the exam that completes the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification program offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC). As this certification is managed and offered by the UPPCC, any questions related to exam eligibility or program requirements can only be answered by the UPPCC team.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited: this course has a minimum of 10 learners and a maximum of 20. Register early to avoid disappointment. Registration will be open until April 2, 2025. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
PAYMENT/REFUND INFORMATION
Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancelations and/or refunds. Cancellation/refund requests must be submitted in writing (by email) only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee. Course fees are nontransferable to other courses.
April 15, 2025
10 AM - 11 AM ET
Virtual Event Registration closes April 14, 2025 - 12 PM ET
Join Dustin Lanier, CPPO, for a deep dive into the evolving role of procurement—shifting from a traditional purchasing function to a strategic driver of public sector success. This session will explore how procurement can go beyond transactional processes to serve as a key advisor in financial planning, operational efficiency, and innovation.
Key Takeaways:
Driving Strategic Value – Move beyond routine requisitions to influence critical initiatives by working closely with finance and senior leadership.
Eliminating Operational Inefficiencies – Streamline outdated processes to free up time and resources, ensuring procurement efforts drive maximum impact.
Building Capacity Through Innovation – Leverage master contracts, automation, and data analytics to create a more agile and responsive procurement function.
Enhancing Workforce Engagement – Position procurement as a rewarding career path, emphasizing strategic thinking, continuous learning, and meaningful contributions.
This session will expand on insights from the April issue of Municipal World article, Strategic Procurement: The Backbone of Municipal Success, by OPBA Chair Victoria Mirlocca, which highlights real-world examples.
Presenter: Dustin Lanier, CPPO
Dustin Lanier, a Certified Public Procurement Officer, founded Civic Initiatives in 2010. Civic Initiatives has supported public procurement offices in over 35 states, with projects in acquisition operations, strategic transformation, and automation success. As a thought leader in the public sector procurement industry, Dustin has conducted educational sessions on numerous topics from strategic procurement to planning for the next generation of the procurement workforce. Dustin has delivered several keynote addresses for major regional governmental procurement association events.
Prior to Civic Initiatives, Dustin held several leadership roles related to strategic planning and contracting in Texas state government, including the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the State CIO and the Executive Director of the state Council on Competitive Government, a specialized public procurement function.
April 16 - 17, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closesWednesday, April 9, 2025
DESCRIPTION
This course builds on the foundations of the Competitive Bidding – General course and focuses more on complex competitive bid solicitations, including both RFTs and RFPs. Candidates will discuss evaluated bid submissions, how to develop evaluation criteria, work with evaluators and evaluation groups, explore different costing calculations, as well as the two-envelope approach for the receipt of both proposals and tenders.
Prerequisite: Students must complete Competitive Bidding before registering for this course
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Explain the phases associated with the RFP process
• Describe the considerations involved in the evaluation, award and debrief of a bidding competition
• Explain the purpose and benefits of an evaluation team
• Outline the preferred approach to conducting a vendor debrief and practice for increased confidence
• Describe the differences between protests and disputes and some considerations for handling each effectively
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Tuesday, April 16th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
AND
Wednesday, April 17th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
ATTENDANCE AND CREDIT
Students are advised that they must attend both sessions in full to receive course credit. A student that arrives late to a course or has been found to be away or inactive for a duration of the session may not receive their credit. The decision to not grant credit shall be at the discretion of the the facilitator to the session and the Director of Professional Development.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete two weeks before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
April 23 - 24, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closesWednesday, April 16, 2025
DESCRIPTION
This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public procurement cycle and other aspects of the function of procurement. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations purchasing staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.
Instructor: Slavi Nalbantov, CSCMP
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of public procurement, and the differences from the private sector
• Explain the importance of developing clear purchasing policies and procedures
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized and decentralized purchasing organization structure
• Outline the seven ’R’s of public purchasing and the steps associated with the public purchasing cycle
• Describe the legalities associated with public purchasing
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
AND
Thursday, April 24th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 10 days before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
We have rebranded the "Buyers Meeting" to "Procurement Specialists Meeting" to better reflect the broader scope and role of public procurement professionals.
Join us quarterly for a unique and inclusive gathering of procurement peers! Our Procurement Specialists Meetings offer a welcoming space for professionals in a Procurement capacity within their organization, regardless of title. These facilitated sessions use a structured yet flexible format that ensure everyone’s voice is heard and that current topics of interest are shared and discussed. Come prepared to ask questions, listen, and connect with peers in this virtual networking session.
Note: These sessions are designed for those actively involved in procurement and are not intended for people leaders who do not directly procure goods and services.
Send your burning questions or discussion topics to members@opba.ca at least one week before the meeting.
A free OPBA member exclusive opportunity! Attendees eligible for two (2) contact hours.
This session gives a detailed examination of the tendering and request for proposal processes. It includes concepts, issues and the resolution of issues relating to preparing and issuing the procurement documents as well as the ultimate receiving, opening and checking of bids. Candidates will be given an overview of the various components comprising tenders and request for proposal documents and the differences of each.
Instructor: Marie Kavanagh, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Define competitive bidding and its basic elements
• Describe the many procurement document formats and their use
• Explain a variety of bidder candidacy restrictions
• Outline the aspects associated with the development of a bid document
• Explain the purpose of pre-bid meetings; along with when to use them effectively and pitfalls to watch for
• Outline the alternatives to competitive bidding
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Tuesday, April 29th at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AND
Wednesday, April 30th at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
ATTENDANCE AND CREDIT
Students are advised that they must attend both sessions in full to receive course credit. A student that arrives late to a course or has been found to be away or inactive for a duration of the session may not receive their credit. The decision to not grant credit shall be at the discretion of the the facilitator to the session and the Director of Professional Development.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 10 days before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
May 3 & 4, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning
Registration closes Friday, April 25, 2025
DESCRIPTION
This course gives an overview of the cooperative procurement process in the public sector, describing the types, benefits, structure, legal considerations and challenges cooperative purchasing groups face. Attendees will be shown and discuss examples of constitutions, strategic plans, business plan reports, commodity listings and standard terms and conditions for public tenders issued by cooperative groups.
Instructor: Scott Agnello, CPPO, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Define cooperative purchasing
• Describe a variety of methods and group purchasing models associated with cooperative purchasing
• Outline the benefits and challenges associated with cooperative purchasing, along with ways to measure savings
• Explain several rules, statutes and treaties related to cooperative purchasing
• Describe the characteristics and traits of a successful cooperative
• Outline the business components of a cooperative group
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Saturday, May 3rd at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
AND
Sunday, May 4th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete two weeks before the session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
This course examines the various issues with managing risk when purchasing goods and services in the public sector. Candidates are given an overview of common risk issues, including those of ownership and copyright, the right to privacy, competitive bidding irregularities, occupational health and safety, environmental responsibilities and accountability in terms of personal and corporate liability.
Instructor: Sarah Denomy, CPPB
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Define risk management
• Describe eight major risk management issues of importance for public procurement professionals
• Outline three basic risk management techniques: avoiding, managing and transferring risk
• Explain the types of insurance and bonds a public agency will require or may request from a vendor
• Describe the six components to corporate risk management
• Better understand all of the roles involved in managing risk in your organization
DATE AND TIME
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:
Wednesday, May 7th at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
AND
Thursday, May 8th at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
PRE-WORK
Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 10 days before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.
This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning course has two (2) online sessions:
Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
AND
Sunday, May 18th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.
REGISTRATION
Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration.
Cancelations: In writing only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee. Course fees are nontransferable to other courses.
May 21, 2025 - 10 AM ET
Virtual Event
Registration closes on May 19, 2025
We will explore how government procurement divisions can play a pivotal role in driving change in buying behaviors. The session will highlight key strategies for transforming traditional procurement processes, with a focus on fostering innovation, sustainability, and efficiency. Attendees walked away with actionable insights on how procurement divisions can create a more dynamic, socially responsible, and forward-thinking government purchasing ecosystem.
Presenter: Sandra Lisi, Vice President Supplier Engagement, Kinetic GPO
Sandra is a seasoned procurement professional with over two decades of distinguished experience in the public and private sectors. Renowned for her strategic acumen, innovative thinking, and collaborative approach she brings a wealth of knowledge to the Kinetic GPO team as Vice President of Supplier Engagement.
As the Director of Purchasing Client Services at the City of Toronto and Interim Chief Procurement Officer, Sandra led a dynamic team of procurement professionals. She created and implemented the City's category management and strategic sourcing practice, which changed the procurement culture from a buying function to a more strategic approach and partnership with City divisions, Agencies and Boards. Her tenure at the City underscored her exceptional leadership skills and her ability to navigate complex procurement landscapes and deliver impactful results in a high-stakes environment.
Before her role at the City of Toronto, Sandra honed her skills at BMO, where she served as the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping the bank's procurement strategies and forging strong partnerships with suppliers to drive operational efficiency and cost savings.
Sandra is also the Founder of a not-for-profit organization that supports women and children who are victims of domestic violence living in Ontario shelters.
Friday, May 30, 2025
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual Event
Registration closes: Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Join us for a unique and inclusive gathering of procurement peers where the spirit of collaboration takes center stage! Our People Leader’s Meetings are a welcoming space for management/leadership level procurement professionals who lead others within their organization, regardless of their title.
Our goal is to cultivate a culture of open dialogue, curiosity, and inclusivity among peers in a safe environment. People Leaders are welcome to share their perspectives and engage in a free-flowing exchange of ideas, problem solving and sharing. This is an opportunity to learn from one another, broaden perspectives, and strengthen the bond within our network of procurement professionals.
This session is built with a structured yet flexible format that ensures everyone's voice is heard and respected.
Have a burning question or discussion topic? Please send it to events@opba.ca at least one week before the meeting.
A free, OPBA member-exclusive opportunity! Attendees can earn two (2) contact hours for participating.
