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 University of Guam received a $267,151.33 cooperative agreement from the Washington Headquarters Service (Defense) under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002), awarded June 26, 2025, with a completion date of June 14, 2026. Under this agreement, the University of Guam will establish and maintain an APEX (Accelerator for Procurement Excellence) Accelerator to provide free procurement technical assistance to business entities throughout Guam, including newly started enterprises. The accelerator will deliver professional, specialized counseling and training to help clients identify and pursue contractual opportunities with the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and government contractors.

The APEX Accelerator will serve as a resource center offering guidance on navigating federal, state, and local procurement processes, enabling businesses to successfully compete for government contracts and participate in innovation and technology grants or contracts. This award aligns with the federal program's mission to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and support diverse business participation in government contracting by establishing regional procurement assistance infrastructure. As Guam's only public four-year institution of higher education and a 1862 Land Grant College, the University of Guam brings extensive experience in federal contract administration and community economic development to support local business growth and government contracting opportunities.

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.