Strengthen your online fortress with these essential cybersecurity tips:
1️⃣ Use robust passwords and m password manager.
2️⃣ Add an extra layer of defense by enabling multifactor authentication.
3️⃣ Stay vigilant against phishing attempts; recognize and report suspicious emails or messages immediately.
4️⃣ Keep your devices shielded by regularly updating software; patches often fix vulnerabilities.
Introduction to Win Themes
How to Use Win Themes to Write Compelling Proposals
Most small businesses lose not because their solutions are weak, but because their proposals never answer one critical question: “Why should we pick you?”
This introduction sets the stage for everything that follows, helping you understand how Win Themes bring clarity, confidence, and persuasion to every proposal you write.
We open with the truth most teams overlook: your proposal’s success doesn’t depend on how much you say, but on how clearly you say why you matter.
Presented by GovCon
Join the 2026 Midwest Matchmaker: Connecting Small Businesses with Government Buyers
Are you a small business looking to expand your reach and connect with government buyers? The 2026 Midwest Matchmaker is your chance to meet federal, state, and local government procurement officials. This unique opportunity will bring together businesses and buyers in one of the largest online procurement events in the region.
Event Highlights:
- Who: Hosted by APEX Accelerators from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming, along with NADC APEX in Billings, MT, and the Nebraska Indian Community College APEX.
- What: An online matchmaking event that allows businesses to:
- Schedule pre-arranged appointments with government buyers, prime contractors and resource partners
- Explore procurement opportunities at all levels.
- When: February 11-12, 2026.
- REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
- Where: Online – accessible to all businesses, nationwide!
- Cost: FREE – no registration fees.
Why Attend?
- Meet directly with procurement officials from federal, state, and local governments.
- Build relationships that could lead to future contracts.
- Network with other businesses in your field.
- Gain valuable insights into the procurement process.
Who Can Attend?
The event is open to all businesses – whether you’re new to government contracting or an experienced vendor, this is a chance to expand your network and grow your business.
Happy Fall! We look forward to another exciting month of free training offered to our clients through Govology.
A new discount code has been created for use by our clients.
Contact your SD APEX Accelerator for more information.
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Rule of Two: OMB Issues Guidance to Increase Small Business Participation on Multiple Award Contracts
On January 25, 2024 the Office of Management and Budget issued guidance on strategies federal agencies should adopt to enable small businesses to participate in multiple-award contracts. This guidance encouraged early engagement and planning for multiple-award contracts to maximize opportunities for small business contract holders; additional consideration of “on-ramps” to allow for businesses to be added during the performance period of the multiple-award contract; and the use of small business set aside orders for competition among small businesses. Read More: OMB Memo
Read More:White House Fact Sheet
Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI)
Foreign investment can play an important role in maintaining the vitality of the U.S. industrial base. Therefore, it’s the policy of the U.S. Government to allow foreign investment consistent with the national security interest of the United States. A company is considered to be operating under FOCI whenever a foreign interest has the power, direct or indirect, whether or not exercised, and whether or not exercisable, to direct or decide matters affecting the management or operations of that company in a manner which may result in unauthorized access to classified information or may adversely affect the performance of classified contracts.
Listen: Video One Listen: Video Two
OSBP and DAU brings small business a comprehensive, cost-effective platform of cybersecurity information, resources, tools, and training to assist in achieving and maintaining the intended level of cybersecurity and contractual compliance.
The Project Spectrum Blog: Protecting Small Businesses One Company at a Time is available now on the DAU website and can be retrieved at the following link: https://www.dau.edu/blogs/protecting-small-businesses-one-company-time. The Project Spectrum website is located at this link: https://www.projectspectrum.io/#/
If you are a small business looking to increase sales and profit, reduce dependence on existing markets and stabilize seasonal fluctuations, then you should consider exporting.
Develop your Export Plan & Strategy (all sessions are virtual)
1-hour Pre-Training Session
2-hour Weekly Sessions (4)
1-hour Post-Training Session
Registration: Home | South Dakota Trade
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so that communities can quickly respond to, and recover from, major disasters or emergencies.
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FEMA also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation during the recovery process.
For more information on the SD Public Assistance Process, contact your local APEX Accelerator Contracting Specialist (Go To Contact Page, select a county from drop down menu)
South Dakota Department of Transportation Bid Lettings
South Dakota Department of Transportation – (sd.gov)