Arkansas APEX Accelerator offering Aug. 7 course for manufacturers and machine shops seeking government contracts
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Aug. 2, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Course offers valuable insight to contracting for the federal government
- No cost to attend
(271 words)
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas manufacturers and machine shop owners interested in securing government contracts are invited to attend an Aug. 7 class with Arkansas APEX Accelerator — the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Department of Community and Economic Development.
Mary Love, a procurement counselor with Arkansas APEX Accelerator, said the course, “Government Contracts for Manufacturers and Machine Shops,” will cover aspects of working with the federal government with which private manufacturers may be unfamiliar, including required certifications, what processes are involved and how to find contracts that are opening to bids. Attendees will also learn about basic cybersecurity protection and how to better understand digital manufacturing concepts.
“Many federal contracts are for things that end up in the hands of our military,” Love said. “Those are only open to American companies. So if you’re not part of the U.S.-Canada Joint Certification Program, for example, you’re not going to get those contracts.”
Liz Russell, also a procurement counselor for Arkansas APEX Accelerator, said the course will also help manufacturers gain a better understanding of the overall process of working with the federal government.
“A lot of people, if they haven’t been doing any contracting, don’t understand that they can’t sign up today and be ready tomorrow,” Russell said. “The registration process can take up to a month, or sometimes more.”
The Aug. 7 course is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 7, and will conclude at 11:30. There is no cost to attend. To register, visit http://bit.ly/contract-opportunities.
To learn about contract procurement in Arkansas, visit http://www.uaex.uada.edu/APEX Accelerator. Follow the Division of Agriculture on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney • rmcgeeney@uada.edu
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu