Program
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WHO WE ARE
The mission of the Maryland APEX Accelerator is to help position businesses registered in the state of Maryland to fully compete in federal, state, and local government procurement processes. The Program was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to assist small businesses in participating in the Government Marketplace. The Maryland APEX Accelerator opened its doors in 2002 and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense and hosted by the University of Maryland in College Park.
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In 2022, the program was renamed the APEX Accelerator program and moved under the management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), which plays a critical role in the Department’s efforts to identify and engage with a wide range of businesses entering and participating in the defense supply chain. The program provides the education and training that all businesses need to experience to become capable of participating in DOD and other government contracts.
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WHO WE SERVE
The MDAPEX Accelerator serves Maryland-based businesses, a state with over 600,000 businesses of all sizes. We have offices throughout the state with expert counselors and trainers serving all regions.
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SERVICES
We provide counseling services at no cost to the small business owner. The MDAPEX Accelerator has played an instrumental role in increasing the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracting across the state. Through counseling, training, and outreach programs, we assist business owners in acquiring the skills they need to pursue government contracts.
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COUNSELING
A business is ready to receive our counseling services provided it is registered in the state of Maryland and has a product or service that has a reasonable expectation of being procured under a government contract or purchase order. Become a client today by completing the application form. Please allow 30 business days for your application to be processed.
Our services include, but are not limited to:
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Support with bid package preparation.
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Pre/post-award contract assistance.
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Aid with electronic commerce/electronic data interchange.
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Guidance for small minority, women-owned, and disabled veteran certifications.
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Referrals to other programs or activities to support businesses when appropriate.
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Information about cybersecurity requirements and compliance, including federal government and DoD cybersecurity regulation compliance.
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Information about contract-related risks related to Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI).
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The Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) and similar government programs.
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Other government contracting resources as needed.
TRAINING & OUTREACH
We have developed a series of workshops and webinars to inform and train a wide range of businesses to acquire the information and expertise they need to sell to the government. You can sign up for classes on our training calendar.
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You may watch our free on-demand classes at the click of a button.
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BID MATCH SERVICES
Our Bid Match Service locates federal, state, local, and foreign bid opportunities relevant to your business. Complete the bid match application form to get started