In this issue:
- Marco Barberini New APEX Regional Director
- Northern Initiatives' U.P. Business Plan Cohort
| | What Clients Say About Their APEX Accelerator | | "From the help received when we are clueless about something to the checking in and supplying us with bids and jobs that are available, this APEX Accelerator has been so helpful and continues to open more and more doors for us. As a small business looking to ‘get out there’ for Government jobs, we are very happy we have the APEX Accelerator’s help." - SGS Contracting and Environmental LLC |
| Marco Barberini New APEX Regional Director | | |
Marco Barberini recently returned to our team and will be assuming the Regional Director role for our organization starting April 1, 2025. Previous to January of 2024, he served as a Procurement Counselor, where he adroitly displayed his ability to connect with clients and navigate the complexities of government contracting at all levels. While with our organization, Marco also chaired our statewide APEX Accelerator committee for information technology. We gladly welcome him back and look forward to the work ahead.
Cathy Fairbanks will step down from the Regional Director role at that time, a role she has ably served in for more than a decade. During Cathy’s tenure as Director, she received the Women In Defense (WID) Michigan Chapter Horizon Industry Award for 2018, served as Vice President and then President of the Procurement Technical Assistant Centers (PTACs) of Michigan, and oversaw local rebranding efforts for the national organization from PTACs to APEX Accelerators. We’re also glad to announce that Cathy will remain with us in the foreseeable future as a Sr. Procurement Counselor.
Finally, Procurement Counselor Chris Kangas has accepted an expanded role as Upper Peninsula Program Representative. He'll serve as our front-line contact for public and private entities in the U.P., promoting our program and expanding our contacts in that area.
|
| Northern Initiatives' U.P. Business Plan Cohort | | Northern Initiatives - a provider of capital, resources, coaching and tools to small businesses across our state - is offering a five-week Business Plan Cohort to entrepreneurs in the Upper Peninsula. Offered on Tuesday evenings beginning April 8, this comprehensive program offers participants the tools and guidance they need to develop a solid business plan, crucial for securing funding, refining business strategies, and ensuring long-term success.
To register, go to https://northerninitiatives.org/business-support/intake-form/?EventType=UP Cohort, or contact Jody Lindberg at jlindberg@northerninitiatives.org. |
| NW Michigan APEX Accelerator Training | | |
ERDCWERX Tech Transition (Spin-In) for Developers and Innovators
Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator
As APEX Accelerators are encouraged to support small businesses in pursuit of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and other opportunities with the federal government, we would like to introduce ERDCWERX—government partner of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).
ERDCWERX, an innovation hub of DEFENSEWERX, provides a streamlined path to collaboration and contracting with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). ERDCWERX events, tech challenges, and other opportunities make it easier and faster for innovators to propose solutions for consideration by ERDC. As a result of the ERDCWERX partnership with ERDC, a growing number of contracts and agreements are being awarded to industry and academia.
During the session, you'll learn about:
• U.S. Army ERDC and its focus areas
• Tech challenges, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and other opportunities for small businesses to collaborate with ERDC
• Licensing ERDC technology
• Ways to receive project announcements
Co-sponsored by the Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators (MAAA). No fee to attend, but registration is required.
April 23, 2025
9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Webinar
| | | |
Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) Overview
Macomb Regional APEX Accelerator
Join Macomb Regional APEX Accelerator in collaboration with the Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators and subject matter expert Ian Patterson as we discuss Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence.
Driven by concerns about Russia and China gaining access to classified information or technology through contractors, this decade has seen the expansion of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) reporting and mitigation efforts. The objective of FOCI regulations is to prevent foreign actors from obtaining sensitive information by controlling the operations of federal contractors through ownership.
In this presentation, Ian will provide an overview of FOCI regulations and walk through some of the specified mitigation strategies.
Co-sponsored by the Michigan Alliance of APEX Accelerators (MAAA). No fee to attend, but registration is required.
April 29, 2025
9am - 10:30am EDT
Webinar
| | | |
Government Contracting 101
Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator
Selling goods or services to the federal government can open the door to many opportunities for small businesses and can aid in their company’s growth. However, selling to the government is different than selling to entities in the commercial sector. It can be complicated, frustrating, and overwhelming to a businesses’ resources.
This webinar goes over the basics of government contracting. It is oriented toward the newcomer to the government marketplace and is also a worthwhile refresher for those already selling to the government. We will discuss the basics of government contracting, differences between government and commercial selling, tips for being a successful government supplier, and where to go for assistance.
No fee to attend, but registration is required.
May 14, 2025
1pm - 2:30pm EDT
Webinar
| | |
DCAA Monthly Training Series
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
The Defense Contract Audit Agency, along with Northwest Michigan APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX), host a monthly webinar on a rotating series of topics, as listed below. These two-hour events all begin at 2pm on the date listed.
April 2: Intro to DCAA and Audit Process Overview and Breaking Into GovCon from a DCAA Perspective. In this class, you'll learn about the various types of audits performed throughout the acquisition lifecycle and will hear an overview of DCAA’s audit process and some common communications contractors will experience throughout the audit. Participants will learn the importance of adequate assertions, scheduling entrance and exit conferences, communicating throughout the audit, auditor site visits and requests for information. To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OLC64P-XRIO4i7q7BNihRA#/registration
May 14: DCAA Pricing Series, Part 1, including Elements of an Adequate Proposal and Cost and Price Analysis for Small Business. 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. To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RuRyHTylQVCMujNuO9EP2Q#/registration
No fee to attend, but registration is required.
| | |
AeroDef 2025
AeroDef Manufacturing
AeroDef Manufacturing® brings together the most influential stakeholders committed to advancing the aerospace and defense industries, delivering world-class education and unmatched networking opportunities. This year's event will be held in Detroit, a hub for advanced manufacturing. Event highlights include technical presentations from aerospace and defense experts, technology exhibits, small group sessions and opportunities to network. And be sure to stop by the APEX Knowledge Bar and hang out with APEXers from across the state to learn more about the program and how to be successful in the government marketplace!
April 8-10, 2025
Detroit, MI
| | |
Innovation - Government, Industry
& Academia Collaboration
| | |
The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a significant change regarding the posting of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding opportunities. Effective immediately, the website www.defensesbirsttr.mil will no longer host solicitations, documents, and instructions.
Moving forward, all solicitation documents and instructions, including those from past solicitations, will be accessible exclusively through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP), www.dodsbirsttr.mil. For complete details and to view all relevant documentation, visit the DSIP Solicitation Documents & Instructions page. This resource will serve as your one-stop shop for all DoD SBIR/STTR funding information.
|
| The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Planning has released innovation pathways for business & industry, students & academia (including internships, grants, scholarships and research opportunities), and for the warfighter. Learn More. |
| The National Science Foundation (NSF) has introduced a Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) offering to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies. This program aims to streamline the funding process for promising small businesses and startups engaged in cutting-edge research and development. Learn More. |
| |
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Patents and Patent Applications are Available for Licensing.
ERDC continually develops innovations to benefit the Army and the Nation’s needs. ERDC’s Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), along with its Partnership Intermediaries, are tasked with helping industry benefit from these inventions by widely disseminating the technologies for incorporation back into military application and/or broader non-military use. To protect the Government’s interests, the technologies are patented, marketed, and licensed to partners for commercial applications.
Many of ERDC’s patents and patent applications are available for licensing. Learn more at https://www.erdcwerx.org/erdc/.
|
| DoD Seeks Info On Critical Technology Fields | | |
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
- Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
- Microelectronics and Semiconductors
- Nuclear Energy Technologies (Advanced)
- Quantum Science including Quantum Information Technologies
- Renewable Energy Generation and Storage
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- Space Technologies and Systems
If yes, please contact your APEX Accelerator counselor.
| | 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. | |
Small Business Cybersecurity Information
The DAF CISO's Blue Cyber Education Series for Small Businesses and Academic/Research Institutions is in its third year and has made over 20K outreach contacts in the U.S. Small Business ecosystem since April 2021. This program 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: https://www.dafcio.af.mil/CISO/Small-Business-Cybersecurity-Information/
| |
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
| |
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.
| | |
As a part of Project Spectrum’s ongoing mission to educate the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) on cybersecurity best practices, their team is excited to announce a “refresh” of the Project Spectrum web portal, ProjectSpectrum.io. This iteration of the Project Spectrum website will better inform visitors of the myriad tools and resources available to them at no cost through the Project Spectrum platform.
Upon visiting the site, users will now be presented with a wheel of options to choose from, ranging from background on the different types of data their companies may process, the CMMC compliance standard, information specific to manufacturers, and more.
| |
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, go to: https://economicgrowth.umich.edu/michigan-defense-cybersmart-program/.
| | |
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.
| | | | |
