About APEX

What is an APEX Accelerator/ PTAC?

APEX Accelerator, formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), advises businesses on how to win government contracts and subcontracts. The one-on-one technical assistance includes bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance, small business certifications, and more. APEX Accelerators and PTACs also hosts procurement training classes and seminars, and helps businesses register with the correct databases in order to compete for government contracts.

Washington APEX Accelerator assists businesses through the government-contracting marketplace. Washington APEX Accelerator’s mission is to increase the number of government contracts awarded to Washington firms so that those firms can grow. We provide no cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

With the help of Washington APEX Accelerator, Washington State companies are awarded $300 million in government contracts each year. When you become a client of Washington APEX Accelerator you gain access to experienced counselors who can help you navigate the maze of government contracting. Our services are free as are most of our events and workshops. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a client go here.

Funding

The Thurston Economic Development Council, which serves as a APEX Accelerator, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement from the Department of Defense (DOD). The content of any written materials or verbal communications of the APEX Accelerator, does not necessarily reflect the official views or imply endorsement by DOD or DLA.

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

www.apexaccelerators.us

Additional funding comes from the Thurston Economic Development Council and non-profit organizations that house APEX Accelerator locations. APEX Accelerator counseling services are offered at no cost to Washington businesses.

2023/2024 APEX Annual Report – Statewide

Not In Washington State?

Contact the APEX Accelerator/ PTAC serving your state by going to www.napex.us or www.apexaccelerators.us

Have Feedback?

The APEX Accelerator program manager welcomes feedback at any time at programmanager@washingtonapex.org. You are also invited to share feedback directly with our funding agency partner at this link.

Our [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] and every person we have the pleasure to talk to has been over the top AMAZING. If they don't know the answer they put through the effort to find out. We as a company would be nowhere near advanced without them. Thank you for making this available!!!!

I have personally benefited from the BidMatch Apex Service with daily opportunities emailed to me. The best service ever is the personal interaction with counselors and online video / on-demand Govology.com instruction and training. A personal shout out to [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisors] . Thank you.

We're grateful for the [Washington APEX Accelerator] commitment to helping small businesses like ours find their way to government sales opportunities. We learn smart new methods every time we interact with [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] - she has saved us hours of time by keeping it real and showing us exactly what we needed to do to be successful. [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] knowledge of government contracting options is exemplary, and the [Washington APEX Accelerator] regional network is extensive and encouraging.

I tried for three years to do it on my own and ended up with two Dunn and Bradstreet names, paying a company to “complete my application which turned out to be a scam” and then not being able to log on as my email address was already in the system. In 1 hour the [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] cleared up everything and I was good to go.

"Working with Apex advisor/mentor has greatly exposed and improved my knowledge on market research, doing business with the government and over government lingua.

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] is excellent to work with. Always helpful and knowledgeable on going through the process. I feel she has the best interest of her clients!!

"I called for assistance, desperate because I had used all my other options. I received individual assistance twice to complete the issue. He used the screen sharing to see exactly what the next step was. He saved my governmental life, as that was what I needed to qualify. Thanks! for doing what you do!

I wouldn't have ever been able to get through the SAM.gov application process without [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] help.

Through many meeting and conversations/communications with [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] we were able to update and complete all the required compliance needed to submit a valid proposal. [Her] also assisted with the development of the proposal language and presentation as well as providing assistance with the government IPP payments processes. She was a key player and great help from the start to finish of our procurement process.

Apex counselors have been wonderful and helping me do business with the government. I would have never known how to best prepare and win jobs.

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] has been very helpful in guiding my business. I have been able to resolve many problems working with [her].

Thank You For Your Help And Support[Washington APEX Accelerator] !

Thanks to [Washington APEX Accelerator], I was able to get HUBZone certification for my business and understand some of the ins and outs of government contracting. I can't speak highly enough of the work the knowledgeable Government Contracting Assistance Specialist did for me, with patience, good humor, and efficiency. I'm in a much better place to win government contracts because of the assistance I've received from [Washington APEX Accelerator].

My company applied for Hubzone certification. It was a difficult process that got delayed by Covid and a change in personnel, requiring me to start over from scratch. I could not have done the Hubzone process without the help of my APEX Accelerator. I recently won a sub contract from a vendor with a grant from HUD. They found me on SAM. Estimated value is 1.4 million over 4 years. Well worth the effort. Thank you APEX Accelerators!

As a professional navigating the intricate world of government contracting and certifications, I have often found myself overwhelmed by its complexity. In this challenging journey, [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] has been an unwavering source of support and guidance. Her expertise and willingness to assist with all my inquiries have significantly eased my path, directing me with clarity. [Her] dedication to aiding clients through the convoluted processes is commendable, and I am immensely grateful for her invaluable assistance. Her profound knowledge and patient approach make her an asset to anyone seeking guidance.

As a very small business (under 30 employees) that won a subcontract for an EPA project, we were required to provide documentation to the Prime Contractor that was very extensive and difficult to navigate. Also, and more problematic, was the mandatory update to our SAM account that took 3 weeks, and 3 repeat visits to an attorney to notarization the same document. SAM required small changes, such as "don't use the word suite, use the word Ste. instead" and would not accept the doc without that change. [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] patiently called SAM directly for help and we were given three different directions by three different customer service reps. Without [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] experience and patience in directing me, click-by-click, there is absolutely NO way that I would have been able to finally succeed.

[Washington APEX Accelerator] has provided guidance and services that have benefited our disadvantaged business in many ways. We are grateful for their help and often refer to them with questions or when needing to be pointed in the right direction.

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] was able to get me through all the government hoops and renew my USDA fire contracts which I had been fighting with for months

I have been a federal contractor in the past, but let my registration lapse, and then formed an LLC. I found it very difficult to transition to a new entity operating as an LLC. I made numerous calls to the federal help desk, but was not able to complete my registration. [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] was able to get me past the impasse.

Without the help of APEX Accelerator we would not have been able to navigate the process in order to complete our registration. Professional and patient assistance!

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] is helping me and numerous other Viper vendors with solutions and contract problems. Her knowledge of the system Have an available list to apply and correct deficiencies in an expeditious manner.

I didn't know what I was doing when I started my business, or rather, I didn't know what I was capable of. [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisors] met with me multiple times to help explain all of the opportunities available to me and gave me the knowledge and tools to get my disabled veteran and hub zone SBA certifications in just a few months. [She] has also been hosting training for the upcoming bridge project to help prepare the local veteran businesses to compete for those contracts. Beyond that, [she] helped point out that another local business had the same logo as my company because the designer was engaging in unethical practices. While it sucked, it was good to find out so early and that was entirely thanks to her.

I worked with [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] in the past years being as a Client with [Washington APEX Accelerator] and she was able to assist me in getting my Duns Number and Cage Code to be able to register in SAM to get Government Contracts with Government Entities in future.

I have been working with [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] now and he is help me to make sure that all my papers is well completed.

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] was an incredible help to our firm learning about informative classes, online videos, and general questions when I had them. Even tho she is not the Vancouver, WA current contact she always took time to answer questions and help. She has been invaluable to our firm.

The knowledge of the two great mentors I have had on a one on one basis. This has been very important and each time I meet with one, or attend an event I have a take away that will help my firm in the marketing with agencies. Thanks you guys,

The Washington APEX Accelerator is one of the most valuable sources for genuine help so that small businesses understand how to sell goods and services to U.S. Governments. I urge all small and diverse firms to learn how to best access the PTAC/APEX Accelerator capacity-building services.

I found excellent support from the [Washington APEX Accelerator] Thurston EDC

Washington APEX Accelerator helped our company so much throughout the contract process. I learn so much on each call. Just having someone explain the terminology and process in plain English is priceless.

As a person with a unique niche, I was on the fence about deciding if I should apply for small business certification. After talking with my APEX mentor, I decided to go for it. It was explained that even though my business was geared towards a specific market, there was a place for me. The classes were so helpful when applying for my small business designation. In addition, my APEX mentor was patient and a great cheerleader as I moved forward through the process.

Washington [APEX Accelerator] has been a transformational partner for my sewn manufacturing business. All the books, blog posts, and YouTube videos will NEVER replace a [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor]. My [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] has given me confidence in presenting our capabilities to local and national organizations who are thankfully focused on US Manufacturing. The learning curve was steep at times, but knowing [Washington APEX Accelerator] has the resources to assist has made all the difference. I hope all small business owners will connect with this incredible resource that helps grow our local economies.

The [Washington] APEX Accelerator team have been amazing especially my [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor]. He is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

Washington [APEX Accelerator] offers critical support to regional businesses and serves clients with a heart for excellence.

[Washington APEX Accelerator] are very helpful and educational giving clear descriptions regarding not so clear tasks. They go through a step-by-step process in multiple categories to help individuals understand all aspects in business with state, federal and local jobs, from contracts to bids and everything in between. Highly recommend enrolling into the program.

I started my business almost 10 years ago. Thanks to [Washington APEX Accelerator], I registered my business properly in SAMS at the onset (this is not something one could easily do without guidance!) and have gradually been awarded a number of federal government contracts: US Navy, VA, Dept of Homeland Security, HUD, EPA, Dept of Justice, and the Air Force. I could not have won these had I not learned from [Washington APEX Accelerator] how to understand the process and contracts. [Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] has been an invaluable resource to me over the last 10 years. His advice has always been excellent.

[Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor] is the reason I’m a business owner. Thanks to all of her dedication and commitment to me. She’s smart, knowledgeable and extremely kind and patient. She’s the best!!

Thank you for the customized, high-quality counseling. APEX saves a lot of time by pointing me to appropriate resources and sharing insights on procurement and contracting that I'd otherwise learn through making costly mistakes.

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About APEX

What is an APEX Accelerator/ PTAC?

Funding

2023/2024 APEX Annual Report – Statewide

Not In Washington State?

Have Feedback?

Contact Washington APEX Accelerator

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