Pensacola, FLA – The Florida APEX Accelerator is pleased to announce the selection of Jessica Tenney as the program manager of the Florida APEX Accelerator effective January 22.  

As program manager, Tenney will provide strategic direction for the Florida APEX Accelerator. She will work to facilitate partnerships to support the national APEX Accelerators’ priorities and will coordinate with partners and stakeholders to achieve common goals. As program manager, she will lead a statewide team of government contracting consultants, who help small businesses navigate the complexities of government contracting.

Tenney joins the Florida APEX Accelerator as program manager after working as a government contracting consultant for the Florida APEX Accelerator at the University of West Florida.

“We are excited to have Jessica join us in this new role,” said Jane Dowgwillo, director of strategic programs for the Florida SBDC Network and former program manager for the Florida APEX Accelerator. “Her extensive experience and background in government contracting will help us build on the success of the program and assist more businesses seeking government contracts.”

Having served eight years of active duty in the United States Navy, Tenney brings a strong foundation in leadership and management. Following her military career, she ran the operations for a small defense contractor that specializes in information technology and healthcare services. She led the company to be recognized as one of the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America – Government Services and become Joint Commission certified. Jessica holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Health Science and Public Health from the University of West Florida. Her firsthand experience in the small business sector fuels her passion for helping other companies succeed in government contracting.

“I’ve always appreciated the economic impact small businesses have had on the economy of the Florida panhandle and can’t wait to share my experience with our team and help small business owners all over the state,” said Tenney. “I look forward to working with small businesses and my team and am very excited about our future together.”

Formerly the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), the Florida APEX Accelerator helps Florida-based businesses compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. Through the program, the Florida APEX Accelerator matches businesses with contract opportunities, helps them prepare bids and navigate requirements, and assists them after winning contracts. 

Consultants also help businesses apply for certifications that may help them get an edge when competing for contracts, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned, or HUBZone small businesses. These services are provided at no-cost to businesses.

For more information about the Florida APEX Accelerator program, and to find a government contracting consultant in your area, please visit www.FLAPEX.org. 

PENSACOLA, FLA. – The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is changing its name to the Florida APEX Accelerator, but its mission to help businesses research and bid on federal, state and local government contracts remains the same.

The name change coincides with the program’s transition nationally from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency to the DoD Office of Small Business Programs. 

“Small businesses are critical to our economy and play a central role in bolstering our nation’s defense,” said Jane Dowgwillo, interim program manager of the Florida APEX Accelerator. “Government contracting, however, can be complex and small business participation in the defense industrial base has declined over the past decade. This shift is aimed at reducing barriers and equipping businesses with greater resources to be capable of competing in the federal, state and local government marketplace.”

Under the oversight of the DoD, APEX Accelerators nationally will focus on accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains in the government marketplace. 

Although the program’s name is changing, its mission remains the same. The Florida APEX Accelerator helps Florida-based businesses compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. Through the program, the Florida APEX Accelerator matches businesses with contract opportunities, helps them prepare bids and navigate requirements, and assists them after winning contracts. 

Consultants also help businesses apply for certifications that may help them get an edge when competing for contracts, including minority-owned, veteran-owned, woman-owned, or HUBZone small businesses. These services are provided at no-cost to businesses.

In addition to these services, the program will expand to provide training and awareness on cybersecurity, risks of foreign ownership, control and influence, intellectual property protection, and assistance with government-led innovation programs. 

More than 90 PTACs around the country – including the Florida APEX Accelerator – will change to the new name. 

The Florida APEX Accelerator program plays an important role in the state. The U.S. government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, and every year, contracts are available to businesses at the local, state, and federal level.

Last year, the Florida APEX Accelerator program served 1,387 new clients, resulting in 25,919 jobs supported and helping businesses secure $246 million in government contracts. 

The announcement coincides with National APEX Accelerators Day. Held today, October 12, 2023, National APEX Accelerators Day celebrates the success of tens of thousands of small businesses that have leveraged APEX Accelerators’ training and technical assistance to successfully compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. This is the first national event for APEX Accelerators since rebranding from PTAC.

For more information, and to find a government contracting consultant in your area, please visit www.FLAPEX.org.