McALESTER Okla. – Over 40 small business representatives attended the 2025 Southeast Oklahoma Procurement Outreach Event on May 15 at Kiamichi Tech – McAlester. This event gave Kiamichi Tech APEX Accelerator clients the opportunity to meet and connect with government agency contracting officers and buyers.  
 
“Our event is a procurement matchmaking-style event,” said Ron DeGiacomo, Kiamichi Tech APEX Accelerator Coordinator. “Businesses were able to sign up to talk to government buyers in short sessions to introduce their company, explain their capability, ask questions about the agency’s buying potential and look for selling clues for doing business with the agency in the future.” 
 
Representatives from 10 government agencies attended the event and had the opportunity to give a brief overview of the types of contracting opportunities they have available before participating in one-on-one sessions with business owners.   
 
Choctaw Defense Manufacturing has consistently participated in the event since its inception in 2010.  
 
“The annual procurement event gives us the chance to connect with other government and industry partners,” said Jessica Knoerdel, Director of Business Development at Choctaw Defense. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to form these connections locally, helping our small business develop opportunities while also being cost-effective.”  
 
The Oklahoma APEX Accelerator at Kiamichi Tech provides marketing and technical assistance to businesses & industry clients interested in selling products and services to federal, state, local and tribal governments. The primary purpose of Oklahoma APEX Accelerator is to expand the economy in southeast Oklahoma by providing specific, tangible resources to Oklahoma business and industry clients through job retention and growth.