What to Know Before Meeting with an APEX Accelerator Advisor
Written by: Robbie Graham, Government Contracting Advisor
Welcome to the world of government contracting! The North Dakota APEX Accelerator, along with our colleagues across the nation, is here to help you succeed in selling your products and services to state, local, and federal agencies.
We provide no-cost assistance to help businesses navigate the complex world of government procurement. But here’s the truth: not every business is ready for government contracting right away.
If your first meeting with an advisor or your first training session feels overwhelming or frustrating, you’re not alone. The process can be complex, and readiness makes all the difference.
Let’s get one secret out in the open…
APEX Accelerators Aren’t Designed to Help You Start a Business
Our mission is focused on helping established businesses enter and thrive in the government marketplace. Startup assistance, such as forming your business, writing a business plan, or obtaining basic licenses, is outside our scope of services.
That doesn’t mean we don’t want to help. It means we want you to get the right kind of help at the right stage. For early-stage business support, we highly recommend our partner organizations such as:
- North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
- North Dakota Women’s Business Center (WBC)
- Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas (VBOC)
- SCORE Chapters
These partners specialize in helping entrepreneurs start, structure, and plan their businesses effectively, setting you up for success before you dive into government work.
Before You Meet with an APEX Advisor
To make the most of your time with an APEX advisor, your business should already have the following in place:
- Secretary of State registration (for LLCs, corporations, partnerships, etc.)
- Federal Tax ID Number (TIN/EIN) from the IRS
- State or local business license
- Business plan
We don’t require proof of these documents unless you’re applying for a certification that specifically asks for them. However, these items are essential for any business preparing to work with government agencies.
A solid business plan is especially important. It shows that you’ve thought through your goals, financials, and strategy. We can help refine it, stress-test your assumptions, and provide feedback. But if you’re not yet serious about running your business, government contracting will feel like a steep uphill climb.
Government Contracting Prerequisites
Once your business fundamentals are in place, it’s time to take the first real steps into government contracting. Start with these key actions and know that your APEX advisor can assist you every step of the way:
- Identify your NAICS and PSC Codes (Federal)
- Identify your Commodity Codes (for state bidders list)
- Register in SAM.gov – this gives you your UEI and CAGE Code
This part can feel like a chicken-and-egg situation. Do you need codes to register, or registration to get your codes? Don’t worry. You can start exploring the codes that best fit your business on your own, and we can help fine-tune them later.
Once successfully registered in SAM, you’ll be ready to meet with your advisor for the next steps like:
- Identifying additional or related codes
- Understanding how your target customers use these codes
- Learning “tips and tricks” shared in our classes
- Building your capability statements and SBA small business profile
- Conducting customer and competitor research
The sooner you complete these basic steps, the sooner we can move on to the exciting part – developing your strategy and competing for real opportunities.
The Bottom Line
APEX Accelerators exist to help you grow through government contracting, not to help you launch your business.
If you come prepared with the essentials already in place, your APEX advisor can spend less time on paperwork and more time helping you:
- Find bid opportunities including subcontracting under a prime contractor
- Connect with agency buyers
- Understand procurement processes
- Strengthen your competitive edge
Getting ready is the key to getting results. The North Dakota APEX Accelerator is here to help you do that.
