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

The Office of the Secretary of Defense awarded Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity a Cooperative Agreement valued at $340,135.25 under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002) to establish and maintain an APEX Accelerator center. The award, effective May 8, 2025, through March 31, 2026, funds the delivery of comprehensive procurement technical assistance services to business entities throughout California, including newly established enterprises. The APEX Accelerator will provide professional, specialized counseling and guidance enabling client businesses to identify and pursue contracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and state and local government entities, as well as with federal, state, and local government contractors.

The procurement technical assistance services delivered through this cooperative agreement support the broader federal objective of strengthening the domestic supply chain by enabling diverse business participation in government contracting across all levels. Los Angeles County's Department of Economic Opportunity will leverage this federal funding to offer free technical assistance, training, and expert guidance to help businesses navigate complex government procurement processes and develop competitive proposals for government contracts.

Procurement technical assistance means professional, specialized assistance provided to clients that enables them to identify potential contractual opportunities and obtain or perform under contracts, innovation and technology grants or contracts, and other federally funded instruments, with DOD, other federal agencies, state and/or local governments, and/or with federal, state and/or local government contractors.