# Event Details - **Event Name**: Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 09:00 am – Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 11:00 am (-05:00) - **Event Description**: Learn the requirements for government contracting and the know-how to obtain and perform federal, state, and local government contracts.About this EventAbout the Series – Organized by the Introducing the “Let's Talk Business Series,” a 12-part program that connects entrepreneurs with federal, state, and local small business resources. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or looking to grow your business, this series covers essential business topics, offers a forum for networking, and promotes success in today’s dynamic business environment. Participants may attend one, two, six, or all sessions.Session 9 – Business Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits for your BusinessThe U.S. government is the world’s largest customer. It buys all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities — and is required by law to consider buying from small businesses.Government contracting can be a powerful opportunity for small businesses—but knowing where to start is often the biggest challenge. Utilizing the SBA certification programs can give your business a competitive edge. This session will provide an understanding of the requirements for government contracting and the know-how to obtain and perform federal, state, and local government contracts.Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the UTRGV APEX Accelerator, this session will cover the benefits of business certifications, how to qualify, practical tools, how to find real opportunities, and how to access trusted no-cost support services that can guide you through the federal procurement process.Discover and Learn:Understanding Government Contracting and Its BenefitsVarious Certification Programs to help you competeThe System of Awards Management (SAM)Resources to Help you Find and Bid on ContractsQ&A📞For more info, contact Veronica Z. Ortega, EDS at 956-427-8535 or veronica.ortega@sba.govAbout the APEX Accelerator:UTRGV APEX Accelerator provides technical services through training and one-on-one counseling to persons interested in obtaining contracts with local, state, and federal governmental entities. UTRGV APEX Accelerator helps businesses obtain state and federal certifications and understand the contracting process.The U.S. Small Business Administration provides programs and services on a nondiscriminatory basis. Moreover, SBA can make reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities if requested at least two weeks in advance.The SBA's participation does not endorse any opinion, product, or service of the organizations in attendance. The SBA organizes informational workshops for business development purposes only. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/harlingen/small-business-contracting-certifications-qualifications-and-benefits/100001988003046628 - **Event Categories**: business, workshops, contests - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Harlingen - **state**: TX - **country**: United States - **location**: SBA's Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office - **lat**: 26.1894052 - **long**: -97.67033219999996 - **full address**: SBA's Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, 2422 E. Tyler Avenue, Harlingen, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/e7b59a60246d733415d687be5ce69437ec7e8ee9150d6fb6dd18a3ed5c3406ff-rimg-w1200-h675-dcffffff-gmir.jpg?v=1776934328 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits being held? - **A:** Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits takes place on Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 09:00 am to Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 11:00 am at SBA's Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office, 2422 E. Tyler Avenue, Harlingen, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits? - **A:** Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits is organized by SBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Harlingen, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Small Business Contracting Certifications: Qualifications and Benefits", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/e7b59a60246d733415d687be5ce69437ec7e8ee9150d6fb6dd18a3ed5c3406ff-rimg-w1200-h675-dcffffff-gmir.jpg?v=1776934328", "startDate": "2026-05-08T09:00:00-05:00", "endDate": "2026-05-08T11:00:00-05:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/harlingen/small-business-contracting-certifications-qualifications-and-benefits/100001988003046628", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "SBA's Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "2422 E. 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This is accomplished via entrepreneurial education and advising, access to capital/money and business development through government contracting and exporting opportunities.\r\nHarlingen, Texas is home to SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office (LRGVD), with a branch office in Corpus Christi, Texas.  The district covers 14 of the 254 counties in the State of Texas and is comprised of a diverse landscape to include international ports of entry, beaches, deep sea ports, ranch land, and metropolitan cities.\r\nThe SBA’s district office in Harlingen serves Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr, Willacy and Zapata counties in southern Texas. The branch office in Corpus Christi serves Aransas, Brooks, Duval, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio and Jim Wells counties." } ] } ] ```