Jan. 29, 2026

DOW LAUNCHES LYNX TO HELP BUSINESSES ENTER AND COMPETE IN DEFENSE MARKETS

PENTAGON — The Department of War (DoW) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) today announced the launch of LYNX, a new digital platform designed to strengthen supplier readiness, improve visibility into business capabilities, and expand participation across the defense industrial base. Registration is now open at https://www.lynxconnect.io for businesses seeking to connect with mission-aligned partners and opportunities. Businesses begin by creating a company profile and completing an initial assessment to establish a readiness baseline and identify next steps.

Jan. 26, 2026

Registration is Open for the DOW Mentor-Protege Program Summit

PENTAGON — Registration for the Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) Summit 2026 is officially open! Register now to secure the early-bird rate.

PENTAGON Dec. 8, 2025

Small Business Champion Takes the Helm

Mr. James R. Mismash has been appointed Director of the Office of Small Business Programs at the Department of War, effective November 3, 2025. The appointment places Mismash, previously Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the vital role small businesses play in national security.

Dec. 2, 2025

APEX Accelerators Release Program Impact Data Highlighting Strategic Progress

The APEX Accelerators program has released performance data from its most recent program year (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025), offering a compelling snapshot of smarter service delivery, sharper strategic alignment, and measurable contributions to strengthening the defense and government industrial base.

PENTAGON Sept. 10, 2025

It's Official: CMMC Has Landed

Today marks the official start of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) implementation across DoD contracts. The DFARS rule is live in the Federal Register, and Phase 1 begins November 10, 2025.

July 16, 2025

DoD Earns an "A" on FY24 Small Business Scorecard

PENTAGON — The Department of Defense (DoD) expanded the footprint of small business participation in the defense industrial base in FY24 with an increase of $4.9B in contract awards to small businesses. The DoD’s overall performance garnered an "A" rating overall for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s FY24 agency small business scorecard.

June 2, 2025

Vanguard Award Nominees Announced

PENTAGON — Established in 2015, the DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program recognizes the exceptional contributions of DoD small business professionals and members of the acquisition community that influence small business participation in Defense procurements.

May 2, 2025

DoD Small Business Bulletin is Relaunching May 9

Arlington, VA — The DoD Small Business Bulletin will officially relaunch next week with a new, expanded focus.

April 30, 2025

May Small Business Webinar Training Announced

Arlington, VA — New Dates: Register for the May Small Business Webinar Training on the topic of Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI).

March 28, 2025

Maryland Defense Business & Industry Roundtable

Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-4) met with state business leaders and local APEX Accelerator business clients today at the University of Maryland-ARLIS.