- Cybersecurity Essentials That Protect Your Business and Customer - Sept 21
- DIBBS System Overview – Searching for and Bidding on Opportunities (2023 Update) - Sept 28
- Funding And Selling Innovative Solutions to Government Agencies - Oct 12
- Suspensions, Debarment and Related Ethical Issues for Federal Contractors - Oct 17
- How the SBIR & STTR Programs Can Benefit Small Innovative Companies (2023 Update) - Oct 19
- Classifications Under U.S. Export Controls (ITAR and EAR) - Oct 24
- How to Leverage Your GSA Schedule to Win More Government Contracts - Oct 26
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.
Local/Regional
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 9:00-10:00 a.m. Central Time.
- October 3 – Cybersecurity
9:00 – 10:00 am Central Time
Learn more about Project Spectrum (PS) - the comprehensive cybersecurity resource that provides state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and training aimed toward improving the overall cyber hygiene of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). In recognition of the financial constraints that small businesses face relative to achieving their desired level of cybersecurity compliance, Project Spectrum offers all of its products and services at no cost. A DoD-supported initiative through the Office of Small Business Programs, Project Spectrum is an invaluable resource to improve cybersecurity hygiene. - November 14 – Doing Business with the VA and Veteran Certification
9:00 – 10:00 am Central Time
This workshop is an introduction to doing business with the Veterans Health Administration NCO 23. Learn how the VA buys, what they buy and how you can participate.
The SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program (VetCert) allows small service-disabled veteranowned businesses (SDVOSBs) the opportunity to compete for federal sole-source and set-aside contracts across the federal government. Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) may also compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). - December 5 – Doing Business with the National Park Service
9:00 – 10:00 am Central Time
The National Park Service Contracting Division/Midwest supports acquisition activities through the purchase of millions of dollars’ worth of products and services each year. Learn how the National Park Service purchases products and services so that you can be better prepared to participate in this federal marketplace.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS INDUSTRY DAY
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), St. Paul District will be presenting future industry opportunities to get involved in the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan (FMM) Area Flood Risk Management Project. The FMM Area Flood Risk Management Project is a large, multi-faceted project that is resulting in significant flood risk management for the project area. This flood risk project includes significant concrete structures and earthwork, as well as forestry replacement efforts for the area. The USACE St. Paul District potentially has six (6) projects scheduled for this area in FY24 and FY25 with an estimated value of over $150M.
- The U.S. Air Force 5th Contracting Squadron (Minot, ND) and 319th Contracting Squadron (Grand Forks, ND) will brief FY24 projects for their respective areas.
- The USACE Omaha District will brief its FY24 projections.
Space is limited, so a maximum of two (2) representatives from interested firms may attend.
DATE: October 24th
TIME: 8:30 am - 12 pm
REGISTER
NATIONAL APEX ACCELERATOR DAY
Join the ND, MN, and SD APEX to learn about government procurement. The APEX program managers will have fun answering questions and sharing an outline of what a business needs to have in place before contracting, exploring why you may consider the government market sector, and what it takes to be successful in this market.
DATE: October 12, 2023
TIME: 9 am - 10 am
MEET THE BUYERS
Meet the Buyers is Nebraska's premier government contracting conference where businesses can advance their contracting knowledge, connect with other business owners, and network directly with agency representatives and buyers. Don't miss the chance to meet directly with Federal, State, and Local government agency reps, government contracting industry people, and resource providers. Register now to save your spot! 2023's Fall Conference is Hosted by the NBDC APEX Accelerator (formerly Nebraska PTAC).
DATE: October 17-19, 2023
19th ANNUAL GREATER MN PROCRUREMENT FAIR
A premiere event on selling products and services to the government. Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend. The fair will provide an opportunity for small businesses to learn about special programs designed to provide better access to the government marketplace. A trade show will be open throughout the day in addition to a variety of workshops including Basics of Selling to the Government, Federal Certifications, SAM.gov Registration, Contracting with the State of MN and TG/ED/VO Certification, etc. You will have 8 workshops in 2 tracks to choose from, along with the opportunity to visit with 20+ representatives from State & Federal Government Agencies, Large Businesses, and Resource Providers on the trade floor. The event is free and open to all businesses - registration is required.
DATE: October 17-19, 2023
TIME: 9 am - 3 pm
LOCATION: Univerisity of MN - Duluth
Kirby Student Center
1120 Kirby Dr.
Duluth, MN 55812
12th ANNUAL SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT
Are you ready to test the waters of government contracting? Have you considered diversifying your customer base to include the government as a customer?
This annual government procurement event will offer workshops to learn about local, state, and federal government market sectors. In addition, you will learn how to complete registrations, available solicitations, how to do business with federal agencies, and more.
Attendees will be provided with an educational environment and the ability to network and share their capabilities with key stakeholders.
Even in this global economy, business is still conducted between people. Taking the time to make personal connections and market your firm's capabilities still matters!
DATE: March 27, 2024
TIME: 8 am - 4 pm
LOCATION: Raymond J. Bohn Armory
4150 Miriam Ave
Bismarck, ND 58501
DoD
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. Details for each event can be found by selecting an event name in the calendar.
Find Procurement Technical Assistance Centers through the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers' event website.
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.
View upcoming events
Govology Webinars
GOVOLOGY WEBINARS
As one of our clients, you have the opportunity to access and attend several additional webinar's available through Govology. 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.
SBA/Other Federal
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. Check out upcoming events to learn more.
Cybersecurity
CYBERSECURITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Join us at the Air Force/Space Force CISO’s Blue Cyber Initiative.
ALWAYS FREE AND PUBLIC, the DAF CISO’s Blue Cyber education series is an early partnership with the Defense Industrial Base, which enables small businesses to bake in cybersecurity and move forward at the speed of innovation. The Blue Cyber Initiative Small Business Cybersecurity boot camp. As small businesses drive innovation and support defense missions with cutting-edge technologies, it is vital we work together to protect DoD sensitive data and networks. Blue Cyber will pair small businesses with the most modern cyber protection methods in the industry, better positions DIB small businesses to protect sensitive information and networks even before they have a contract to innovate for defense; this defense sensitive information includes YOUR Intellectual Property.
DFARS / NIST / CMMC Workshop
The workshop coaches small business contractors on compliance with the DoD's cybersecurity mandates.
The workshop starts on 2 October, runs through 8 December, and will be limited to 20 participants. Workshop sessions are released on-demand on Mondays, and I'll conduct follow-up live "Return and Report" sessions the following Friday. You'll have plenty of time in between to work with our tools to improve your organization's cybersecurity posture. By the end of the nine weeks your organization will be "Cybersecurity DIB ready" and well on the way toward passing a CMMC assessment.
We've partnered with Govology -- providers of the preeminent training courses in government contracting -- to host our Workshops. The Govology Learning Management System (LMS) provides various ways to interact with me, the instructor, including scheduling one-on-one "office hours" to discuss your specific environment and challenges.
DATE: Oct 2nd - Dec 8th
REGISTER and use code "CMMC15" through the end of July to save 15%.
AIR FORCE AND SPACE FORCE CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER ASK-ME-ANYTHING
The Air Force and Space Force Chief Information Security Officer has created the Blue Cyber Education Series for Small Businesses and Academic/Research Institutions. This program provides the Small Business Cybersecurity Materials and an Every-Tuesday Cybersecurity Ask-Me-Anything.