Rhode Island APEX Accelerator

The United States Department of Defense and the Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce (MBDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at increasing participation of minority business enterprises (MBEs) within the defense industrial base. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to increasing MBEs' awareness of supply chain opportunities, fostering collaboration, capacity building, business development, and increasing awareness and engagement in defense-related procurement and development programs. Mr. Farooq Mitha, Director of the DoD Office of Small Business Programs said, "This MOU underscores our commitment to fostering diverse suppliers within the defense industrial base. Minority businesses bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions, and this partnership with MBDA will ensure they have the tools, training, and access needed to succeed in defense procurement." Learn More: https://lnkd.in/ey8E-Jr8

In this week’s issue: ?????? Small business webinar training series launches Nov. 19 ???NDIS Implementation Plan expands several small business programs ???Support for Minority Business Enterprises ???Download presentations from the Association of the United States Army - AUSA ???Events: U.S. Small Business Administration, GSA, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) #smallbusiness #govcon #DoD #NDIS #DIB #MBE

?? New Opportunity! The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Office of Small Business Programs is conducting strategic market research aimed at identifying small businesses that can meet specific problem statements. NAVSEA invites small businesses to submit a one-page submission per problem statement, detailing how their capabilities align with the problem statement. Companies may respond to more than one problem statement from the list but clearly indicate which problem statement you are addressing. The list of specific problem statements & more info are here: https://lnkd.in/e-HY2zdG Responses due by 18 November.

Government contractors must remain vigilant about the implications of foreign ownership control and influence. With increasing foreign investments in critical sectors, contractors face heightened scrutiny regarding their partnerships and supply chains. Understanding the risks associated with foreign ownership is essential. Non-compliance or oversight can lead to significant consequences, including project delays, loss of contracts, or legal ramifications. Moreover, foreign influence can affect the stability and integrity of government projects. Contractors must assess their foreign affiliations and ensure robust cybersecurity measures are in place to protect sensitive information. By staying informed and proactively managing foreign ownership risks, government contractors can safeguard their operations, maintain compliance, and contribute to national security while fostering beneficial global partnerships. Learn More:

The RI MADE program offers resources to advance automation, robotics, cyber resiliency and risk management to strengthen Rhode Island manufacturers and the national defense manufacturing ecosystem. This Defense Manufacturing Community program is funded by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, in collaboration with over 30 Consortium members and partners, and powered by Polaris MEP. ? The program provides education and training in automation, robotics and cyber resiliency. Eligible small businesses may qualify for grants of up to $50,000 for cybersecurity recommendations. Click the link below to learn more about the RI MADE program.

The theft of intellectual property and sensitive information from malicious cyber activity threatens economic and national security by undercutting U.S. technical advantages and innovation. The recently released updates to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) streamlines compliance, allows self-assessment for some requirements, and prioritizes collaboration between the United States Department of Defense and industry to address evolving cybersecurity threats. The DoD Chief Information Officer released several new resources to help businesses understand the phases and levels of CMMC certification essential to becoming and remaining eligible for DoD contracts: ?? Program Information ?? Model Overview ??? Hashing Guide Visit Project Spectrum for these and related resources: https://lnkd.in/ex6ZzVgP #DoD #cybersecurity #CMMC #secureourworld

ICYMI: The DoD Chief Information Officer posted FAQs about Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the so-called CMMC 2.0. Download this PDF as a handy reference to help with your questions, and reach out to Project Spectrum for an assessment and resources. #DoD #cybersecurity #CMMC #FAQ

As many in federal contracting know, the SBA had its certification portal (certify.sba.gov) closed for upgrades for a few months. The SBA is replacing it with a new portal called MySBA Certifications which as of the writing of this blog post is now live. While it hasn’t been widely published, SBA released screenshots of this new portal, which indicate SBA is making some large changes to applications, especially for applications to the 8(a) Program. Read the full artcile to learn about the new portal and some of the potenial changes.

Are you a Veteran-Owned small business looking to compete for federal contracts? Learn how to get certified as a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business by SBA to compete for federal contracts. Getting certified by SBA as veteran-owned (VOSB) makes your business eligible to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA sets aside at least 7% of its contracts each year specifically for certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs. If you are a veteran who owns at least 51% of your business, we invite you to join us to learn about the new certification process. November 14th from 11:00am - 12:00pm

Please join us and the RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the "2024 Latino Contractor Summit". This annual event brings together small and large latino contractors, state agencies, and service companies to network, share information, create connections, and explore opportunities in Rhode Island's construction industry. Thursday, October 24th from 4:00pm - 7:30pm Register below: https://lnkd.in/eCtXuUqA