You’ve found the opportunity—now it’s time to seal the deal. The final phase of the procurement journey is about credibility, precision, and the financial "fuel" to cross the finish line.
In this closing session, we tackle the "Big Three" of contract execution: getting certified, writing the winning proposal, and securing the capital needed to perform. We’ll demystify the alphabet soup of certifications (MBE, WBE, DVBE) and show you how to price your services so your "win" is actually profitable.
Key Topics We'll Cover:
- The Certification Roadmap: A deep dive into SB/DVBE, MBE, WBE, and more—knowing which ones actually move the needle for your industry.
- RFP/RFQ Mastery: The anatomy of a proposal and how to respond to complex solicitations without getting overwhelmed.
- The Profitability Equation: Essential pricing and cost considerations to ensure your contract is sustainable.
- Capital on Call: Understanding financial readiness and accessing the funding (loans, lines of credit) required to scale for large contracts.
- Execution & Growth: How to leverage your first win into a long-term contracting powerhouse.
Your Competitive Edge:
Walk away with a clear execution plan. You’ll know how to validate your business through certifications, submit high-quality proposals, and ensure your finances are ready for the big leagues.
Presenter: Cristina Espiritu (PACE Procurement Manager)
Cristina Espiritu, a distinguished professional with a dual JD/MBA degree from Penn State University, brings over two decades of experience in finance, strategic consulting, contract negotiation, procurement and business and asset valuation. She has offered her expertise to organizations ranging from startups up to publicly-traded companies, helping them develop and identify strategies to propel growth and maximize value. She has also been an entrepreneur and sold her first business in college. Since then, she has founded several companies and organizations in diverse sectors including technology, marketing, and health and wellness. She has served and held leadership roles, on the board of director positions in non-profit organizations, as well as served as a mentor for incubator programs in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Cristina is a trained mediator, certified by the Orange Human Relations Mediation Program. She also currently serves as a Procurement Manager at PACE (Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment).