Arkansas APEX Accelerator Success Story: DRS Services, Inc. Receives a GSA Schedule Award

by Kim Magee and Tierra Hutley - November 29, 2023

DRS Services, Inc. is a minority veteran-owned business employing 63 people in Pine Bluff. Since 1997, the company has provided services in private investigation, guard services, security, and defensive living training.

DRS Services has been an APEX client since 2001 and previously worked with APEX Counselors Liz Russell and Max Franks to be successful in the government marketplace, securing contracts with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Department of Justice.

In May 2023, Contract Manager Tina Sykes reached out to Tierra Hutley, an Arkansas APEX Accelerator procurement counselor, for assistance with renewing the company's U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) schedule. After completing the initial meeting, Hutley met with Sykes over the next few months to complete each component of the new GSA schedule application. Once submitted, the contracting officer sent requests to Sykes for revisions of the documents that were initially uploaded because the templates for the GSA schedule and spreadsheet had recently been revised. Hutley and Sykes worked through the new documents and were able to submit the final version of the offer on Oct. 17, 2023. The contract was approved the next day. Hutley also assisted with pulling Representations and Certifications ("reps and certs") from SAM.gov.

“Recently, DRS was awarded another 20-year GSA Contract and would like to express our appreciation for the assistance you provided. Tina informed me that without your guidance, it would have been difficult if not impossible to maneuver through the new streamlined process,” said Donnie Savage, owner, DRS Services, Inc.

To see how Arkansas APEX Accelerator can assist you and your business with GSA schedules or one of our many other areas of expertise that are offered free of charge, please reach out to us at APEX@uada.edu.