Part B · Startup-relevant scheme
APEX Accelerators (formerly PTAC) (APEX Accelerators)
Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs
Incubation
Growth / ScalingMarket Access & IP
APEX Accelerators (renamed from Procurement Technical Assistance Centers in FY2023) provide free technical assistance to businesses pursuing federal, state, and local government contracts, and subcontracts with government prime contractors.
Type of support
Incubation
Best suited for
Market Access
Headline amount
Free technical assistance
How much
Free consulting; no direct funding
Objectives
Build resilient US supply chains by helping a broad range of businesses — not just defense contractors — successfully compete for and perform on government contracts, congressionally authorized since 1986.
Who can apply?
- Any US business interested in government contracting, at any stage of readiness.
- No revenue or certification prerequisites to get started — many clients use an APEX Accelerator to prepare for SAM.gov registration and set-aside certifications in the first place.
What do you get?
- Bid and proposal reviews, marketing assistance, and contract-performance support.
- Help navigating small-business certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) and required registrations.
- Procurement training classes and seminars, generally at no cost.
How to apply
Find your local APEX Accelerator (there are 96+ nationwide, often hosted by universities or state economic-development agencies) and contact them directly — services are free.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.