APEX Helps Client Clear SAM Obstacle, Maintain Its Federal Procurements
Bryan, OH – In mid-2013, Tracy McElvey of Daavlin contacted APEX, stating that they were having difficulty renewing Daavlin’s System for Award Management (SAM) registration, jeopardizing federal contract awards.
The problem occurred when the U.S. Department of Defense repeatedly rejected its documents in the renewal process because the name of Daavlin in the documents and Daavlin’s name on DoD’s records did not match.
After conversations and email communications with Daavlin, APEX Northwest Ohio Coordinator Doug Durliat reached out to Ohio APEX Statewide Manager Joey Scott and explained their situation. As APEX state director, Mr. Scott was able to contact the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), expedite the SAM renewal process, and Daavlin’s SAM was renewed. Since then, Daavlin has been awarded three federal contracts from the Veterans Administration.
“Daavlin had attempted to renew its SAM registration months before its renewal date,” explained Durliat. “Repeated attempts at renewing resulted in rejections from DLA and jeopardized their eligibility to procure and receive federal contract awards. They reached out to APEX, who successfully expedited and renewed their SAM registration.”
“Without APEX’s assistance we would not have been able to successfully renew our SAM registration,” said Josh Bany, Clinical and Service Sales Manager for Daavlin. “Since then, we have successfully procured federal contracts.”
Success in Government Contracting Comes From a Strong Foundation
Waterville, OH – To Priscilla Bersee, a strong infrastructure and taking a serious approach to contracting are key ingredients to her company’s success.
Since becoming a PTAC (now APEX) client in 2019, Castle Hill Associates has been awarded 48 contracts totaling over $2.484 million in environmental consulting from an array of federal agencies. Ms. Bersee, the company’s president, said government contracting is like high-stakes poker. If your business does not implement the supporting services and understand the agreements entered with government buyers to make it work right, problems can result when audited.
She said her company treats its government contracting business differently from its private contracting business, noting that contract clauses and record-keeping are managed separately.
She said Castle Hill Associates’ certifications as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business, and Ohio’s Encouraging Diversity, Growth & Equity (EDGE) give her company credibility with federal and state contractors because they have met their standards.
Since 2019, Castle Hill Associates has been awarded contracts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and Veterans Administration. “Some agencies will let you cut your teeth with them,” said Bersee. “Others, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, will not. You need a strategic approach when determining who you submit proposals to.”
She said their first contract, less than $10,000, was awarded in 2016 from the U.S. Coast Guard. From there, Castle Hill’s good reputation, good product, and good history have kept the door open for future business relationships in government contracting.
“APEX and its team have been an essential resource for the federal contractor. As an Ohio-based firm, we are outside the loop in many ways and knowing we can take our questions, leverage resources, and receive guidance locally, is a huge advantage for a small business,” Bersee said.
APEX Client Continues Success Through Ownership Change
Perrysburg, OH – The ownership has changed. Three sectors have consolidated into one. Through the changes, contract awards have remained constant for a Wood County APEX client.
Following its acquisition by Colorado-based Fleet Response in late 2021, Cousino Medical Services and Cousino National Response were combined into Cousino Restoration & Environmental, LLC. Since then, the company has been awarded six contracts from the Department of Defense totaling $360,885 for various cleanup work.
Will Wagner, who manages government contracting for Cousino, said the new owners wanted to consolidate Cousino’s entities related to sanitation and environmental cleanup services to give it name-brand recognition.
Three contracts totaling $239,710 have been awarded to Cousino Restoration & Environmental in calendar year 2023 so far, all from the Department of Defense for cleanup projects at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Cousino was awarded the contract over the incumbent contract holder. “Cousino is not well-known in Kansas,” Wagner said.
Wagner said APEX Accelerators has been helpful in positioning Cousino for recent contract awards. APEX’s assistance in registering them in OhioBuys quickly led to Cousino being awarded state contracts. “This resulted in an award to Cousino to do vehicle and facility sanitation and cleaning.”
Wagner added, “You arranged discussions on the steps needed to obtain a GSA (Government Services Agency) schedule.”
Wagner said leads from APEX’s bid-match services have resulted in potential leads pursued by Cousino. Webinars have provided useful information on various contracting issues, and matchmakers have introduced Cousino to prospective contracts for the future.