ND APEX Accelerator

Government contracting can be a lucrative opportunity, but it may not be the right fit for every business. Before investing significant time and resources, take a step back to determine whether pursuing government contracts makes sense for your company. Think of these as the questions you should answer before saying “I do” to government contracting. […]

Packet Digital specializes in the design, testing, and manufacturing of advanced batteries and power systems for drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), submersibles, and space platforms. Founded in 2003, Packet Digital initially focused on electronics and power management technologies. Building on this innovation, the company expanded its focus to defense and aerospace applications, particularly supporting the advancement […]

Delinquent federal taxes can create serious consequences for government contractors beyond standard IRS collection efforts. Federal contractors are often required to certify that they do not have unresolved unpaid federal tax liabilities and that all required tax returns have been filed. These certifications appear in several FAR clauses, and inaccurate or false certifications can result […]

Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has supported service members and their families by providing tax-free merchandise and essential services at military installations around the world. Today, the Exchange is the Department of Defense’s largest retailer. The Exchange operates more than 12,000 facilities worldwide, including retail stores, food operations, catalogs, and […]

Prime contractors in federal contracting are responsible for assigning the appropriate NAICS code to each subcontract they issue—contrary to a common misconception that the NAICS code from the prime contract automatically flows down. For large businesses, this responsibility is explicitly required under FAR 52.219-9 and SBA regulations, which mandate selecting the NAICS code that best […]

If you’re exploring ways to sell to the federal government, you’ve likely come across the GSA Schedule. It’s one of the more well-known entry points into federal contracting, but it’s often misunderstood. At its core, the GSA Schedule, also called the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term contract that allows approved businesses to sell […]

If you are a small business owner looking to grow beyond your current market, working with the federal government might be one of the most powerful opportunities available—and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) may be a great place to start. With billions invested annually in infrastructure, transit, aviation, and logistics, USDOT contracts support a […]

Recent GAO bid protest decisions make one thing clear: strict compliance with proposal formatting instructions is not optional. Even minor deviations—such as using an unapproved font, exceeding page limits, adding an extra cover page, including prohibited text in a logo, or submitting pricing in the wrong format—can result in outright exclusion from the competition, regardless […]

Executive branch agencies and higher education institutions use the State Bidders List when issuing solicitations for goods and services. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) State Procurement Office invites you to register as a bidder in NDBuys to receive notifications of State of North Dakota government bidding opportunities. NDBuys is the state’s new procurement […]

Federal government contractors–and especially small businesses–often find themselves competing under solicitations subject to the Buy American Act (BAA). While the BAA’s name may sound like a mandate to purchase only American-made products, the BAA is actually a domestic preference statute that can give a leg up to contractors providing domestic products, but does not prohibit […]