Department of Citywide Administrative Services

Course Understanding and Supporting Nonprofits in the City Procurement Process - (PTI-6232M-F25)

Portfolio New York City-Specific Portfolio, No Cost Learning, MOCS Procurement Training

Cost Free

Prerequisite(s) None

Credits CEU:0.3

Modality Live Webinar

Instructor(s) Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS)

Class Description

This three-hour interactive webinar workshop will provide procurement professionals with essential context and tools to more effectively and empathetically work with nonprofit partners. Through real-world data, collaborative exercises, and service design tools, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the nonprofit sector’s role in City service delivery, as well as practical ways to reduce barriers and improve communication.

The session will include a journey mapping exercise to explore a nonprofit’s experience securing a City contract and will introduce communication strategies drawn from the Guide to Collaborative Communication and recent research on nonprofit contracting challenges.

Objectives

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:

• Describe the breadth and scope of New York City’s nonprofit sector and the challenges organizations face in the contracting process.
• Analyze the nonprofit experience navigating the City procurement process using a journey mapping tool.
• Apply collaborative communication techniques to strengthen relationships with nonprofit partners.
• Identify internal practices and process improvements that could lead to more equitable and efficient nonprofit contracting.

Target Audience

This course is part of the Procurement Training Institute curriculum for City staff who engage in contract management, solicitation development, or fiscal oversight involving nonprofit vendors. It is especially relevant for procurement and program staff who want to deepen their understanding of how to better partner with community-based organizations while adhering to NYC procurement rules.

Training Agenda

Part 1: Context & Landscape (9:00 – 9:45 AM)

• Overview of NYC’s nonprofit ecosystem
• Role of nonprofits in delivering human services
• Common pain points in procurement and contract management
  • Insights from various studies (staffing, budgeting, communication)
  • Gaps between program and fiscal roles

Part 2: Journey Mapping Exercise (9:45 – 10:45 AM)

• Introduction to Customer Journey Mapping
• Mapping the nonprofit experience: from funding notification to payment
• Group exercise: identify pain points and opportunities for improvement
• Debrief and thematic insights

Part 3: Collaborative Communication in Action (11:00 – 11:45 AM)

• Key principles from the Guide to Collaborative Communication
• Tools for improving communication throughout the procurement lifecycle
• Case examples and role-play scenarios:
  • Pre-solicitation conversations
  • Budget modification dialogues
  • Performance issue resolution

Wrap-Up and Reflection (11:45 – 12:00 PM)

• Group reflections and takeaway commitments
• Post-workshop resources and follow-up opportunities