Building Local Capacity for the Lynden & Sumas Land Ports of Entry Modernization Projects

With a price tag of $350 - $400M, the Lynden & Sumas Land Ports of Entry Modernization Projects represent a once-in-a-generation investment in Whatcom County infrastructure.

However, without targeted preparation, many local businesses risk being left out of this opportunity due to regulatory complexity, bonding limitations, cybersecurity requirements, or lack of familiarity with federal procurement processes.

Washington APEX Accelerator (APEX), an organization dedicated to helping businesses understand and pursue government contracts, will hold a series of workshops for local construction contractors and suppliers to prepare and compete for work on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) led project.

“The series is designed to reduce barriers that small contractors, manufacturers and suppliers face in federal contracting and to help firms position themselves for meaningful participation,” said APEX Center Manager and Advisor, Cara Buckingham. “We’ve identified key areas to cover including source selection, federal regulatory compliance, capacity building, and subcontract management.”

The first two workshops are scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd from 9:00AM – 11:00AM and April 30th from 3:30PM - 5:30PM. Read on for session topic information.

The remaining sessions will be scheduled through the end of May. Details will be shared on the APEX Event Calendar as they become available.

Project Timeline To-Date

The GSA released a call for prime contractor qualifications late last year.

• Phase 1: Prime contractors submitted qualifications January 23.
• Phase 2: The GSA will shortlist three prime contractors, likely in March or April.
• Engagement Window: Once shortlisted, prime contractors will begin actively seeking subcontractors and suppliers, making this the most strategic time for local firms to engage.
• Award: The project award is currently expected this fall.
  With primes preparing Phase 2 proposals this spring, the coming months represent an important window for subcontractors and suppliers to build relationships and align their capabilities with project needs.

About the Workshops

The Lynden & Sumas Land Ports of Entry Readiness Program is being led by APEX in partnership with the Western Washington University Small Business Development Center (WWU SBDC).

The program will include:

• A multi-part educational workshop series offering guidance from industry experts 
• Individualized technical assistance for firms who want one-to-one technical assistance support with registrations, certifications, capability statements, cybersecurity readiness, teaming strategies, and bid preparation. 

Confirmed presenters include FBC Results Consulting, GSA, AGC of Washington, Valkyrie Consulting, Aprio Technologies, and American Subcontractors Association of Washington. 

Sessions

• Project Timeline and Source Selection: An overview of the project scope, anticipated phasing, and key milestones. Understanding the federal procurement lifecycle will allow businesses to engage primes at the right time. 
  • Confirmed Presenters, Paul Reed and Ann Crawley with FBC Results Consulting, have 50 years of combined senior-level federal government contracts and program management experience, including with the GSA.Session date: April 23, 9am – 11am in Bellingham, location TBD.
• Federal Regulatory Compliance - Project Labor Agreements and Cybersecurity: Federal construction projects involve rigorous regulatory requirements that differ significantly from state or private work. Understanding Project Labor Agreements and GSA’s cybersecurity obligations will be essential for performing on the project. 
  • Confirmed presenters: Wendy Ortman, Valkyrie Consulting; Lance Calloway, AGC of WA; Ashley Lex, Aprio Technologies. Session date: April 30th, 3:30pm - 5:30pm, location TBD.
• Capacity Building for a Federal Contract – Licensing, Bonding & Financing: Federal construction projects demand financial and operational capacity that may exceed typical local work. This session focuses on federal licensing requirements, bonding capacity and strategies to increase it, insurance considerations, and working capital and project financing.
• Subcontract Management: Strong subcontract management practices are critical in federal projects, where compliance responsibilities extend throughout the contract chain. Firms will learn how to protect themselves while building strong, compliant partnerships.
• Prime Contractor Outreach (Tentative): APEX will invite the shortlisted primes to an outreach event allowing interested subcontractors and suppliers to learn what primes expect of them, preferred qualifications and experience, anticipated subcontracting needs, and procurement opportunities and timelines.

Positioning Local Firms for Meaningful Participation

Through proactive education, compliance preparation, and individualized assistance, Washington APEX Accelerator aims to ensure that local small businesses know what they need to bid and perform on this and other government projects.

To learn about this and other APEX events, sign up for the APEX newsletter. Businesses interested in receiving no cost government contracting advising services from APEX Accelerator can go here to register as a client.

About APEX Accelerator

APEX Accelerators have provided advising and technical assistance services to businesses for 40 years nationwide including bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance, and small business certifications. APEX also hosts procurement training classes and seminars and helps businesses register with the correct databases to compete for government contracts.

Washington APEX’s mission is to increase the number of government contracts awarded to Washington firms so that those firms can grow.

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. Other funding comes through partners like Economic Alliance Snohomish County and other EDCs, government agencies, chambers and program sponsors.