Navigating the Cliff: Higher Education's New Reality
by: Michelle WarrenPublished on: 19/02/2026Navigating the Cliff: Higher Education's New Reality In a recent Catalyst Conversations,, Michelle Warren and Dan Conaty of Catalyst Consulting Group sat down with Kelsey White, Director of National Accounts for OMNIA Partners, to discuss the seismic shifts currently reshaping higher education. As institutions prepare for the "enrollment cliff," the furniture industry must adapt to a landscape where flexibility, "vibe," and strategic procurement are no longer optional—they are essential for survival.
The $100,000 Question: How the Micro-Purchase Threshold is About to Change Everything in Federal Contracting
by: Michelle WarrenPublished on: 13/11/2025In a recent discussion, our team—led by Michelle Warren and featuring former GSA Chief of Integrated Marketing Robin Zickgraf and Catalyst's Ryan Hay—dove into the monumental, often-overlooked federal Micro-Purchase Threshold (MPT). The MPT dictates the ceiling for simplified acquisition, allowing government agencies to bypass red tape and make quick, credit card-based purchases. This seemingly small detail has an enormous impact: "There are over 500,000 transactions annually that are done under this micro-purchase threshold”, accounting for "$18 billion in annual federal spending" (Michelle Warren). For the furniture industry alone, Michelle estimates that "$240 million in furniture today" is done under these guidelines, a number poised to grow significantly.
Expanding Opportunities: Selling to the Non-Profit Market Through Cooperative Contracts
by: Michelle WarrenPublished on: 20/10/2025This month, special guest Corey Imhoff with OMNIA Partners joined us as we dove into a critical topic for expanding your sales: selling to the non-profit market using cooperative contracts. Many organizations in this space operate on tight budgets and with lean teams, making them a prime audience for the efficiency and savings offered by cooperative contracts. Understanding the Non-Profit Market It's important to differentiate between non-profit and not-for-profit. While both do not distribute profits to owners, their missions and structures differ. Non-profit organizations serve the public good. They include charities, educational institutions, religious groups, and hospitals. Revenue earned is reinvested directly into their mission. Non-profits can have paid staff and often have tax-exempt status under the IRS 501(c)(3) code, allowing them to accept tax-deductible donations.
