Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms

 

Building a strong and sustainable U.S. supply chain and supporting a wide range of diverse businesses by providing procurement assistance to businesses, fostering successful participation in federal, state, and local government contracts.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
12.002
Federal Agency/Office
Washington Headquarters Services (Whs), Department of Defense
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2018 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)s served over 50,000 businesses, provided more than 163,000 hours of one-on-one assistance, and facilitated over 5,000 training and networking events nationwide.
Fiscal Year 2019 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)s served over 54,000 businesses, provided 169,716 hours of one-on-one assistance, and facilitated over 5,300 training and networking events nationwide. PTAC clients received 707,689 government contracts or subcontracts valued at about $27 billion. Using the Bureau of Labor and Statistics average value of one job ($47,060), PTAC assistance facilitated the creation or retention of 559,150 jobs.
Fiscal Year 2021 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)s provided one-on-one assistance to businesses virtually during the stay-at-home orders caused nationwide by the COVID-19 pandemic. PTACs were designated essential critical infrastructure to the Defense Industrial Base and were used extensively to disseminate information from government to businesses. PTACs assisted businesses entering or re-entering the government marketplace due to a downturn in their commercial business caused by the pandemic. PTACs directed suppliers to the solicitations used by the government to procure critical supplies and equipment to support the pandemic response and helped them understand how to submit an offer to provide the supplies.
Fiscal Year 2023 Centers are funded which has led to tens of thousands of businesses receiving procurement assistance, allowing successful participation in federal, state, and local government contracts.
Authorization
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program was established by section 1241 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1985., Public Law 98-525, 10 U.S.C. 2411-2420
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants. Only those entities listed in this section are eligible to apply. a. States. State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession of the United States, an agency or instrumentality of a State, and a multi-State, regional, or interstate entity having governmental duties and powers (refer to 10 U.S.C. 2411(1)(A)). b. Local governments. Local government, means a unit of government in a State, a local public authority, a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a sponsor group representative organization, an interstate entity, or another instrumentality of a local government (refer to 10 U.S.C. 2411(1)(B)). c. Private nonprofit organizations. Private nonprofit organization means an entity which is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, and no part of its earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, and no substantial part of its activities is carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation or participating in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office (refer to 10 U.S.C. 2411(1)(C)). d. Economic enterprises. Economic enterprise means any Indian-owned (as defined by the Secretary of the Interior) commercial, industrial, or business activity established or organized for profit purposes or for nonprofit purposes. Provided, that such Indian ownership constitutes not less than 51 percent of the enterprise (refer to 10 U.S.C. 2411(1)(D)). e. Tribal organizations. Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body, or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities. Provided, that in any case where a cooperative agreement is made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the making of such cooperative agreement (refer to 10 U.S.C. 2411(1)(D)).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any established US business who wants to sell goods or services to any US government agency.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. see funding announcement listed at grants.gov
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Funding opportunities, including application instructions, are posted at www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Merit-based, competitive procedures are used to evaluate applications and make awards. Funding Opportunity Announcements include the criteria that will be used to evaluate applications submitted in response to the announcement.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days.
Appeals
From 60 to 90 days.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Merit-based, competitive procedures are used to evaluate applications and make awards. Funding Opportunity Announcements include the criteria that will be used to evaluate applications submitted in response to the announcement.
How may assistance be used?
The Department of Defense awards cooperative agreements to eligible program participants who establish and maintain Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs). The PTACs serve as a resource for large and small businesses to obtain information and training related to contracting opportunities with DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments and with government prime contractors.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: The APEX Accelerator Program quarterly report based on goals and metrics is due on a quarterly basis.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
The records retention period is 6 years.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title 10 Chapter 388

Matching is mandatory. Non-Federal cost sharing requirements generally range between 20% and 35%. Refer to the Funding Opportunity Announcement for more information.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally, announcements are five-year funding opportunities, which will usually consist of a one-year base period and four subsequent, one-year option periods. Awardees are eligible to receive payment in advance but most opt to receive cost reimbursement on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Khalil Mack, Director, APEX Accelerators
3330 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B854
Washington, DC 20301-3330 US
osd.pentagon.ousd-a-s.mbx.apex-accelerators@mail.mil
Phone: 5713726332
Website Address
https://www.apexaccelerators.us/#/
Financial Information
Account Identification
97-0100-0-1-051
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$50,016,000.00; FY 23 est $52,000,000.00; FY 24 est $55,000,000.00; FY 21$48,000,000.00; FY 20$44,500,000.00; FY 19$41,500,000.00; FY 18$37,300,000.00; FY 17$36,000,000.00; FY 16$36,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The smallest award is about $100,000 and serves businesses in one or a few counties and the largest is $1,000,000 and serves businesses throughout an entire state.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
refer to https://www.apexaccelerators.us
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2021 Funding was used to operate a center where businesses receive assistance with submitting offers and complying with terms and conditions of contracts with local or federal government agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, center employees predominantly provided remote-only assistance and served businesses virtually. Assistance includes a wide range of support including identifying which agencies buy what the business sells, applying for socioeconomic certifications, understanding the end-to-end contracting process, set-asides, terms and conditions, how to get paid, and what to do when being audited. The centers also host events designed to help businesses network with each other and with government procurement personnel. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most events were accomplished using virtual meeting and matchmaking software.
Fiscal Year 2023 Funded approximately 96 centers allowing them to serve as the axis for existing and new business to strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains.

 



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