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September 2026 Newsletter |
| MASSACHUSETTS APEX ACCELERATOR SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER | | |
The Massachusetts APEX Accelerator (MA APEX) is a member of a nationwide network of 90 federally funded APEX Accelerator Centers providing a variety of services to Massachusetts-based businesses of all sizes to help them navigate the complexities of contracting with federal agencies, state purchasing departments, and local governments. MA APEX is a Partner Program of MassMEP. MA APEX services are complimentary to all Massachusetts businesses.
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From the Director's Desk
There's a lot happening in our world right now, and honestly, I love this part of the job. Watching the rules of the game shift and helping our clients get ahead of it instead of scrambling to catch up, that's exactly why this work matters.
If you've been reading the trade press, you've probably seen that SBA published a proposed overhaul of small business size standards on August 20th. It would consolidate size standards down to about 338 thresholds and raise many of them substantially, in some industries by a lot. Comments are due September 21st, so if this affects your NAICS codes, now is the time to look at it. We're watching this closely and will keep you posted as it develops.
On the defense side, new supply chain transparency requirements are also making their way through the system, alongside continued movement on CMMC. If you haven't looked at where your company stands on cybersecurity self-assessment, that's still worth doing regardless of where the Phase 2 audit process lands. Don't wait on this one.
And with the federal fiscal year closing out on September 30th, this is historically a period when agencies are working to obligate remaining funds. If you've got a capability that fits an agency's mission, this is a good few weeks to make sure your profile is current and your outreach is active. Opportunities move fast this time of year.
On a personal note, I'm genuinely excited to be moderating a panel at the New England M.A.D.E. Summit on September 15th, alongside colleagues from MassMEP, the Rhode Island APEX Accelerator, and the SBA Rhode Island District Office. We'll be talking through practical first steps for manufacturers looking to break into defense work. If you're attending, come find me.
This is a great time to be building something in this space. Our team is here to help you do it right. Reach out any time.
Jeff Brant
Director, MA APEX Accelerator
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Small Business Training Series
The DoW Office of Industrial Base Growth (IBG) offers live training sessions and on-demand webinars to help businesses and acquisition professionals better understand IBG programs, resources, and requirements for competing in the defense marketplace and strengthening the defense industrial base.
Training topics include LYNX, Intellectual Property, the Mentor-Protégé Program, Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI), SBIR/STTR, Project Spectrum (cybersecurity), APEX Accelerators, and more.
Explore upcoming live training opportunities below or access recorded webinars anytime through our On-Demand Training library. Registration is required for live sessions, and space may be limited.
Upcoming Industry Training Webinars
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
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SBA and Department of War Launch Smaller War Plants Commission
The SBA and Department of War have launched the Smaller War Plants Commission, established through an August 25, 2026 Memorandum of Understanding, to strengthen the nation's defense industrial base by investing in small business suppliers—which make up more than 70 percent of that base. Named after a World War II-era predecessor whose authorities were folded into the SBA in 1953, the Commission aims to expand American military production capacity by cutting regulations, accelerating innovation, and channeling targeted capital to manufacturers.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth framed the effort as a historic push to rebuild domestic industrial strength and outproduce any adversary. Priority sectors include munitions, drones, microelectronics, critical minerals, and shipbuilding components, with eligible manufacturers able to tap an enhanced 90 percent loan guarantee. The agencies plan to map the industrial base, mobilize capital, and report regularly to the President on supply chain readiness.
Learn More Here!
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Get to Know LYNX: A Simple Way to Explore the Defense Marketplace
LYNX is a digital platform that helps businesses get a clearer picture of the defense marketplace. It brings helpful tools together in one place so companies can check their readiness, figure out next steps, explore market demand, and find opportunities that fit what they do best.
Join one of our upcoming live demo sessions to see LYNX in action and learn how it can help your business:
• See where your company stands and what to focus on next
• Highlight your company, capabilities, and strengths
• Find opportunities that match what your business does best
• Explore markets, trends, and upcoming demand
• Make more confident decisions about where and how to compete
These sessions will give you a closer look at this new digital platform from the Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth and show how LYNX can help businesses take a more focused, practical approach to growing in the defense marketplace.
📅 October 20th and November 10th
⏰ 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
🔗 Reserve your seat:
https://business.defense.gov/Training/
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SBA Ends Race-Based Presumption in 8(a) Program
The SBA finalized a rule removing the automatic presumption of social disadvantage from its 8(a) program for individually owned firms, effective September 10, 2026. Following a 2023 court ruling that found the presumption unconstitutional, the agency now requires applicants to demonstrate that a group they belong to faced discrimination and self-certify resulting economic harm. Entity-owned firms and current participants are unaffected. SBA estimates about 4,190 applicants annually will be impacted.
Learn More Here!
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NASA Revamps Small Business Supplier Development Program
NASA's Office of Small Business Programs is revitalizing its former Mentor-Protégé Program as the Small Business Supplier Development Program. A single unified application replaces prior forms, with a goal of approving agreements in under 30 days. Beginning October 1, 2026, mentors earn 10X subcontracting credit. Priority areas include nuclear power, advanced avionics, and life support. Protégés include small businesses, HBCUs, and MSIs, supporting missions like the Artemis campaign through a straightforward four-step process.
Learn More Here!
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Army Overhauls Software Acquisition
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's July 22 directive shifts the Army toward commercial software solutions to speed delivery to soldiers, replacing custom-built military products. The policy makes the Software Acquisition Pathway mandatory and directs program managers to consider commercial options first, reserving custom development for rare cases. The Army will default to Commercial Solutions Openings and other transaction authorities, use automated testing, and adopt continuous authority to operate. A new Army regulation will follow within two years.
Learn More Here!
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| Upcoming in the MA APEX Webinar Series | | |
Government Contracting 101
- September 22nd, 2026
- 1:00 P.M.
Join the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator for this introductory overview of government contracting for small business. We will explain how the federal government reserves a share of its spending for small businesses by law, walking through who the government buys from at the federal, state, and local levels, the key roles and terminology you'll encounter such as set-asides, SAM.gov, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the concrete first steps to become a business the government can buy from and how Massachusetts companies can access free, ongoing support through MA APEX
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Doing Business with Lockheed Martin
- September 29th, 2026
- 1:00 P.M.
Join the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator webinar series for a conversation with Lockheed Martin on how small businesses in the Commonwealth's defense ecosystem can effectively engage with the company. This session will cover Lockheed Martin's supplier requirements and procurement processes and practical guidance on registering as a supplier and navigating the company's small business programs. Attendees will learn what Lockheed Martin looks for in partners, how to position their capabilities, and where to find the resources and points of contact that support small business.
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Small Business Approach to CMMC Compliance
- October 6th, 2026
- 1:00 P.M.
Join MAAPEX and Adam Austin for this small business–focused overview of achieving CMMC compliance without breaking the budget. Drawing on 17+ years securing US Government IT systems for NASA, CMS, and all branches of the Department of Defense, Adam will walk through practical network architectures that small and medium-sized businesses can use to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The webinar will explain how right-sizing your CUI environment shrinks your compliance boundary, reduces cost, and makes certification achievable.
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Established in 1996, MassMEP provides tailored solutions designed to empower small and medium-sized manufacturers while strengthening Massachusetts' manufacturing ecosystem. With decades of manufacturing expertise and a hands-on approach, our team works alongside manufacturers to implement practical solutions while connecting them with the resources, funding opportunities, and industry partners they need to succeed.
As part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a national public-private network with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, MassMEP delivers high-impact consulting, training, and technical assistance designed to improve manufacturers' competitiveness, profitability, and resilience.
| | | | MA APEX is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of War. | | |
Massachusetts APEX Accelerator | Website | | | | | |
