Navy to headline government contract event

Guidance on government contracting is in the offing at Springfield Business GovCon 2025.

The free event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at Missouri State University’s Efactory. Allen Waldo, an organizer of the event and a counselor with the Missouri APEX Accelerator, said it is for anyone who wants to learn more about the topic.

GovCon 2025 aims to bring together industry leaders, government officials and business professionals to network and share insights on government contracting, according to Waldo.

It is sponsored by the Efactory, the U.S. Navy, the Missouri APEX Accelerator, the Missouri Small Business Development Center at MSU and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Waldo said the U.S. Department of the Navy is planning a Blue Angels appearance in Branson on Labor Day and contacted the APEX Accelerator to suggest the event.

“When the Navy asks something like that, we say yes,” Waldo said.

Waldo sees a lot of opportunity for contracting goods and services with the government.

“I’m a firm believer that, with exception, the government literally buys everything,” he said.

He said an established business with a good reputation and a good product or service might find some opportunity as a prime or subcontractor. For newer businesses, he said, you never know.

“I would encourage brand-new businesses to come anyway, because it’s a good opportunity to learn,” he said.

Waldo is still lining up participants, but he said the Missouri Department of Transportation and the U.S. Small Business Administration have confirmed. He is in talks with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Springfield-Greene County Library District and Springfield Public Schools.

The schedule is also coming together, Waldo said, noting the event will start with a panel of successful government contractors in the area, followed by a panel of government contractors, including MoDOT and SBA. The Navy will provide a keynote address at lunch.

In the afternoon, some government contractors will have tables, and there will be concurrent sessions on topics like Small Business Innovation Research Grants, contract decision-making and whether it makes sense to bid, how to do business with MoDOT and getting certified as service-disabled veteran owned, woman-owned or other categories of business.

The event includes lunch, but space is limited, according to a news release from the Efactory, and online registration is encouraged.