We are the NCMA's best (or maybe worst) kept secret!
The NCMA Rio Grande Chapter is small in numbers but has a very large footprint in the Contract Management profession. As they say in boxing ... we punch well abover our weight!
Welcome to the Rio Grande Chapter - the best kept secret in the National Contract Management Association. Our award winning chapter represents the Middle Rio Grande Valley including Albuquerque, Sandia National Labs, Kirtland Air Force Base, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Our members come from both government and industry. All are welcome at our chapter and we invite you to attend one of our Board meetings or a Chapter event listed below.
Chapter News
Summer Break!
The NCMA Rio Grande Chapter will conclude our 2024 - 2025 Program Year with our June 18th Board Meeting. At that event we will install our new leadership team from the recent chapter elections and then take a well-deserved break for the summer.
Don't get me wrong, although we will be spending time with families and friends and maybe a barbecue or two - we will be working on our next year's offerings and activities for the Rio Grande Chapter.
Please feel free to offer suggestions to the chapter via email at president @ncmargc.org if there is an event or activity you would like the board to consider!
We will be back in August with our Strategic Planning Meeting and the kick-off for our new 2025 - 2026 program year!
For a quick summary of recent events please click below for our chapter newsletter!
Don't get me wrong, although we will be spending time with families and friends and maybe a barbecue or two - we will be working on our next year's offerings and activities for the Rio Grande Chapter.
Please feel free to offer suggestions to the chapter via email at president @ncmargc.org if there is an event or activity you would like the board to consider!
We will be back in August with our Strategic Planning Meeting and the kick-off for our new 2025 - 2026 program year!
For a quick summary of recent events please click below for our chapter newsletter!
Rio Grande Chapter CPCM Study Group Completes Marathon 14-week Prep Course
Saturday, June 6th marked the completion of a long journey through the NCMA Contract Management Standard and the Contract Management Standard as we completed the 14th and final 2-hour study session for the CPCM. The class went trough the entire CMBOK quite literally page by age and discussed the concepts of the CMS and how they applied to the profession of Contract Management. Those attending the session will receive certificates of Training with the requisite number of CPE credits for their attendance as allowed by HQ CPE policy.
The group started in March of 2024 with 21 registrants although class size averaged about 10 - 12 over the life of the rigorous schedule. This session marks the first time the study session was held on a Saturday and it appears this approach was favorable to many of the attendees who found regularly getting away from work during the week to be troublesome.
Next up will be the CPCM exam for these stalwart individuals. Best wishes to the class!
Will there be another? You tell us! We will look for your input in our email at president@ncmaRGC.org.
The group started in March of 2024 with 21 registrants although class size averaged about 10 - 12 over the life of the rigorous schedule. This session marks the first time the study session was held on a Saturday and it appears this approach was favorable to many of the attendees who found regularly getting away from work during the week to be troublesome.
Next up will be the CPCM exam for these stalwart individuals. Best wishes to the class!
Will there be another? You tell us! We will look for your input in our email at president@ncmaRGC.org.
FAR Case 2017-016 Controlled Unclassified Information Published 1-15-25
The January 15th Federal Register includes a posting of the proposed rule for Non-Defense contractors covering Controlled Classified Information. (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2024-30437/federal-acquisition-regulation-controlled-unclassified-information)
The proposed rule announces a new provision notifying offers of the need to provide protection for Controlled Unclassified Information in the resulting contract and two new clauses which will be added to 52.204.xx to add protection of CUI via implementing NIST SP 800-171 R2 for other than COTS items.
Those familiar with DFARS 252-204.7012 will find that the new FAR clauses essentially parallel that requirement. However, there is a departure currently with respect to third party verification of compliance which the Defense community covers via the CMMC requirement.
The proposed rule is out for comment at this time and interested parties or organizations are encouraged to read the proposed rule and submit comments as appropriate.
The proposed rule announces a new provision notifying offers of the need to provide protection for Controlled Unclassified Information in the resulting contract and two new clauses which will be added to 52.204.xx to add protection of CUI via implementing NIST SP 800-171 R2 for other than COTS items.
Those familiar with DFARS 252-204.7012 will find that the new FAR clauses essentially parallel that requirement. However, there is a departure currently with respect to third party verification of compliance which the Defense community covers via the CMMC requirement.
The proposed rule is out for comment at this time and interested parties or organizations are encouraged to read the proposed rule and submit comments as appropriate.
Information for Federal Employees from Sen Lujan
Suggestions for Event or Training
If you have suggestions for events or other activities please use the below form to contact us.
This is going to be a great year and we can't wait to share with you more details of the planned events. Keep track of upcoming events and Chapter activities here and on the chapter's web page on NCMA HQ.
This is going to be a great year and we can't wait to share with you more details of the planned events. Keep track of upcoming events and Chapter activities here and on the chapter's web page on NCMA HQ.
Certification Preparation
Test your Knowledge
The NCMA Rio Grande Chapter also offers a number of study aids to our members including a free preview of what to expect on the certification exam. To try your luck simply click on the below button and you will be redirected to a site that will allow you three attempts to take and pass a very realistic simulation of the exam.
No obligation … no Junk email or mailing list enrollments … just a preview of what to expect. Try it for fun, try it for bragging rights, or use it to see where you need to study more.
Enjoy!
No obligation … no Junk email or mailing list enrollments … just a preview of what to expect. Try it for fun, try it for bragging rights, or use it to see where you need to study more.
Enjoy!
Upcoming Events
NCMA World Congress 2025
Get ready for an exciting and impactful World Congress! Our agenda is packed with insightful keynotes, engaging breakout sessions, and valuable networking opportunities designed to fuel your professional growth. Explore the full schedule to plan your experience and make the most of every moment. Click the button below to view the agenda!
Early Bird Deadline: May 31, 2025
Hotel Reservations Deadline: June 13, 2025
Final Presentations Due: June 13, 2025
Registration Cancellation Deadline: June 27, 2025
Early Bird Deadline: May 31, 2025
Hotel Reservations Deadline: June 13, 2025
Final Presentations Due: June 13, 2025
Registration Cancellation Deadline: June 27, 2025
Board Meetings
Our monthly meetings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30. These meetings will be hybrid meetings as Board Members can elect to join via Zoom or in-person. The monthly Zoom information was setup for recurring meetings so the Zoom information provided below will be consistent for this program year.
In-person meetings at Verus Research, which is located at 6100 Uptown Blvd NE, Albuquerque - 7th floor.
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18June
Rio Grande Chapter Board Meeting
The monthly meeting of the Chapter Board - open to Bpard members.and guestslocation_on Albuquerque, NM access_time 5:30 PM - 7:00 PMDonald Shannon's Zoom Meeting
Scheduled: Apr 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, MDT
Location: 6100 Uptown Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110;https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82745729359?pwd=3PTxocBLWbt9Uwy0n5RxXYlpAjH6iV.1──────────
Donald Shannon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82745729359?pwd=3PTxocBLWbt9Uwy0n5RxXYlpAjH6iV.1
Meeting ID: 827 4572 9359
Passcode: 026564
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