Federal, state and local government agencies buy a wide variety of products and services. Yet for many business owners, being able to sell their products or services to the government feels out of reach, with the daunting registration process and the challenging certification application requirements. The University of Houston APEX Accelerator is available to for-profit businesses within the 28-county service area surrounding Houston specifically to help them compete for government contracts. They offer a comprehensive client-advising program called the Three “R”s of Government Contracting to prepare you for doing business with government.
Register
The first step in the process. If you want to do business with the government you will need to register to get added to their vendor list. UH APEX Accelerator advisors will guide you through the process of understanding what is required for you to register with each government agency. If you are eligible for government socio and economically-disadvantaged certification programs for minorities, women, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, they will assist you with the application process.
Research
Once you are registered, the next step is to conduct market research to determine the government agencies buying your products and services and the contracting method(s) they use to buy them. UH APEX Accelerator advisors will show you how to conduct market research to identify your target agencies and where to find the opportunities.
Respond
Once you have identified an opportunity their advisors will review it with you to help you understand what is required to submit a compliant offer. As you prepare your offer they are available to guide you through the process and answer your questions as the arise. Finally, they will review your offer before you submit it to the government.Visit the UH APEX Accelerator website to become a client.
Sell to customers around the world
Before you make the decision to “go global,” let the UH SBDC's Certified Global Business Professionals help you determine that there is an international market for your product of service. We’ll help you research the best countries to target, determine whether or not you’re ready for exporting, understand the documentation you’ll need, and find the financing that will make exporting possible.
The global marketplace is open! Call (713) 752-8400 to discover how you can enter.
Commercialize your new technology
Bring your innovative idea to market with help from a UH SBDC advisor certified in Technology Commercialization by the University of Houston. We can help you secure funding, tackle the SBIR/STTR grant process, prepare a successful proposal, and assist in the decision whether to license or sell your technology.
Call us at (713) 752-8400 to schedule an appointment with a tech advisor.
Read more about the federal government’s SBIR/STTR seed funding program and how other small businesses have been successful in winning awards at www.sbir.gov.
