Rebekah Miller, Program Director for the North Olympic Peninsula’s Apex Accelerator, addressed the Forks Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, November 20, at Blakeslee’s Bar and Grill. Miller shared information about opportunities available through government contracting and offered guidance on how to access these markets.
“Have you ever wished to get one of those government contracts?” Miller asked the attendees. “I’m here to walk you through that process.”
Miller specializes in helping small businesses, including those owned by women and veterans, navigate the complex world of government contracts. Apex Accelerators, a nationwide program funded by the Department of Defense, has been operating for over 40 years. However, Miller noted that Clallam County had historically been underserved by the program until recent efforts, driven by local advocate Colleen McAleer and supported by Congressman Derek Kilmer, brought dedicated resources to the region.
The Apex Accelerator services are free to businesses, and Miller describes her role as a “Sherpa” guiding entrepreneurs through the daunting process of securing government contracts.
“All these fish passage projects—it would have been great to see more small local businesses working on those,” Miller remarked, emphasizing her goal of increasing local participation in federally funded initiatives.
Miller shared success stories to illustrate the program’s impact. The first business she helped secure a contract was a Sequim business specializing in canine forensics. These dogs, trained to detect ancient bones and artifacts, are instrumental in archaeological surveys at development sites. Another project involved helping a company provide portable restrooms at Hurricane Ridge after the devastating fire, ensuring the area could remain open for the summer season.
In addition to one-on-one support, Miller has facilitated networking opportunities, such as an open house for subcontractors interested in a local construction project. This event connected businesses offering services like trucking and landscaping with larger contractors, creating pathways for more local involvement.
The Apex Accelerators program, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), is managed by the Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs. Its mission is to educate and train businesses to successfully compete for federal, state, and local government contracts, strengthening the defense supply chain and supporting local economies.
Miller is available to assist Clallam and Jefferson County businesses to tap into the billions of dollars the federal government spends on contracting annually. She can be reached at 360-447-8392, or by email at APEX@CLALLAM.ORG
