Utah APEX Accelerator

Mission:

APEX Accelerator brings businesses into the government industrial base.

Purpose:

Assist businesses in pursuing and securing government contracts.
Facilitate the transfer of innovative technology to the defense industrial base.
Provide access to networks, resources, and potential partners.
Conduct training sessions and workshops to improve government contracting skills.

APEX Accelerator offices throughout the state are open and available for free in-person one-on-one counseling. To contact the APEX team’s regional manager nearest you, please scroll down to view contact information for our managers.

If we may be of any assistance, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or 1-801-538-8655.

Please let us know how well we are serving you by leaving a review.

The Utah APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

APEX Events

APEX Annual Symposium

Navigating the Winds of Change: Adapt, Innovate, Thrive

Oct. 16, 2025
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Connect with prime defense contractors, the Department of Defense, and federal, state, and local agencies, including exclusive one-on-one time with representatives.

Register Now

Agenda

Opening Remarks: Jefferson Moss, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity

Keynote Speaker: Joshua Frank, founder and managing partner of RSM Federal
Topic: Brutal Honesty — How Policy, Power, and Government Sales Collide

Breakout Sessions:

Using AI in Government Procurement
How to Pitch Myself to Government Agencies
How to Write a Winning Proposal
State & Local Government Opportunities - What is U3P (Bonfire/Euna Solutions) and How to Use it Effectively

Plus: Visit exhibitors’ booths, participate in the matchmaking event, and business-to-business networking

Participating exhibitors include Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground, Northrop Grumman, Nucleus Institute, Salt Lake City Corp, Space Dynamics Lab, UDOT, UTA, Idaho National Labs, Triumph Gear Systems, BAE, and more.

What We Do

Utah’s APEX Accelerator helps Utah businesses find, bid, and win procurement opportunities with Department of Defense (DoD) federal, state, and local entities.

The APEX team educates and assists Utah businesses to compete more effectively in the government marketplace through one-on-one and group counseling.

Apply for Services

Utah APEX Accelerator provides individual counseling and contracting assistance training at your site, or one of our seven locations statewide. The APEX team can assist you in the development of strategy and marketing tools that will help you to better compete in the government marketplace. The Utah APEX Accelerator can help you to become eligible to become a government contractor, vendor or supplier and can assist with registration in government databases. Utah’s APEX team offers technical assistance related to small business certifications and participation and solicitation (RFP, RFQ) document review. APEX Accelerator counselors provide individual counseling on all aspects of government contracting, including assisting in finding the right bid match, marketing to the government, and requesting and preparing solicitation documents. APEX Accelerator counselors also seek out businesses that provides innovative technologies needed in the defense industrial base.

More Resources

The Utah APEX Accelerator team offers a proprietary bid-match software service that compares your company’s products and/or services in combination with industrial NAICS codes and keywords to multiple government solicitation portals. Matching bid opportunities are emailed directly to the client, saving valuable time otherwise spent searching multiple bid sources. Government solicitations range in scope and type, but are not limited to, the following:

Federal agency software and integrated telecommunications circuits
Aerospace and defense systems
Federal/state engineering services and all types of equipment
Construction projects, including home and/or warehouse design/build, asphalt paving, or grounds maintenance

Utah APEX Accelerator Helps With Navigating Cyber Requirements

The APEX Accelerator program, under the management of the Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs, plays a critical role in the department’s efforts to identify and engage with a wide range of businesses entering and participating in the defense supply chain. The program provides education and training all businesses need to participate to become capable of participating in DOD and other government contracts, including cybersecurity compliance.

Your Utah APEX Accelerator (part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity) is ready to provide you with support and advice on implementing your response to federal and DOD regulations that cover cybersecurity requirements.

We can help you understand the applicable contract clauses, such as FAR 52.204-21, DFARS 252.204-7012, and DFARS 252.204-7024, and guide you through the steps to implement a compliant cybersecurity program.

Contact your APEX regional manager for support. business.utah.gov/apex

Register in SAM

Employer Identification Number (EIN): Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before registering in SAM if you don’t already have one.
System for Award Management (SAM.Gov): The System for Award Management (SAM) is the official, centralized, electronic registration process for vendors that want to do business with the federal government. Formerly known as Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). SAM is the primary federal government repository for most government-required representations and certifications. Registration is always free.
- User Guide: The official user guide for registering in SAM.
- Tutorial Video: An official YouTube video from 2012 on registering in SAM.
- NAICS Codes: North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes are used to register in the government’s vendor database, SAM, for federal contracting. They are also used in solicitations and bids to identify what a business does.
- FSC/PSC Codes: Listing and search engine for Federal Supply Codes (FSCs) and Product Service Codes (PSCs), which are used to register in the government’s vendor database, SAM, for federal contracting.
- Small Business Size Standards: The Small Business Administration (SBA) website on how size is determined. Use this information to determine whether your business is considered small.
- Government User Guidance on Small Business Information in SAM: Information for government users on how to interpret small business information in SAM.

Find Opportunities

Civilian Agency Procurement Forecasts: Upcoming, projected procurement needs for each federal civilian agency.
Contracting Opportunities: Opportunities from the federal government valued at more than $25,000.
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS): DIBBS is a web-based application that allows you to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests for Quotations (RFQs) for DLA items of supply. DIBBS also allows users to search and view Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bid (IFBs), awards, and other procurement information related to DLA.
Utah Public Procurement Place (U3P): The State of Utah’s opportunities website, including state and local procurements.

Contracting Assistance Programs

Small Business Administration (SBA) Eligibility Tool: Answer questions to see for which SBA programs your business may qualify.
8(a) Business Development Program
- Joint Venture Guidelines: SBA’s rules on 8(a) mentor-protégé agreements.
- Net Worth Determination: Determine your net worth to qualify for 8(a) program using SBA Form 413.
Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB) Program
HUBZone Program
- HUBZone Locator Tool: Type in an address to determine whether it is located in a HUBZone.

Contact Information Lists

SBIR/STTR Grants

Department of Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DISP): The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) programs are highly competitive government-funded contracts or grants that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The recipient projects must have the potential for commercialization and must meet specific U.S. Government R&D needs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Program Overview Video: A Youtube video giving a brief synopsis of the SBIR and STTR programs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Training Website: Helpful library of materials for working with the SBIR/STTR programs.
DoD SBIR/STTR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Schedule: View currently active BAAs for DoD SBIR/STTRs.

General Services Administration (GSA) Websites

GSA Homepage: The U.S. General Services Administration’s homepage.
GSA eLibrary: GSA eLibrary contains the latest GSA contract award information.
GSA Advantage: GSA Advantage is the government’s central online shopping superstore. GSA Advantage provides online access to millions of products and services from thousands of federal contractors.
GSA Global Supply: GSA Global Supply is a federal program administered by the General Services Administration. It is a requisition-based supply program for customers worldwide, including the Department of Defense.

Spending Databases

USASpending.Gov: Records of federal spending for contracts and grants.
Federal IT Dashboard: View details of federal information technology investments.
Contracts Awarded by the Department of Defense: Contracts valued at $7.5 million or more, which may contain subcontract opportunities, are announced each business day.

Other Useful Links

USA.Gov: The U.S. Government’s official web search site.
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR): The official website for the regulations governing federal contracting.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Federal Contracting: The SBA’s guide to federal contracting.
Cybersecurity Requirements: A DoD briefing on implementing DFARS Clause 252.204-7012
NIGP Code Directory: A list of “commodity codes” as developed by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, adopted by more than 1,400 state and local governments; NIGP codes are needed to register as a vendor with many state and local governments. Note: Utah does not use this system.
Utah Department of Commerce: The state of Utah’s system to register a new business, renew or update your business, or register a Doing Business As (DBA).
Small Business Outreach Calendar

DIBBS (DLA Internet Bid Board System) Training
- DIBBS Training - 1/24/24
- DIBBS Technical Data - 7/19/23
- DIBBS Training - 2/21/23
Utah Inland Port Authority Outreach (Brad Andrews) – 7/14/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
How to Apply for SBA Certifications (Paula Kramer, Cody Neville and Jackie Hobson) – 6/30/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
How to Respond to an RFP/RFQ (Thomas Gerke and Francene Bielik) – 6/9/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
Falcon Hill Outreach (Taylor Woodbury and David Williamsen) – 4/15/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management Outreach (Dana Edwards-Wym and Darrell Hunting) – 4/13/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
Salt Lake County and University of Utah Outreach (Jason Yocom, Randi Ruff, and Terri O’Toole) – 3/16/21
- Presentation slides
  - Salt Lake County
  - University of Utah
- Video
United States Forest Service Outreach (Amelia Velasco) – 2/23/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
Hill Air Force Base 75th Civil Engineering Group Outreach (Harry Briesmaster) – 1/28/21
- Presentation slides
- Video
Overview of Small Business Administration Programs (Brent Owens) – 12/8/20
- Presentation slides
- Video
Hill Air Force Base Small Business Outreach (James Dean) – 12/3/20
- Presentation slides
- Video
Cybersecurity, NIST 800-171, and DFARS Interim Rules (Thomas Gerke) – 11/19/20
- Presentation slides
- Video
Proposal Pricing Strategies Webinar (Jim Baddley and Pati Campbell) – 9/10/20
- Presentation slides
- Video
- Sample pricing spreadsheet
Small Dollar Acquisitions: Government Purchasing Card (GPC) and Request for Quotations (RFQs) (Mary Ann Flinders and Francene Bielik) – 8/25/20
- Presentation slides
- Video
Bell Textron Outreach – 7/28/20
- Presentation slides
- Follow-up letter
Hensel Phelps Presentation – 6/17/20
- Presentation slides
- Q&A responses
Dugway Proving Ground Industry Outreach – 6/10/20
- Presentation slides
beta.SAM.gov Contracting Opportunities Workshop (Thomas Gerke) – 2/19/20
- Presentation slides
Hill Air Force Base Supply Chain Management Group Presentation – 1/23/20
- Presentation slides
Boeing Outreach Event (Paul Bell) – 11/6/19
- Presentation slides
Zions Bank “Speaking on Business”
- Audio

Micro Purchasing (June 17, 2023)

Post Award Pointers (May 22, 2023)

Creating a Capabilities Statement (Feb. 28, 2023)

GSA Training Video (January 2022)

Joint Certification Program (JCP) training videos

Opportunity Searches in SAM

Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment/Wide Area Work Flow (PIEE/WAWF)

APEX Pricing Video

SBA Small Disadvantaged Business Application Video

PDF Presentation with hyperlinks

"Thank you, APEX team, for your insights, knowledge, and guidance as I completed the online SBA WOSB self-certification. You were responsive and helpful when I contacted you with questions about aligning my sam.gov and sba.gov records. When I saw on the SBA website that EchoWolf Solutions is now certified, I just had to reach out and let you know of my positive experience with the Utah APEX team. I appreciate your expertise, kindness, patience, educational resources, and support through this exciting time for my business."

– Sally White, EchoWolf Solutions, LLC

"Apogee Worx is a local, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business focusing on solving warfighter problems. Despite no longer wearing the uniform, we strive to continue serving this great nation while partnering with the industrial base found along the Wasatch Front. We appreciate the APEX team’s desire to give local businesses a leg up and create an environment that allows companies that reside here along the Wasatch Front to thrive.”

–Brian Janroy, Managing Member, Apogee Worx

"Construction Monitor has worked with the U.S. Census Bureau as a sub-contractor. Because of Utah APEX’s assistance, we successfully managed our subcontractor role with this federal agency. Thank you. We are thankful for all your help."

–David Mineer Jr, president, Construction Monitor

APEX Accelerator Offices

Contact Our Team

Find the regional manager for your county in the table below. You can also see the entire GOEO team on our team webpage.

Name	Title	Regions	Email	Phone Number	Schedule a meeting
Chuck Spence	Director		[email protected]	801-538-8655
Joshua Wiggins	Assistant Director	Kane, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington & Wayne counties	[email protected]	435-674-8483	https://calendar.app.google/17SB9sptGvknVLhe8
Darrin Cobler	Regional Manager	Davis, Weber & Morgan counties	[email protected]	801-633-0758
Greyson Jones	Regional Manager	Beaver, Garfield & Iron counties	[email protected]	435-865-8884
Paula Kramer	Regional Manager	Metro Salt Lake, Summit & Tooele counties	[email protected]	801-538-8756
Jessie Lobato	Regional Manager	Carbon, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, San Juan, & Uintah counties	[email protected]	435-650-7007
Troy McClain	Regional Manager	Box Elder, Cache & Rich counties	[email protected]	435-750-3273
Sara Ortiz	Regional Manager	Juab, Utah & Wasatch counties	[email protected]	801-538-8775
Alex Quayson-Sackey	Regional Manager	South Salt Lake County	[email protected]	801-957-5357

APEX News

Aug / 2023

Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence In Federal Contracting