FAQ

The government buys EVERYTHING!  We have seen the government advertise bids for grounds maintenance, janitorial services, construction projects, American Sign Language interpreters, forklifts, PPE – personal protective equipment, armadillos, office supplies, and much more.  As a vendor, consider how you can solve the government’s need with your quality product or service.  How can you make it easy for them to buy from you?  We help you through every step of this process.

All of our services are provided at no cost to our client.  While many of our events are also free, luncheons and special events may carry a nominal fee to cover costs.

New clients must complete and submit the online NWLA APEX New Client Application. After completing the application, you will be contacted by a NWLA APEX consultant to set up an initial appointment.  For your convenience, appointments may be by telephone, email, in-person, or via Zoom.

No. Our services will help you complete registrations, improve your bids, and locate opportunities, but we cannot guarantee your business will receive contracts. We are a resource for education, inspiration, and collaboration as you work to gain government contract business.

No. NWLA APEX will work with you as you create your proposal and will review your bid for accuracy and search for areas of improvement, but we do not create or write your proposals.

No. NWLA APEX is not a purchasing agency. We do not award government contracts, nor do we have any influence with the decision-making process. We assist companies with developing their program to do business with the government, developing bids, and locating opportunities.

Working for the government requires dedication of resources to ensure compliance. Additionally, government agencies may consider your ability to perform work when bidding on projects. The government does not pay for contracts in advance, so companies will require the necessary cash flow to finance ongoing projects.

There are several ways to gain experience with the government.
1. Subcontracting to a prime contractor. This establishes a work-history, which may be used for future prime contracts.
2. Bidding on small contracts, which may not require history with the government.
3. Credit-card selling of small items to the government.

Government contracting can involve significant commitment and may distract your business from other important opportunities. A good analogy is to compare your business dealings with the government as you would any other potential revenue stream. You have to make sure you have the time and resources to commit. You will be required to contribute a modest amount of effort to the initial paperwork and registration, reviewing opportunities, and creation of bids. Also, it may be necessary to have access to loans and financial resources, so a good credit history is important. When successful, the benefits of participating frequently make the effort worthwhile, with long-term contracts and payment guarantees as results.

No. However, the Small Business Administration – a separate entity – is responsible for the federal certification of businesses. We work closely with the SBA in many areas and can assist you in filling out the appropriate paperwork.

Yes. The NWLA APEX staff work closely with the state and local purchasing agents. We can assist you with vendor database registration and certifications.

The funding for the NWLA APEX comes in part from the U.S. Department of Defense. To continue receiving funds, we need to show the U. S. Department of Defense that we are working hard and are helping our clients receive contracts. Your award information is kept confidential. The NWLA APEX consolidates the award amounts reported by clients and reports only the total number.

No. APEX services are free of charge whether you are a Chamber member or not.