Knowledge is Power: Gain Government Contracts with Market Research Assistance from WA APEX Accelerator

The methods government agencies use to buy products and services can be challenging to understand and quite complex. Navigating regulatory compliance, bidding processes, contract structures and reporting requirements can seem daunting for a business to attempt, leaving plenty of potential revenue untapped. 
Snohomish County businesses seeking government contracts can turn to Washington APEX Accelerator (APEX) to gain that understanding. All companies, from small startups to more established firms, can benefit from the assistance APEX Accelerator Advisors provide to identify target government agencies and create a plan for contract pursuits.

“APEX Accelerator brings clarity to the challenge of becoming a new vendor of government services,” said David Jimison, NullWest LLC.

Market research for government contracts workshop series

Over the next month, APEX is offering a free, in-person workshop series on market research for government contracting. Attendees will learn about valuable resources and tools to identify target agencies, assess market pricing and evaluate competition. Register to attend the event now! 

The five-part workshop series includes:

What is Market Research?

February 12

Economic Alliance Snohomish County office

808 134th St SW, Everett WA 98204-2300

Understanding how and where government agencies buy products and services is crucial for any business seeking government contracts. Participants will discover valuable state and local market resources and tools to do market research, learn how to identify target agencies and evaluate the competition.

Using WEBS: WA State’s Vendor Portal

February 19

Economic Alliance Snohomish County office
808 134th St SW, Everett WA 98204-2300

Learn to explore the WA state vendor portal Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS) to find valuable information about government spending including:

• Reports
• Opportunities
• Vendor Searches

Mining Data: Statewide Contracts, Historical Spending & Purchasing Forecasts 

February 26

Economic Alliance Snohomish County office
808 134th St SW, Everett WA 98204-2300

Washington State shares contract award data and purchasing forecasts. Plan your Business Development Strategy using valuable market data from over 170 Statewide Contracts, Historical Spending Reports and Agency Forecasts.

• Types of products and services state agencies buy
• Product and service pricing
• Contract scopes and timelines
• Purchasing specialist/buyer contacts
• Your competition and/or opportunities for subcontracting

Staying Local? Learn How to Target Local Agencies

March 5

Everett Library Evergreen Branch
9512 Evergreen Way, Everett WA 98204

Finding purchasing data on local agencies can be challenging due to fragmented data sources, limited transparency and resources, and knowing where to look.

• Tips on how to navigate local agency websites
• Keywords to use to find purchasing information
• How to use an agency's purchasing portal for market research
• How to request award data from a government agency if it hasn't been posted

Market Research for Contractors (Construction) and Consultants (A&E)

March 12

Everett Library Evergreen Branch
9512 Evergreen Way, Everett WA 98204

Contractors and consultants can explore how construction and A&E are procured by Washington State. The course will include how the government buys construction, including:

• Competitive Bids
• Job Order Contracting
• Small Works Roster
• How to get involved with construction projects as an A&E consultant

Position your business to gain that government contract

Washington APEX Accelerator aims to increase the number of government contracts awarded to Washington firms by helping them understand government contracting on the federal, state, and local levels. With several offices throughout the state, Region 4 is hosted by Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) and served by APEX Center Manager and Advisor Cara Buckingham and APEX Advisor Mark Johnson. They help businesses in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties. The organization offers no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

“APEX can help businesses position themselves for growth by increasing their knowledge base, learning how to identify products specific government agencies buy and understanding how to bid on and win government contracts,” said Buckingham.

For more information, contact Washington APEX Accelerator or register for the Washington APEX Accelerator government contract workshop series. 

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.