Training & Events
The North Dakota APEX offers many webinars and workshops designed to help you understand and navigate the government procurement process.
Training is critical to keep businesses informed of the latest procurement practices and opportunities.
Upcoming Tri-State Procurement Webinars
The following series of webinars are hosted in partnership with Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota APEX Accelerators, and SBA District Offices.
Webinars typically take place the first Tuesday of every month from 9 -10 a.m. Central Time.
May 6
Certifications: Do you need one, and how do you acquire one?
To celebrate National Small Business Week, we invite you to join us for a session that will teach you how to certify your small business and qualify for contracts specifically reserved for companies that meet certain socio-economic criteria. Obtaining WOSB, VOSB, 8(a), and HUBZone certifications can offer new resources and open new market opportunities for your business. Presented by: Natt Lee Minnesota SBA, and Michael Kantrud North Dakota SBA
June 3
What, Why, and How of Capability Statements
Present your company in a professional and concise manner using a single page. Understand the key information that customers look for when evaluating potential vendors. Recognize the importance of a capability statement and how it should be used effectively when interacting with government agencies.
MICC FY25 Advence Planning Briefing For Industry (APBI)
May 5-8
Join the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) for its FY25 Advance Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI), a four-day virtual event designed to enhance transparency, promote competition, and strengthen partnerships between industry and the Army. This event provides critical acquisition planning information to businesses looking to support Army readiness and sustain a strong, competitive industrial base.
Why Attend?
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Gain insights into MICC's upcoming contracting opportunities.
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Connect with MICC leaders and contracting professionals.
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Learn about small business engagement strategies.
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Ask questions and interact with industry experts.
Registration Details:
- Registration Ends April 21st
- Access links will be sent via email before the event.
- No cost to attend.
DCAA Pricing Series
Your local APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) are excited to announce the upcoming DCAA Pricing Series.
Part 1: Elements of an Adequate Proposal / Cost and Price Analysis for Small Business
May 14
Proposals are contractor prepared packages made in response to government solicitations and include the contractor’s budgeted costs for the projected period of performance of the solicitation. Join experts from DCAA as they discuss the requirements of these proposal packages set forth in FAR Part 15 and DFARS 252.215-7009. The training will walk participants through all the proposal cost elements, including direct labor, material, subcontracts, ODCs, and indirect rates. The DCAA will also discuss how the agency determines the adequacy of your proposal submission. Additionally, the DCAA will provide examples of budgeting practices using historical data considerations, examples of adequacy non-compliances, and regulatory resources to assist with proposal development.
Cost and Price Analysis is often a tricky topic for small businesses. The DCAA will go over the requirements of cost versus price analysis and when one (or both) is required. The DCAA will define the FAR requirements for “Certified Cost or Pricing Data” and what is the FAR requirement for “Data Other Than Certified.” Practices for both cost and price analysis will also be discussed.
Part 2: Indirect Costs and Rates / Monitoring Subcontracts
June 4
Not sure how to build your indirect rates? Experts from DCAA will define direct versus indirect costs, what general indirect rate structures look like, and the relationship between indirect pools and bases. Additionally, the DCAA will discuss the life cycle of indirect rates, then build example indirect rates using the four-step method in allocating indirect costs to Government Contracts.
Confused about what your requirements as a prime contractor are when it comes to your selection and oversite of your subcontracts? The DCAA will provide information about navigating through the world of subcontracting. Discussion will include the documentation of subcontract selections, subcontracting requirements, and the responsibilities of a prime contractor. Additionally, the DCAA will highlight the importance of monitoring subcontracts, what information is required when submitting your annual incurred cost submission, as well as what the subcontractor will need to provide to the prime contractor.
U.S. Air Force Office of Small Business Programs Upcoming Events
Stay informed about the latest opportunities to engage with the U.S. Air Force Office of Small Business Programs. Our Upcoming Events page highlights conferences, workshops, webinars, and networking sessions designed to help small businesses succeed in the government contracting space. Join us to connect, learn, and explore ways to collaborate with the U.S. Air Force.
U.S. Army Office of Small Business Programs Learning & Events
Discover valuable resources, training opportunities, and upcoming events hosted by the U.S. Army Office of Small Business Programs. Designed to empower small business owners, this platform provides educational materials, networking events, and guidance to help businesses successfully navigate government contracting. Explore webinars, workshops, and conferences tailored to support your journey in partnering with the U.S. Army.
Defense Logistics Agency Events and Webinars
Find upcoming opportunities to work with DLA through DLA's Small Business Outreach Calendar. Discover matchmaking events, attend classes or connect with other small businesses in similar industries. Veiw the calendar to see details for each DLA event.
U.S. Navy Office of Small Business Programs Upcoming Events
The mission of OSBP is to promote acquisition opportunities where small business can best support the needs of our Sailors and Marines. We owe it to these men and women to provide them with the systems, innovation, products and tools necessary to enable them to accomplish their mission and return home safely. We also owe it to the taxpayer to acquire these products and services at affordable and responsible prices. It is our hope that through this website you will gain information that will assist you in competing for those opportunities. You will find links to all of the DON's major buying activities and it is there that you will get to know the business of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Upcoming Govology Webinars
As one of our clients, you have the opportunity to access and attend several additional webinar's available through Govology at no cost. Review the list of dates, times, and topics, read the event flyer for more details and then contact us to get the access code and get registered today. If you need assisstance with registering, please contact Cadi Zerr at 701-777-6574.
May 13
Termination Settlement Porposals - REGISTER
When a government contract is terminated for convenience, contractors must act fast to minimize losses and recover allowable costs. In this focused webinar, Jacob Barclay of Barclay Group LLC walks through the critical steps for developing strong, defensible termination settlement proposals.
Key topics include:
- Identifying and documenting costs recoverable under a termination for convenience
- Building a comprehensive and well-supported settlement proposal
- Strategies to maximize financial recovery during settlement negotiations
- Best practices for navigating the government’s review and response process
May 15
Small Business Size Standards and Affiliation: Lesson for Every Federal Contractor - REGISTER
Qualifying as a small business in the federal marketplace isn’t always straightforward—especially when affiliation rules come into play. In this insightful webinar, government contract attorneys Shane McCall and Greg Weber of Koprince McCall Pottroff break down how SBA size standards really work and what can disqualify your business from small business set-aside opportunities.
Key topics include:
- How SBA determines size based on receipts or employee counts
- When and how size standards apply in federal contracting
- Common size determination mistakes small businesses make
- SBA’s affiliation rules—how relationships, management, ownership, or subcontracts can affect your size status
- What does and doesn’t trigger affiliation under SBA rules
- Real-world affiliation scenarios and how to avoid unintended consequences
- What to do if the SBA finds you “other than small”
May 20
Methods for Communicating Your Past Performance to Accelerate Government Sales - REGISTER
Your past performance is more than a checklist—it’s a powerful sales tool. In this fast-paced, high-impact session, Joshua Frank of RSM Federal introduces a proven methodology to help contractors reshape how they present corporate experience to stand out in the government marketplace.
Key topics include:
- Why most companies struggle to market past performance effectively
- Common messaging mistakes—and how to avoid them
- The “Value-Mapping” framework for quantifying and bridging past performance to enhance credibility
- Real-world examples of effective positioning and messaging
- Practical tools and templates to showcase depth, capability, and maturity
May 22
Addressing Tariffs: Key Considerations for Government Contractors - REGISTER
Tariffs can significantly impact pricing, supply chains, and contract performance in government contracting. In this essential webinar, Govology Legal Analyst Steven Koprince breaks down how tariffs affect contractors and what you can do to mitigate the risks and recover costs.
Key topics include:
- How tariffs drive up material costs, create pricing uncertainty, and lead to disputes
- Understanding contract types (fixed-price vs. cost-reimbursement) and their role in cost recovery
- Key FAR clauses and procedures for seeking equitable adjustments
- How to plan for tariffs during the bidding process
- Managing tariff-related risks in subcontracts through flow-downs and cost-shifting strategies
May 29
Prospecting for Government Market Opportunities (2025 Update) - REGISTER
Finding and securing government contracts takes more than just searching on SAM.gov. In this results-driven webinar, Carroll Bernard of Govology shares proven strategies for uncovering both visible and hidden opportunities across federal, state, and local agencies.
Key topics include:
- Identifying and qualifying government opportunities that fit your business
- Finding active solicitations and forecasting future buys
- Discovering hidden opportunities through direct outreach
- Leveraging micro-purchases, sole-source awards, and relationship-building tactics
- Using LinkedIn and other tools to create and work targeted leads lists
- Establishing daily, weekly, and monthly prospecting routines that produce results
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Optimize Proposal Outcomes and Grow Revenue SOC Virtual Training Webinar
Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize your proposal strategy and drive business growth in the federal marketplace. In this virtual training webinar, Strategic Outreach and Communications (SOC), in collaboration with the VA OSDBU’s Direct Access Program (DAP), will explore the latest AI-powered tools and techniques to enhance your proposal development process and increase win rates.
Key topics include:
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How AI is transforming federal proposal development.
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Tools and strategies to improve proposal accuracy and efficiency.
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Identifying growth opportunities using AI-driven data analysis.
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Enhancing competitiveness and revenue with smart automation.
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Best practices for small businesses entering or expanding in the federal space.
Target Audience:
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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs)
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Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs)
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All other small businesses are welcome to attend.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Training Events
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
Click the links below to access the on-demand training, which is available at no cost to ND APEX Accelerator clients, access customized resources to meet your specific needs, and sign up for the SBA SBIR/STTR Newsletter to stay updated on the latest in government contracting.
SBA SBIR/STTR Newsletter signup
FLC Upcoming Events
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the formally chartered, nationwide network of over 300 federal laboratories and research centers, that fosters commercialization, best practice strategies and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies out of the labs and into the marketplace.
Through American taxpayers’ investment in our federal laboratories’ research and development (R&D) efforts, scientific and technological breakthroughs can take place and return dividends to our economy. New industries, businesses, and jobs that can be created, when a new technology is brought to market, are just a few of the successes that take effect through technology transfer (T2), and the FLC is here to promote, facilitate, and educate labs and industry about that process.
FLC Upcoming Events
From Plan to Progress: Navigating SSPs for CMMC Readiness
Join us for an in-depth session focused on the System Security Plan (SSP)—a critical document for any organization handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This event will guide participants through the purpose and structure of an SSP as it relates to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework.Attendees will learn how to document existing cybersecurity practices, outline plans for future improvements, and ensure alignment with the Department of Defense's compliance expectations. Whether you’re starting your CMMC journey or refining your security posture, this session will provide essential insights and practical guidance.
Key Takeaways:
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Understand the role and components of a System Security Plan (SSP)
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Learn how to assess and document current security controls
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Discover strategies for planning and implementing necessary improvements
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Align your organization's cybersecurity posture with DoD requirements
Registration
To directly register for ND APEX sponsored events visit our calendar.