Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

Del Mar College District received an $830,717.48 Cooperative Agreement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002) awarded on June 1, 2026, with completion targeted for May 31, 2027. Under this award, Del Mar College will establish and maintain an APEX (Accelerator for Procurement Excellence) Accelerator center to deliver free, comprehensive procurement technical assistance to business entities of all sizes, including newly established enterprises. The center will provide professional, specialized counseling, training, and technical guidance enabling businesses to identify contracting opportunities and obtain or perform under federal, state, and local government contracts, as well as innovation and technology grants.

The APEX Accelerator will serve as a resource hub supporting Texas-based businesses in navigating complex government procurement processes and developing competitive proposals. Services are designed to strengthen the domestic supply chain by enabling broader business participation in government contracting across all levels of government, with particular focus on supporting diverse businesses and those in underserved regions. This cooperative agreement aligns with the Department of Defense's broader initiative to build a sustainable U.S. supply chain by facilitating small business engagement in federal procurement opportunities.