To support transportation firms, the Tennessee APEX Accelerator hosted the highly successful Transportation Opportunities Conference on July 25, 2023. Recognizing the importance of the valuable insights shared during the event, we are now offering a recording of the conference on-demand for those who were unable to attend. This recording provides attendees with essential knowledge on finding an agency’s forecast and offers detailed guidance on how to do business with key government entities such as the U.S. Postal Service, USTRANSCOM, Sysco, TDOT/MDOT, FEMA, and MATA. By accessing this on-demand content, participants can gain critical information that can help them navigate the complexities of government contracting in the transportation sector.

Your local APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) are excited to announce the upcoming DCAA Pricing Series, including Elements of an Adequate Proposal and Indirect Costs and Rates. Proposals are contractor prepared packages made in response to government solicitations and include the contractor’s budgeted costs for the projected period of performance of the solicitation.  Experts from DCAA will discuss the requirements of these proposal packages set forth in FAR Part 15 and DFARS 252.215-7009.  The training will walk participants through proposal cost elements, including direct labor, material, subcontracts, ODCs, and indirect rates. 

LOCATION: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library - Memphis Public Library 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38111

Are you ready to elevate your business with government certifications but need guidance on where to begin? This comprehensive workshop is designed to guide you through the process of SBA certification and SAM.gov registration, giving you the tools you need for success in government contracting. Join us for an in-depth session to learn the essential requirements, benefits of certification, and step-by-step guidance on creating a SAM.gov profile to establish your business with federal agencies. We’ll cover practical strategies for navigating application portals, meeting eligibility criteria, and accessing resources that support your certification journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to set your business up for success!

LOCATION: New Hope Center 602 Scarboro Road #602, Oak Ridge TN 37830

Sponsored by the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Interested in doing business with the government or growing business in the governmental marketplace?

This is your opportunity to gain valuable insights about doing business with Y-12, ORNL, UCOR, and other prime contractors. Hear about forecasted contract opportunities, connect with decision makers and technical assistance providers, learn about access to capital, and network with exhibitors. 

In this class, you will learn some of the steps involved in the government procurement process and gain an understanding of key elements that contribute to procurement readiness.

This course covers how to develop a list of target customers, how to use several tools and databases for market research, how to find procurement forecasts, and some basic proposal writing tips.

Unlock new business horizons by mastering the Build America Buy America Act! This legislation mandates that federally-funded infrastructure projects prioritize American-made products, fostering a competitive advantage for domestic manufacturers. Our webinar aims to equip manufacturers with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the intricacies of the Act, ensuring they can effectively position themselves in the marketplace.

A capability statement is a concise document that outlines an organization's core competencies, qualifications, and experience. Capability statements are often required when bidding for government contracts, and they help potential clients or partners quickly assess the capabilities of a company. An elevator pitch is a concise and compelling overview of a product, service, idea, or individual, delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator—usually around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal is to grab the listener's attention and communicate the key points in a clear and engaging manner. It should answer the question: "What do you do and why should I care?"

Learn about tips to keep your business protected from cybersecurity threats. By implementing these cybersecurity awareness practices, small businesses can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats and create a more secure environment for their operations.

Each year, the Federal, State, and Local governments in the U.S. award nearly $5.5 trillion in contracts and subcontracts through the proposal process. In this program, you will gain a thorough understanding of the overall proposal process, along with best practices to enhance your success. You will learn how to develop essential tools such as compliance matrices and outlines, and discover techniques to differentiate your proposals from those of your competitors. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity to have your specific proposal questions answered.

This course explains what constitutes a disaster and how contracts related to disasters are posted and obtained. We will cover strategies to effectively navigate government contracting during emergencies and crises. Participants will learn how to locate and respond to opportunities, meet urgent needs, and align with government priorities in challenging times. For those not already earning government contracts, we will explain what registrations and steps you need to do to be procurement ready and eligible to bid on government contracts.

Attendees will learn how to register with Edison, the system you must register with to be a vendor with the State of Tennessee.

A key aspect of SBA’s All Small Mentor Protégé Program (ASMPP) is the opportunity for mentors and protégés to form joint ventures to bid together on federal contracts and qualify as a small business. As the number of MPP relationships has grown, so too has the use of the ASMPP joint ventures (JV) to pursue opportunities previously out of reach for both parties. Please join Todd Overman, chair of the Government Contracts Practice at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, for an overview of best practices in JV formation, structuring, and growing the MPP relationship.

This webinar gives an overview of the SBIR/STTR Programs.

This webinar gives an overview of SBIR/STTR Phase 1 Proposal Prep.

This webinar will provide an in-depth examination of the evaluation and selection process for government contractors when choosing the appropriate accounting software. In addition, we will discuss critical aspects of the implementation process. The areas covered include conducting a system needs assessment, navigating the software evaluation process, planning and designing the implementation, understanding key factors during the implementation process, and offering post-implementation tips.

For small businesses looking to engage in government contracting, obtaining certain certifications can be beneficial. These certifications often provide businesses with access to set-aside contracts and other opportunities reserved for specific categories of businesses. Certifications covered include those offered through the State of Tennessee (GODBE), 3rd parties, Self-certification (federal level), and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) . Learn about available certifications, eligibility criteria, and assistance available to you. 

From investors to employees to customers, there are a lot of people who can influence your business. Most of the time these relationships improve your business, but sometimes these influences can increase risk for your company. In this session, we'll be discussing risks posed by foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI). A company can be subject to FOCI in various ways and FOCI can have a wide range of consequences. FOCI can affect your ability to obtain government contracts, lead to a loss of key personnel, or provide a vector for unwanted technology transfer. This session will cover the basics of understanding FOCI and how to begin to address FOCI risks.