What DBE Firms Need to Know Starting July 1, 2025, Iowa drivers will be required to go hands-free. The new law prohibits holding or manually operating a phone or other electronic device while driving. This effort is aimed at improving road safety and reducing distracted driving—a critical concern for companies that spend significant time on … Continue reading New Iowa Hands-Free Law Takes Effect July 1, 2025
Your Point of Contact for DBE Support and Compliance Navigating government programs can be overwhelming—but knowing who to call makes all the difference. The Iowa DOT Civil Rights Team is here to support Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) working on DOT-related contracts and projects. Whether you have a question about certification, compliance, or contractor obligations, this … Continue reading Who’s Who & What They Do: Meet the Iowa DOT Civil Rights Team
Ty Hill is a project leader at the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa State University, and he has a message about exoskeletons for Iowa companies: “They exist and that they’re not something that’s out of your reach,” Hill said. CIRAS is running a pilot program to introduce companies to exoskeletons, which are … Continue reading Taking a load off: CIRAS pilot program brings exoskeletons to Iowa companies
In federal government contracting, qualifying as a small business can confer tremendous benefits, including access to set-aside prime contracts, eligibility for certifications such as 8(a) and HUBZone, and much more. Contrary to popular belief, however, recently-formed companies cannot use the same formulas as established companies to determine their small business eligibility. Instead, special rules apply. … Continue reading Determining Small Business Status for Recently-Formed Companies
Artificial Intelligence can be a powerful tool—if used intentionally to supplement our own strengths in complex thinking, intuition, and creativity. To get the best results, Rachel Holmes, a recent graduate from Iowa State University studying generative AI in business communications, recommends that individuals focus on two key areas to create truly valuable experiences: advanced prompting … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence: Building Better Outputs – Prompt & Train AI for Impact
Two recent projects, funded by CIRAS and EDA mini grants, are helping Iowa construction companies explore practical applications of digital innovation. With the help of Iowa State University faculty, these efforts aim to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and make job sites safer. Digital As-Builts – Software & Hardware Basics Led by Dr. Behrouz Shafei, this … Continue reading Safer, Smarter Construction: CIRAS and EDA Mini Grants at Work
Sales objections are a normal (and valuable) part of the sales process. They show that your customer is still engaged. Instead of trying to “overcome” objections, focus on working through them to build a stronger relationship with your prospective clients. Follow this five-step approach: Listen fully without interrupting. Acknowledge the concern genuinely. Ask clarifying questions … Continue reading Handling Sales Objections: A Smarter Approach
Heath Reimers Engineering Services Project Manager Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. I’m part of the CIRAS Engineering team, with a focus on Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE). I help companies understand and apply NDE techniques and technologies to address their challenges—whether through … Continue reading Q&A with Heath Reimers
Tariff developments continue to affect Iowa companies, and staying informed is key to protecting your operations. CIRAS is here to help you understand the latest shifts and make proactive decisions. In our May 16 morning update, Marc Schneider, CIRAS Supply Chain Lead, shared the following insights: Steel and aluminum tariffs are in effect as of … Continue reading Stay Ahead of Tariff Changes in Your Supply Chain – May 16 Update
Joint ventures are an increasingly popular form of business for companies pursuing government contracts. But contractors pursuing small business set-aside contracts and/or socioeconomic set-aside and sole-source contracts (such as 8(a) contracts) must strictly adhere to the rules of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). One of the most important SBA joint venture rules–and one that … Continue reading Understanding the SBA’s Two-Year Joint Venture Restriction