February 2023

A Note from the Program Manager

Greetings! Wow! It’s February. For those of us in Arizona this year, February means preparing for the huge influx of visitors to our great state. With the Super Bowl LVII in Glendale and the Waste

Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, we will be buzzing with activity!

Is your company contracted with a city, county, or state government for these events? We want to hear about it! Send us your stories! Please email them to Amanda Howard at amanda.howard@domail.maricopa.edu. We may highlight you and your company on our website, social media, and newsletters. We can’t wait to read all about your success! Reminder: as an active AZ APEX client, you receive an awards survey from us every quarter. Don’t forget to enter any award, this includes state and local governments and subcontracts, you’ve received when you get our survey.

Speaking of success, since the beginning of our contract year in September, our clients have received almost $57 million in contract awards. AZ APEX applauds your tireless effort on your proposals for your awards! Congratulations and keep up the hard work!

February is also National Black History Month. We recognize and celebrate all the achievements Black small business owners have contributed to our state.

We are planning many workshops in the next few months. Be sure to check our events calendar on our website often as we are always adding new events! Don’t miss out! I highly encourage all our new clients to attend our Feb. 9th Intro to Government Contracting webinar. Learn the basics of contracting with the state, local, and federal governments.

Our transition to the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs continues. I’m sure you have noticed our updated logo and language throughout our communications have changed to identify us as Arizona APEX Accelerator. We have a new name, but our service to our clients remains the same.

If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your counselor. We are here to help you succeed in the government marketplace!

We wish you a most successful February.

Lori Haozous

Interim Program Manager

Offices Closed

Client Highlights

IOI Construction received its 8(a) certification. The company's counselor is Nichole Jackson.

Mercurio Analytics received their Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) certification. The company's counselor is Nichole Jackson.

Fortitude Consulting LLC received its 8(a) certification. The company's counselor is Casandra Martinez.

M and A Painting and Drywall received their HUBZone certification. The company's counselor is Robert "Bob" Mucci.

Safety Health and Environmental Consulting, LLC received its WOSB certification. The company's counselor is Robert "Bob" Mucci.

Small Business News

SBA Releases Preview of New HUBZone Maps Effective

July 1, 2023

HUBZone contractors have been anxiously awaiting updates to the HUBZone maps. In 2021, SBA extended the “freeze” on the HUBZone maps until June 30, 2023, to provide enough time to update the maps based on the 2020 Census results.

SAM.GOV PRO TIP

System for Award Management (SAM)

SAM.gov is experiencing a high volume of issues due to the Entity Validation and the website is updating on a daily basis.

Review time will depend on whether the EVS team can make a match from your original document submission or if they need to request additional documentation.

The validation process is a critical piece of the federal awards ecosystem. It prevents improper payments, and procurement fraud, and helps ensure the integrity of government contracts and grants processes, representing trillions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year.

SAM.gov uses an entity validation service (EVS) to independently verify the existence and uniqueness of an entity.

Validation is required when you:

register an entity
renew your entity registration each year
get a Unique Entity ID, and
update or change your entity’s legal business name or physical address

Every entity must validate with the EVS provider’s databases and data sources, even if you had an active registration.

Arizona PTAC can assist you and your business with Entity validation & SAM registration.

If you are a current client, reach out to your primary counselor.
If you are interested in receiving our services, go to our website for New Client Info - https://azptac.com/are-you-ready/

PTAC Tip:

If you have an expiring registration, start your renewal at least 30-60 days prior to the expiration date. This will help prevent your registration from expiring should there be any issues with your renewal.

Your procurement specialist is here to help! Contact them or call 623-845-4700.

Upcoming Workshops