In this issue:
- Mentor-Protégé Program Summit
- America's Seed Fund SBIR.STTR
- Navy Releases Small Business Guide
- The HUBZone Program: Is It Right For You?
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What Clients Say About Their APEX Accelerator | |
"There is no better advocate, resource, enabler, but more importantly - partner for small businesses working to bring solutions to the warfighter. I cannot say enough about the commitment to not only the Nation's defense, but to ensuring the success and long-term growth of our company. No better partner - period." -- Anchor Systems, LLC |
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Mentor-Protégé Program Summit | |
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Hosted by the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), this four-day event - starting on July 29 in downtown Detroit (MI) - is an opportunity to immerse yourself in learning and networking opportunities while building partnerships and strengthening resilience in the defense industrial base. Aligned with OSBP’s mission, the annual Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Summit offers practical growth opportunities for small businesses through education, networking, and collaboration. Engage in discussions, workshops, and keynote speeches by government, industry, and academia experts.
Registration starts at $595. For more information, click here.
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Small companies are invited to meet with large businesses and mentors for 1:1 Networking sessions during the July MPP Summit. During these sessions, small businesses can request 10-minute meetings with a curated list of large businesses, mentors, potential mentors, DoD agencies, and industry partners. The format allows for focused discussions and the exploration of potential collaborations.
To apply to attend these networking sessions (you must register for the Summit first), click here.
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For those wishing to make the most of their networking efforts at the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Summit - especially if you are accepted to participate in the 1:1 Networking event - we highly recommend attending our no-cost, one-hour "What's Your Strategy" webinar. We'll cover various aspects of networking, including elevator pitch, capability statements, the System for Award Management (SAM) and the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), market research, website/social media, follow-up and more.
Six sessions of this class are available; choose one here.
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America's Seed Fund SBIR.STTR | |
ARPA-H SBIR solicitation is to be released any day. The scope will include multiple topic areas that aim to rapidly achieve better health outcomes across patient populations, communities, diseases, and health conditions. See the pre-solicitation here for a full listing of topics. |
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Army released open topics in June, and will begin receiving proposals on August 13.
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The NOFOs for the PHS 2024-2 Omnibus Solicitations of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant applications are expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected first application due date in September 2024. For more information, see here. |
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Navy Releases Small Business Guide | |
The HUBZone Program: Is It Right For You? | |
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The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones. It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition. Joining the HUBZone program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. HUBZone-certified businesses also get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions.
Go to https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program#id-program-benefits to learn more about the program including benefits of the program, program qualifications, application instructions, and find the HUBZone map to determine if you are located at a qualified address.
Your APEX Accelerator can assist with the certification process and if you work with us, your application will be moved to the top of the application pile so contact us for no-cost assistance.
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Our federal and state governments seem to buy everything under the sun! This section highlights unique government purchases that may surprise you.
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The Department of Defense is seeking a small business to "provide shipping and storage container[s]" in Warren, MI. Who knew!?
The mission of the Department of Defense "is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security."
Learn more about the their mission at: https://www.defense.gov/.
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NW Michigan APEX Accelerator Training | |
DCAA Pricing Series, Part 1
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) are excited to partner with the DCAA in their monthly training series. Part 1 of the Pricing Series includes Elements of an Adequate Proposal and Cost and Price Analysis for Small Business.
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. Join experts from DCAA as they discuss the requirements of these proposal packages set forth in FAR Part 15 and DFARS 252.215-7009. The training will walk participants through all the proposal cost elements, including direct labor, material, subcontracts, ODCs, and indirect rates. The DCAA will also discuss how the agency determines the adequacy of your proposal submission. Additionally, the DCAA will provide examples of budgeting practices using historical data considerations, examples of adequacy non-compliances, and regulatory resources to assist with proposal development.
Cost and Price Analysis is often a tricky topic for small businesses. The DCAA will go over the requirements of cost versus price analysis and when one (or both) is required. The DCAA will define the FAR requirements for “Certified Cost or Pricing Data” and what is the FAR requirement for “Data Other Than Certified.” Practices for both cost and price analysis will also be discussed.
No fee to attend, but registration is required.
July 10, 2024
2pm - 4pm EDT
Webinar
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DCAA Pricing Series, Part 2
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) are excited to partner with the DCAA in their monthly training series. Part 2 of the Pricing Series includes Indirect Costs and Rates and Monitoring Subcontracts.
Not sure how to build your indirect rates? Experts from DCAA will define direct versus indirect costs, what general indirect rate structures look like, and the relationship between indirect pools and bases. Additionally, the DCAA will discuss the life cycle of indirect rates, then build example indirect rates using the four-step method in allocating indirect costs to Government Contracts.
Confused about what your requirements as a prime contractor are when it comes to your selection and oversite of your subcontracts? The DCAA will provide information about navigating through the world of subcontracting. Discussion will include the documentation of subcontract selections, subcontracting requirements, and the responsibilities of a prime contractor. Additionally, the DCAA will highlight the importance of monitoring subcontracts, what information is required when submitting your annual incurred cost submission, as well as what the subcontractor will need to provide to the prime contractor.
No fee to attend, but registration is required.
August 7, 2024
2pm - 4pm EDT
Webinar
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America's Seed Fund Road Tour
BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting
Join BBCetc and the Michigan State University Research Foundation for this once-a-decade opportunity at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing for a day focused on connecting technology developers with Michigan innovation support programs and with SBIR/STTR program directors across all technology sectors.
The 2024 Seed Fund Road Tour will highlight the largest source of federal early stage technology funding, the SBIR/STTR program also known as America’s Seed Fund. Attendees can also participate in the Michigan Innovation Showcase that features resources from across Michigan that assist technology entrepreneurs.
Program directors from all 11 SBIR/STTR agencies will be on-site for the morning sessions, which include a unique opportunity for companies to meet one-on-one with federal SBIR/STTR officers. The afternoon program will feature resources from across Michigan that support innovation companies.
July 15, 2024
East Lansing, MI
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146th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition
The National Guard Association of the United States
The NGAUS General Conference is the Association’s annual business meeting. Army and Air National Guard officers from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia gather to network, set their legislative agenda and hear from America’s civilian and military leaders. Family members, industry representatives and local officials also attend.
The theme for the conference will be The National Guard: Built to Defend America. The theme makes a statement about who we are, what we do and where we will gather to conduct the business of our association.
Attendees and exhibitors welcome.
August 23-26, 2024
Detroit, MI
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DoD Seeks Info On Critical Technology Fields | |
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The Department of Defense is interested in learning about businesses, including university spin-off and entrepreneurial sole proprietors, working on the US critical and emerging technologies and DOD critical technology areas. Does yours fall in one of these categories?
* Advanced and Networked Sensors, Sensing, and Signature
* Advanced Manufacturing
* Advanced Materials
* Artificial Intelligence
* Biotechnologies
* Communication and Networking Technologies
* Computing and Software (Advanced)
* Cyber and Integrated Sensing
* Directed Energy
* Financial Technologies
* Future Generation Wireless Technology (FutureG)
* Gas Turbine Engine Technologies (Advanced)
* Human-Machine Interfaces
* Hypersonics
If yes, please contact your APEX Accelerator counselor.
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Info on the Defense Production Act Title III | |
Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) provides unique authorities, under which the United States Government (heretofore referred to as the “Government” or “USG”) may provide appropriate incentives to create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore the productive capacities of domestic sources for critical components, critical technology items, and industrial resources essential for the execution of the national security strategy of the United States. The principal objective of all DPA Title III investments is to strengthen and expand these domestic productive capacities and to ensure Government access to critical technology items well into the future. Learn more at https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/dpai/dpat3/docs/DPA-TitleIII-Overview.pdf. | |
Strengthen Your Online Fortress With These Essential Cybersecurity Tips
[1] Use robust passwords and manage them securely with a password manager
[2] Add an extra layer of defense by enabling multi-factor authentication
[3] Stay vigilant against phishing attempts; recognize and report suspicious emails or messages
immediately
[4] Keep your devices shielded by regularly updating software; patches often fix vulnerabilities
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Cybersecurity Support from the Michigan SBDC
The risk for security threats is certainly daunting, but the Michigan SBDC is here to provide valuable guides, consulting, webinars and more to protect your business from hackers. See more on their website.
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Blue Cyber Education Series
The Blue Cyber Education Series for Small Businesses and Academic/Research Institutions
is in its second year and has made over 13K outreach contacts in the U.S. Small Business
ecosystem since April 2021.
Blue Cyber is dedicated to an early partnership with Defense Industrial Base small business contractors and potential contractors to arm them with the latest in cybersecurity best practices.
For more information about Blue Cyber, visit https://www.safcn.af.mil/CISO/Small-Business-Cybersecurity-Information/
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The DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) initiated Project Spectrum as a comprehensive platform to provide no-cost tools and training needed to increase cybersecurity awareness and maintain compliance in accordance with DoD contracting requirements. | |
CyberSmart Grant Program
Operated in partnership with the Economic Growth Institute, the Michigan Defense Center is offering Michigan’s small and medium-sized defense contractors a comprehensive one-stop shop to NIST SP 800-171 compliance to save this nation’s federal supply chain—and your business. If qualified, your business can contract with a pre-approved vendor who will provide expertise to ensure your business complies with updated Department of Defense cybersecurity regulations.
The CyberSmart grant program, conducted in two phases, offers reduced pricing on a gap analysis, in addition to up to $22,500 in cost share grant funding to address identified deficiencies within your business’s IT infrastructure. For more information on the program, please reach out to Project Manager, Brooke Sweeney at brenaes@umich.edu.
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The Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator is a not-for-profit organization helping companies in northwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula successfully obtain and perform under local, state, and federal government contracts. All of our services are provided at no charge.
The Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator is funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
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