OR -APEX Accelerator

Oregon APEX Accelerator News and Events

Oregon Apex Accelerator is celebrating our 40th Anniversary!!

Salem Capitol Connections

When: Tuesday July 28th 2026 7:30-10:30 AM

Where: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry

626 High Street NE, Room 115, Salem Oregon 97301

Join Ashley Sisneros from the Oregon Department of Transportation Procurement Office for an informative and engaging session on heavy highway bridge contracting. Ashley will walk you through the systems and resources ODOT uses, show you where to find key project information, and explain the prequalification process required to bid on major construction projects. Don't miss this opportunity to learn directly from ODOT Procurement and strengthen your readiness for upcoming contract opportunities. 

For more information and to register click here.

Registering with OregonBuys and Tips for Success

When: Wednesday August 26th 2026, 10:00-11:00 AM

Where: Virtual

Contracting with the State of Oregon using OregonBuys involves registering as a vendor, identifying opportunities, and submitting bids or proposals through the OregonBuys system.

OregonBuys is the State of Oregon’s eProcurement system, used for:

• Posting procurement opportunities

• Managing solicitations and contracts

• Allowing vendors to register and submit bids online

Types of Solicitations:

• RFP (Request for Proposal): Best value, complex services/products.

• ITB (Invitation to Bid): Lowest price wins, straightforward purchases.

• RFQ (Request for Quote): Informal or simplified purchases.

For more information and to register click here.

How to Get Certified as HUBZONE

When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Where: The Newmark Building Room 201

1988 Newmark Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420

Are you a small business located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) or interested in becoming HUBZone certified?

Join our informative training session with Joe Smetak Business Opportunity Specialist

Portland District Office U.S. Small Business Administration and discover how the HUBZone Program can help your business compete for federal contracting opportunities.

In This Class You Will Learn:

• What the HUBZone Program is

• HUBZone eligibility requirements

• How to apply for HUBZone certification

• Maintaining your certification

• Federal contracting opportunities for HUBZone businesses

• Marketing your business to government agencies

• Tips for winning government contracts

For more information and to register click here.

3rd Annual Portland area Meet the Buyers When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

Where: Clackamas Community College

7726 SE Harmony Rd. Milwaukie, OR 97222-1269

Meet procurement representatives from public agencies.

• Learn how to compete for government contracts.

• Build relationships that can help your business succeed.

• Explore financing options with small business lenders.

• Speak with insurance professionals about business risk and coverage.

• Connect with economic development organizations supporting business growth.

• Network with Chamber of Commerce and community partners.

• Connect with prime contractors seeking qualified small

For more information and to register click here.

Why Market Research Wins Federal Contracts

The Oregon APEX Accelerator, SBA, and SBDC will be conducting in person training on Federal Market Research in

Burns October 6th 2026

Ontario on October 7th 2026

Pendleton on October 20th 2026

Baker City on October 21st 2026

In federal contracting, the companies that win are rarely the ones chasing every notice that lands on SAM.gov. They are the ones who did their homework first. Market research turns scattered effort into a focused pipeline – showing you which agencies actually buy what you sell, who the incumbents are, what they pay, and when contracts come up for recompete. That intelligence is what separates a hopeful bid from a winning one.

Why it pays off:

Target the right agencies. Focus on customers with steady spending in your NAICS codes instead of long-shot opportunities.

Price with confidence. Historical award data on USAspending.gov reveals realistic ranges before you ever submit a proposal.

Engage early. Responding to Sources Sought and RFIs shapes requirements and builds visibility months ahead of competitors.

Know the competition. Identify incumbents, expiring contracts, and potential teaming partners well before the recompete.

Stop wasting effort. A disciplined bid decision beats blindly chasing every opportunity that appears.

The payoff is sustainable growth: stronger proposals, smarter pricing, higher win rates, and a pipeline grounded in real federal spending data – not guesswork.

The registration links for these in person trainings and other important information will be available soon.

Governor’s Marketplace Conference & Tradeshow





Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Location: Ko-Kwel Casino, 3201 Tremont Ave., North Bend, OR, 97459

This free, one-day conference offers a dynamic platform for businesses to engage directly with state agencies, local governments, and key industry partners. Whether you're new to public contracting or looking to expand your reach, the Governor’s Marketplace is your gateway to valuable insights, networking, and resources.

For more information and to register click here.

DoW Suspends CMMC Phase II Requirements

The U.S. Department of War (DoW) has announced the immediate suspension of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase 2 requirements which were previously scheduled to take effect on November 10, 2026.

Please note that CMMC Level 1 self-attestation to the 15 controls, and Level 2 self-assessment against the NIST 800-171 controls remain in effect. The suspension only applies to the third-party (C3PAO) certification requirements under Phase 2.

It is critical to note that this action does not eliminate the requirement for companies to protect federal data. All defense contractors and subcontractors remain contractually obligated to safeguard covered defense information in accordance with DFARS clause 252.204-7012.

View the news release here

For more information click here.

Oregon Apex Accelerator will now offer Spanish translation by appointment only. If you need special Spanish translation assistance, please contact our office to set up an appointment, please call 541-736-1088 or email info@gcap.org. Si necesita asistencia en Español, por favor de hacer una cita con nuestro oficina a 541-736-1088 or info@gcap.org, Gracias.

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

Oregon Apex Accelerator is an Organization for Economic Initiatives, Inc. (OEI) program.  

OEI receives matching funding from Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD).

Sincerely,

Dee Edwards

Program Manager

Oregon Apex Accelerator

info@gcap.org

541-736-1088