April 15, 2024
Technology and innovation are key drivers of Utah’s economy. Small businesses from diverse industries and markets are spearheading the development of transformative technologies with local and worldwide impact. At the nexus of these innovative enterprises and government facilitation lies APEX Accelerator, a pivotal connector that ensures the seamless integration of groundbreaking technologies into the defense supply chain.
Operating under the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), APEX Accelerator identifies and facilitates the entry of diverse businesses into the defense supply chain, fostering technological innovation with strategic implications.
“APEX Accelerator is Utah’s best-kept secret,” said Chuck Spence, director of APEX Accelerator. “APEX works in the shadows and the backgrounds of businesses. From 2019–2022, we helped Utah businesses bring in $4.4 billion in federal, state, and local government contracts.”
APEX Accelerator is a unique hybrid of federal and state initiatives. In Utah’s case, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) serves as the program’s host, with funding contributions divided between the DOD (65%) and GOEO (35%).
Going the Extra Mile
Despite being funded by the DOD, APEX extends its support to businesses seeking government contracts.
The program offers comprehensive assistance in the following areas:
- Facilitates registration with essential databases, such as SAM and Utah Public Procurement Place.
- Identifies target agencies and offices needing specific products or services and guides effective engagement.
- Assesses readiness for government opportunities and advice on positioning strategies for success.
- Navigates the intricacies of solicitations and potential funding opportunities.
- Regularly disseminates notifications of government contract opportunities.
- Facilitates networking opportunities with key stakeholders, including buying officers, prime contractors, and fellow businesses.
- Offers guidance on resolving performance issues and prepares for an audit post-award.
“When we changed our name from Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to APEX Accelerator, our mission and vision shifted as well,” said Spence. “We have real enemies out there, and the DOD needs technologies to help us stay ahead of our enemies. We don’t care if they are a 10-person shop or working out of a garage. If they have cutting-edge technology, we want APEX to go after them.”
The program’s focus extends beyond merely facilitating government contracts; it encompasses 21 critical and emerging technology areas. These encompass a broad spectrum, from Advanced Manufacturing to Quantum Science, reflecting APEX’s commitment to nurturing advancements across diverse domains.
Noteworthy is the recent paradigm shift within APEX, mandated by the DOD. The program now actively seeks entrepreneurs and startups engaged in developing technologies within the 21 areas above, departing from the previous focus on established businesses. The goals and metrics have accordingly evolved to align with this visionary shift:
- Cultivate and sustain the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and Government Industrial Base (GIB).
- Increase equity and inclusion.
- Increase awareness of and compliance with Foreign Ownership, Control of Influence (FOCI).
- Improve cybersecurity of the DIB and GIB.
- Facilitate innovation for the DIB and GIB.
- Strengthen the supply chain.
- Capture market data in key industries.
“APEX Accelerator looks for technology that has the potential to strengthen our country’s defense,” said Spence. “We are here to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs and new startups who share the same vision.”