Dana Delano

What’s Happening Right Now?

2026 is here. The new administration is a year old and changes have been made that do, in fact, change the landscape of federal contracting, but is it all bad? No. Some changes have been good for small businesses, and we see positive movements for our clients. The government shutdown in the fall created a lull in contract solicitations, but now they are coming out fast and furious. That is a good thing. The Department of War is continuing to move forward with more solicitations and a move to increase the small business industrial base, and the new United States Space Force is quietly growing in size and scope. Even the State of Maine’s Maine Space Complex is expanding their reach throughout the state.

We are encouraged by the level of activity for small businesses that we serve. More are looking to move from state contracting to federal opportunities, either as a Prime Contractor or as subcontractors. Millions are being invested by the General Services Administration in five new Land Ports of Entry’s over the next four to five years: Coburn Gore, Calais, Fort Fairfield and Limestone. Subcontracting opportunities will be abundantly available to those interested in taking part in these projects. Maine APEX will be on top of contractor contact information once we have them to offer from the Awarded Primes. 

With Maine APEX hosting the 2026 NERC Conference and Matchmaker event this summer, this will be a huge opportunity for small businesses to meet and talk with federal, state and local government agencies, as well as large Prime contractors looking for contributors to their awarded projects. And let’s not overlook numerous training courses and networking opportunities during this two-day event in Portland. We invite you to visit our event website and start making plans now!

Let Maine APEX be a part of your success in government contracting for 2026. It is what we do!

--Dana Delano, Senior Procurement Counselor for Aroostook County

Jessica Crowley DBE Program Updates

Changes to the DBE program include the following:

The US Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule on October 3, 2025 mentioning the recent changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantage Business Enterprise. 

• Removal of Race-and-Gender Based Presumptions – The firm applying for the certification will need to prove their social and economical status in order to receive the DBE certification. Each firm's applicant will be thoroughly examined on a case by case basis and must coincide with the law and the US constitution. The USDOT has not issued an official definition of what “disadvantaged” means under the new rules nor offered any guidance on how to write the newly required narrative.

• Mandatory Reevaluation of Certified DBEs – All currently certified DBEs are required to undergo recertification under the new eligibility standard. Certifiers must provide these businesses with an opportunity to submit documentation under the new requirements, determine their eligibility, and issue written recertification or decertification decisions. 

• Suspension of DBE Goals – All contracting goals will be suspended until a DOT funding recipient’s UCP completes all DBE and ACDBE recertifications. Until then, recipients of DOT funding cannot set contracting goals for DBEs or ACDBEs or count any participation toward overall goals.

• Immediate Effects on Contracting and Compliance – Contracts executed before Oct. 3, 2025, do not require any modification. If a DBE firm participated on a contract before October 3, 2025 they can not be counted toward either the contract goal or the DOT funding recipient’s overall DBE goal until the reevaluation process is completed.

While the new DBE & ACDBE standards introduce additional documentation requirements, they also create an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their internal compliance processes and reaffirm eligibility. Please reach out to Maine APEX if you are considering the DBE certification for your business. We are here to help you with any questions you may have; Maine APEX.

--Jessica Crowley, Procurement Counselor for Washington County

What is Matchmaking and

Why Do I Care?

Matchmaking operates as a rapid interviewing process. The structure and flow is determined by buying organizations conducting the interview(s).

Government buyers and prime contractors will be seated at tables. Small businesses are pre-screened and assigned to meet with buyers at a specific time. These one-on-one meetings are brief. When time is up, conversations must conclude and allow for the next small business to begin. We ask that you please be considerate of the buyers' time limits and other small businesses as you would like others to do the same.

Based on the total available appointments, you can select unique meeting requests. However, your selection may not result in a scheduled meeting for several potential reasons(s):

• A buyer may not have a need for the product(s) and/or service(s) that you sell
• You may not have the certifications the buyer needs to do business
• You may not have the professional licenses a buyer is looking for to do business
• Other reason(s) relevant to the buyer

Keep in mind that contracts aren’t being awarded the day of this event. The matchmaker is about building your list of contacts, developing your business relationships and networking so when opportunities arise your business is better positioned to respond.​

What Can I Do to Prepare for the Matchmaker?

• Develop a Plan – Maximize your time at the matchmaker by reviewing the list of the government agencies and prime contractors who will be attending. Examine their websites. Review their recent projects and their current or upcoming opportunities. Target the buyers that are in need of the products and/or services you provide.
• Prepare your Marketing – Have up to date marketing materials you can share. Make sure your website is current and your social media is active. Bring business cards and capability statements. Practice your elevator pitch. Seriously, practice your pitch!



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• Check your Registrations–Get registered with each level of government you’re targeting before the matchmaker.
• Connect with Maine APEX – If you have a question about the event, or how to execute any of the three items above reach out to us via email. You should also attend one of our pre-Matchmaker workshops or webinars. (Registration links will be provided here soon)

How Do I Schedule Meetings?

Scheduled Matchmaking allows small businesses to identify a government buyer or prime contractor that has a specific need. The small businesses are pre-screened and request to meet with a government agency or large prime contractor representatives. 

Selecting preset appointments with buyers:

• During registration you’ll provide NAICS codes for the types of products and/or services you currently provide. These will be matched with buyers with needs for similar NAICS codes.
• Approximately 14 days prior to the matchmaker all registered small businesses will receive pre-scheduled meeting instructions in an email. This is where you will request appointments with specific buyers. You must pre-schedule before receiving a confirmed schedule.
• A confirmed schedule of the preset appointments will be created and emailed to small businesses no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14.