Association of Proposal Management Professionals

The Association of Proposal Management Professionals or APMP is a 501(c)(6) non-profit membership organization. APMP was founded on August 14, 1989. APMP’s mission is to "advance the arts, sciences, and technology of new business acquisition and to promote the professionalism of those engaged in those pursuits." Also, to serve the needs and professional interests of members and improve public understanding of the profession and its contributions.

Overview

The core of APMP is proposal-related, including the entire new business acquisition cycle, while maintaining proposals as the cycle core. New business acquisition encompasses marketing, business development and acquisition activities from early marketing positioning through negotiations and contract award. APMP members are dedicated primarily to the successful execution of one or more of the diverse activities involved with proposal execution.

APMP publishes a weekly electronic newsletter called The Reporter, and twice yearly a journal called The APMP Journal.^[1]

APMP is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA.

History

APMP was founded on August 14, 1989. On August 16, 1989, an announced planning meeting was held at the Irvine Hilton and Towers with 28 attendees who became the original Charter Members. November 17, 1989, APMP was officially named and formed.^[2]

In March 1990, the initial steering committee was held in Laguna Beach, CA.^[2]

In March 1990, the first issue of The Perspective was published.^[2]

On May 10–11, 1990, the first APMP National Conference was held at the Hyatt Islandia in San Diego, CA. May 1990, the First Association Job Survey was completed by the Education Committee.^[3]

In July 1991, the first local area chapter, Valley of the Sun, was formed.^[2]

In 2005, APMP began offering the world’s first professional accreditation program for those working in a bid and proposal environment.

In 2008, APMP, in collaboration with the BD-Institute International, went live with BD-KnowledgeBase. BD-KnowledgeBase identifies practices, process elements, and tools that are generally recognized as key practices and hallmarks of the business development discipline.

In April 2008, APMP published its first of a series of five free “Proposal Guide” podcasts on its website.

In January 2011, Rick Harris joined APMP as Executive Director.^[4]

In February 2011 APMP moved its headquarters from California to Washington, DC.

Membership

APMP has 7,000+ active members as of January 2016. APMP membership includes proposal and business development professionals who are engaged in a wide range of activities including business development and acquisition, proposal and program management, strategic planning, and proposal consulting and production.

APMP professionals come from a cross section of industries and employers that include:

• Aerospace/Defense/Federal Contractors
• Business/Industry/Commercial
• Academia
• Government
• Non-Profit

Chapters

APMP chapters are in five regions: Northeast US & Canada, Southeast US, Central US, Western US & Pacific Rim, and International. There are currently 27 chapters worldwide.

Most APMP members affiliate with one of APMP’s chapters, located in and outside the United States. Members are asked to affiliate when they join APMP, but affiliation is not restricted to geographic proximity. Any member may affiliate with any chapter. The largest chapter is APMP UK in the United Kingdom. The largest chapter in the United States is the NCA chapter in the Washington, DC area.

APMP Fellows

APMP recognizes outstanding members for their contributions to the proposal profession by inducting Fellows, and extending lifetime APMP membership to them. APMP Fellows also have the opportunity to mentor other proposal professionals, and participate in the peer review process for artifacts submitted to the APMP Body of Knowledge.

APMP Certification

APMP offers the world’s first professional certification program for those working in a bid and proposal environment. Started in 2005, the Program uses a process of examination and competency-based assessment, which is consistent and measured against world best practice standards.

There are three levels of certification (Foundation, Practitoner and Professional), each tested in a different way, and each requiring a minimum level of experience. Over 4,600 APMP members are certified at the APMP-Foundation Level. Over 460 members are certified at the Practitioner Level. Nearly 100 professionals are certified at the Professionals Level.

To maintain certification, members are required to participate in a continuing professional development program, earning CEU (continuing education unit) credits in accordance with defined standards. The number of units required depends on the level of accreditation.

The APMP has worked with industry to define a comprehensive competency for bid and proposal professionals. This has included working with the Center for Business Development Excellence (CBDE) to define the competency standards required to achieve best practice in business development.

External links

• Association of Proposal Management Professionals
• APMP Carolinas -- The Carolinas Chapter
• APMP Nor'easters -- The New England Chapter
• APMP DACH Region -- The Germany Austria Switzerland Chapter
• APMP UK -- The UK Chapter

References