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Registrations

LA APEX Accelerator counselors will assist you with the following registrations that are needed to contract with the Federal Government:

SAM UEI replaced DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) – However, there is still a need in other Governmental Agencies and commercial Private Industry for a unique 9-digit identifier issued and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet that verifies the existence of a business entity globally. D&B assigns DUNS numbers for each physical location of your business and registration is completely FREE.

  • SAM (System for Award Management) – is the the federal procurement database. All entities that want to do business with the federal government must be registered in SAM. SAM is also a government-wide portal that is consolidating the capabilities of multiple systems and information sources used by the Federal government in conducting the acquisition and financial assistance processes.
  • DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search) – the Small Business Administration (SBA), Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) is a database of firms who have registered in SAM.   It includes additional information about the firm including certifications and performance history (references). This database is used as a search tool by government contracting persons as well as large prime contractors looking for subcontractors

Certifications

LA APEX Accelerator counselors will assist you in determining which socio-economic categories your business fits into (may be more than one) and will assist you with the certification applications.

Clients self-certify in SAM for the following certifications by completing Representations and Certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-1 Small Business Program Representations:

  • SB (Small Business) a firm’s size is determined by their primary NAICS code as it corresponds to the SBA Size Standards Table.  Size is based on the average annual receipts of the past three (5) years or the average number of employees over the past 12 months (for manufacturing)
  • SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business) - in federal procurement, minority businesses are referred to as disadvantaged businesses. A small, disadvantaged business is a small business that is also at least 51 percent (51%) owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically-disadvantaged

Clients apply through SBA for the following certifications:

  • HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) - the HUBZone program promotes economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more federal contracting opportunities.  Eligibility is based on physical location of business as well as percentage of employees who live in a HUBZone
  • SBA 8(a) – SBA Business Development Program - is a business assistance program for small-disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51 percent (51%) by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The program is a nine-(9) year program in two phases. The first four years are considered a development stage and the last five years are considered a transitional stage.
  • WOSB (Woman-Owned Small Business) - a small business that is at least 51 percent (51%) directly and unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more women who are citizens (born or naturalized) of the United States
  • EDWOSB (Economically Disadvantaged WOSB) - the same as a WOSB with the additional requirement that the women owner(s) are economically-disadvantaged.  To be determined economically-disadvantaged, 1) personal net worth must be less than $750,000; 2) adjusted gross income cannot exceed $350,000 averaged over the last three years (preceding certification); and 3) fair market value of all assets, including interest in firm and equity interest in personal residence, may not exceed $6 million
  • VOSB (Veteran Owned Small Business) – a small business that is at least 51 percent (51%) owned, managed, and controlled by one or more veterans
  • SDVOSB – Service Disabled VOSB - a small business that is at least 51 percent (51%) owned, managed, and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans

State Purchasing

 LA APEX Accelerator will assist all clients who are interested in state government contracting.

  • LaPAC (Louisiana Procurement and Contract Network) – bid site where the State of LA, Office of State Procurement, posts its open bids.  Vendors can register and set up their personalized search profile and receive bid match emails or randomly access the website and perform searches for open bid opportunities
  • Hudson Initiative - a race and gender-neutral program intended to provide additional opportunities for Louisiana-based small entrepreneurships (SE's) that are certified by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) to participate in contracting and procurement with the state.  Hudson certified contractors receive a ten (10) point advantage on their technical evaluations in certain state solicitations
  • LaVet (Louisiana's Veteran Initiative) - a certification program that is designed to help eligible Louisiana Veteran-owned and Service-Connected Disabled-Veteran-owned small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities that are available at the state government level. LaVET certified contractors receive a ten (10) point advantage on their technical evaluations in certain state solicitations
  • SEBD (Small and Emerging Business Development) - provides the managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business i.e., developmental assistance, entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, business planning, and legal and industry-specific assistance.  Small construction firms that are SEBDs are eligible for bonding assistance for the first 25 percent (25%) of contract value, up to $100,000
  • DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) - a business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more minority persons. A minority is generally defined as an individual who is African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American, a woman or a disabled person.  Other ethnicities are handled on a case-by-case basis

Marketing

LA APEX Accelerator counselors will assist you with marketing by helping you identify your potential market. 

  • We can provide marketing tools which include a sample Elevator Speech and template for a one-page Capability Statement. In addition, we can provide contact lists for Federal, State and local buying agencies, military posts and bases, shipyards, and large prime contractors

Contracting Resources

Doing Business with DLA

Subcontracting

  • We teach clients how to seek subcontracting opportunities using various sources such as SAM, SBA DSBS, GSA, USASpending, FPDS.gov and SBA's Sub-Net.