Essential Government Contracting News and Trainings

Grow Your Business: Sell Your Products and Services to the Government

July 2026 News, Events, & Updates

July 2026 | Issue 2026-07

Government Contracting News and Updates

Your Input is Requested on CMMC

YOUR Feedback Wanted:

Seeking industry input through the official Reforming CMMC and Reducing Compliance Burden for the Defense Industrial Base Request for Information (RFI) on SAM.gov.

Submit comments through the official SAM.gov RFI: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/89ef9bfb0834473791e991c712698d94/view
Deadline: Thursday, August 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET

Industry feedback will help inform the CMMC Reform Task Force as it develops recommendations.

Full Letter - CMMC: We Heard. We Acted. Your Input Shapes What's Next

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Overview

August 27 - 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) have proven an effective tool to do the

following within a collaborative government/industry environment:

streamline acquisition
diversify the defense industrial base
gain access to state-of-the-art technology

Join U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) and Army Contracting Command from Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA), acquisition innovation leaders, as we walk through the 10 USC § 4022 statute, and associated guidance.

Registration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concerns: Too Good to be True ... Usually Is

Five considerations before using AI:

Inventory: Know everything that AI touches in your business
Default to OFF for Now: Nothing related to AI should touch contract data. You may wish to turn it on later, but turning it off later is much more difficult.
Written AI Policy: Documented is defensible.
Separate Accounts: Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Procurement, etc. Departments should each have separate AI touch points.
Know When to Refer: No one is a specialist in all the things.

Resources

VET TEC 2.0 (High-Tech Program)

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses 2.0 (VET TEC 2.0) is a program that helps eligible Veterans and active-duty service members develop skills to start or advance their career in a high-tech industry. Find out what types of training you can get through this program.

More Information

Southwest Michigan APEX Accelerator Classes

Orientation

Learn the foundation information to sell your products and services to the federal, state, and local government. This free seminar will give you the direction you need:

August 11 - 1:00 p.m.

September 10 10:30 a.m.

October 1 - 1:00 p.m.

November 3 - 10:30 a.m.

December 8 - 1:00 p.m.

Marketing & Research

Learn how to market your business to government agencies and prime contractors. Research the agencies and prime contractors that buy what you sell. Research your competitors' sales and customers.

August 6 - 10:30 a.m.

September 8 - 1:00 p.m.

October 8 - 10:30 a.m.

November 5 - 1:00 p.m.

December 10- 1:00 p.m.

Capability Statement Preparation

When you’re ready to sell to the government, create a capability statement to share when meeting (in person or virtual) buyers for prime and subcontracting opportunities.

August 13 - 1:00 pm.

September 3 - 10:30 a.m.

October 13 - 1:00 p.m.

November 12 - 10:30 a.m.

December 3 - 1:00 p.m.

December 15 - 1:00 p.m.

Coffee & Contracting: Government Contracting Essentials

These sessions are provided by industry experts. Some are live online and others are pre-recorded webinars.

August 4 - 1:00 p.m.

Foreign Control, Ownership, and Influence - Govology

August 18 - 10:00 a.m.

SBA: HUBZone for Small Business Certification

September 1 - 1:00 p.m.

Unlocking Department of Defense (DoD) Industrial Base -

Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS)

September 15 - 11:00 a.m.

Michigan's Technology Landscape

September 22 - 10:00 a.m.

SBA: Women Owned Small Business Certification

Events & Trainings

Live Govology Trainings

Experts in government contracting provide timely information in the industry.

Contact APEX Accelerators to watch these live with us for free:

swmiapex@nemcworks.org

Unless otherwise noted, these take place from 1:00 to 2:30p.m.:

August 4 - Visible and Vetted: Building Authority in the Marketplace

August 11 - Advanced Teaming Strategies to Accelerate Small Business Government Revenue

August 13 - Cost of Doing Business - Overview of Indirect Rates

August 25 - AI in Government Proposals: How "Writing Help" Can Create Costly Risks

August 27 - Incurred Cost Submissions - Understanding Requirements and Processes

WISPRO Trainings

The APEX Accelerator of Wisconsin provides trainings by industry experts and government buyers/resources on a regular basis.

Most sessions are 1 hour and virtual unless specified otherwise:

August 5 - AI Adoption - Benefits, Risks, and Realities

August 19 - Spend to the End - Are you prepared for the End of the Federal Fiscal Year

August 27 - Cyber Thursday - Determining Your Real CMMC Compliance Responsibilities

VetBizCentral

All trainings are free to military members and their spouses.

August 4 - Feasibility and Market Research

August 11 - Business Plan Development

August 18 - Preparing for Financing

August 25 - Launching Your Business

August 27 - Marketing for Veteran Owned Small Businesses

September 1 - AI for VOSB Part 1

September 8 - AI for VOSB Part 2

Defense Logistics Agency Trainings

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) offers education about federal/defense contracting directly from government experts in their field.

Small Business Event Calendar

August 14 - Weapons Support - Navigate DIBBS Working Group

August 21 - Weapons Support - Navigate JCP Certification

September 9 - Industry Collider Day

September 15 - Weapons Support

October 9 - Weapons Support - Navigate

DIBBS Working Group

October 16 - Weapons Support - JCP Certification

Van Andel Global Trade Center

Grand Valley State University's (GVSU's) Van Andel Global Trade Center (VAGTC) is a trusted resource for Michigan businesses looking to expand globally.

They specialize in import and export training, international trade consulting, cultural seminars, and global market entry strategies to help companies navigate the complexities of global trade.

September 19 - New-to-Export Workshop

October 15 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

November 10 - ITAR & EAR Compliance Training

Veteran's Affairs (VA) Events

August 4 - Guidance from a Program Specialist on selling to the VA

August 11 - Guidance from a Program Specialist on selling to the VA

August 12 - One-on-One Schedule Meetings for Construction and Facilities

August 12 - AI Era Virtual Training for Market Research

August 13 - Pathways to engage with the Department of Veteran's Affairs

SCORE Trainings

The APEX Accelerator program was created strictly to assist with government contracting. SCORE (Senior Corp of Retired Executives) is available to assist with business related work. Following are some classes they offer that may be beneficial to you:

August 5 - Secure AI at Any Size

August 6 - AI and the 5C Digital Marketing Presence

August 10 - AI for Small Business

August 18 - Working with AI

August 19 - AI without the Hype

August 24 - AI in Action

Tammy Moore

APEX Accelerator Program Director

mooret@nemcworks.org

(989) 733-8540

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Kim Bourner

APEX Accelerator Counselor

bournerk@nemcworks.org

(269) 491-6585

Theresa Chaney-Huggett

APEX Accelerator Counselor

chaney-huggett@nemcworks.org

(269) 243-2787

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This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

Southwest Michigan APEX Accelerator, satellite of Northeast Michigan Consortium (NEMC), is funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Northeast Michigan Consortium (NEMC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. The reproduction, reformatting, and/or distribution of APEX Accelerator materials in part or in whole, in addition to the reselling of APEX Accelerator services, is strictly, prohibited.

Southwest Michigan APEX | www.swmiapex.org