Warm yourself by the fire of our CAUCUS Campfire, focusing on the opportunities and challenges in vendor management. This roundtable discussion offers procurement professionals a platform to discuss the evolving landscape of vendor management. Engage in conversations about leveraging opportunities for innovation, building strategic partnerships, and navigating the challenges of supplier diversity and performance management. This session provides a rich environment to share experiences, strategies, and best practices for effective vendor management.

If the following statements describe you, attaining the Certified Technology Procurement Executive designation is a productive accomplishment to pursue. 

You are a procurement professional with:

• six years of procurement-related experience and an associate degree, or
• five years of procurement-related experience and a bachelor's degree, or
• four years of procurement-related experience and a master's degree, or
• three years of procurement-related experience and a doctorate, or
• seven years experience without a degree.
• You are currently employed in a position where significant portions of your normal responsibilities include the procurement and/or management of technology products and services.
• You have decided to make technology procurement your career and are willing to commit to career-long professional development.

Those who are or would be classified as vendors are not eligible for CTPE accreditation.

CAUCUS Certification Program participants learn and are evaluated on:

Procurement (CTPS & CTPE)  Communication, negotiation, understanding of requirements, contract management, vendor management, corporate policies and procedures, training, tools, and time management are all essential elements for successful procurement efforts. Varying degrees of knowledge in technology, law and finance are also required.

Contract Management (CTPS & CTPE) Negotiating a documented exchange of business promises, (includes terms, conditions, benefits, obligations, and pricing, obtaining appropriate approvals and signatures, and managing the contract through its full lifecycle, as well asset management, and effective communication with vendors.

Finance (CTPE Only) Types, terms and decisions for leases, Vendor evaluation, Financial Statements and Balance sheets, Key business ratios, GAAP.

Legal (CTPE Only)  Contract principles, Allocating Risk (Liability and indemnification), Intellectual Property (copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets), Contract Formation and potential risks, and Infringements.

Information Technology (CTPE Only) Data Networks and Their Architecture, The Internet and the Intranet, Wireless Communications, Hardware Components and Their Use, Major Operating Systems, Major Applications, Storage Systems and Related Hardware, Network Security, Fundamental Telephony Concepts, Cloud computing (including SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), Virtualization, Social Network.

CTPE Scoring and Reporting Information The CTPE program exam consists of 5 modules and 5 examinations.  You will receive an email after you complete each test specifying your outcome.  A score of 70% or better for each module is required to receive your certification, and the results of your exam will be provided to you immediately upon completion.

(Exams may contain some questions that are being validated for future exam use. Validation questions will not be included in score computation.)  Examination results will not be discussed over the telephone.

See assessment exemptions below or Register for Certification →

Please note: The CTPE Exam is designed to be an in-depth test assessing the learning and skill of the individual acquired through his or her study, knowledge, formal education, and lengthy IT procurement work experience in the areas of procurement, legal, finance, information technology and contract management. Using our CAUCUS review modules may be helpful as a partial refresh. However, these review modules do not contain answers to all of the questions that may appear in the CTPE Exam.

Appeals Process Within 60 days following the announcement of your CTPE exam results, unsuccessful candidates may request that the CTPE Advisory Committee review their exams. No one other than the candidate may make the appeal. The CTPE Advisory Committee shall respond to the candidate within 60 days of receiving the appeal.

Degree / Certification                                                                                                       Exempted Section                                                                                         Exempted Section

So, simply go to the CAUCUS Certification page, or call 407-740-5600, to reach CAUCUS member services, and we will help you launch yourself and your team to the next level of professional success and recognition. Ask us about corporate rates.

CTPE Renewal

Your CTPE designation must be renewed every three years. Renewal is based on an accumulation of points or by re-application and re-examination. RENEW Your CTPE Here

Renewal Fees

For each three-year period, there is a renewal fee of $250 for members and nonmembers.  Continuing Education Credits must be submitted along with the renewal fee before the expiration date.

Renewal Points

To retain the CTPE credential, you must accumulate 40 credits of Continuing Education (CE), professional development or other areas such as leadership, instruction, or writing every three years and submit a completed CTPE renewal report form. Points for renewal can be earned starting from the date appearing on the CTPE certificate for the first renewal or from the date of the last renewal, whichever is applicable.

To track your CE credits, please select CEUs Tracker under Quick Links. 

Continuing Education Credits

Attendee
1 credit per hour
Attend seminars, conferences or courses in the technology procurement industry.

Speaker
5 credits per presentation title
Serve as speaker, instructor, or panel moderator in a forum for technology procurement professionals.

Course Completion
10 credits per course
Successfully complete accredited college-level courses directly related to technology procurement.

Author
10 credits per publication
Contribute to industry publications as an author.

Editor
10 credits per year
Contribute to industry publications as an editor.

Committee Member
10 credits per year
Serve as member of a Committee relevant to technology procurement.

Book Author/Editor
20 credits per published book
Serve as author or principal editor of a book pertaining to the art and science of technology procurement.

If the following statements describe you, attaining the Certified Technology Procurement Executive designation is a nice goal.

The CAUCUS Certification programs are designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance and identify those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of competent technology procurement. Membership in CAUCUS is not necessary to become certified; however, CAUCUS supplies professionals with training to prepare for the examinations.

In addition to positioning you among the elite of the profession, certification indicates to your peers, internal customers and employers that you possess the knowledge, expertise and experience to excel in today’s ever-changing technology procurement arena.

What You Get

1.  5 Short-term Self-paced Courseware modules (CTPS will get 2)
2.  5 Self-paced Courseware Assessments (CTPS will get 2)
3.  Study Guide (Soft copy)
4.  3 Complimentary exam retakes for up to 60 days
5.  Access to highly seasoned professional available to address your questions as you go through the program
6.  Take an additional 20% CTPE for groups of 5 or more! Full Teams? Please call
7.  Ability to apply all CEU eligible programs attended in the last 6 months toward CEU recertification in 3 years, including the preparatory courseware for CTPS and CTPE.
8. Access to complimentary Credit Hours when joining CAUCUS from CAUCUS Conversations and CAUCUS Campfires.

You are a strong candidate for the certifications if you are a professional with:

-  six years of procurement-related experience and an associate degree, or
-  five years of procurement-related experience and a bachelor's degree, or
-  four years of procurement-related experience and a master's degree, or
-  three years of procurement-related experience and a doctorate, or
-  seven years experience without a degree.
-  You are currently employed in a position where significant portions of your normal responsibilities include the procurement and/or management of technology products and services.
-  You have decided to make technology procurement your career and are willing to commit to career-long professional development.
-  Those who are or would be classified as vendors are not eligible for CTPE accreditation.

Certification Benefits
Numerous benefits accrue as a result of acquiring CTPS and/or CTPE accreditation.

-  Professional recognition. The designations CTPS and CTPE identify a level of achievement, which is recognized and respected by others in the procurement profession.
-  Growth potential. The CTPS certification is the first step in establishing achievement in the field of procurement. It is a stepping stone to higher level achievement—CTPE accreditation, which awards advanced certification.

CAUCUS Certifications
-  Identify you as possessing technical competency
-  Recognize your commitment to professionalism
-  Provide opportunity for self-improvement
-  Offer you greater recognition on the job and among your peers
-  Raise the professionalism of your company
-  Identify your company as being committed to hiring qualified professionals

CTPS Renewal

Your CTPS designation must be renewed every three years. Renewal is based on an accumulation of points or by re-application and re-examination. RENEW Your CTPS Here

Renewal Fee

For each three-year period, there is a renewal fee of $150 for members and $250 for nonmembers.  Continuing Education Credits must be submitted along with the renewal fee before the expiration date.

Renewal Points

To retain the CTPS credential, you must accumulate 30 credits of Continuing Education (CE), professional development or other areas such as leadership, instruction, or writing every three years and submit a completed CTPS renewal report form. Points for renewal can be earned starting from the date appearing on the CTPS certificate for the first renewal or from the date of the last renewal, whichever is applicable.

To track your CE credits, please select CEUs Tracker under Quick Links. 

Please click here to contact us for information on how to renew your CTPS certification.

Continuing Education Credits

Attendee
1 credit per hour
Attend seminars, conferences or courses in the technology procurement industry.

Speaker
5 credits per presentation title
Serve as speaker, instructor, or panel moderator in a forum for technology procurement professionals.

Course Completion
10 credits per course
Successfully complete accredited college-level courses directly related to technology procurement.

Author
10 credits per publication
Contribute to industry publications as an author.

Editor
10 credits per year
Contribute to industry publications as an editor.

Committee Member
10 credits per year
Serve as member of a Caucus committee relevant to technology procurement.

Book Author/Editor
20 credits per published book
Serve as author or principal editor of a book pertaining to the art and science of technology procurement.

IoT will be discussed from several perspectives, including understanding how it impacts procurement processes, mitigating security and privacy risks, and optimizing supplier selection and management. We will also discuss strategies for integrating IoT into procurement systems and workflows effectively.

In this CAUCUS Conversation, you’ll learn about the risks associated with buying cloud technologies and how to maximize ROI while minimizing these risks.  Whether you’re an experienced cloud negotiator or just starting off, you’re sure to take away practical insights from ICN Principal, Robert Wright.

An Online Roundtable Discussion Facilitated by Robert Wright, ICN Principal

Are you curious about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in IT procurement? If so, you will want to see this CAUCUS Campfire. 

CAUCUS Campfires are a unique opportunity for members of the CAUCUS community to connect with one another through a facilitated roundtable discussion. During this Campfire, we'll explore the latest AI technologies and how they can be used to streamline procurement processes, enhance decision-making, and improve efficiency.

This is a great opportunity to network with other procurement professionals, learn from industry experts, and share your own experiences with AI in procurement.

Whether you're an IT procurement professional, an AI enthusiast, or simply curious about the latest technology trends, we invite you to join us for this exciting and informative roundtable discussion.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Want to be prepared the next time a vendor attempts to sway a deal to his favor? ICN’s explanation of popular vendor ploys will arm you for many of these tricks. Learn how to counteract the “I cannot give you a better price than…” ruse, understand how to deflect the “that is not the way we figured the deal” scheme, and thwart the “if we lower our fee, we can’t give you our best consultants” stunt.

Having ICN’s online presentation of Vendor’s Ploys in your arsenal gives you an advantage in negotiations to do better deals. We’ll show you how to neutralize some of the most common ploys, including:

• Booked Order
• Form Contract
• All Included Price
• Try It, You’ll Like it
• Who has the Keys to the Company Store
• We Don’t Need to Write That Down, You Can Trust Me
• We Can’t Do it for you Because We Would Be Setting A Precedent
• Unfortunately, I’ll Have to Get Any Changes Approved By Corporate
• and many more!

You’ll naturally feel greater confidence by being prepared to counter these common ploys. With negotiations in your favor, you’re sure to do better deals.