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 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received a $373,999.47 cooperative agreement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002), awarded on August 15, 2025, with a completion date of May 16, 2026. Under this award, the institution will establish and maintain an APEX Accelerator center to serve as a resource for business entities, including newly started enterprises, seeking to obtain procurement technical assistance.

The APEX Accelerator center will provide comprehensive, free counseling, training, and technical guidance to help businesses navigate federal, state, and local government procurement processes, identify contracting opportunities, and develop competitive proposals. Services are designed to support diverse businesses of all sizes, including minority-owned firms and those in underserved regions, with the overarching objective of strengthening the domestic supply chain by enabling broader business participation in government contracting. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution with extensive experience serving underrepresented populations in South Texas, UTRGV is well-positioned to deliver these procurement assistance services throughout its service area.