Season 10 of The Big Bid Theory concludes with a celebration of excellence in public procurement! Host Bill Culhane welcomes Keith Glatz, a legend with 45+ years of service, to discuss ethical practices, leadership, and his recent honor as the Albert H. Hall Memorial Award recipient.

We’re also thrilled to celebrate Brooke Smith, City Recorder for Murray City, Utah, as the inaugural recipient of the David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award. Congratulations to Brooke and all nominees for their exceptional leadership!

Producer Rick Jennings wraps up the season with another unforgettable Crazy Bids You Can Win! Do you agree there is something fishy about this Crazy Bids?

Thank you for an incredible season. We’ll return in 2025 with Season 11. Until then, revisit past episodes, and stay tuned for updates on the 2025 Nash Award nomination and selection process.

Keith Glatz bio info.

The Inaugural David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award Winner: Brooke Smith

We are thrilled to announce that Brooke Smith, City Recorder for Murray City, Utah, is the recipient of the inaugural David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award!

Brooke’s nearly 20-year career in local government is a testament to her passion, dedication, and excellence in public procurement. From her leadership in embracing innovation, such as AI in purchasing, to her collaborative efforts with Radio NIGP and impactful presentations, Brooke exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and mentorship.

Named in honor of David and Beverly Nash, this award celebrates individuals who drive innovation, foster excellence, and uplift others in the procurement community. David Nash joined us for this special episode to congratulate Brooke and share his inspiring reflections on leadership.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our selection committee, those who submitted nominees, and everyone in the public procurement profession who makes an important difference every day. Congratulations to Brooke and all the nominees—you are truly the heartbeat of public service!

A personalized award will be presented to Brooke, and her name will be featured on a perpetual plaque in our The Big Bid Theory studio.

Learn more about the award and stay tuned for details on the 2025 David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award at TheBigBidTheory.com.

In this episode of The Big Bid Theory, host Bill Culhane welcomes Damonique Sonnier, a Government Innovation Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab. Damonique shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to public procurement and discusses how reimagined procurement processes can empower communities.

She introduces the Procurement Excellence Network, a collaboration hub for procurement professionals, showcasing how innovation in purchasing can drive social impact, strengthen small businesses, and transform local economies. The conversation explores Damonique’s opinions on how efficient procurement fosters equity, lowers barriers for small businesses, and builds stronger communities.

As always, don’t miss the fan-favorite Crazy Bids You Can Win segment. Rick Jennings highlights the Colorado Health Foundation’s Nonprofit Sabbatical Program, a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to rejuvenate while enhancing organizational capacity.

For more on the initiatives mentioned in this episode, visit the Procurement Excellence Network  and the Government Performance Lab.

Go here for more on 'The Big Big Theory'.

In this episode of The Big Bid Theory, host Bill Culhane welcomes you inside ICMA 2024 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bill visits with Clayton Feick, CEO of Ontopical, to explore how AI is transforming government procurement. 

Clayton shares his key takeaways from ICMA 2024, where he and Stephen Hetzel, CEO of Beacon Bid, delivered a joint presentation moderated by Bill. Their session, “Empowering Local Governments: Leveraging AI for Enhanced Government Contracting Processes,” sparked a lively discussion on how AI-powered tools help businesses discover government opportunities long before their competitors.

Clayton highlights how Ontopical’s AI-enabled government market intelligence software gives businesses an early advantage by uncovering key opportunities from cities, towns, and counties across the USA and Canada. He explains that many successful ventures start with a “spark”—a vital insight that leads to major opportunities down the road.

Bill also reminds listeners to submit nominations for the Dave and Beverly Nash Leadership Award, celebrating excellence in public procurement. The deadline for nominations has been extended to November 1st. Don't miss Rick Jennings' return with another fun segment of “Crazy Bids You Can Win!”

Listen in to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of public procurement!

For more information about BidPrime, call 888.808.5356 or visit www.bidprime.com. For details on Ontopical, go to www.ontopical.com.

In this episode of The Big Bid Theory, host Bill Culhane sits down with Steve Pullie, Director of Real Estate, Fleet, and Purchasing for the SC Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon. Steve also serves on the Board of Directors as Director at Large for the South Carolina Association Of Governmental Purchasing Officials (SCAGPO). Steve shares valuable insights into the intricacies of government procurement, including best practices, common challenges, and the future of the field.

Bill also takes a moment to announce the release of details for the David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award, celebrating outstanding achievements in the procurement field. Additionally, listeners will be excited to hear about the launch of the new website for the show, providing an even better experience for our audience.

In addition, Bill and Steve discuss the highly anticipated SCAGPO 2024 Annual Forum and Trade Show, coming up in November, offering a preview of what attendees can expect from this premier event.

Listeners will also enjoy Rick Jennings' segment, "Crazy Bids You Can Win," offering a fun and unique look at the latest Crazy Bid up for grabs.

For more information about SCAGPO, visit www.scagpo.org. You can learn more about Steve Pullie and reach out to him via his bio and email.

Stephen Pullie: 1987 graduate of the University of SC with majors in Business Marketing andManagement. He entered the Purchasing profession in 1997 and has served as the ProcurementDirector at the SC Dept. of Public Safety, SC Department of Juvenile Justice, and SC Department ofMental Health. Currently he serves as the Director of Real Estate, Fleet, and Purchasing for the SC Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon. He has served on the Board of the SC Association ofGovernment Purchasing Officials since 2009 including arising to President in 2014. Steve currently is a Director at Large and serves as the Sponsorship and Trade Show Chairmen for the Annual Forum.

Email: [email protected] Business Ph: 803.429.3012

Bill Culhane hosts a compelling episode exploring the intersection of government procurement, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). In this episode, we unravel the innovative solutions crafted by Beacon Bid and BidPrime, under the guidance of Stephen Hetzel, co-Founder and CEO.

Begin by unraveling the genesis of BidPrime and Beacon Bid, where Hetzel shares how their backgrounds in government and technology illuminated the inefficiencies plaguing the procurement process, leading to the creation of transformative platforms. Through their experience aggregating agency solicitations and empathizing with the struggles of small to medium-sized enterprises, they identified a glaring gap in the market.

Next, delve into the challenges faced by government agencies in procurement and how Beacon Bid addresses them head-on. From limited resources to outdated methods, agencies grapple with hurdles that hinder efficiency. Hetzel sheds light on Beacon Bid's mission to improve tools available to agencies through user-friendly platforms and data products, fostering a more streamlined and inclusive procurement landscape.

In the realm of contractor and vendor engagement, BidPrime unveils its cutting-edge "Contract Intelligence Suite," comprising Future Opps and Emerging Opps. Hetzel unveils the transformative potential of these tools, from extracting insights from historical data to leveraging AI to identify emerging opportunities before they hit the market. The integration of Ontopical's data further enhances BidPrime's arsenal, empowering businesses to stay ahead in the competitive SLED public sector.

Moreover, explore the applications of these tools for government agencies, from accessing BidPrime's extensive bid document archive to harnessing AI-driven insights for informed decision-making. The conversation culminates in a visionary outlook on the future of government contracting, underscored by the pivotal role of AI in driving efficiency, transparency, and innovation.

Finally, peek into Hetzel's upcoming speaking engagements at NIGP Forum and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), where he delves deeper into the transformative potential of data and AI in shaping the future of procurement and government operations.

As always, Rick Jennings closes down the episode with the latest Crazy Bids. Appropriate to the theme of this episode, this latest installment of Crazy Bids has to do with the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Tune in, and don't forget to share, to gain invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of government procurement and the transformative power of AI-driven innovation.

Welcome back! Season 10 of The Big Bid Theory, brought to you by BidPrime and Beacon Bid! It's hard to believe we've been on the air for a decade now, and what a journey it's been. But enough sentimentality, let's dive into the excitement of our first episode!

In this monumental season opener, we're thrilled to introduce Denise Finn, Procurement Services Manager at the City of Fort Myers and President of FAPPO (Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials). Denise is a recognized leader with a wealth of experience as a consultant, mentor, trainer, and public speaker.

We kick off with a preview of the FAPPO 2024 Annual Conference, themed "Riding the Winds and Waters of Change," happening in Orlando from May 19th to 22nd. Denise sheds light on the significance of this event for purchasing professionals and exhibitors alike, highlighting key aspects of the conference schedule. Who knows, maybe we'll even put together a special episode from Orlando!

For those new to procurement roles, Denise shares invaluable quick tips and lessons learned from her own journey. Additionally, business leaders keen on competing for government contracts will find her insights on contracting strategies indispensable.

As part of our 10th-anniversary celebration, we introduce the 'David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award,' honoring exceptional leaders like David and Beverly Nash who've made significant contributions to the procurement field. It's a fitting tribute to their legacy of integrity, passion, and innovation. Stay tuned, as our audience will take part in the nomination and selection processes!

But before we wrap up, Rick shares the first Crazy Bids installment in Season 10, go oral health!, setting the bar high for the episodes to come. And as always, don't forget to follow us on social media and spread the word about The Big Bid Theory!

Thank you for tuning in and here's to another decade of learning, sharing, and celebrating the world of procurement!

Go here for more information about FAPPO '24.

Discover procurement insights from Celeste Walker-Harmon, Assistant Finance Director for Procurement/Chief Procurement Officer, in this engaging episode of "The Big Bid Theory" podcast. Host Bill Culhane interviews this accomplished public purchasing leader about her experiences and advice for navigating a government procurement career.

Learn some takeaways from NPI 2023 through Walker-Harmon's unique perspective, as an attendee and award winner! She shares what made an impact for her by participating at this major public procurement conference. Also, gain an inside look at the successes and challenges faced by her procurement team in Coral Gables.

Walker-Harmon also provides candid career guidance, from tips on advancing in public procurement roles to benefits of serving to help your community. Her inspiring interview includes the advice she wishes she could give her younger self starting out in government purchasing. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership lessons from an influential person in public procurement.

Rick Jennings wraps up the episode, with Crazy Bids, by recapping an interesting RFP found in BidPrime’s database: a web-based animal husbandry system requested by Veterans Affairs. Yes, it’s true.

All of that and more. A lot more!

Our Guest: Celeste Walker-Harmon, MBA, CPPO, CPSM

Celeste Walker-Harmon is the Assistant Finance Director for Procurement/Chief Procurement
Officer for the City of Coral Gables. She has been with the city since 2017 and is responsible
for managing the day-to-day operations of the Procurement Division. In her role as Chief
Procurement Officer she ensures the citywide compliance of all purchases with the applicable
city, state and federal statutes, laws, ordinances and regulations. Her team facilitates the
procurement of goods, services, equipment and construction projects.

Mrs. Walker-Harmon has 25+ years of professional procurement experience in the public
sector. Her experience covers a variety of government/public sector areas that include several
City and County governments, a public school system and the Department of Transportation in
Georgia.

Mrs. Walker-Harmon earned her M.B.A, is a Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), a
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), a certified Procurement Professional
with NIGP (NIGP-CPP) and is Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Green Belt Certified.

Procurement trailblazer Kirk Buffington joins us to reflect on key lessons and takeaways from NIGP Forum 2023 and championing professional development. With over 30 years of experience, Kirk shares his journey to leadership within NIGP, FAPPO and elsewhere. Kirk weighs in on TBBT’s announcement of the ‘David and Beverly Nash Leadership Award’ to be presented in recognition of fellow leaders, who have gone above and beyond in the advancement of the procurement profession.

We discuss considerations for those contemplating pursuing a leadership position in purchasing, along with the resulting rewards of service. Contemplating a career in the purchasing field? Kirk shares his perspective and thoughts. Don't miss this wisdom-filled conversation with a dedicated advocate for procurement excellence!

Rick closes down the episode with a Crazy Bids you can win that decorates an already outstanding episode.

All of that and more. A lot more!

Our Guest: Kirk Buffington, FNIGP, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., MBA, MLS

Kirk Buffington is a dedicated leader in the procurement profession with over 30 years of experience. He is the former Director of Finance and Procurement for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Kirk has been an active member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) since 1993. He has held numerous leadership positions within NIGP at both the chapter and national levels. Kirk served as President of the NIGP Southeast Florida Chapter, as well as President of NIGP Inc. from 2008-2009.

At the 2023 NIGP Forum, Kirk was named an Albert H. Hall NIGP Fellow in recognition of his significant contributions to the advancement of public procurement. He was also honored with NIGP's Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and commitment to the institute.

Kirk earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business from Florida State University and a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Logistics and Materials Management from Webster University. He recently graduated with a Master's degree in Legal Studies from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

On this episode of ‘The Big Bid Theory’ our host, Bill Culhane, recaps an exciting and memorable NIGP Forum 2023 in Louisville. Among the highlights, Bill and guests Stephen Hetzel, CEO, and Josh Schwartzbeck, CTO of Beacon Bid, reminisce about Louisville, Innovation Theater, the Technology track (sponsored by Beacon Bid), RFP Critic's debut, Beacon Bid's popular Hot Raffle party, the excellent education sessions, and more. In summary, Forum had plenty of fellowship, energy and excitement throughout the event.

Check out as the three describe the palpable buzz around the launch of RFP Critic, Beacon Bid's AI solution that builds on their existing tools like the RFP Archive and RFP Builder by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. Hetzel explained how Critic reviews your draft RFPs to identify unclear requirements, suggest improvements, and point out potential biases, you reserve the option to use or lose the feedback, so you can release rock-solid solicitations to improve your contracting success and outcomes.

As has become a tradition, Beacon hosted a lively Hot Raffle party at Guy Fieri's restaurant, where the Beacon Bid team including Hetzel and Schwartzbeck welcomed and hosted their special guests.

Culhane recalls moderating the widely popular Technology track education sessions. He also stopped by Beacon Bid's well-attended ‘Sip and See’ to see demos of the new RFP Builder and Critic and see a product roadmap workgroup in progress.

Hetzel and Schwartzbeck shared Beacon Bid's growth over the past year. The two founders reflect on the overwhelmingly positive response to their AI-powered products that leverage the technology to streamline procurement and share plans for enhancing these solutions and Beacon Bid overall. They credit the strong NIGP community for supporting Beacon Bid's rapid growth.

Looking ahead, the host and guests share their enthusiasm for more innovations to come from Beacon Bid. With the continued support of the NIGP community, they are excited to continue disrupting and improving procurement. Culhane closes by passing the baton to Rick Jennings, our producer, for another engaging edition of Crazy Bids.

In Crazy Bids, Rick wraps up this installment of TBBT with a Crazy Bid that will have you barking and meowing… but not too loudly.

All of that and more. A lot more!

Visit www.beaconbid.com for more on Beacon Bid and these ABC’s of procurement. Go to your favorite podcast platform for the full, audio version of the episode.

RFP Archive.
RFP Builder press release