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 on the first Tuesday of every month from 9 -10 a.m. Central Time.
June 30-July 2
2026 Encountering Innovation Tech Showcase
The 10th Annual Encountering Innovation Conference is a multi-state, in-person event bringing together technology innovators and Department of Defense stakeholders from across 10+ states. Hosted at the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kansas (Groover Labs) in Wichita, this exclusive event is designed for advanced technology companies ready to showcase their innovations to DoD Science and Technology Advisors
This limited engagement opportunity will accept only 30 innovators. Selected participants must have a working prototype by the conference date and will have the opportunity to:
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Present advanced technology solutions directly to DoD Science and Technology Advisors
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Engage in 1:1 meetings with Combatant Commands
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Explore collaboration and partnership opportunities
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Receive support through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
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Access SME and SBDC advising support
Applications are accepted until mid-March or until capacity is reached.
If your company is developing innovative technologies with defense applications, this is a unique opportunity to gain visibility, build strategic relationships, and accelerate your path to DoD engagement.
Apply early. Space is limited.
Upcoming DoW Small Business Webinars
The following series of webinars are hosted by the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and APEX Accelerators. These sessions are designed to inform and empower small business owners, acquisition professionals, and government contracting stakeholders.
Introduction to LYNX for Industry Users
June 11
Join us for a live demonstration of LYNX, a digital platform developed by the Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth that serves as a comprehensive suite to help businesses navigate the government contracting landscape with greater clarity and confidence. LYNX provides powerful tools to more efficiently and effectively match opportunities aligned to business capabilities and government mission needs.
DoD Mentor-Protégé Program
July 14
The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) strengthens and modernizes the defense industrial base by connecting businesses new to government contracting with more experienced government contractors to provide broader and deeper capabilities to the military supply chain. Through this collaboration, protégés gain critical knowledge, technical expertise, and business development acumen which increases their capabilities to perform as subcontractors and suppliers under DoD contracts, other federal government and commercial contracts. Mentors gain valuable and qualified subcontracting partners to provide technological capabilities to rebuild our military and advance other government priorities.
In this webinar, Jerry Smith, Program Analyst (CTR), DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, will explain how the MPP works, the benefits to mentors and proteges, and how to participate.
Small Business Training Series
Introduction to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
June 25
From Passion to Policy: An In-depth Look at the Newly Reauthorized SBIR/STTR Program
June 25
Introduction to APEX Accelerators for Industry
July 14
Introduction to Project Spectrum
Aug 13
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. View 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 an ND APEX client, you have access to a variety of additional webinars through Govology at no cost. Review the upcoming dates, times, and topics, and check the event flyer for full details. When you’re ready, contact our team to receive the access code and register. If you need help with registration, reach out to us at ndapex@und.edu or 701-777-6571.
Evolving DoD Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements (Q2-2026 Update)
The U.S. federal government recognizes the risk that sensitive information, including Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), can be exposed through contractor information systems. As a result, federal contractors are required to implement cybersecurity safeguards, with Department of Defense contractors facing additional requirements under several DFARS cybersecurity clauses.
In this webinar, Adam Austin of Totem Technologies will explain these requirements in practical terms, discuss common implementation challenges, and share resources to help contractors navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape. Attendees will gain a better understanding of current DoD cybersecurity requirements and what organizations can do to prepare for compliance.
Methods for Communicating Your Past Performance to Accelerate Government Sales (2026 Update)
If you’re looking for practical strategies to better position and communicate your company’s experience and past performance, this training session will transform the way you market and differentiate your business. In this fast-paced and educational session, you’ll learn why many companies struggle to effectively market their experience and how to avoid common positioning mistakes that lead to limited differentiation. Through real-world examples, participants will learn how to map the value of past performance and strategically “bridge” that value to strengthen market position, increase perceived maturity, and better communicate capabilities to prospective clients and partners.
You’ll Explore:
- Why most businesses market their experience with only moderate success
- How to avoid common pitfalls in positioning past performance
- Real-world examples that demonstrate how to reshape your messaging
- Tools and templates to showcase your company’s breadth, depth, and capabilities
The Govology Advantage: How to Turn Knowledge into Competitive Edge
Many businesses enter the government marketplace relying on outdated information or trial-and-error approaches that can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. This webinar will explore how structured education can help contractors build a stronger foundation for long term success.
Topics include:
- The biggest mistakes new contractors make when entering the government marketplace
- Why “winging it” often leads to expensive setbacks
- How education helps businesses avoid common bidding, pricing, and compliance mistakes
- How successful contractors use knowledge to uncover opportunities others miss
- How teaming, positioning, procurement readiness, and strategy create competitive advantage
- An overview of the Govology platform, learning pathways, and training resources available to support continued growth
Ethics in Federal Government Contracting (2026 Update)
In this informative webinar, government contracts attorney Nicole Pottroff will break down the fundamentals of procurement integrity and explain the key ethics rules every federal contractor should understand. Attendees will gain practical insight into how ethics regulations apply throughout the contracting lifecycle and learn how to identify and avoid common compliance pitfalls that can expose organizations to significant legal and financial risk.
Topics Covered:
- Appropriate boundaries for agency communications
- Conflicts of interest
- Kickbacks and contingent fee restrictions
- False claims liability and compliance risks
- Effective internal ethics plans and compliance programs
Breaking into GovCon: A DCAA Perspective
Are you ready to navigate the complex world of government contracting? This presentation provides a comprehensive overview from the Defense Contract Audit Agency’s (DCAA) perspective, equipping potential government contractors with the essential knowledge to confidently break into the Defense Industrial Base. DCAA will demystify the different contract vehicles, including Fixed-Price, Cost-Reimbursement, Time and Materials, and Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Understand the risks and rewards associated with each type and how they impact your business operations. Additionally, learn what factors the government considers when determining if a prospective contractor is responsible for performing under government contracts.
Takeaways:
- Gain a solid understanding of DCAA’s role in government contracting
- Learn essential compliance requirements to avoid costly mistakes
- Develop strategies to navigate pre- and post-award audits successfully
- Position your business for success in the competitive GovCon market.
MySBA Certification Training Events
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.
2026 Prevailing Wage Seminars
September 23
Service Contract Act (SCA)
This session provides a detailed overview of the McNamara O’Hara Service Contract Act and how it applies to service contracts. Participants will gain a better understanding of wage requirements and how to maintain compliance across different types of federal contracts.
Topics covered include:
- SCA Wage Determinations & Conformances
- SCA Compliance Principles
- Interaction Between SCA, DBRA, and PCA
- Price Adjustments by USACE/AF
- Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS)
September 24
Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA)
This session provides a detailed overview of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and how they apply to federally funded and assisted construction projects. Participants will gain a clear understanding of prevailing wage requirements and how to maintain compliance throughout the life of a contract.
Topics covered include:
- DBRA Wage Determinations & Conformances
- DBRA Compliance Principles (Fringe Benefits, Deductions, and Apprentices)
- DBRA Certified Payrolls
- Investigative Procedures
DoD Office of Small Business Programs - Cybersecurity Resources
Cybersecurity is vital for small businesses to protect against cyberattacks that can lead to identity theft, business interruptions, reputational damage, and costly legal fees. To work with federal agencies like the DoD, businesses must meet cybersecurity standards such as NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0.
Project Spectrum Events
Check out the full calendar of upcoming events and opportunities.
Registration
To directly register for ND APEX sponsored events visit our calendar.