To establish and maintain an apex accelerator to serve as a resource for business entities, including newly started businesses, to obtain procurement technical assistance

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation received a $625,371.06 cooperative agreement award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, effective August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026, under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002). The award supports the establishment and maintenance of an APEX Accelerator center in Indiana to deliver free, comprehensive procurement technical assistance to U.S. business entities, including newly established firms. Services provided through the center include counseling, training, and technical guidance to help businesses navigate federal, state, and local government contracting processes, identify contracting opportunities, and develop competitive proposals for government contracts.

The APEX Accelerator center will serve diverse businesses of all sizes across Indiana, with particular emphasis on supporting minority-owned firms, newly started enterprises, and businesses in underserved regions. By strengthening business participation in government contracting at all levels, the award directly contributes to building a robust domestic supply chain and expanding economic opportunities across the state. The one-year performance period reflects the standard structure for Procurement Technical Assistance awards administered by the Department of Defense, which typically require cost-sharing contributions from recipients and operate under competitive merit-based selection procedures.