|
APEX Accelerators are here!
The DOD’s Office of Small Business Programs is in full swing operating APEX Accelerators. In addition, on December 2, 2022, the DOD and SBA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help strengthen the relationship between the agencies. While both the SBA and DOD already work with small businesses, the agreement aims to strengthen and expand small business development nationally and locally.
The mission of the APEX Accelerators is 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.
The DoD's new APEX Accelerators website is already live. Check it out here - Apex Accelerators.
APEX Program Goals
• Grow the Defense and Government (federal, state, local) Industrial Base
• Increase Equity and Inclusion
• Increase Awareness of and Compliance with FOCI ( Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence)
• Increased Cybersecurity of Industrial Base
• Facilitate Innovation
• Strengthen the Supply Chain
The Monroe County Finger Lakes APEX Accelerator is excited to continue serving you throughout our new expanded territory!
The additions of Cayuga and Onondaga Counties are shared territories.
|
|
|
The MCFL APEX Accelerator is pleased to announce that it closed the fiscal year providing direct assistance to over 360 small businesses in our territory – who reported over $108 million in contract awards. Additionally, we assisted 10 large government prime contractors with their subcontracting goals, and numerous government agencies.
MCFL APEX Accelerator was able to connect and collaborate with over 4,000 buyers and sellers, large and small businesses, and innovators through 28 training and outreach events. Key highlights of our outreach efforts include bringing every branch of the DOD to Rochester, as well as buyers from the nation's largest prime contractors. Some of our key events included:
- Congressman Joe Morelle and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello Annual Defense Forum
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Women-owned Small Business Outreach
- Air Force Research Labs, Information Directorate Visit
- Tri-State Virtual Mega Matchmaker
- NYS M/WBE Western NY Forum
Congratulations to all on the hard work and collaboration! We look forward to serving you in 2023.
|
|
|
Falcon Fuel Cells awarded SBIR funding as a result of working with MCFL APEX Accelerator
 Falcon Fuel Cells, a Rochester, NY, based company that develops advanced fuel cell systems for small to mid-sized UAVs (10-12 ft wingspans) and other mobile applications was recently featured during a White House Council On Environmental Quality (CEQ) webinar where they shared how MCFL APEX Accelerator has helped them win two SBIR awards.
Falcon Fuel Cells’ Executive Founder & CEO, Michael Waller, PhD, said, “We are so grateful for the Monroe PTAC group that walked us through the complex array of different government websites and agency requirements necessary for a successful SBIR application. Without their help, we 100% would not have been awarded 2 SBIR applications with another successful outcome expected in the new year.”
Thank you and congratulations, Falcon Fuel Cells. It is our pleasure to serve you!
If your business is interested in learning more about SBIR funding or other avenues of doing business with the government, contact the MCFL APEX Accelerator - https://monroecountyfingerlakesptac.org/1-on-1/.
|
|
|
Defense Department Launches Innovation Pathways Website
 The DoD announced on December 9th significant updates to the Innovation Pathways website that will allow it to serve as a "one-stop shop" for learning how to deliver innovation to the DoD.
The revamped site will serve as a gateway for industry, small businesses, students, universities, and other organizations within the Department itself to discover opportunities with DoD organizations and affiliate programs involved in research and development.
LEARN MORE: DoD Innovation Pathways (ctoinnovation.mil)
|
|
|
DEFENSEWERX (DWX), in partnership with the Department of Homeland Securtity (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, are searching for innovative capabilities to address DHS challenges.
The Department of Homeland Security secures the nation's air, land, and sea borders.
DEFENSEWERX created a special Intake Form for APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC) clients with innovative solutions to benefit national security.
We encourage and welcome you to take a moment to fill out the form and join the ecosystem to help solve some of the Department of Homeland Security’s most significant challenges.
|
|
|
Proposed Rule: Credit for Lower Tier Subcontracting and Other Amendments – Open Comments until February 17th
The 2020 NDAA requires the SBA to alter the method and means of accounting for lower-tier small business subcontracting. This proposed rule introduces a revision to the requirement to take credit so that it is discretionary rather than mandatory. Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2023.
Implementation takeaways:
• Lower-tier Subcontracting Credit applicable only to individual subcontracting plans.
• Commercial plans and comprehensive subcontracting plans are not eligible.
• Eliminates two sets of subcontracting goals – proposes to incorporate subcontracting-plan goals of its lower-tier subcontractors into its individual-subcontracting-plan goals.
• The proposed rule does not require prime contractors to submit additional reports.
Click here to read proposed rule and submit formal comments.
|
|
|
SDB Threshold Raised to $850K
Effective December 19, 2022, contracting officers shall use $850,000 in lieu of $750,000 for the net worth threshold in the Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) concern definition at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101(b).
LEARN MORE – https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA002289-22-DPC.pdf
|
|
|
Regional News and Highlights
|
|
|
Monroe County Economic Development launches college grad retention program: RETAIN
RETAIN Monroe addresses two serious workforce issues facing Monroe County: a job gap, where employers cannot find employees to fill specialized roles, and a low graduate retention rate that indicates that our top-tier talent is leaving the region for gainful employment elsewhere. This innovative program offers recent graduates a $2,000 lump sum payment after having lived, worked and networked in Monroe County for one year. These grants are offered directly through Monroe County employers.
Click here for full details: Monroe County, NY - RETAIN Monroe Grant Program
Contact Monroe County Department of Planning & Development's Community Development Initiatives Manager, Dr. Faye Pelow, with any questions at (585)753-2033 or FayePelow@monroecounty.gov.
|
|
|
Manufacturing Survey
MCFL APEX Accelerator, in partnership with Monroe County Planning & Development, Nextcorps, and Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association, along with other partners, will be launching a manufacturing survey next month. The purpose of the survey is to assess the regions manufacturing capabilities. More details to follow.
|
|
|
Recommended Training and Events in January
|
|
DON CISO’s Blue Cyber Small Business Cybersecurity AMA
Multiple Dates: Tuesday, Jan 3, Jan 10 & Jan 17 - Every - Tuesday
"Questions to Ask a Cybersecurity Provider” and “Where to begin with NIST SP 800-171"
Date: Jan 3, 2023
The Blue Cyber Director, Kelley Kiernan will answer your cybersecurity questions and cover the “Where to Begin with NIST SP 800-171” and “Questions to Ask a Cybersecurity Provider”.
“HOW TO: A slow walk through of the proposed CMMC Level 1 and the FAR 52-204-21 Basic Cyber Hygiene”
Date: Jan 10, 2023
(hint: they are the same) A special 2-hour Session of Blue Cyber. The Blue Cyber Director, Kelley Kiernan and technical experts will cover the 15 security requirements in the proposed CMMC Level 1 and FAR 52.204-21, which comprise basic cyber hygiene for your small business.
“Zero Trust Demystified by NIST”
Date: Jan 17, 2023
Scott Rose the NIST Zero Trust expert will explain Zero Trust.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-rose-438a755/
Click here for the registration link and agenda
|
|
|
Turnaround Tuesdays: WOSB Returns Webinar
Multiple Dates: Tuesday, Jan 10 (2x) & Jan 24
Click here to register
WOSB-hosted webinar with staff to help applicants successfully complete the ED/WOSB application process.
|
|
|
AFVentures Weekly Webinar Series
Multiple Dates: Thursday, Jan 12, 19 & 26
Click here to register
These events are open to small Businesses and government. Attend this weekly webinar hosted every Thursday at 12pm EST to learn about AFVentures Topics and Q&A about our program!
|
|
|
Small Business Webinar "Doing Business with GSA"
Date: Friday, Jan 13
Click here to register
 The webinar will include an overview of contracting opportunities, the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Program, Public Buildings Service, Federal Acquisition Service, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC), the Forecast of Contracting Opportunities, the Small Business Administration’s Subcontracting Network (SubNet), Section 889 guidance, and more.
|
|
|
DAU Event - Zero Trust Webinar: Transforming Cybersecurity
Date: Thursday, Jan 19
Click here to register
|
|
|
NAVY Blue Cyber Initiative Briefing
Date: Friday, Jan 20 
Click here to register
Come and learn about how Blue Cyber supported 11K SBIR/STTR firms and Small Businesses in FY22.
|
|
|
4th Friday Fundamentals
Date: Friday, Jan 27
Location: New Year, Hot Topics Briefing
Click here to register
Join the MCFL APEX Accelerator as we launch our 4th Friday Fundamentals webinar series on January 27th, 2023. These webinars are designed to be active discussions among participants regarding current DIB and GIB topics.
|
|
|
The Welcome to WOSB Webinar Series
Multiple Dates: Thursday, Feb 16 10 am & 3 pm
Click here to register
The Welcome to WOSB webinar series will introduce prospective WOSB firms to the program and the application process.
|
|
|
New SBA SDVOSB Certification Portal Opens Jan. 9th
The SBA recently released a final rule setting forth the procedures for verification as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) or veteran-owned small business (VOSB) under the SBA’s certification program, which kicks off on January 1, 2023. The SBA held a webinar on December 6th providing a “First Look & Live Demo” on what will now be called the Veterans Small Business Certification Program.
Inflation Relief Is Coming for DOD Contractors
A provision in the new National Defense Authorization Act would authorize contractors to receive inflation-related adjustments. This article provides an overview of the new provision.
New Proposed Rule Would Require Federal Contractors to Disclose Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A proposed new FAR provision would require certain federal contractors to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. This article provides an overview of the proposed rule.
|
|
|
Not a client? Sign up today for our FREE services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
