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Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) asked to submit a Re-evaluation application by February 4. This includes your personal narrative of social disadvantage along with an updated personal net worth statement. Review the narrative guidelines and FAQs at the OMWBE Website here and reach out to your APEX Accelerator for assistance. Your APEX advisor can discuss how changes to the program impact your overall government contract strategy and provide advice on writing your narrative if you choose to remain in the program. 

Small Business Administration 8(a) business development program is in a state of massive change. This article from Holland & Knight offers insights into the most recent change that makes the program race-neutral and offers a timeline of other recent actions, including the suspension of more than 1,000 firms in mid-January. Your APEX Accelerator can assist you in implementing the recommendations in the article that include:

1) Reassess your eligibility for the program under the stricter legal standard.

2) Review your current 8(a) contracts to ensure compliance.

3) Prepare for a shift in the use of set-aside contracts.  

The New I-5 Bridge linking Oregon & Washington is a step closer to fruition with the approval of the bridge’s fixed height at 116 feet. Firms interested in participating in the 5-mile, multi-billion-dollar project should join the IBR Vendor Portal linked here and subscribe to the IBR Newsletter here. 

Alliance Northwest Government Contracting Conference registration has exceeded 100 exhibitors for March 26 event in Tacoma. The event will be celebrating its 40th year and is expected to sell out of exhibitor space. Registration and learn more here: alliancenorthwest.org.

Lynx - Department of War Office of Small Business Programs in partnership with Eccalon, LLC has launched a new online portal designed to help businesses compete more effectively in the Defense marketplace. Learn more here.

DoD Mentor Protege Program Summit - The 2026 Conference registration is open and linked here for an April event in-person in Virginia that is expected to sell out soon. Large Defense Prime Mentors are expected to attend to connect with smaller current and potential proteges. Members of your APEX team are planning to attend and would enjoy connecting with other WA firms. Please reach out if you'll be there! programmanager@washingtonapex.org

Local Procurement Symposium 2026 - Thurston County on February 19. Come to find networking opportunities with local government agencies and prime government contractors and learn about contracting resources available to help your business grow.

• Innovation and Technology Track
• Subcontractor Track
• 2-Minute Elevator Pitch

Welcome New APEX Sponsors

Become a Washington APEX Accelerator Sponsor

News from the Washington APEX SBIR Program

Small business innovation research (SBIR) funding will soon be available to small businesses working on cutting-edge technology. Your Washington APEX Accelerator SBIR Program can provide Phase 0 type assistance with DOD, DOT, NASA and Homeland Security. 

Events and Other Announcements for Innovators

From Idea to Impact: SBIR/STTR

February 12, 2026, 9 AM - 10 AM Virtual

Hosted by DoW Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and APEX Accelerators. This session is designed to provide valuable insights for small business owners, acquisition professionals, and other stakeholders engaged in government contracting.

SBIR/STTR Innovator Training Workshop at TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo

March 12, 2026 (Raleigh, NC).

Full-day training on Phase 1/Phase 2 proposals, accounting basics, and recent changes.

TechNet Pacific Northwest Symposium

March 18–19, 2026, at American Lake Conference Center, JBLM – North.

Hosted by the AFCEA Pacific Northwest Chapter, this defense-focused event on Data Driven Decision Dominance explores AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud computing, JADC2, Zero Trust, and more to boost Joint Force decision-making.

Events

In Person

Bellevue

2/10/2026 Seattle Monorail Reconfiguration - Info Session

APEX @ KEDA 

Lacey

2/19/2026, Local Procurement Symposium 2026 - Thurston County

Mount Vernon

2/12/2026 First DIBBS: How Manufacturers and Distributors can find Defense Opportunities

Neah Bay

2/10/2026 Neah Bay New k-12 School Hiring Fair & OMWBE Certification Workshop Hosted by Korsmo Construction

Poulsbo

2/3/2026 Skanska Accelerated CMBB – Olympic Peninsula

2/25/2026 Wednesday with the Deputy for Small Business - NUWC Keyport Hybrid

Seattle

2/5/2026, Skanska Small Business Academy: BuildingConnected Mock Bid Workshop 

Tacoma

2/12/2026, Hybrid OMWBE 201 - City of Tacoma

2/19/2026, Bonding Informational Class - City of Tacoma and hybrid

Online

2/4/2026 Contracting Coffee Hour

2/4/2026 Virtual OMWBE 101 - City of Tacoma

2/5/2026 University of Washington Virtual Workshops for Suppliers

2/6/2026 CMMC Level 1 (Department of Defense Cybersecurity) Readiness Workshop Series

2/6/2026 APEX & SBDC First Friday Follow-Up

2/6/2026 First Fridays: Doing Business with the City of Seattle,

2/6/2026 COMO HACER NEGOCIOS CON LA CIUDAD DE SEATTLE

2/10/2026 WEBS/ Department Enterprise Services Training 

2/11/2026 How to Do Business with the Forest Service - VIPR

2/11/2026, Local Government Purchasing & MRSC Rosters

2/11/2026 DoD Cybersecurity Requirements - CMMC

2/11/2026 APEX: Prime Connect

2/18/2026 PortGen First Look: SEA Sparks Program - Specialty Retail Incubator Kiosks

2/19/2026 State Contracting Opportunities & Open House – DES

2/25/2026 Contract Modifications

Govology classes, live and on demand, are Free for Washington APEX Accelerator clients – contact your Washington APEX Accelerator advisor for access. Click here for Govology’s live classes.

Washington APEX Accelerator Recorded webinars available

Receive federal, state, and local solicitations in your e-mail every day!

Learn more about Bid Match here

Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC)  

• Criminal Law Instruction Due Date: 03/12/2026 

Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission  

• EW-C6623 Interpretive Center HVAC Renovation and Re-Roof at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Due Date: 03/10/2026 
• SW-C1359 Fish Barrier Removal- Ocean City State Park Due Date: 03/05/2026 
• NW-C0284 Depression Era Preservation – Rainbow Falls State Park Due Date: 03/04/2026 
• EW-C7713 Visitor Center Renovation at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park Due Date: 02/24/2026 

Washington State Potato Commission  

• Solicitation 25-26SWS for Washington State Water Specialist Due Date: 03/09/2026 

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

• TED Program iOS Device Inclusion Due Date: 03/09/2026 

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (Enterprise Services)  

• Competitive Solicitation 09925 Office Supplies Due Date: 03/07/2026 
• 22-0016-1 Water Treatment Services Due Date: 03/04/2026 
• 24-0009-3 Envelope Window Film Due Date: 03/02/2026 
• 25-0012 Plants and Trees Due Date: 02/24/2026 
• 25-0004 Ticket Stock Due Date: 02/20/2026 
• 28723 – Supplemental Elevator Full Service Maintenance, Testing, & Repair Services – OLYMPIC REGION ONLY Due Date: 02/18/2026 
• 04824 Transit Buses Due Date: 02/09/2026 

Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises 

• Consulting Services for Building Opportunities Program Due Date: 03/05/2026 

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 

• PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVISOR Due Date: 02/23/2026 

Kraemer-Scarsella Joint Venture (KSJV)  

SR 167, I-5 to SR 161 (Phase 2b) – New Expressway Project Due Date: 02/13/2026 

Washington APEX Accelerator provides technical assistance to help Washington businesses successfully compete in the government marketplace. This APEX Accelerator is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

A program of the Thurston Economic Development Council, in partnership with the following subcenters:

Washington APEX Accelerator