Fort Myers, Florida — The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is changing its name to the Florida APEX Accelerator, but its mission to help businesses research and bid on federal, state, and local government contracts remains the same.
The name change coincides with the program’s transition nationally from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency to the DoD Office of Small Business Programs.
“Small businesses are critical to our economy and play a central role in bolstering our nation’s defense,” said Jane Dowgwillo, interim program manager of the Florida APEX Accelerator. “Government contracting, however, can be complex, and small business participation in the defense industrial base has declined over the past decade. This shift is aimed at reducing barriers and equipping businesses with greater resources to be capable of competing in the federal, state and local government marketplace.”
Under the oversight of the DoD, APEX Accelerators nationally will focus on accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains in the government marketplace.
Although the program’s name is changing, its mission remains the same. The Florida APEX Accelerator helps Florida-based businesses compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. Through the program, the Florida APEX Accelerator matches businesses with contract opportunities, helps them prepare bids and navigate requirements, and assists them after winning contracts.
Consultants also help businesses apply for certifications that may help them get an edge when competing for contracts, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned, or HUBZone small businesses. These services are provided at no-cost to businesses.
In addition to these services, the program will expand to provide training and awareness on cybersecurity, risks of foreign ownership, control and influence, intellectual property protection, and assistance with government-led innovation programs.
More than 90 PTACs around the country will change to the new name. The Florida APEX Accelerator at Florida Gulf Coast University is a member of the Florida APEX Accelerator, a statewide network powered by the University of West Florida and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the DoD, State of Florida, and local partner support, including the [partner name]. The F is one of nine APEX Accelerators being rebranded to the Florida APEX Accelerator in the state.
“The name change to the Florida APEX Accelerator reflects our commitment to empowering businesses and strengthening our community while maintaining our core mission of supporting small businesses in government contracting,” said Florida SBDC at FGCU Regional Director, Dorian Zwierewicz.
The Florida APEX Accelerator program plays an important role in the state. The U.S. government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, and every year, contracts are available to businesses at the local, state, and federal levels.
Last year, the Florida APEX Accelerator program served 1,387 new clients, resulting in 25,919 jobs supported and helping businesses secure $246 million in government contracts.
For more information, and to find a government contracting consultant in your area, please visit www.FLAPEX.org.
About APEX Accelerators:
Originally named the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), the Program was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the government marketplace. Administered by the Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs, the program provides matching funds through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and non-profit organizations to operate APEX Accelerators for the purpose of providing assistance to all businesses – particularly small businesses – interested in participating in the government marketplace. Learn more at https://www.aptac-us.org/ and https://www.apexaccelerators.us/#/
About the Florida APEX Accelerator:
The Florida APEX Accelerator (formerly the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center) is part of a national network of APEX Accelerators working to help businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. The Florida APEX Accelerator is powered statewide by the University of West Florida and funded in part by the State of Florida and local partners. This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. In 2022, the Florida APEX Accelerator program served 1,387 new clients, resulting in 25,919 jobs supported and client businesses securing $246 million in government contracts. For more information, please visit www.flapex.org.
