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Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Changes -

The DBE program can provide competitive advantages to women and minority-owned businesses that compete on federally funded transportation projects. Last month, the program underwent some important changes.  

  • The Personal Net Worth limit was increased
  • The Personal Net Worth calculation excludes retirement assets and will be routinely adjusted.
  • The overall business size cap increased and will be updated regularly. Firms must also not exceed the size standard for their industry based on the SBA Size Standard.
  • It is nowt easier and quicker for DBEs to get certified in a state other than their “home” state.

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Join APEX Accelerator at the National Contract Management Association’s World Congress which is coming to Seattle July 21-24. This annual training event is expected to draw over 4,000 people and is designed for contract managers, procurement, and acquisition professionals from government and private industry.

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) manages the Statewide Contracts for Washington state agencies. These contracts are also frequently used by local governments and institutions of higher education to procure commonly used goods and services. To see if what you sell is on a statewide contract, click here. To view the 42 upcoming contracts DES has planned in the future, view this link. In the solicitation draft phase are future contracts for forklifts, pest management services, motor vehicles, plumbing parts, security guard services and Medical staffing services. Your Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor can assist with research related to the spending activity on these contracts and support your bid proposal.

Agency Opportunities


24023 – Variable Message Boards Bid Announcement Due 06/10/2024


Notice of Bid Opportunity- RFQQ 2024 0501 – Traffic Count Services – WSDOT Due 06/14/2024


Competitive Solicitation 20240216 Court Reporter and Transcription Services Due 06/14/2024


Subcontracting Notices


BNBuilders North End Outreach SMWBE / UBE Subcontractor Event multiple projects


ABSHER Sound Transit’s Auburn Station Parking and Access Improvements Project

Contact Us

Contact a Government Contracting Specialist today for assistance with all your government contracting questions.

info@washingtonapex.org




Main Center

Thurston EDC

4220 6th Ave.

Lacey, WA 98503

360-860-6945 

 

Administrative Staff

Tiffany Scroggs, Program Manager

Marnie Tyson

Lisa Lagerstrom

Tori Stoner

 

Innovation Station

Kate Hoy

 

Thurston EDC

Grady Smith

Leslie Miller

 

Washington APEX Accelerator in Pierce County

Trena Payton

Maryam Lynch-Tate

 

Sub Centers

Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Cara Buckingham

Mark Johnson

 

Greater Spokane Inc.

Aleesha Roedel

 

Columbia River Economic Development Council

Julia Krivoruk

 

Green River College

Darrell Sundell

Melinda Martirosian


Kitsap Economic Development Alliance  

Mary Jo Juarez

James Davis

Terry Homburg

 

Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce

Maria Alleman

Upcoming SBIR/STTR Releases

Small business innovation research (SBIR) funding is available to small businesses working on cutting-edge technology. Washington APEX Accelerator SBIR Program can provide Phase 0-type assistance to these current releases:

 

·      Department of Defense SBIR 24.2 (or D) – all component agencies – DUE JUNE 12

 

Other Important Links

  • To find all current SBIR releases visit SBIR.gov
  • To find assistance on SBIR in general visit ARC WA

Upcoming Events

Events - Virtual unless otherwise noted


  • Focused Classes 
  • Monthly Meetings
  • Series Courses
  • Tradeshows

Focused Classes

Permits, Business Licensing, and Doing Business with the Government 

6/4/2024       12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The Spokane Valley Chamber, 10808 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA, 99206

Starting a building project, a business, or competing for a government contract are exciting business and entrepreneurial ventures. Making the right decisions at the right time can accelerate your growth and open new doors. Following the right steps and working with the experts can not only streamline the process but increase your chances of success.

 

DoD (Department of Defense) Cybersecurity Requirements (IN PERSON)

6/5/2024       1:30 PM - 4:30 PM  

555 Pacific Ave, #105, Bremerton, WA, 98337

Learn about DoD cybersecurity requirements. After you have taken this class, you will be to differentiate between CMMC and DoD Interim Rule.


Money Smart for Small Business - SBA        

6/11/2024      11:00 AM - 12:00 PM           

The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Justice and Equity's Minority Business and Workforce Division is partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer a "Money Smart for Small Businesses" series. These Sessions will introduce minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small disadvantaged businesses to topics related to strategic organizational and financial small business management tools for government contracting.

 

Using WEBS: WA State's Vendor Portal (IN PERSON)        

6/13/2024      3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

1932 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273

Learn to explore Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) - a WA state vendor portal - to find valuable information about government spending, reports, opportunities, and vendor Searches.

 

How to Attract, Hire, and Retain Talent        

6/18/2024      3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  

What brings the best out of an employee, boosts morale and productivity in the workplace, and helps create equitable prosperity in the community? A Quality Job. In this workshop you will get actionable steps that you can take to improve jobs for your current and future employees. You will also learn about financial resources and support available through WSW’s programs to help you recruit, train, and retain workers.

 

King County Construction Contractor Orientation (External) 2024  

6/20/2024     10:00 AM - 12:00 PM           

During this free online 2-hour session, we will discuss: registering as a King County contractor, opting-in to County rosters, certifying as small firm, how King County implements Architecture & Engineering contracts, what to expect when submitting a proposal to King County, best practices for maximizing your opportunities and E-Procurement Supplier Portal introduction.

 

DoD Cybersecurity Requirements    

6/20/2024     2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 

Learn about the cybersecurity requirements for DoD and other federal contracting. After you have taken this class, you will be to differentiate between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-171.

 

SBIR/STTR Open Office Hours         

6/28/2024     9:00 AM - 10:00 AM            

Each month ARC WA will host an open office hour specifically for innovators seeking federal R&D funding. This is a drop-in as you wish format and is a great way to meet with respected experts in the field and get general questions about R&D funding answered. REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

Monthly Sessions

Contracting Coffee Hour

6/5/2024       8:00 AM - 10:00 AM              

Got contracting questions? We have answers!

 

University of Washington Virtual Workshops for Suppliers

6/6/2024       10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

The orientations will provide a learning opportunity to assist in navigating potential business prospects at the University and with other state agencies, as well as educational and other resources to assist businesses.

 

APEX & SBDC (Small Business Development Center) First Friday Follow-up – June

6/7/2024       12:00 PM - 1:00 PM   

Friday Follow-up is an open forum, round table for businesses to get answers from your local APEX and SBDC Advisors. Bring your questions regarding government contracting and learn from knowledgeable Small Business Experts. Our focus is to share resources for growing your business.

 

APEX: Prime Connect

6/12/2024      8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

A structured matchmaking event for Primes and Subcontractors to connect on future projects.

 

Doing Business with the state – DES

6/20/2024     3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

On the third Thursday of the month, the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) facilitates an interactive conversation with state procurement professionals who can provide information and insight on how to do business with the state.      

Series Courses

DCAA Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series (Part II)     

6/5/2024       11:00 AM - 12:30 PM  

The National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) and your local APEX Accelerator Program are excited to announce the upcoming DCAA Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series. Part 2 of the Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series includes Audits Under the SBIR/STTR Programs from a DCAA Perspective and Accounting System Requirements.

 

What is the 8(a) Business Development Program and am I an Eligible Applicant? - SBA

6/13/2024      10:00 AM - 12:00 PM       

6/20/2024     10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

6/27/2024     9:00 AM -11:00 AM

We invite you to discover the "nuts & bolts" of SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program through the 8(a) Business Development Program Readiness Training Series. We provide you with the tools that you need to expand your business’s federal footprint with the 8(a) BD program.

 

SBA Wednesday Webinar - 8(a) Business Development Program  

6/19/2024      10: 00 AM - 11:00 AM     

Wednesday Webinars with SBA Seattle is an ongoing series of free, virtual, webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. Join us to learn about the 8(a) Business Development Program, program eligibility, and benefits of certification.

Tradeshows and Networking

Virtual Industry Day - Veterans Affairs Direct Access Program     

6/5/2024       6:00 AM - 9:30 AM 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Mission Support (OMS), supported by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will host a virtual industry day highlighting opportunities for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and other small and disadvantaged businesses that seek to do business with OMS. Participants will learn about the OMS mission and priorities, and understand the requirements, best practices, and expectations of doing business with the organization.          

 

Pierce County Thriving Together Resource Event   

6/6/2024       8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

LeMay - Pierce County Refuse, 4111 192nd St E, Tacoma, WA, 98446

Make local connections, learn from local experts. Join us at the Pierce County Community Navigator Thriving Together event on June 6 at the LeMay - Pierce County Refuse in Frederickson! Connect with fellow small business owners, gain insights from industry experts, and ignite your entrepreneurial spirit. Do not miss this opportunity to network, learn, and grow together. RSVP at PierceCountyWA.gov/Thriving.

 

2024 ID SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING SYMPOSIUM 

6/11/2024      7:15 AM - 4:00 PM  

BSU Student Building, 1700 W University Dr, Boise, ID, 83706

You are invited to participate in Idaho's largest reverse vendor tradeshow. With over 250 business owners expected to attend this event, the ISBCS will provide your agency or company with experienced contractors and subcontractors alike. Register for a booth today!

 

2024 Aviation Industry Day  

6/11/2024      1:00 PM -4:30 PM   

17801 International Blvd, Seattle, WA, 98158

Join us for the biggest PortGen event of the year to increase WMDBE and small business participation on Port Aviation projects by providing you information on upcoming construction and architecture & engineering projects. Project presentations will be followed by a 2-hour networking event where WMDBE and small firms will meet the biggest primes in the construction and A&E fields to begin conversations about the potential to team up for those Port opportunities.

 

2024 USDOT IT Industry Day

6/18/2024      6:30 AM - 12:30 PM

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) would like to invite you to participate in the 2024 USDOT IT Industry Day. The event's purpose is to educate small and disadvantaged businesses on future IT business opportunities and to engage with decision makers. USDOT subject matter experts will be providing an overview of USDOT IT programs, upcoming contract opportunities, and existing mandatory use vehicles. Small business attendees also can network and meet with USDOT representatives during the USDOT Connections MarketPlace platform

 

North Puget Sound Contracting Conference

11/7/2024      10:00 PM - 3:00 PM            

Edward D. Hansen Conference Center, Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett, WA, 98201

Showcase your organization at the largest business-to-government conference in the North Puget Sound Region. Access panel discussions, industry forecasts, networking opportunities, and matchmaking!  

 

Meet the BIGS! Doing Business with the Government 2024          

11/20/2024    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

Northern Quest Resort and Casino, 100 N Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, WA, 99001

Are you a small business owner wanting to SELL to the government or SUBCONTRACT to large prime contractors? If so, come MEET THE BIGS! You will have the chance to network with the largest government purchasers in our area, like Fairchild Air Force Base and the US Forest Service, as well as large prime contractors doing millions of dollars of work with the government every year.

Govology classes, live and on-demand, are Free for Washington APEX clients – contact your APEX counselor for access. Click here for the list of Govology this month’s live classes. 

 

Recorded webinars available 

APEX Calendar