Specialized Consulting Services

For businesses interested in becoming a prime contractor or a subcontractor — for federal, state or local government agencies, our consultants provide the following:

• Determine suitability and secure necessary registrations
• Comprehension of the language and contract basics
• Assistance in applying for small business programs including agency certified programs
  (SDVOSB, 8(a),
  HUBZone) and self-certifying programs (SDB, EDWOSB, MBE)
• Research procurement histories and forecasts
• Connect with government buyers and prime contractors
• Identify proposal and bid opportunities
• Customized profile on automated BidMatch service
• Review solicitations, proposal documents and make recommendations
• Assistance with contract performance requirements and audits
• Assistance with post-award contract administration requirements

What is the Florida APEX?

The Florida APEX Accelerator at the Florida Atlantic helps Florida-based businesses identify, compete for, and win government contracts in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Established by Congress in 1985, APEX Accelerators expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the broad spectrum of opportunities available to support America’s industrial base. The APEX Accelerators program focuses on building a strong, sustainable, and resilient U.S. supply chains by assisting a wide range of businesses that pursue and perform under contracts with the DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments and with government prime contractors.

How can we help?

Our experienced and knowledgeable government contracting consultants help Florida businesses research and bid on government contracts. Our consultants are knowledgeable, experienced and eager to assist you in making selling to the government less complicated and more profitable.

Through our service offering, we can help you in areas, including:

• Determining suitability for government contracting
• Understanding the language and basics of contracting
• Securing necessary federal, state, and local government registrations
• Assistance in applying for small business programs including agency certified programs (SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone) and self-certifying programs (SDB, EDWOSB, MBE), and more.
• Connecting with government buyers and prime contractors
• Identifying proposal and bid opportunities.
• Developing a customized profile on automated bid match service
• Reviewing solicitations, proposal documents, and making recommendations
• Small Business (SB) Innovative Research (SBIR) / SB Technology Transfer (STTR)
• Training and awareness on cybersecurity, risks of foreign ownership, control and influence, and intellectual and property protection.

How do I get started?

Request Consulting

The Florida APEX Accelerator at FAU is a member of the Florida APEX Accelerator, a statewide network powered by the University of West Florida and funded in part by the State of Florida and local partners, including the Florida Atlantic University. This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

For more information, visit http://www.flapex.org/

Everything DiSC offers an immediate and lasting impact on the performance of people and culture of an organization. Participating companies can have one representative join other leaders from their community in a virtual program. This experience provides personalized insights that deepen understanding of self and others, making your workplace interactions more enjoyable and effective. The result is meaningful behavior change that leads to a more productive and collaborative work experience.

Participant takeaways:

• Discover their own DiSC style to understand their workplace priorities, motivators and stressors
• Explore other styles to understand how best to interact and motivate their colleagues
• Increase in their effectiveness when trying to connect, solve problems or reduce conflict

Group session logistics:

• Program available as of July 1, 2020 – Dates to be announced.
• Each participant receives a personalized DiSC assessment
• Virtual consultant-led live group session
• Individual coaching available in two one-hour sessions

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive and encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.

Our consultants can assist in:

• Searching grant opportunities
• Reviewing and applying for grants
• Registering with appropriate agencies
• Providing compliance and regulatory information

Participate in one or more sessions of direct consulting to define the scope of the virtual marketing plan. Receive a comprehensive plan that includes an analysis of current state with strategies to address the new business environment:

• Current and recommended marketing strategy
• Target markets, marketing channels, advertising
• Analysis of competitors, brands, social media, website, email marketing, e-commerce platforms and customer segments
• Action plan and priorities to address the new-normal and re-opening strategies

A series of one to four, non-consecutive, consulting sessions to define the scope of the consulting reports. A comprehensive re-opening business plan includes:

• COVID-19 preparedness plan instructions
• COVID-19 preparedness customized plan for the company
• Screening policies for employees exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• Handwashing
• Respiratory etiquette
• Social distancing
• Housekeeping
• Communications and training
• General marketing strategies

Acceleration consultants deliver in-depth consulting in the areas of cash flow management, financial analysis and capital access, marketing and strategic business planning. Businesses are provided the tools, strategies and expertise needed to accelerate business growth and success in today’s competitive market. Participate in one or more sessions of direct consulting to receive a professional growth acceleration Phase I Report that includes:

• Description of the methodology of the report and the company background
• Market and industry analysis and data for decision making
• Financial statement analysis
• Report Recommendations

Analysis of opportunities of business credit underwriting with commercial credit and complex commercial lending of all types, including asset-based loans.

• Consulting of lending regulations, policies and practices
• Preparation, analysis and evaluation of credit relationships with multiple financial and investment entities, approved local financial institutions that participate in asset-based lending practices; as well as, insured receivables financing, with public or private risk insurance mitigation
• Consulting to ensure preventive measures are carried out to fully comply with current rules, regulations and policies related to risks pertaining to BSA, USA Patriot Act, OFAC and other AML related issues

Disasters of all types, from man-made (cyberattack or data breach, loss of a key employee, road construction that displaces traffic, supply chain interruption, etc.) or a natural disaster (hurricane, flood, drought, freeze, etc.), can threaten businesses no matter where they are located. Services offered include:

• Access to capital including grants and government-backed loan programs
• Disaster recovery plans
• Continuity plans
• Marketing
• Cybersecurity review

This service is intended to provide an estimate of fair market value, enterprise and liquidation. Key performance Indicators are calculated on the analysis of company-specific data which is compared to industry-specific averages linked to millions of other businesses.

Turbo Charge Any Team is designed to help leaders better understand themselves and others to improve working relationships, strengthen management skills, elevate leadership impact and tackle conflict. The Florida SBDC at FAU covers the cost of consulting and up to five-assessments per company. Services include individual assessments as well as team debriefs. A lead consultant will coordinate all logistics with your company to provide access to the assessments, and delivery of the Turbo-Charge your team debrief session. All consulting associated with organizational development is offered at no cost.

Client companies will have the option to acquire, at their cost, additional assessments. The Turbo-Charge Any Team program can help improve profits through:

• Enhanced communication and effectiveness
• Reducing staff turnover, conflict and stress among team members
• Enhanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a team
• Improved hiring of the right team members
• Better engagement of employees by understanding what motivate and drives them

The Florida SBDC provides access to data and information generally unaffordable or unavailable to small and medium-sized businesses. Certified professionals utilize high-cost databases, business research resources and tools:

• ReferenceUSA
• IBISWorld
• BizMiner
• ProfitCents
• ProfitMastery
• BidMatch
• D&B Hoovers
• FedMine

Analysis of opportunities of business credit underwriting with commercial credit and complex commercial lending of all types, including asset-based loans.

• Consulting of lending regulations, policies and practices
• Preparation, analysis and evaluation of credit relationships with multiple financial and investment entities, approved local financial institutions that participate in asset-based lending practices; as well as, insured receivables financing, with public or private risk insurance mitigation
• Consulting to ensure preventive measures are carried out to fully comply with current rules, regulations and policies related to risks pertaining to BSA, USA Patriot Act, OFAC and other AML related issues

Our services can assist qualified new-to-export manufacturers and service providers in developing a customized export marketing plan for international expansion. Provided in partnership with Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Commercial Services, the export marketing plan includes:

• Thorough readiness assessment
• Industry and market analysis with target market recommendations
• Review of overseas trade opportunities
• Action plan that may include trade mission participation
• Grant opportunities