Cooperative agreement award for FY25 apex accelerator

The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development, doing business as United Indian Development Association, received a $1,362,872.56 Cooperative Agreement from the Department of Defense Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002). Awarded on April 1, 2025, with a completion date of March 31, 2026, this funding supports the establishment and operation of the APEX Accelerator in Mesa, Arizona. The accelerator provides free, comprehensive procurement technical assistance to business entities, including newly started businesses, to help them navigate federal, state, and local government contracting processes and successfully compete for government contracts.

The APEX Accelerator delivers core services including counseling, training, and technical assistance designed to strengthen business competitiveness and participation in government procurement. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization specializing in Native American economic development, the awardee leverages its expertise to support diverse businesses, with particular focus on Native American entrepreneurs and tribal communities seeking to access federal contracting opportunities. This award represents the continuation of the organization's procurement technical assistance mission through the Department of Defense's strategic initiative to build a sustainable U.S. supply chain by supporting a wide range of diverse businesses.