Get Ready for Federal Contracting Success, Attend the 2025 North Puget Sound Contracting Conference

Businesses looking to break into the federal marketplace—particularly with Department of Defense (DoD) agencies—won’t want to miss two workshops being offered at the 2025 North Puget Sound Contracting Conference (NPSCC) this fall. These sessions, part of the event’s Federal Track, are designed to share key information to help Washington State businesses compete for lucrative DoD contracts.

The annual conference is co-hosted by Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC), Washington APEX Accelerator and Washington Small Business Development Center, once again featuring crucial insights from expert panels for attendees to learn about doing business in the government marketplace.  

About the Workshops

Workshop 1 is titled First DIBBS – An Introduction for Suppliers Interested in Selling to the Defense Logistics Agency. DIBBS, or the Defense Logistics Agency’s Internet Bid Board System, is the front door to doing business with one of the largest supply chains in the world. This workshop offers a jargon-free, step-by-step introduction to the DIBBS platform, tailored for small and emerging businesses. Manufacturers and distributors gain a solid understanding of how the system works, what opportunities look like, and how to prepare for success. This session will be led by Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor Mark Johnson.

Workshop 2 provides insights into understanding CMMC – Department of Defense Cybersecurity Requirements. With DoD cybersecurity requirements officially becoming law on December 16, 2024, any company that wants to win contracts or subcontracts with the Department of Defense must demonstrate compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. This workshop provides an essential overview of what’s now required and what steps businesses need to take to meet compliance. The session will be offered by Washington APEX Accelerator Advisor Terry Homburg. 

About the Presenters

Mark Johnson

Mark is an Advisor with Washington APEX Accelerator, assisting small businesses understand how to find, bid, win and perform on government contracts. Mark has extensive experience in both the private and public sector and with small businesses. He has worked for the City of SeaTac’s Department of Community and Economic Development and most recently at the Washington State Senate. 

Terry Homburg

Terry is an APEX Accelerator Advisor helping companies compete for government contracts at the federal, state and local levels. Terry retired with 41 years of federal service. His last 29 years was in federal procurement as a Contracting Officer with the Department of Defense. The majority of his experience was in construction, Architect-Engineering, and service contracts, both pre-award & post-award. He spent half of his career overseas in Japan, Cuba, and Italy and the other half awarding and administering contracts at every U.S. Naval facility around Puget Sound, Washington. 

Other Panels and Workshops at NPSCC 2025:

• Small Works Contracting in Washington State  
• Upcoming Project Opportunities in Snohomish County  
• Navigating Prevailing Wage  
• Pipeline to Goods and Services Government Sales
• Winning Strategies for Consultants  
• The Future of Regional Transit  
• Understanding SBA Loans and Qualifications  
• Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Government Contracting  

Additionally, attendees will have access to matchmaking sessions, exhibitors, and networking with more than 600 attendees from across the region. Businesses in construction, manufacturing, services and consulting are especially encouraged to attend.  

Registration and exhibitor space are open now at https://bit.ly/RegisterNPSCC25.  

About Economic Alliance Snohomish County

As the largest regional economic development organization in Snohomish County, Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) supports a globally competitive regional economy in which all businesses can thrive and participate equally through effective advocacy and resource access.  

About Washington APEX Accelerator

Provides no cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments. The one-on-one technical assistance includes bid reviews, marketing and market research assistance, contract performance, small business certifications, and more. APEX Accelerators also host procurement training classes and seminars, and helps businesses register with the correct databases to compete for government contracts.

About Washington Small Business Development Center

The Washington SBDC is part of the nation’s oldest and largest publicly supported business advising service. It is hosted by Washington State University and receives funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, WSU and other institutions of higher education, economic development agencies, business groups and civic organizations.