APEX Accelerator Open Announcement for New Recipients

Background
The APEX Accelerator Program is an initiative by the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracts. The program seeks to establish or maintain APEX Accelerators, formerly known as PTACs, which serve as a resource for businesses to obtain information and training related to contracting opportunities with DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and government prime contractors.

Grant Details
The award recipients must establish and maintain an APEX Accelerator with physical location(s) to serve as a resource for large and small businesses to obtain procurement technical assistance. The program aims to enable clients to identify potential contractual opportunities, obtain or perform under contracts, innovation and technology grants, and other DoD-funded instruments. The program requires collaboration with DoD and other Federal agencies and working cooperatively with them to accomplish the work under the award. The authorization to make awards under this funding opportunity can be found via the Assistance Listing (CFDA) Number 12.002 on sam.gov.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include states, local governments, private nonprofit organizations, economic enterprises, tribal organizations, and religious organizations. Cost sharing requirements are mandatory for all awards made as a result of this announcement. The federal share of cost is limited to no more than 65 percent unless the applicant provides procurement technical assistance in a distressed area, in which case the federal share is limited to no more than 85 percent.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the grant starts on 01 May 2023 and concludes on 31 March 2024. It includes an option for a subsequent year award based on certain conditions. Applicants may propose subrecipients/subawards in their application and may propose direct and indirect costs.

Grant Value
The DoD expects to award approximately 3 to 5 new cost sharing cooperative agreements totaling an estimated $4.5M to 7.5M. The total value of individual grant awards is subject to specific limitations based on the coverage area provided by the APEX Accelerator.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations where increased APEX Accelerator coverage is sought include the State of North Carolina, the region covering the city of Dearborn, Michigan, and the region covering the Bureau of Indian affairs Southern Plains and Eastern Oklahoma regions.