A Critical No-Cost Resource for Women and Minority Owned Businesses Seeking Certification and Contracts

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As government and defense agencies continue to prioritize resilient domestic supply chains and diverse vendor participation, the Monroe County Upstate NY APEX Accelerator is playing an increasingly central role in helping regional businesses access public-sector contracting opportunities.

The APEX Accelerator, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), is a federally supported program designed to help companies compete for federal, state, local, and Department of Defense contracts. The Monroe County–Upstate NY office, hosted by the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA), serves businesses across a multi-county region spanning Western and Central New York.

At its core, the APEX Accelerator provides no-cost, one-on-one advisory services to businesses navigating the highly regulated and often complex government procurement landscape. Services include contract readiness assessments, registration and compliance support, bid and proposal guidance, opportunity identification, and market research.

A key focus of the Monroe County APEX Accelerator is supporting women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses, particularly those seeking certification through programs such as WBE, MBE, SDVOB, and other state and federal designations. Certification can open doors to set-aside contracts and supplier diversity initiatives but often presents administrative and documentation hurdles for small businesses. The APEX team works directly with clients to streamline the certification process and align it with broader contracting strategies.

Beyond individual counseling, the Monroe County APEX Accelerator maintains an active calendar of local educational and networking events that help prepare businesses to pursue government work and connect with procurement professionals. Upcoming sessions focus on practical, tactical topics such as understanding government solicitations, navigating compliance requirements, and positioning companies for subcontracting and prime contractor opportunities.

These events are designed for a range of audiences, including early-stage companies exploring public-sector revenue for the first time, established manufacturers and service providers seeking to diversify revenue streams, and certified diverse suppliers looking to expand their footprint within government and defense supply chains.

The accelerator’s growing regional footprint reflects broader economic development priorities across Upstate New York, particularly in advanced manufacturing, technology, defense, construction, professional services, and logistics. As public-sector agencies increasingly emphasize domestic sourcing and supplier diversity, programs like APEX are becoming essential infrastructure for regional business growth.

For Monroe County and the surrounding region, the APEX Accelerator represents more than technical assistance. It serves as a connector between local businesses and billions of dollars in government spending, helping companies build long-term, stable revenue pipelines while strengthening the broader regional economy.

More information on upcoming Monroe County–Upstate NY APEX Accelerator events and services is available through the organization’s website.

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