GovCon Glossary

AFCEA is a nonprofit association linking military, government, industry, and academic professionals in communications, information technology, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Best known for its extensive global chapter network and events like AFCEA TechNet and WEST, it provides forums for government and industry to exchange information on emerging defense and security technology needs.

APMP is the global professional association for bid, proposal, and capture professionals in government and commercial contracting. It is best known for its tiered Foundation-Practitioner-Professional certification program and its annual Bid & Proposal Con, which set the industry standard for proposal management skills and credentials.

The Coalition for Government Procurement (CGP) is a nonprofit association of commercial companies that sell products and services to the federal government. It advocates for a more efficient, effective federal acquisition system, tracks regulatory and policy changes at agencies like GSA and VA, and gives members a unified voice on procurement reform.

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is a professional association for contract management practitioners across government and industry. It is best known for administering certifications such as the Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), publishing the Contract Management Body of Knowledge, and hosting educational conferences including its annual World Congress.

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is a trade association representing companies, individuals, and academic institutions across the U.S. defense industrial base. It advocates for policies supporting national security and connects government, industry, and academia through divisions, regional chapters, and conferences covering defense technology, acquisition, and readiness.

The National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) is an advocacy and education organization dedicated to veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs/SDVOSBs) pursuing federal contracts. It engages agencies and lawmakers on acquisition policy affecting veteran-owned firms and is best known for its annual VETS conference and related training programs.

NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement is a nonprofit association serving procurement professionals in state, local, and other public-sector agencies, distinct from federal contracting. It is known for developing procurement standards and commodity/service codes, offering education, and administering the NIGP-CPP certification for public procurement professionals.

The Professional Services Council (PSC) is a leading trade association representing companies that provide technology, engineering, consulting, and other professional services to the federal government. PSC advocates on acquisition, budget, and regulatory policy affecting the government services industry and is widely regarded as one of the sector's most influential policy voices in Washington.

The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) unites public- and private-sector professionals across engineering, architecture, construction, environmental, and facilities disciplines in support of national security. Organized through local posts nationwide, SAME connects military engineering agencies with industry through training, networking, and its annual Joint Engineer Training Conference (JETC).

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest third-party certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States. Through its Regional Partner Organizations, WBENC certifies that a company is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by women, a credential widely recognized by corporations and government agencies for supplier diversity programs.