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.
April 7
Doing Business with the States
Procurement officials with Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota state procurement
offices
will provide updates about doing business with them. The 2026 monthly tri-state procurement
webinars are
hosted in partnership with APEX Accelerators and the US Small Business Administration
district offices from
Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
April 9
SADBOC Government Procurement Fair
Small businesses interested in doing business with government agencies and prime contractors are encouraged to attend the 27th Annual SADBOC Government Procurement Fair. This trade fair combines education with marketing strategies and provides small businesses the opportunity to meet representatives from more than 60 federal, state, and local agencies, as well as commercial prime contractors and nonprofit organizations. Attendees will also have access to technical assistance resources and information about upcoming contracting opportunities.
April 21
Introduction to SAM.gov
This training is designed to provide a foundational overview of the System for Award Management which is often referred to as SAM.gov. This is the official e-procurement website of the federal government. SAM.gov provides data on government contract opportunities and history, contractors, and more. Businesses (vendors) rely on SAM.gov to register in order to do business with the federal government or contractors with prime government contracts. You don’t want to miss this fundamental training!
April 28-April 30
Meet the Buyers 2026 Virtual Conference
This virtual conference connects businesses directly with government buyers at the federal, state, and local levels, along with agency representatives, experienced primes, and resource providers. Whether you're new to Government contracting or looking to expand existing relationships, Meet the Buyers Conference offers practical insight, meaningful connections, and real conversations that move opportunities forward.
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.
DoW Mentor-Protege Program
March 26
This session will demonstrate how the DoW/DoD use Physna to locate parts and manufacturing capabilities across the U.S. supply chain. Attendees will also learn how manufacturers and suppliers can have their parts and capabilities indexed in the system to increase visibility to defense agencies.
Small Business Showcase
March 26
Small businesses play a critical role in delivering new capabilities to the Department of War and DARPA, and many of today’s most impactful defense technologies began as ideas from small, innovative teams. This session will highlight how small businesses can engage with DARPA through the SBIR and STTR programs and transition promising technologies into real world use. Participants will hear directly from DARPA leaders and successful performers about how companies move from concept to capability, along with practical strategies for navigating the SBIR and STTR process, connecting with end users, and positioning technologies for transition.
Project Spectrum
April 23
Project Spectrum is a DoD OSBP initiative that helps small and medium-sized businesses strengthen cybersecurity to meet federal contracting requirements. This program offers training, tools, and resources to increase awareness of cyber threats, protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and understand regulations like Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
In this webinar, Kareem Sykes, Project Spectrum Industry & Engagement Director (CTR), explains how businesses can improve their cyber readiness, meet compliance requirements, and access support tools.
Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI)
May 14
Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) happens when a foreign entity has the power to direct or influence the management or operations of a company. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potentially compromise national security. FOCI can involve legal means like joint ventures and acquisitions or illegal methods like cyber espionage.
In this webinar, Dr. Bryson Reynolds will teach you how to identify FOCI, why it's important, and the steps you can take to protect your business.
Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Virtual Industry Day
May 18-22
The Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) is hosting its sixth Annual command-wide virtual Advance Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI). This multi-day event is designed to educate industry partners on the MICC and its mission partners while providing an overview of projected requirements and upcoming contracting opportunities.
The event will include a live virtual briefing broadcast on Microsoft Teams, featuring planned presentations and a live Q&A session, with all questions and answers posted to SAM.gov. In addition, MICC will offer virtual one-on-one sessions with acquisition staff, giving businesses the opportunity to engage directly with contracting professionals. Registration is required for both the live event and one-on-one sessions, and interested businesses should monitor the SAM.gov posting for updates and additional information.
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
Project Spectrum Training
April 2
Intro to APEX Accelerators
April 14
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.
DLA Energy Worldwide: Strategic Energy for Global Advantage
April 21-23
This premier event provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to connect directly with energy-related providers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders who support DLA Energy and, ultimately, the Warfighter. It is an excellent venue for networking, learning about upcoming opportunities, and gaining insight into the evolving needs of defense energy logistics.
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.
Unlocking DoD Industrial Base Opportunities: Navigating IBAS, OTAs, and the Cornerstone Consortium
The Department of Defense is investing billions of dollars to strengthen and expand the United States defense industrial base. These investments cover advanced manufacturing, supply chain resiliency, workforce development, automation, technology innovation, and critical capability expansion.
This training provides a practical roadmap to understanding and engaging directly with the Department of Defense through the Cornerstone Consortium in support of the Department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program.
Defense Production Act Title III (2026 Update)
Title III of the Defense Production Act gives the federal government a powerful and often overlooked way to strengthen the U.S. industrial base through direct investment rather than traditional contracts. In this session, Govology Legal Analyst Steven Koprince explains how DPA Title III works and how businesses can pursue these opportunities.
You will learn:
- What DPA Title III authorizes the government to do
- Which contractors may be eligible
- How to identify and pursue Title III opportunities
- What typical agreements look like
- Key risks and considerations before engaging
If you want to understand how federal industrial policy translates into real funding and opportunity, this webinar provides the framework.
Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) Rules for Federal Contractors (2026 Update)
In 2026, the Department of War is expected to release its Section 847 rules, expanding FOCI principles to certain unclassified prime contracts and subcontracts valued at $5 million or more. As a result, companies that have never had to consider FOCI may soon need to evaluate how foreign ownership or influence could affect contract eligibility.
In this webinar, Govology Legal Analyst Steven Koprince explains how FOCI rules function and how the government evaluates foreign ownership or influence. He also addresses contractor reporting and mitigation responsibilities, as well as how these concepts apply to programs such as SBIR and STTR. This session provides in-depth insight to help you understand potential exposure and maintain eligibility for federal opportunities.
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.
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.