SWCC APEX Accelerator

Intro to Selling to Virginia
2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Description
This session will provide a high-level overview of the Commonwealth’s purchasing process, including purchasing policies that affect how buyers use the eVA system to “shop” and the eVA tools used by our buying community. You’ll also get a guided tour of the eVA website as we discuss the publicly accessible tools & resources every business should know about if they’re interested in selling to Virginia. And if you’re not already an eVA registered supplier, you’ll learn how to get signed-up, as well as where to go for help at any time!

Presenter: Kim Pritchett, eVA Outreach & Marketing Manager

Federal Contracting 101
2025-04-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-12 13:00 - 14:00
The Southwest Virginia Community College APEX Accelerator invites you to attend this informational training session to learn the basics about Federal Contracting.
The presenter will be Judy Sayers, Procurement Specialist with over 30 years of experience in federal government contracting.

Creating Winning Proposals
2025-04-16 13:00 - 14:00
During this session the following topics will be covered:
Part 1

Difference between Bids and Proposals
What influences proposal selection
Responsiveness vs. Responsibility
Difference between Solicitation, Pre-solicitation, Combined Synopsis and Sources Sought

Part 2

Identifying the government’s needs
Envisioning how you can be a solution
Offering ideas for RFP development
Anticipating what will be called for
Participating in pre-proposal conferences
Identifying resources needed
Forming a team

Part 3

Reading the RFP document
Digesting the scope of work
Determining your potential
Understanding terms and conditions
Mastering evaluation criteria
Assigning responsibilities and scheduling
Following instructions, completing the proposal and submission

Part 4

Finding out the selection schedule
Inquiring about progress
Answering any questions which arise
Responding to requests
Abiding by the rules on communication
Preparing for an oral interview
Asking for a debriefing

Presenter: Brandon McCall, Procurement Specialist – Southwest Virginia Community College APEX Accelerator

Writing an Effective Capabilities Statement
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-05 13:00 - 14:00
Your capabilities statement is your company’s resume. It is often the first contact you will have with Procurement Decision Makers.
If your capabilities statement is the best way to get your foot in the door, wouldn’t you want it to provide your company’s information in the best, most efficient way? This session defines what a capabilities statement is, why it is used, how to create one for your small business, and the information you should include in each of the five sections to effectively market your business.
Presented by Jessica Dotson, Program Manager SWVA APEX Accelerator

Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment
2025-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an exclusive webinar featuring Dr. Kristin Schaaf, Deputy Director of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program at the Department of Defense.
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the IBAS Program and its critical role in strengthening and sustaining the U.S. defense industrial base. Learn how IBAS initiatives support innovation, supply chain resilience, and industrial readiness to meet national security challenges. Gain insights into key programs, such as workforce development and supply chain optimization, and explore how businesses can collaborate with the IBAS office to address critical defense needs.
This webinar is hosted by SWCC APEX Accelerator in collaboration with TN APEX Accelerator.

SWaM Certification
2025-04-02 13:00 - 14:00
The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.
SWaM certification is available in the following designations:

Small
Micro
Woman-Owned
Minority-Owned

Presenter: Kathy Deacon, Business Service Manager
Southwest Virginia
Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD)

SBA Mentor Protégé Program
2025-03-19 13:00 - 14:00
Your small business can learn from an experienced government contractor through SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program.
Protégés can get valuable business development help from their mentors in several areas, including:

Guidance on internal business management systems, accounting, marketing, manufacturing, and strategic planning
Financial assistance in the form of equity investments, loans, and bonding
Assistance navigating federal contract bidding, acquisition, and the federal procurement process
Education about international trade, strategic planning, and finding markets
Business development, including strategy and identifying contracting and partnership opportunities
General and administrative assistance, like human resource sharing or security clearance support

A mentor and its protégé can joint venture as a small business for any small business contract, provided the protégé individually qualifies as small. The joint venture may also pursue any type of set-aside contract for which the protégé qualifies, including contracts set aside for 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, and HUBZone businesses. Visit the Joint Venture program page more information.
Presenter: William Pocan, Economic Development Specialist – U.S. Small Business Administration/Richmond District Office

Mentor Protege Programs
2025-03-12 13:00 - 14:00
In this 1 hour virtual class, you will learn the ins and outs of the popular SBA and DOD Mentor Protégé Programs and get answers to these, and many more, burning questions:

What are the SBA’s and DOD’s Mentor/Protégé Program (MPP)?
What are the benefits for small businesses of participating in MPP?
Does my business qualify?
If I form a joint venture under the MPP will my business still be considered small?

Speakers:
Richard Arnholt, Member at Bass, Berry & Sims, a law firm in Washington, DC, advises government contract clients in a wide range of matters, including litigation, investigations, counseling, and transactions. In particular, he has extensive experience counseling clients on the complex ethics and compliance obligations required of government contractors and grant recipients; assisting companies and individuals faced with suspension or debarment by a number of government agencies; filing and defending against bid protests at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit; and government contracts-related litigation such as prime/sub disputes and defending against False Claims Act (FCA) allegations.

Adam Briscoe, Associate at Bass, Berry & Sims advises companies as they navigate the contracting process with federal, state, and local governments. He counsels and represents clients on bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), contract claims and disputes, teaming and subcontracting issues, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, data rights and intellectual property issues, and compliance with cybersecurity and Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations. He further represents nontraditional contractors that provide emerging technology solutions and innovative services to the federal government through nontraditional contracting vehicles.

An Introduction to the SBIR & STTR Programs
2025-03-05 13:00 - 14:00
The SBIR/STTR programs are an important source of early-stage technology funding for small businesses. Learn how the SBIR/STTR programs have helped R&D-focused entrepreneurs, and advanced research and development in a wide variety of technology areas.
Presenter: Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist – U.S. Small Business Administration/Richmond District Office

Buoy Your Small Business with the NAVSEA
2025-02-26 13:00 - 14:00
ABOUT NAVSEA SBIR/STTR:
Are you a small business looking for non-dilutive funding? Learn how the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) can help you transform your innovative ideas into cutting-edge technologies with funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. This webinar provides the goals of SBIR and STTR, explains the three phases of the program, outlines eligibility requirements, and elucidates NAVSEA’s schedule for soliciting proposals. Along the way, we will explore what makes the Navy’s—and within it, NAVSEA’s—SBIR and STTR Programs especially successful in transitioning projects from research and development to commercialization.
Presenter: Susie Drummond, Program Analyst at VT Group (VTG) | NAVSEA SBIR/STTR Outreach

Subcontracting as a Marketing Strategy
2025-02-19 13:00 - 14:00
Learn about the GSA subcontracting program and how to target GSA prime vendors, market to them, as well as understand the advantages of initiating your Government contracting experience through subcontracting and teaming arrangements.
Presenter: Helena Koch, Small Business Specialist
Regional Small Business Advocacy and Engagement
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

SBA Women Owned Business Certifications
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00
The federal government’s goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year.
To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program.
These contracts are for goods and services in specific industries (identified via NAICS code) where WOSBs are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). SBA maintains a list of those eligible industries and their NAICS codes.
Joining the WOSB Federal Contract program makes a business eligible to compete for federal contracts reserved for the program’s certified participants. These contracts are known as “set-asides.” Provided they are eligible, WOSB-certified firms can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs, including 8(a) and HUBZone.
It is important to note that WOSB certification benefits only apply to federal contracting opportunities, rather than those in the private sector
Presentator: William Pocan, Economic Development Specialist – U.S. Small Business Administration/Richmond District Office

Defense Production Act Title III
2025-02-05 13:00 - 14:00
Tracing its origins to the Korean War, the Defense Production Act (“DPA”) is a collection of economic controls that may be used by the President to marshal America’s private sector resources for national defense. Under Title I, the President may compel federal contracting participation and prioritization, as well as allocate resources to rapidly mobilize America’s industrial might for national emergencies. Title III provisions provide tools and resources to strengthen the industrial base to ensure it is robust enough to support national defense activities at moment’s notice. In this webinar Ian Patterson will discuss the unique contacting powers of the DPA, as well as the opportunities that exist for businesses under Title III.
Presenter: Ian Patterson, Member – Schoonover & Moriarty, LLC

Utilizing GSA e-Tools
2025-01-29 13:00 - 14:00
GSA offers a suite of integrated e-tools to make the acquisition process more efficient for small businesses. These complimentary e-tools — GSA Advantage!®, GSA eBuy, GSA eLibrary, Acquisition Gateway, and others — help you quickly and easily perform market research, respond to requests for quotes, and more.
Join GSA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for an introduction to GSA’s e-tools and methods for your business to gain an advantage in achieving acquisition efficiency.
Learning Objectives:

Learn how to successfully access and navigate GSA’s e-tools
Understand and review GSA e-Buy
Overview of GSA’s Forecast Tool
Gain knowledge about accessing subcontract opportunities

Presenter: Helena Koch, Small Business Specialist
Regional Small Business Advocacy and Engagement
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

Doing Business with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
2025-01-22 13:00 - 14:00
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the military engineering branch of the United States Army. A direct reporting unit (DRU), it has three primary mission areas: Engineer Regiment, military construction, and civil works. USACE has 37,000 civilian and military personnel, making it one of the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction management agencies. The USACE workforce is approximately 97% civilian, 3% active duty military. The civilian workforce is primarily located in the United States, Europe and in select Middle East office locations. Civilians do not function as active duty military and are not required to be in active war and combat zones; however, volunteer (with pay) opportunities do exist for civilians to do so.

Presenter: Mrs. Eileen Hodges,
Deputy for Small Business
Huntington District, USACE

Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence (FOCI)
2025-01-15 13:00 - 14:00
This class will train you on Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence, or FOCI. In an increasingly global economy, for those companies interested in doing classified work for the U.S. Government it is vitally important to understand what constitutes FOCI and how such concerns can be mitigated.
In this 1 hour webinar, you will learn about the facility clearance (FCL) process, what is FOCI, when a U.S. entity is considered to be under FOCI, and potential FOCI mitigation measures, among other important related topics.
Speakers
Richard Arnholt, Member at Bass, Berry & Sims, a law firm in Washington, DC, advises companies on the complex rules applicable to contracting with federal and state governments. His practice includes litigating bid and size protests, counseling clients on unique regulations impacting their business, as well as responding to government allegations of procurement fraud or misconduct. In addition, he assists clients who are responding to suspension or debarment notices before various government agencies, including the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy; Defense Logistics Agency; EPA; GSA; and the Department of Homeland Security.
Adam Briscoe, Associate at Bass Berry & Sims PLC, advises companies as they navigate the contracting process with federal, state, and local governments. He counsels and represents clients on bid protests before the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, contract claims and disputes, teaming and subcontracting issues, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, data rights and intellectual property issues, and compliance with cybersecurity and Small Business Administration regulations.

Creating Winning Proposals
2024-12-18 13:00 - 14:00
During this session the following topics will be covered:
Part 1

Difference between Bids and Proposals
What influences proposal selection
Responsiveness vs. Responsibility
Difference between Solicitation, Pre-solicitation, Combined Synopsis and Sources Sought

Part 2

Identifying the government’s needs
Envisioning how you can be a solution
Offering ideas for RFP development
Anticipating what will be called for
Participating in pre-proposal conferences
Identifying resources needed
Forming a team

Part 3

Reading the RFP document
Digesting the scope of work
Determining your potential
Understanding terms and conditions
Mastering evaluation criteria
Assigning responsibilities and scheduling
Following instructions, completing the proposal and submission

Part 4

Finding out the selection schedule
Inquiring about progress
Answering any questions which arise
Responding to requests
Abiding by the rules on communication
Preparing for an oral interview
Asking for a debriefing

Presenter: Brandon McCall, Procurement Specialist
Southwest Virginia Community College APEX Accelerator

DoD Mentor-Protégé Program
2024-12-10 14:00 - 15:00
DoD’s Mentor-Protégé Program is the oldest continuously operating federal mentor-protégé program in existence. Originally established in the midst of the First Gulf War, the MPP helps eligible small businesses expand their footprint in the defense industrial base.
Under the MPP, small businesses are partnered with larger companies. In the past five years, DoD’s MPP has successfully helped more than 190 small businesses fill unique niches and become part of the military’s supply chain.
Many mentors have made the MPP an integral part of their sourcing plans. Protégés have used their involvement in the MPP to develop technical capabilities. Successful mentor-protégé agreements provide a winning relationship for the protégé, the mentor and the DoD.

Project Spectrum
2024-12-04 11:00 - 12:00
About Project Spectrum:
Project Spectrum is a comprehensive, cost-effective platform that provides companies, institutions, and organizations with cybersecurity information, resources, tools, and training. Our mission is to improve cybersecurity readiness, resiliency, and compliance for small/medium-sized businesses and the federal manufacturing supply chain.
About CMMC:
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is an assessment framework and assessor certification program designed to increase the trust in measures of compliance to a variety of standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The purpose of the CMMC is to verify that the information systems used by the contractors of the United States Department of Defense to process, transmit or store sensitive data are compliant with the mandatory information security requirements. The goal is to ensure appropriate protection of controlled unclassified information (CUI) and federal contract information (FCI) that is stored and processed by partner or vendor.
The CMMC framework and model was developed by Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) of the United States Department of Defense. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body oversees the program under a no cost contract. The program is currently overseen by the DOD CIO office.

Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI)
2024-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
FOCI Session Description: From investors to employees to customers, there are a lot of people who can influence your business. Most of the time these relationships improve your business, but sometimes these influences can increase risk for your company. In this session we’ll be discussing risks posed by foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI). A company can be subject to FOCI in various ways and FOCI can have a wide range of consequences. FOCI can affect your ability to obtain government contracts, lead to a loss of key personnel, or provide a vector for unwanted technology transfer. This session will cover the basics of understanding FOCI and how to begin to address FOCI risks.

SWaM Certification
2024-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects.
SWaM certification is available in the following designations:

Small
Micro
Woman-Owned
Miniority-Owned

Presenter: Ramain Gohar, Business Service Manager
Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD)

SBA HUBZone Business Certification
2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00
The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones. It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition. Joining the HUBZone program makes your business eligible to compete for the program’s set-aside contracts. HUBZone-certified businesses also get a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions. HUBZone-certified businesses can still compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs they qualify for.
Presentator: William Pocan, Economic Development Specialist – U.S. Small Business Administration/Richmond District Office

How to Do Business with the Department of the Air Force
2024-10-23 13:00 - 14:00
The Department will strengthen our defense industrial base to ensure that we produce and sustain the full range of capabilities needed to give U.S., allied, and partners forces a competitive advantage. We will bolster support for our unparalleled network of research institutions, both university affiliated and federally funded research and development centers, as well as small businesses and innovative technology firms…We will increase collaboration with the private sector in priority areas…We will prioritize joint efforts with the full range of domestic and international partners in the defense ecosystems to fortify the defense industrial base, our logistical systems, and relevant global supply chains…”
Topics:

Identify Your Product Or Service
How To Register Your Business
Prepare To Market Your Business To The Air Force
Review The Air Force Long Range Acquisition Forecast
Explore Subcontracting Opportunities

Presenter: RONALD H. SAVILLE, NH-IV, CALP, CSBP, CFCM
Chief of Policy
Senior Procurement Analyst
Subcontracting Program Manager
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
Department of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB)

Dynamic Small Business Search
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:00
The Small Business Administration maintains the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database. As a small business registers in the System for Award Management, there is an opportunity to fill out the small business profile. The information provided populates DSBS. DSBS is another tool contracting officers use to identify potential small business contractors for upcoming contracting opportunities. Small businesses can also use DSBS to identify other small businesses for teaming and joint venturing.
Presenter: Mrs. Valerie Coleman
National Program Manager – Prime Contracts & COC Programs
Office of Government Contracting
U.S. Small Businesses Administration

How to Do Business with GSA
2024-10-09 13:00 - 14:00
Did you know that the General Services Administration (GSA) is one of the largest buyers in the United States government? And that the US government is also the world’s largest buyer of goods and services? Please join the Southwest Virginia Community College APEX Accelerator and GSA as we present a comprehensive overview of GSA, which includes an Agency Overview of how the Public Buildings Service (PBS) and the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) do business, a description of the GSA Multiple Award Schedules Program, how to use the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) to your advantage, and more.
Presenter: Mrs. Helena Koch
Small Business Specialist
Regional Small Business Advocacy and Engagement – Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

CMMC Assessment
2024-10-02 13:00 - 14:00
What Is a CMMC Assessment?
CMMC assessment is an official process to evaluate your cybersecurity maturity.
Hackers know that it’s much easier to steal sensitive information from government contractors than from the government’s own highly protected systems. That’s why the DoD now requires specific cybersecurity controls based on the sensitivity of the information you handle.
CMMC V2.0 (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a unifying standard for the implementation of cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). CMMC is designed to provide increased assurance to the Department of Defense (DoD) that a DIB organization can adequately protect sensitive unclassified information, accounting for information flow down to subcontractors in a multi-tier supply chain.
As a C3PAO authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB), iPower is qualified to perform assessments for the CMMC framework. The certification process is intended to serve as a verification mechanism to ensure that DIB companies implement appropriate cybersecurity practices and processes to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within their unclassified networks.
About IPower LLC
As a C3PAO authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB), iPower will lead official CMMC assessments as part of the certification process. iPower’s CEO and President, Deborah Hunt, is a Cyber-AB Provisional CMMC Lead Assessor and Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA).
CMMC V2.0 is comprised of 3 levels, starting with basic cyber hygiene that enables safeguarding of FCI and progressing up to safeguarding of CUI using advanced/progressive cybersecurity controls and techniques that protect against advanced persistent threats (APTs). During each assessment of the CMMC, our team will review tangible artifacts and conduct interviews to evaluate compliance with applicable CMMC requirements. Following completion of the assessment, iPower will provide an assessment report noting any findings and deficiencies and will report the results to the Cyber AB for review and approval.
Presenter: Mrs. Deborah Hunt, President/CEO – IPower, LLC

Project Spectrum - What Small Businesses Need to Know About CMMC
2024-09-25 13:00 - 14:00
This virtual webinar will provide information to businesses concerning cybersecurity. What do businesses need to do to become cybersecurity certified? Why is it important to obtain cybersecurity certification?
About CMMC:
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is an assessment framework and assessor certification program designed to increase the trust in measures of compliance to a variety of standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The purpose of the CMMC is to verify that the information systems used by the contractors of the United States Department of Defense to process, transmit or store sensitive data are compliant with the mandatory information security requirements. The goal is to ensure appropriate protection of controlled unclassified information (CUI) and federal contract information (FCI) that is stored and processed by partner or vendor.
The CMMC framework and model was developed by Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) of the United States Department of Defense. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body oversees the program under a no cost contract. The program is currently overseen by the DOD CIO office.
About Project Spectrum:
Project Spectrum is a comprehensive, cost-effective platform that provides companies, institutions, and organizations with cybersecurity information, resources, tools, and training. Our mission is to improve cybersecurity readiness, resiliency, and compliance for small/medium-sized businesses and the federal manufacturing supply chain.

Generate Leads Using eVA - Workshop #2
2024-09-18 10:00 - 12:00
Description
This advanced workshop is the 2nd in our series & focuses on lead generation. This hands-on session explores the public transparency tools available on the eVA website, including the Report & Resource Center and the new “power” search. You’ll learn how to identify buyers who are buying what you sell, determine prices being paid for goods/services, identify who’s getting business (is it you or your competition). We’ll also walk through the Virginia Business Opportunities public posting page – featuring collaboration tools like B2B Connect & VIBE – as we discuss how & when eVA builds a lead list for you and why rating your leads is important.
