Utah APEX Accelerator

The Utah APEX Accelerator’s mission is to help Utah businesses successfully compete in the government marketplace by providing knowledgeable and outstanding customer service.

Looking to become a client? Apply Now.

APEX Accelerator offices throughout the state are open and available for free in-person one-on-one counseling. To contact the APEX team’s regional manager nearest you, please scroll down to view contact information for our managers.

If we may be of any assistance, please get in touch with us at apex@utah.gov or 1-801-538-8655.

Please let us know how well we are serving you by leaving a review.

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

APEX EVENTS

What We Do

Utah’s APEX Accelerator helps Utah businesses find, bid, and win procurement opportunities with Department of Defense (DoD) federal, state, and local entities. Through one-on-one and group counseling, the APEX team educates and assists Utah businesses to compete more effectively in the government marketplace.

Resources

Select the county in which your business is located:

Or print, complete, and email the APEX client intake form to an APEX team member near you.

Utah APEX Accelerator provides individual counseling and contracting assistance training at your site, or at one of our eight locations statewide. The APEX team can assist you in the development of strategy and marketing tools that will help you to better compete in the government marketplace. The Utah APEX Accelerator can help you to become eligible to become a government contractor, vendor or supplier and can assist with registration in government databases. Utah’s APEX team offers technical assistance related to diversity program registration, solicitation (RFP, RFQ) document review and can facilitate getting ASTM, NSN drawings and specification information. Procurement counselors provide individual counseling on all aspects of government contracting, including assisting in finding the right match, marketing to the government, and requesting and preparing solicitation documents.

The Utah APEX Accelerator team offers a proprietary bid-match software service that compares your company’s products and/or services in combination with industrial NAICS codes and keywords to multiple government solicitation portals. Matching bid opportunities are emailed directly to the client, saving valuable time otherwise spent searching multiple bid sources. Government solicitations range in scope and type, but are not limited to, the following:

Federal agency software and integrated telecommunications circuits
Aerospace and defense systems
Federal/state engineering services and all types of equipment
Construction projects, including home and/or warehouse design/build, asphalt paving, or grounds maintenance

Utah APEX Accelerator Helps With Navigating Cyber Requirements

The APEX Accelerator program, under the management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs, 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 education and training all businesses need to participate to become capable of participating in DOD and other government contracts, including cybersecurity compliance.

Your Utah APEX Accelerator (part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity) is ready to provide you with support and advice on implementing your response to federal and DOD regulations that cover cybersecurity requirements.

We can help you understand the applicable contract clauses, such as FAR 52.204-21, DFARS 252.204-7012, and DFARS 252.204-7024, and guide you through the steps to implement a compliant cybersecurity program.

Contact your APEX regional manager for support. business.utah.gov/apex

Register in SAM

Employer Identification Number (EIN): Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before registering in SAM if you don’t already have one.
System for Award Management (SAM.Gov): The System for Award Management (SAM) is the official, centralized, electronic registration process for vendors that want to do business with the federal government. Formerly known as Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). SAM is the primary federal government repository for most government-required representations and certifications. Registration is always free.
- User Guide: The official user guide for registering in SAM.
- Tutorial Video: An official YouTube video from 2012 on registering in SAM.
- NAICS Codes: North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes are used to register in the government’s vendor database, SAM, for federal contracting. They are also used in solicitations and bids to identify what a business does.
- FSC/PSC Codes: Listing and search engine for Federal Supply Codes (FSCs) and Product Service Codes (PSCs), which are used to register in the government’s vendor database, SAM, for federal contracting.
- Small Business Size Standards: The Small Business Administration (SBA) website on how size is determined. Use this information to determine whether your business is considered small.
- Government User Guidance on Small Business Information in SAM: Information for government users on how to interpret small business information in SAM.

Find Opportunities

Civilian Agency Procurement Forecasts: Upcoming, projected procurement needs for each federal civilian agency.
Contracting Opportunities: Opportunities from the federal government valued at more than $25,000.
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS): DIBBS is a web-based application that allows you to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests for Quotations (RFQs) for DLA items of supply. DIBBS also allows users to search and view Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bid (IFBs), awards, and other procurement information related to DLA.
Utah Public Procurement Place (U3P): The State of Utah’s opportunities website, including state and local procurements.

Contracting Assistance Programs

Small Business Administration (SBA) Eligibility Tool: Answer questions to see for which SBA programs your business may qualify.
8(a) Business Development Program
- Joint Venture Guidelines: SBA’s rules on 8(a) mentor-protégé agreements.
- Net Worth Determination: Determine your net worth to qualify for 8(a) program using SBA Form 413.
Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB) Program
HUBZone Program
- HUBZone Locator Tool: Type in an address to determine whether it is located in a HUBZone.

Contact Information Lists

SBIR/STTR Grants

Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DISP): The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) programs are highly competitive government-funded contracts or grants that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The recipient projects must have the potential for commercialization and must meet specific U.S. Government R&D needs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Program Overview Video: A Youtube video giving a brief synopsis of the SBIR and STTR programs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Training Website: Helpful library of materials for working with the SBIR/STTR programs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Schedule: View currently active BAAs for DoD SBIR/STTRs.

General Services Administration (GSA) Websites

GSA Homepage: The U.S. General Services Administration’s homepage.
GSA eLibrary: GSA eLibrary contains the latest GSA contract award information.
GSA Advantage: GSA Advantage is the government’s central online shopping superstore. GSA Advantage provides online access to millions of products and services from thousands of federal contractors.
GSA Global Supply: GSA Global Supply is a federal program administered by the General Services Administration. It is a requisition-based supply program for customers worldwide, including the Department of Defense.

Spending Databases

USASpending.Gov: Records of federal spending for contracts and grants.
Federal IT Dashboard: View details of federal information technology investments.
Contracts Awarded by the Department of Defense: Contracts valued at $7.5 million or more, which may contain subcontract opportunities, are announced each business day.

Other Useful Links

USA.Gov: The U.S. Government’s official web search site.
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR): The official website for the regulations governing federal contracting.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Federal Contracting: The SBA’s guide to federal contracting.
Cybersecurity Requirements: A DoD briefing on implementing DFARS Clause 252.204-7012
NIGP Code Directory: A list of “commodity codes” as developed by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, adopted by more than 1,400 state and local governments; NIGP codes are needed to register as a vendor with many state and local governments. Note: Utah does not use this system.
Utah Department of Commerce: The state of Utah’s system to register a new business, renew or update your business, or register a Doing Business As (DBA).
Small Business Outreach Calendar

Micro Purchasing (June 17, 2023)

Post Award Pointers (May 22, 2023)

Creating a Capabilities Statement (Feb. 28, 2023)

GSA Training Video (January 2022)

Joint Certification Program (JCP) training videos

Opportunity Searches in SAM

Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment/Wide Area Work Flow (PIEE/WAWF)

PTAC Pricing Video

SBA Small Disadvantaged Business Application Video

PDF Presentation with hyperlinks

Thank you, APEX team, for your insights, knowledge, and guidance as I completed the online SBA WOSB self-certification. You were responsive and helpful when I contacted you with questions about aligning my sam.gov and sba.gov records. When I saw on the SBA website that EchoWolf Solutions is now certified, I just had to reach out and let you know of my positive experience with the Utah APEX team. I appreciate your expertise, kindness, patience, educational resources, and support through this exciting time for my business.

– Sally White, EchoWolf Solutions, LLC

Apogee Worx is a local, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business focusing on solving warfighter problems. Despite no longer wearing the uniform, we strive to continue serving this great nation while partnering with the industrial base found along the Wasatch Front. We appreciate the APEX team’s desire to give local businesses a leg up and create an environment that allows companies that reside here along the Wasatch Front to thrive.”

–Brian Janroy, Managing Member, Apogee Worx

"Construction Monitor has worked with the U.S. Census Bureau as a sub-contractor. Because of Utah APEX’s assistance, we successfully managed our subcontractor role with this federal agency. Thank you. We are thankful for all your help."

–David Mineer Jr, president, Construction Monitor