Washington APEX Accelerator
Washington APEX Accelerator is a nonprofit, DoD-funded program providing free one-on-one government contracting assistance to Washington State businesses through eight regional centers, supported by a Bid Match database monitoring 3,800 procurement sites and 100+ annual training events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersLacey, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Washington APEX Accelerator does
Washington APEX Accelerator is a nonprofit government contracting assistance program operated under the Thurston Economic Development Council, a 501(c)(6) organization, and headquartered in Lacey, Washington. It provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance to Washington State businesses seeking to sell products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies. The program is funded primarily through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense as part of a nationwide network of more than 90 APEX Accelerators staffed by over 400 advisors; it was rebranded from its former name, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), in 2022. Core services include SAM.gov and UEI registration support, proposal review, capability statement development, small business certification assistance (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB, MWBE, DBE, PWSBE), and post-award contract performance support.
The organization's primary technology asset is the Bid Match Database, a proprietary monitoring service that searches over 3,800 federal, state, and local government procurement websites daily and delivers matching bid opportunities to clients via email based on keywords, NAICS codes, and geographic criteria. Search profiles are fine-tuned by human advisors using Boolean logic rather than automated algorithms. The optional Bid Match subscription is priced at $21 per month or $250 per year, well below the $500–$1,000 commercial benchmark. Beyond Bid Match, APEX delivers over 100 training events annually including structured programs such as a 10-part Public Works training series, an Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program with WSDOT, Advanced PortGen with Port of Seattle, MRSC Rosters training, SBIR/STTR defense innovation funding assistance, and signature conferences including Alliance Northwest (40th year, 1,000 attendees) and Meet the Bigs in Eastern Washington.
Washington APEX distributes services through eight regional centers hosted by partner organizations (Economic Development Councils, Chambers of Commerce, and Green River College) spanning Lacey, Silverdale, Vancouver, Everett, Auburn, Spokane, and Kennewick, plus a virtual Region 6 for Pierce County. The GTM motion combines event-driven acquisition (over 100 events reaching 5,000+ businesses annually), direct advisor outreach, content marketing via a YouTube channel and twice-monthly newsletters reaching 7,000 opens, and self-serve registration through a client portal. Revenue mechanics are hybrid: the DoD cooperative agreement funds core operations, corporate sponsors (Absher, Aprio, City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, Washington State DES, WSDOT, OMWBE) fund events through tiered sponsorship packages, and Bid Match subscriptions generate modest fee revenue. With the organization's help, Washington companies are awarded $300 million in government contracts annually.
Washington APEX Accelerator firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington APEX Accelerator
- Legal name
- Washington APEX Accelerator
- Website
- https://washingtonapex.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Washington APEX Accelerator is a nonprofit, DoD-funded program providing free one-on-one government contracting assistance to Washington State businesses through eight regional centers, supported by a Bid Match database monitoring 3,800 procurement sites and 100+ annual training events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Washington APEX Accelerator industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Contracting Assistance Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)
Keywords
Where Washington APEX Accelerator is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lacey
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Washington APEX Accelerator business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Federal/DoD Cooperative Agreement Funding: Primary funding through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD). The Thurston Economic Development Council, serving as the statewide APEX Accelerator, receives federal funding as part of a nationwide network of 90+ APEX Accelerators with 400+ advisors.
- Bid Match Subscription Services: Fee-based optional service at $21/month or $250/year for Washington State businesses. This is a nominal fee compared to similar bid match services that typically cost $500-$1,000 annually. Includes 30-day free trial.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Annual sponsorship program with multiple tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum) offering visibility at events, newsletter inclusion, and social media recognition. Over 100 events annually with sponsor visibility opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Client Services |
| Subscription | Annual | Bid Match Premium Subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Washington APEX Accelerator product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Washington APEX Accelerator provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance to Washington State businesses pursuing federal, state, and local government contracts. Core deliverables include bid matching against a database of 3,800 procurement sites, proposal review, SAM.gov and UEI registration support, small business certification guidance, and post-award contract performance assistance. The program is delivered through eight regional centers, a client portal, training seminars, and signature matchmaking events.
Product overview
Washington APEX Accelerator is a government contracting assistance organization (formerly known as PTAC - Procurement Technical Assistance Center) offering a comprehensive suite of services to help Washington State businesses win government contracts. The core offering is one-on-one technical assistance for navigating federal, state, and local government contracting, supported by the Bid Match Database which searches 3,800+ procurement websites. The organization provides structured training through programs including the Public Works Training Series (10-part series), Preparing to Bid Series, IBR Series for Interstate Bridge projects, MRSC Rosters training, and Advanced PortGen for Port of Seattle vendors. Specialized programs include SBIR/STTR assistance for defense innovation funding and Capacity Building Mentorship for public works projects. Services are delivered through a client portal with access to events, resources, and advisor support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- APEX Accelerator Core Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Washington companies secure $300 million in government contracts annually with APEX assistance
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Washington APEX Accelerator
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Washington APEX Accelerator technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Washington APEX Accelerator partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Thurston Economic Development CouncilcoreHost organization for the statewide main center (Region 2) and headquarters of Washington APEX Accelerator. Serves as the lead economic development organization in Thurston County.
- Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA)coreHost organization for Region 1 serving Kitsap and North Mason counties. KEDA is a 30+ year old public/private nonprofit founded in 1983.
- Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC)coreHost organization for Region 3 serving Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties.
- Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC)coreHost organization for Region 4 serving Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties. A nonprofit combined economic development organization and countywide chamber of commerce.
- Green River CollegecoreHost organization for Region 5 serving King County. A community college with mission focused on student success and comprehensive programs.
- Pierce County (Navigator Program)coreRegion 6 services primarily provided virtually, funded through partnership with Pierce County through the Navigator Program.
- Greater Spokane Inc (GSI)coreHost organization for Region 7 serving Spokane, Adams, Asotin, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Whitman counties. Spokane region's business development organization.
- Tri-City Regional Chamber of CommercecoreHost organization for Region 8 serving Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties. Fifth largest chamber in Washington with nearly 1,000 member firms.
- Absher Construction CompanyminorSponsor providing construction industry subcontracting opportunities. Founded in 1940 in Puyallup, WA, now employee-owned. Committed to small-business contracting and recruiting certified small businesses including MBE, WBE, WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB, DBE, SBE, PWSBE firms.
- City of SeattleminorProgram sponsor supporting small business contracting with the City of Seattle.
- Port of SeattleminorProgram sponsor and partner through Advanced PortGen training program for Port of Seattle vendors.
- Washington State Department of Enterprise ServicesminorProgram sponsor and partner for state contracting resources, WEBS portal, and DES Diverse Business Support Program.
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)coreStrategic partner through WSDOT Safe Harbor Program, Capacity Building Mentorship Program, and DBE Support Services. Partner for Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR) training series.
- Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)coreStrategic partner for certification programs (MBE, WBE, MWBE, CBE, SEDBE, PWSBE) and Building Opportunities Pilot Program.
- Northwest Tech BridgeminorSBIR program partner assisting innovators interested in working with the Navy.
- Life Science Washington InstituteminorSBIR program partner providing support to life science innovators and startups.
- Washington Small Business Development Centers (WSBDC)minorSBIR program partner providing commercial market research, financial planning assistance.
- Impact WashingtonminorSBIR program partner helping manufacturers with job training, cybersecurity trainings and more.
- MEP Center for Advanced Technology Solutions (CATS-West)minorSBIR program partner helping innovators solve production issues through facilitated relationships.
- Fairchild Air Force BaseminorPartner for Meet the Bigs event - the largest government contracting conference in Eastern Washington.
- MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center)corePartner for Public Works training series and MRSC Rosters - the statewide small works roster for local government purchasing.
- Tabor 100minorAwarded $1.1 million state-funded contract to administer Minority and Women Business Enterprise Support Services Program through WSDOT.
- Business Impact NWminorPartner providing City of Seattle contracting support services, including business finance support and guidance.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Washington APEX Accelerator competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National APEX Accelerator Association: National network association for the APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC) program. Directly comparable to Washington APEX as the coordinating body for the same nationwide DoD-funded procurement assistance network of 90+ centers and 400+ advisors.
- Other State APEX Accelerators (e.g., California APEX, Texas APEX, Florida APEX): Each state's APEX Accelerator operates the same DoD cooperative agreement-funded model with regional centers and Bid Match-type services. They are the most direct peer set—same program, same mission, different geography—and represent the structural template Washington APEX follows.
- America's SBDC (Small Business Development Centers): Federally-funded network of SBDCs providing no-cost business advisory to small businesses across the U.S., with similar regional center distribution model. Directly comparable nonprofit business development assistance model, though broader in scope than government contracting.
- SCORE: Nonprofit small business mentoring and education network with similar volunteer-driven regional chapter model and free advisory services. Comparable in delivery model (regional chapters, mentoring, workshops) and target audience (small business owners).
- Women's Business Centers (SBA): SBA-funded network providing training, mentoring, and certification assistance to women entrepreneurs, with regional center distribution. Directly comparable nonprofit assistance model serving small businesses with mission-driven funding.
- Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOC): SBA-funded program specifically supporting veteran-owned small businesses with training and contracting assistance. Directly comparable model—federally-funded, regional, free small business development services targeting government contracting.
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers: Federal program operating business centers providing contracting assistance, capital access, and business development to minority-owned firms. Comparable federal funding model, regional center distribution, and small business contracting assistance focus.
Broad incumbents
- GovWin (Deltek): Deltek's GovWin is the leading commercial government contracting market intelligence and opportunity tracking platform. Comparable to APEX's Bid Match service but as a paid premium SaaS product serving larger government contractors, primes, and vendors.
- DemandStar: Commercial government procurement platform aggregating bids from local, state, and federal agencies. Comparable to Bid Match's core bid aggregation capability but as a paid B2B platform serving vendors and agencies directly.
- PlanetBids: Commercial bid notification and vendor management platform used by municipalities and contractors. Comparable in aggregating government procurement opportunities, with overlapping functionality to APEX's Bid Match but delivered as commercial SaaS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Washington APEX Accelerator social profiles
Digital presenceWashington APEX Accelerator financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington APEX Accelerator leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Washington APEX Accelerator funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington APEX Accelerator M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Washington APEX Accelerator
What does Washington APEX Accelerator do?
Washington APEX Accelerator provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance to Washington State businesses pursuing federal, state, and local government contracts. Core deliverables include bid matching against a database of 3,800 procurement sites, proposal review, SAM.gov and UEI registration support, small business certification guidance, and post-award contract performance assistance. The program is delivered through eight regional centers, a client portal, training seminars, and signature matchmaking events.
Is Washington APEX Accelerator a public or private company?
Washington APEX Accelerator is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington APEX Accelerator founded?
Washington APEX Accelerator was founded in 1994.
Where is Washington APEX Accelerator based?
Washington APEX Accelerator is headquartered in Lacey, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington APEX Accelerator make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Federal/DoD Cooperative Agreement Funding is the primary driver. The others are bid Match Subscription Services and sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Washington APEX Accelerator's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National APEX Accelerator Association, Other State APEX Accelerators (e.g., California APEX, Texas APEX, Florida APEX), America's SBDC (Small Business Development Centers), SCORE, Women's Business Centers (SBA), Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) and Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers. Broad incumbents are GovWin (Deltek), DemandStar and PlanetBids.
Does Washington APEX Accelerator have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington APEX Accelerator.
What industry is Washington APEX Accelerator in?
Washington APEX Accelerator's product category is Government Contracting Assistance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAE, Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.