Course Offerings

Wake Tech Contractor's Academy

The Contractor's Academy is an intensive eight-session certificate program presented by Wake Tech and the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC). The program takes business owners and entrepreneurs through the complete journey from first understanding what public sector contracting is to being fully prepared to find, pursue and win contracts at the federal and North Carolina state level.

The program is built around one principle: sequence matters. Companies don't fail in government contracting because they lack talent; they fail because they try to bid before they're registered, market before they've done research and write proposals before they've built relationships. Every session builds on the one before it.

The program is delivered in hybrid format. Each session combines live in-person instruction with simultaneous virtual participation. All participants work on their own computers throughout every session — every demo, registration and workshop exercise is completed in real time, not as homework.

Course Objectives

Explain how public-sector contracting works and how it fundamentally differs from commercial sales

Identify which certifications you qualify for, what each unlocks and their limitations

Begin completing registrations: SAM.gov, SBA Small Business Profile, NC eProcurement

Research your specific market: who buys what you sell, how much they spend and who currently holds the work

Build a professional capability statement grounded in real market research

Find opportunities using both free and paid platforms and qualify them before investing proposal time

Build agency relationships and position to win before a solicitation is even released

Ensure your accounting, finance, legal structure, insurance and compliance posture can support a contract

Read any government solicitation and write a compliant, competitive proposal with sound pricing

Invoice correctly, manage contract performance and build a track record that wins future work

Execute a personal 90-Day Government Contracting Action Plan starting the day after graduation

Outline of Instruction

Introduction to Public-Sector Contracting and N.C. Resources

Certifications + Registrations and Visibility: You understand the world, have your certifications planned and are fully registered and visible

Market Research + Finding Opportunities: You know your market, your buyers, your incumbents and where opportunities live

Capability Statements – Your Government Marketing One-Pager: You can tell your story; your capability statement is built on real research, not assumptions

Business Development, Capture Management and Teaming: You build relationships and pursue specific opportunities before they post

Business Readiness — Accounting, Finance, Legal, Compliance and Insurance: Your business can support what you win

Reading Solicitations + Writing Proposals and pricing: You read solicitations and write responses that compete

Contract Administration, Getting Paid and Course Recap: You perform, get paid, grow and launch with a 90-day action plan in hand

Contact Hours

CEUs

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

Attend six of eight sessions and submit a completed 90-Day Government Contracting Action Plan

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

Prerequisites

Participants must operate a business or reside in Wake County, be in business for at least three years, filed tax returns under the business name, offer products or services commonly purchased by government agencies (e.g., construction and facilities services; information technology and cybersecurity solutions; professional, administrative or training services; janitorial, landscaping or security services; industrial and maintenance products; healthcare staffing and medical supplies; transportation and logistics services; office furniture, equipment and supplies) and be interested in doing business with the federal government (not just state government).

Learning Supplies Needed

Students will need a computer to complete web-based training.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

N/A

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Small business owners exploring public sector contracting for the first time
Established companies seeking to diversify revenue through federal or NC State contracts
Entrepreneurs who have bid before but never won and want to understand why
Minority, women, veteran, and disadvantaged business owners seeking to leverage certifications
Subcontractors looking to build toward prime contractor status
Nonprofits and social enterprises pursuing government contracts and grants