Mentor Protege Programs
2025-09-24 13:00 - 13:30, 2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
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.
Sylvia Yi, Counsel at Bass, Berry & Sims represents businesses across a broad range of sectors as they move through the contracting process with federal, state and local governments, and when they engage in international transactions. Sylvia counsels public and private companies on day to day compliance challenges and has a particular focus on mergers & acquisitions involving government contractors. She is a regular contributor to the firm’s GovCon & Trade Blog, where she provides insight on the demanding and ever-changing regulatory environment.

Buoy Your Small Business with the NAVSEA SBIR/STTR
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00
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 | NAVSEA SBIR/STTR Outreach

SWaM Certification
2025-10-14 13:00 - 14:00
Are you a small, women-owned, minority-owned, micro, veteran, service-disabled veteran business looking to expand your opportunities? The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) invites you to a virtual informational session on the SWaM Certification process.
Why Get SWaM Certified?
Each year, the Commonwealth of Virginia spends over $8 billion on goods and services. Becoming SWaM certified can open doors to new business opportunities and increase your visibility among an additional set of potential customers.
SWaM certification is a powerful tool that can help your business secure contracts with:

State Agencies
Public Colleges & Universities
Local Municipalities
Private Sector Companies utilizing the SWaM database

What You’ll Learn in This Workshop:

Overview of the SWaM Program
Eligibility requirements for certification (including Small, Woman-owned, Minority-owned, Micro, ESO, Veteran, and Service-Disabled Veteran designations)
Step-by-step guidance on how to apply

Don’t miss this chance to learn how SWaM Certification can help grow your business!
Presented by: Kathy Deacon, SBSD Business Services Manager, Southwest Virginia Region

Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence (FOCI)
2025-10-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-10 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

Capability Statements: A Must-Have for Government Contracting
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
Your capability statement is a key marketing tool when connecting with procurement officers. In this interactive session, learn how to craft a compelling, professional capability statement that communicates your core competencies, past performance, and differentiators. We’ll walk through examples, templates, and tips to help you stand out. Whether you’re just exploring government contracting or you’re already an experienced vendor looking to sharpen your approach, this virtual workshop is for you.
Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to sharpen your skills this workshop for you.
Presenter: Jessica Dotson, Program Manager – Southwest Virginia Community College APEX Accelerator

CMMC Level 1 in Layperson's terms
2025-12-17 13:00 - 14:00
The US Federal government recognizes the risk of theft of its sensitive information–such as Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)–from its supply chains’ information systems. All Federal government contractors are expected to implement the “Basic” protections for FCI as required by FAR 52.204-21. Therefore, all Federal contractors have certain basic cybersecurity requirements they must implement in their own internal information technology (IT) systems that process Federal contract-related data. Additionally, DoD contractors must prepare for the forthcoming DFARS 252.204-7021 CMMC clause, that require self-assessment and certification of those protections.

Presenter: Mr. Adam Austin, Co-Founder and Cybersecurity Lead at Totem.Tech, a small veteran-owned prime USAF contractor, will provide an overview of the cybersecurity DFARS clauses and the CMMC assessment regime. He will also break down into layperson’s terms the “basic” cybersecurity protections all Federal government contractors must implement to protect FCI. In the process he will describe how his small business implemented these basic requirements on a limited budget.

How To Do Business With GSA
2026-01-15 11:00 - 12:00
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 Small Business Search (SBS) to your advantage, and more.
Presenter: Mrs. Claudia Hadley, Small Business Specialist
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

How to Get on MAS ( Multiple Award Schedule)
2026-01-28 13:00 - 14:00
The GSA Schedule (also referred to as Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) and Federal Supply Schedule) is a long-term governmentwide contract with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to more than 11 million commercial supplies (products) and services at volume discount pricing. Join this training that will outline, in plain language, the GSA Schedule Program and help your small business understand the process for getting on the GSA Schedule.
Learning Objectives:Gain insight into the benefits of getting on the GSA MAS

How to find the right Special Item Number(s) for your company
The GSA MAS solicitation
The roadmap to the paperwork process
How to assemble the offer at the GSA eOffer website

Presenter: Mrs. Claudia Hadley, Small Business Specialist
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

Competitive Advantage through Cybersecurity Compliance
2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:00
Federal, State, and Local municipalities increasingly include requirements to implement cybersecurity protection plans as basis for contractual award. To effectively compete for contract award, offerors must adhere to published cybersecurity standards. The quicker and more effectively a small business can implement the required standard, the better chances they have of being awarded a contract. Additionally, more and more basic business liability insurance policies mandate adherence to cybersecurity standards. Furthermore, lack of basic cyber “hygiene” can lead to complete mission inoperability and costly loss of customer or proprietary information, which can bankrupt a small business.

Presenter: Mr. Adam Austin, Co-Founder and Cybersecurity Lead at Totem.Tech, a small veteran-owned prime USAF contractor, will provide an overview of the cybersecurity standards commonly required for government contractors. He will also break down the first steps a small business can take to ensure basic cyber hygiene and adherence to these standards, thereby ensuring the business stays competitive in the marketplace.

Subcontracting as a Marketing Strategy
2026-02-25 13:00 - 14:00
Join the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and the SW Virginia Apex Accelerator as they team to present an overview of subcontracting with prime businesses as a way to get involved in federal contracting.
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: Claudia Hadley, Small Business Specialist
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

RFIs, RFPs, RFQs: Understanding the Difference
2026-03-04 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar will help you learn how to develop effective responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes (RFQs). During this training, we will explain the differences in these requests and provide small businesses with the most effective strategies for creating effective responses.
What you’ll learn:

Understanding the power of responding to RFIs and Sources Sought Notices
Tips on creating effective responses
Insights from Federal contracting officers
Common mistakes to avoid.

Presenter: Mrs. Claudia Hadley, Small Business Specialist
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

Utilizing GSA e-Tools
2026-03-18 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: Claudia Hadley, Small Business Specialist
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. General Services Administration

Simple Access to SBA Surety Bonds
2026-03-31 13:00 - 14:00
Surety bonding is often seen as a technical hurdle, but for many small businesses, it can be the key to unlocking significant procurement opportunities. The “Simple Access to SBA Surety Bonds” presentation will help you discover how surety bonds can be a game-changer for your business growth. Mr. Gibbs will share proven strategies to improve your bonding capacity, break through common barriers, and gain a competitive edge in both public and private sector contracting. With bonding often being the missing link between readiness and revenue, this session will empower participants to turn a perceived barrier into a business growth tool.
Objectives of the Presentation cover:

Why bonds are important
SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program
How to obtain a surety bond
Underwriting an account
Reasons Why Small Business get denied bonding
Benefits of working with an SBA surety expert
Top 10 tips for contractors/small businesses

What You’ll Learn:

How surety bonds guaranteed by SBA work and why they’re essential for businesses seeking contracts in industries such as construction, government contracting, and more.
Guidance on how to access SBA surety bonds with less hassle.
Tips for overcoming common barriers small businesses face when securing surety bonds.
Strategies to increase your eligibility and win more business by leveraging SBA support.
Leave with actionable insights to assess your current bonding status, identify areas for improvement, and build stronger relationships with bonding partners and procurement stakeholders.

Target Audience:

Small business owners and contractors looking to grow their business and win larger projects.
Startups in need of financing and bond support to scale.
Entrepreneurs interested in understanding how SBA programs can help with bonding challenges.

Presenter: Mr. Peter Gibbs, President
Foundation Surety & Insurance Solutions
