DECEMBER NEWSLETTER | 2024

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News and updates from your

local Connecticut APEX Accelerator.

Welcome to our December Newsletter

The CTAPEX team sends our warmest wishes for you to have Happy Holiday season full of peace and prosperity!


At CT APEX Accelerator, we believe in the magic of partnerships. So, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our clients for another wonderful year. It is a privilege to support CT businesses grow in pursuit of excellence in the world of government contracting. Our clients' hard work and determination inspires us daily.


We look forward to working with you in 2025 -

A New Year full of new opportunities!

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Information from the

CT APEX Procurement Specialists

Allisa Young

Procurement Specialist


FOCI - "Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence"

Refers to the concerns that government contractors may have foreign entities that might own, control, OR have influence over them. 


What It Means:

If a company has foreign owners or partners, the U.S. government wants to ensure that these foreign interests don’t compromise national security or sensitive information.


Importance for Government Contracts:

For contractors seeking government contracts, especially for defense or sensitive projects, being under FOCI can affect eligibility. The government must evaluate whether foreign interests could negatively impact their work.


Current Contracts:

If a contractor currently has a government contract and then comes under FOCI, it may need to take steps to mitigate those concerns (such as establishing a "firewall" to protect sensitive information) or it could risk losing its contract.


Future Contracts: 

For future contracts, contractors need to disclose any foreign ownership or control when applying. The government will assess the risk and may impose conditions on the contract or deny it altogether if there are significant foreign influences.


In summary, FOCI is about ensuring that foreign interests DON’T interfere with the integrity and security of government work. Companies involved in government contracting should be aware of their ownership structure and how it may impact their business relations with the government.


Click here to visit Project Spectrum, a great resource for learning more about FOCI


Click here to view the recording from our most recent webinar on FOCI

Ishrat Nazmi

Procurement Specialist, Business Development Manager


Building Resiliency in the DoD Industrial Base: Advancing Manufacturing and Workforce Development


The Department of Defense (DoD) is continually investing in the resiliency and modernization of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Through strategic initiatives like the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, the DoD seeks to ensure that the United States remains a global leader in manufacturing innovation while addressing emerging challenges in national security.


One of the IBAS program’s focal areas is the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) initiative. A key component of this effort is the adoption of Industry 4.0 principles—often referred to as smart manufacturing. 


Smart Manufacturing: A Cornerstone of Industry 4.0

Smart manufacturing is not just about upgrading technology; it is about transforming the entire production ecosystem. By integrating digital tools and advanced data analytics, manufacturers in the DIB can:

Enhance Productivity: Automation and predictive analytics reduce downtime and improve efficiency.

Strengthen Supply Chains: Real-time monitoring ensures continuity and adaptability during disruptions.

Improve Quality Assurance: Advanced sensors and machine learning minimize errors and defects.

Boost Cybersecurity: Incorporating secure digital systems helps safeguard critical defense data.


To foster adoption, the DoD is working with private-sector partners, academic institutions, and innovation hubs to drive awareness and implementation.


Workforce Development: A Parallel Priority

Technology alone cannot ensure industrial base resiliency; a skilled workforce is equally vital. The IBAS program emphasizes workforce development initiatives tailored to the unique demands of the DIB. These efforts include:

Upskilling Programs: Training workers in advanced manufacturing techniques and digital tools.

STEM Education: Promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to build a future-ready workforce.

Collaboration with Academia: Partnering with universities and technical schools to align curricula with industry needs.


By prioritizing education and training, the DoD aims to cultivate a pipeline of talents equipped to sustain and advance the defense sector.


Learn more about the Innovation Capability and Modernization efforts here.

Meredith Glasgow

Procurement Specialist, Marketing Coordinator


Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Shares Knowledge to Protect


CISA is a department that frequently collaborates with other authorities, like the NSA, FBI and international partners, to assess the latest cybersecurity risks. When a risk is identified, they release a Cyber Threat Advisory so that everyone can stay aware. In the latest news, there was a "broad and significant cyber espionage campaign" on global commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC). In response to this, CISA has published an Enhanced Visibility and Hardening Guidance that outlines best practices for network engineers and others working in this industry.


Even if you are not in the telecommunications industry, you can benefit from another resource called the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, which details vulnerabilities that could exist in any organization. Any software can be exploited under the right circumstances, even from well- established companies like Microsoft or Apple. There's no such thing as being "too safe"! Additional helpful resources are updated regularly and here you can check their All Resources page.


Reminder that even if this is not concerning enough, having a level of cybersecurity (levels depending on the contract) will become a Government Contracting Requirement as early as next year!


Don't delay your journey to becoming cybersecurity compliant! Reach out to CTAPEX today for assistance.

Jonathan Hart

Procurement Specialist


Helpful Tips for the New SBA Portal


The New Small Business Administration (SBA) Portal for certifications has now been around for a couple of months. So far, the government has delivered on it being a more user-friendly website and a more streamlined approach to accrediting Small Business with their certifications.


Now that we have had some time with this system, we are also picking up some helpful tips to make this experience a little less stressful. Some helpful tips that we have come to discover that make this website and overall process run smoothly as possible. For starters, make sure you have all your required documentation prior to starting. If you don’t it could slow down the process and make the process harder. Also be mindful of the timeline the SBA has established. You have 60 days to start and submit your application and if you requested to submit additional information, you have 7 days to do so or your application might be closed. Below are some helpful links with more information to check out:


SBA Knowledge Base

SBA YouTube Guide

Andres Calvache

Procurement Specialist


Artificial Intelligence within GSA


The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee has held its first public meeting of 2024, introducing new members from academia, industry, and government. The committee aims to modernize federal procurement by incorporating emerging technologies, such as AI, data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. 


Additionally, the meeting highlighted priorities like integrating climate-conscious strategies for sustainability and addressing systemic challenges to reduce acquisition vulnerabilities. GSA Administrator, Robin Carnahan, emphasized the committee's role in driving innovation and improving efficiency in government operations.


AI can enhance federal procurement by automating data analysis, improving supplier selection, and optimizing processes like contract management and fraud detection. By integrating AI, the government can achieve increased efficiency and accuracy, leading to cost savings and improved risk management across its procurement activities.


Learn more:

Article Summary

AI Applications at GSA

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Upcoming Events:


  • The CTAPEX Team is planning big things for 2025, soon to be announced after the holidays.


  • Stay tuned for more trainings and events after we return!
Event Calendar

CT APEX Capabilities Statement

Read about our Capabilities and Economic Impacts

Veteran Business Success Story

In the Army, Eric Lopez developed a passion for developing strong leaders, which is what led to the creation of his company. Arrowhead Leadership Consulting LLC specializes in Executive Leadership Coaching. This includes one-on-one coaching, group leadership development, strategic planning, operational design, and more.


Eric has been working with CT APEX since 2022 and in that time was assisted in becoming an officially certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, which allows him to access exclusive federal government contracting opportunities. He also won an award last year for "CT Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year" by the SBA.

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