Kansas APEX Accelerator, formerly Kansas PTAC, is ready to help your business secure
government contracts. We provide individualized counseling and informative training
seminars about timely contracting issues and the latest guidelines to help you learn
how the procurement system can work for you.
The Kansas APEX Accelerator, based at Wichita State University, has reached a significant
milestone in its decade-long history of empowering businesses: the attainment of more
than $1 billion in government contract awards for its clients.
With a total dollar amount of contract awards reaching $1,084,113,363, the accelerator
has solidified its position as a driving force behind economic growth and innovation
in Kansas. Since its inception, the Kansas APEX Accelerator (formerly Kansas PTAC)
has aided 4,620 businesses, guiding them through the intricacies of government contracting
and facilitating access to funding opportunities.
Boasting an average return on investment of $210 for every dollar invested in the
program, the Kansas APEX Accelerator and its cohorts across the nation, recently drew
the attention of the U.S. Congress, which has elevated the program’s responsible administrator.
The programs now report to the Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs.
This move underscores the program’s significance in advancing the goals of government
contracting and fostering innovation within the small business community.
The DoD is actively collaborating with the accelerator to further enhance its performance
and expand its reach. In the past 10 years, more than 10,000 individuals have attended
Kansas APEX Accelerator training conferences, equipping them with the knowledge and
skills necessary to thrive in the competitive government contracting landscape.
JTM Enterprises, a Wichita-based commercial cleaning business, worked with the APEX
Accelerator to become a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.
“The Kansas APEX Accelerator team has been stellar,” said Johnny Wallace, owner of
JTM Enterprises. “They put my company in a better swim lane. We rely on the APEX Accelerator
team for past pricing and helping with information that will allow us to forecast
for the future. They have been, and will continue to be, a great asset.”
Reflecting on the program’s success, Terri Bennett, director of the Kansas APEX Accelerator,
attributes its achievement to the dedication and expertise of her team.
"Our team’s unwavering commitment to our clients’ success has been the cornerstone
of our achievements," she said. "Their tireless efforts and strategic guidance have
enabled businesses across Kansas to secure vital government contracts, driving economic
growth and prosperity in our state."
Looking ahead, the Kansas APEX Accelerator remains committed to addressing the evolving
needs and challenges faced by its clients, including cybersecurity issues and regulatory
compliance. By providing comprehensive support and guidance, the accelerator aims
to empower businesses to successfully navigate the complexities of government contracting.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students
from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech
are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in
the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),
Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of
applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one
of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing
over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
The Kansas APEX Accelerator assists businesses in securing government contracts, providing
individualized counseling and informative training seminars about timely contracting
issues and the latest guidelines. The accelerator assists in developing a government
marketing strategy and identifying agencies as potential target markets. The Accelerator’s
web-based bid-matching services assist businesses in identifying government-advertised
bidding opportunities from more than 3,000 federal, state and local sites. Counselors
provide expertise in reading and understanding government solicitations, completing
government registrations and bid preparation by explaining forms, regulations and
clauses. For more information visit wichita.edu/ksapex.
This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department
of Defense through the Office of Small Business Programs. It is funded additionally
by Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, and Johnson County Community
College.
