One on one Advising


Our Procurement Specialists have 241 years of experience, combined. That’s 34 years on average!

Meet virtually or in person with one of our government contracting experts. Many of our experts have graduate degrees in procurement related fields and have served long careers in the government sector or operating a small business themselves. They participate in extensive professional development and pride themselves on being current with the latest procurement trends and information. 

Our specialists can help you determine if your company is ready for government contracting and how to position yourself for success! 

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Our advisors offer technical assistance on the following procurement topics:

  • Registrations (local, State of CA, & Federal (SAM)
  • Small business certifications (including SB, SB-PW, DVBE, WOSB/ EDWOSB, VOSB/SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, & DBE)
  • Marketing to the government
  • Capability statements (or SOQs)
  • Market research
  • Finding bid opportunities
  • Solicitation review
  • Proposal review
  • Contract compliance
  • Connecting with agencies and primes
  • California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS)
  • Construction & public works contracting, including:
    • Basics of estimating
    • Scope letters (sub bid proposals)
    • Understanding bonding
    • Prevailing wage
  • And anything else related to government contracting!

Meet our Procurement Specialists!


Joseph Moore, CPCM, CPP

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Headshot of Joseph Moore

Joseph Moore, CPCM is seasoned contracting professional who has provided professional services to many firms in the area of federal and state (Virginia) government contracts. His background includes being a contracting officer for the U.S. Navy, a large private industry firm, and in civil service. He is a resource specialist providing assistance to all business firms under the PTAC organization for the past 10 years.

Joseph is a retired Naval Supply Officer and has an MBA from Webster University and a MS in Acquisition and Contract Management from Florida Institute of Technology. He holds a Certified Professional Contracts Management (CPCM) designation granted by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and he is the owner of a SDVOSB firm that provided specialized services in all phases of contracts.


James Forrest, M.A., A.P.P

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Headshot of James Forrest

James Forrest has been working with non-profit educational institutions since 2012, in roles ranging from Academic Tutor to Executive Administrative Assistant. He holds a BA from UC Santa Cruz and a MA from the University of Copenhagen, both in Philosophy. In 2019 his love of helping people and problem-solving brought him to his role at Norcal APEX Accelerator, where he now serves as a Procurement Specialist. He is enthusiastic about helping small businesses compete for government contracts, in order to bring their tax dollars back into their communities.


Liz Brazil,

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

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Liz has extensive experience with small and disadvantaged business enterprise programs working over 35 years for various Bay Area transportation agencies such as Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). She is familiar with local, State, and Federal procurement processes. Her passion is helping small businesses be successful and win government contracts. She holds a BS in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from San Francisco State University.


Thomas Burns,

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Headshot of Thomas Burns

Thomas Burns has over 20 years of experience providing start-ups, micro & small businesses with expert advice and assistance in the areas of government contracting, business planning, marketing and sales support. His background includes providing direct representation to small businesses, writing business plans for 50+ clients, bidding and winning multiple contracts with City, County, State agencies as well as doing business with prime contractors in a variety of industries here in Northern California.

Mr. Burns has personally trained, coached and assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners. He has taught webinars, seminars and conducted workshops focusing on building relationships with Prime Contractors, creating winning business plans and marketing to government agencies. Through his personal experience as a business owner, Thomas brings a unique perspective to the small business community.


Dr. Indria Gillespie,

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Headshot of Indria Gillespie

Dr. Indria Gillespie is the president of Gillespie Consulting Services (GCS), which is a certified State Small Business that specializes in government contracting, as well as providing classes and consulting aimed at helping small businesses to broaden their markets through government contracting. GCS also conducts program assessments, professional development trainings, as well as conduct program assessments.

Dr. Gillespie has over 20 years of government contracting experience. She was the director of two US SBA programs: the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) for nearly two years and a Small Business Development Center for over 5 years. Also, she managed a state program as a Deputy Sector Navigator. One of her duties was to provide practical business training to California community college business professors throughout 10 counties.


Mary Jo Juarez

Procurement Specialist,

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Headshot of Mary Jo Juarez

Mary Jo Juarez has extensive contracting experience as a former Contracting Officer for the Department of the Navy. In her position as the Deputy for Small Business, Mary Jo discovered her lasting passion of educating and helping small businesses to become successful in obtaining and performing in the government contracting arena. She specializes in working with small businesses to help them understand and work through the maze of regulations and requirements in government contracting. Mary Jo is a “connector “of small businesses, agencies, and prime contractors; helping to establish relationships which benefit all parties. She holds a BA from the Evergreen State College, MBA from City University, and has been working on the Doctorate in Business Education at Argosy University.


If you have more questions, please contact us at info@apexnorcal.org or (707) 267 – 7561