OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma Procurement Technical Assistance Center has a new name, but it remains focused on helping Oklahoma businesses secure contracts and sales worth billions of dollars with government entities.
OkPTAC changed its name to Oklahoma APEX Accelerators, according to Oklahoma CareerTech.
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education chose the new name in coordination with a recent change in the federal grant program under the U.S. Department of Defense.
A cooperative agreement between the state and the Department of Defense funds the Oklahoma Accelerator.
The new name was chosen to build consistent awareness among federal agencies and local businesses.
“The federal program management recently moved from one DoD agency to the highest levels of the Pentagon, giving the program new visibility. This also helps all of us connect more directly with the decision-makers in government to better assist our business clients,” said Carter Merkle, OkAPEX program manager. “Our core mission and our set of services remain the same.”
The program now known as OkAPEX was created over 35 years ago. It was first called the Oklahoma Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network and then OkPTAC. It regularly works with around 1,100 businesses each year.
Oklahoma Accelerators funds 11 programs with 13 procurement counselors in technology centers throughout the state. The counselors provide one-on-one counseling and training programs to businesses, and help with business networking events.
OkAPEX helps businesses become more competitive and find bidding opportunities, as well as helping them be aware of regulatory requirements and avoid missteps that can cost them business.
It also helps government agencies connect with supply chains, and assists larger prime contractors in finding smaller partners to complete complex projects and meet government-required small business subcontracting goals, according to Merkle.
Visit www.okbid.org for more information about the Oklahoma APEX Accelerator, including locations and contact information.
