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 Thurston County Economic Development Council, a tax-exempt nonprofit based in Lacey, Washington, $1.5 million under Cooperative Agreement W56KGU262A071 on April 1, 2026, under the Procurement Technical Assistance For Business Firms program (CFDA 12.002) to establish and maintain an APEX Accelerator serving as a resource for business entities, including newly started firms, to obtain procurement technical assistance.

The period of performance runs from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, with place of performance in Washington. The cooperative agreement carries the full $1.5 million obligated.

The APEX Accelerator delivers free counseling, training, and technical guidance to any U.S. business on government procurement processes, contracting opportunities, and proposal development at the federal, state, and local levels. Under a network delivery model, Thurston County Economic Development Council distributes sub-awards to six sub-recipients to expand geographic reach across multiple Washington State regions: Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council (doing business as Greater Spokane Incorporated), Columbia River Economic Development Council, Green River College, and Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each sub-recipient provides procurement technical assistance to firms in its respective region.