January 2023

A Note from the Program Manager

Happy New Year!



Cheers to new beginnings as we welcome 2023! I hope you all found time to spend with family and friends during the holidays.


Change is coming! The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) is now under the management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and has changed its name to APEX Accelerators. The 95+ centers, including the AZPTAC will be transitioning to the new name in the coming months. Our mission and assistance will not change; we continue to be here for you with all your government contracting needs. Be on the look out for changes to our name, logo, website and all marketing material.


Don’t forget to sign up for our upcoming events and workshops.


Reminder: As a client of our program you must meet with your counselor for a minimum of 30 minutes per year or attend a PTAC seminar annually. This will keep your profile active in our system.


This new year is filled with opportunity; our (APEX Accelerators’ (formerly PTAC)) hopes are that you are successful in all you do in the months to come.


Have a prosperous and joyful new year!

Lori Haozous

Interim Program Manager



Offices Closed

Client Highlights


ARG Coaching & Consulting Group

Received its 8(a) certification in

December 2022.

Counselor is Lori Haozous

Small Business News

Agencies Partner to Aid Small Businesses

On Friday, Dec. 7, 2022, the Defense Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration signed a memorandum of understanding to help both agencies better meet the needs of small businesses in the United States.


In the photo: Farooq A. Mitha, director of small business programs at DOD, and Mark Madrid, associate administrator of SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development

Read More

GSA Optimizes Opportunities for Small Businesses Through SBA 8(a) Partnership Agreement


A new 8(a) Program Partnership Agreement (PA) recently signed by GSA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will increase 8(a) contracting opportunities and also make it easier for GSA customers to use the MAS program to access solutions from 8(a) contractors. 


Read about the benefits

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. 


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 in January

Register Now for this Live Webinar!

Are you new to Government Contracting?

Don't know where to start?

Do you need a refresher?


Join Us on January 12, 2023, for an Introduction to Government Contracting!

1:00-3:00 PM

Live Webinar



Register Here

20 Worst Mistakes to make in Government Contracting


Join us for this live webinar where Procurement Specialist Robert "Bob" Mucci shares some of the worst mistakes to make in government contracting.


When: Jan. 20, 2023

Where: Webinar

Time: 1:30-3:00 PM

Register Here

We are planning some great events to kick off 2023! Stay tuned for:


  • Weitz: Meet the Generals
  • Doing Business with the USDA


And many more! Is there a training you want us to provide? Reach out to Amanda Howard, the Program Coordinator at amanda.howard@domail.maricopa.edu!

Save the Date!

Partner Events

El Pueblo Business Expo


January 9th - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm


No Cost


Tucson Convention Center

260 S Church Ave

Tucson, AZ 85701 United


El Pueblo Business Expo is part of the City of Tucson’s Supplier Diversity Initiative to help grow the local economy by introducing networking events where small local suppliers have the opportunity to meet our community’s large institutions. This expo will create a space, free of any charges, where local small businesses can discuss procurement processes and requirements with large employers, and by doing so create new contract opportunities.


Register Here

Pitch Your Company next week IN PERSON at the AGC/ADOT Joint Coop Meeting!

OSBP Learning Series: NASA SBIR/STTR Program Update


As NASA continues to innovate in the space exploration, scientific, and research industries, small businesses will be critical to its success. Each Center plays a unique role in cultivating the vendors needed to ensure success.


Wed, January 18, 2023

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM EST



Register Here

Research and Develop Your Small

Business Opportunities at NASA


As NASA continues to innovate in the space exploration, scientific, and research & development industries, small businesses will be critical to its missions. Each entity plays a unique role in cultivating lifelong success.

Join the NASA Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for a networking event – Research and Develop Your Small Business Opportunities at NASA. This event will host four networking rooms.

Register Here

Office Locations & Hours 

www.azptac.com
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