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 -10 a.m. Central Time.
MORE INFO about procurement webinars
February 11
Understanding Teaming Arrangements: Subcontracts, Joint Ventures, and Mentor Protégé Agreements
This webinar will introduce attendees to common ways contractors partner to pursue and perform government contracts. We will explore the risks and benefits of common teaming arrangements, what the FAR requires, potential risks and benefits, practical strategies, and best practices.
January 29
SBIR/STTR ABCs
Are you an innovator looking for early-stage funding to bring your ideas to life?
The SBIR/STTR ABCs virtual session is your chance to learn how the government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs can support your research and development efforts with over $4 billion in annual non-dilutive funding.
Event Highlights:
Who: Startups, small businesses with up to 500 employees, and academics looking to commercialize
innovative technologies
What: A virtual training session covering:
- Program eligibility requirements
- Participating agencies
- Key differences between SBIR and STTR
- Integration with other funding sources
- Common misconceptions and tools for proposal development
- When: January 29, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. CST
- Where: Online – accessible to all innovators nationwide
Cost: FREE – no registration fees
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore funding options and take the first step toward bringing your ideas to market. Register today!
February 18
2025 Midwest Matchmaker: Connecting Small Businesses with Government Buyers
Are you a small business looking to expand your reach and connect with government buyers?
The 2025 Midwest Matchmaker is your chance to meet federal, state, and local government procurement officials. This unique opportunity will bring together businesses and buyers in one of the largest online procurement events in the region.
Event Highlights:
- Who: Hosted by APEX Accelerators from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming, along with NADC APEX in Billings, MT, and the Nebraska Indian Community College APEX.
- What: An online matchmaking event that allows businesses to:
- Schedule pre-arranged appointments with government buyers, prime contractors and resource partners
- Explore procurement opportunities at all levels.
- When: February 18, 2025. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
- Where: Online – accessible to all businesses, nationwide!
- Cost: FREE – no registration fees.
Fabruary 25
DARPAConnect Regional Pop-Up Event
DoD
2024 Small Business Webinar Training Series
Mark your calendars for the January 2025 Small Business Webinar Training series hosted by OSBP. These free webinars cover crucial topics to support small businesses in navigating DoD contracting requirements and programs. Each webinar will require pre-registration via GovZoom and spots to fill up quickly. Below are the webinar dates and topics.
January 21
Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence Trainings
This session will provide key insights into FOCI regulations and their impact on businesses, especially in sensitive industries. We’ll cover how FOCI applies to various sectors, the risks of foreign ownership and control, and its effects on contracts and clearances. Participants will also learn practical steps for assessing and mitigating FOCI risks. Whether you're a government contractor, compliance officer, or business leader, this webinar will help you navigate FOCI requirements and maintain compliance with national security standards.
January 29
DoD Mentor-Protégé Program
Join us for an insightful webinar on the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, designed to foster growth and strengthen partnerships between small businesses and prime contractors. In this session, we’ll explore how the program works, its benefits for both mentors and protégés, and how small businesses can leverage this initiative to build capacity, gain access to valuable resources, and expand opportunities within the Department of Defense.
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Training Series
Join your APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) in a wide variety of monthly training series.
February 5
DCAA Cost Reimbursement Series - Part 2: Incurred Cost Submissions / Contract Briefs
Don’t miss Part 2 of the DCAA Cost Reimbursable Requirements Series, hosted by your local APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX). This session covers Incurred Cost Submissions and Contract Briefs, providing essential guidance for federal contractors. Learn how to prepare annual cost submissions, use the DCAA ICE model, and create effective contract briefs to streamline audits and monitor contract expenditures. Equip your business with the tools to meet compliance and succeed in federal contracting.
March 5
DCAA Billing Series: Provisional Billing Rates / Barriers to Payments from a DCAA Perspective
Join your local APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX) for the DCAA Billing Series, featuring Provisional Billing Rates and Barriers to Payments from a DCAA Perspective. Learn how to establish and monitor Provisional Billing Rates, prepare accurate interim vouchers, and navigate the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE). This training equips small businesses with the tools to ensure compliance and streamline billing processes for cost reimbursable contracts.
April 2
DCAA Introductory Series: Intro to DCAA and Audit Process Overview / From a DCAA Perspective: Breaking Into GovCon
Discover the essentials of working with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in the upcoming DCAA Introductory Series, hosted by your local APEX Accelerator and the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX). This series covers DCAA’s roles, the audit process, and key insights for small businesses breaking into government contracting. Gain a clear understanding of audit communications, government-compliant accounting requirements, and how to navigate barriers to entry in the Defense Industrial Base. Perfect for small businesses new to federal contracting!
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.
Govology Webinars
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.
January 16
Doing Buisness With the Army as a Small Business
The Department of the Army awards over $24 billion annually in contracts to small businesses, covering everything from commercial products to military-specific weapons systems. Being “procurement ready” is essential for successfully competing in this space. This webinar offers critical insights into the Army’s small business program, including strategic priorities, small business initiatives, upcoming events, and actionable tips for becoming “procurement ready.” Participants will also gain access to valuable resources and key points of contact for Army procurement opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to position your business for success in the Army contracting arena!
January 21
An Introduction to Government Small Business Certifications 2025 Update
This course provides an overview of key small business certifications for federal, state, and local government contracting, including SDB & 8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, and EDWOSB. Updated to reflect recent SBA regulations, you'll learn how certifications can benefit your business, determine eligibility, and navigate the application process, including the SBA's new unified certification website. The course also covers state and local certification programs, their differences from federal certifications, and additional training resources.
January 23
Defense Production Act Title lll
Title III of the federal Defense Production Act (DPA) offers contractors a unique, nontraditional path to engage with the federal government. Through this authority, contractors may receive loans, direct investments, purchase commitments, and other assistance to address critical shortages in domestic industrial resources and technology. In this webinar, Govology Legal Analyst Steven Koprince will guide you through the details of DPA Title III, including eligibility requirements, how to find and pursue opportunities, typical terms of DPA Title III agreements, and more. This session will break down the complexities of DPA Title III in plain, easy-to-understand language.
SBA/Other Federal
America's Seed Fund Week 2025
February 11-13
Are you an entrepreneur working on advanced technologies? Looking for funding opportunities to kickstart or grow your small business?
The 2025 America’s Seed Fund Week is your chance to connect with federal agencies, learn about America’s largest source of early-stage funding, and access resources to support your innovation journey.
Event Highlights:
- Who: Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- What: A free, virtual event to: Connect with federal agency representatives, Explore $4 billion in annual SBIR/STTR funding, and Gain resources, tools, and insights to start or enhance your SBIR/STTR journey
- Where: Online – accessible to entrepreneurs nationwide
- Cost: FREE – no registration fees
How to Prepare:
- Watch recaps and video replays from the 2024 America’s Seed Fund Week.
- Explore the Agency Resources page, including: Reverse Pitch Videos and Slide Decks and 1-Pagers with key agency funding details
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
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.
Learn More about Cyber Security for Small Businesses
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.
Registration
To directly register for ND APEX sponsored events visit our calendar.