Month: June 2024

Overview of the Final Rule on DBE and ACDBE Programs

On April 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published its Final Rule for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) programs. This rule marks the most significant overhaul of the DBE Program in a decade, fundamentally impacting Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) nationwide. The Final Rule aims to enhance the program’s … Continue reading Overview of the Final Rule on DBE and ACDBE Programs

CyLaunch Rockets to Success at NASA Student Launch

Members of the CyLaunch team headed back to Huntsville, Alabama, in April for the NASA Student Launch Competition. There, the team showcased their skills and resilience. Their participation was marked by both triumphs and challenges, highlighting the intense nature of the competition.   CyLaunch is a student rocketry team at Iowa State University that designs … Continue reading CyLaunch Rockets to Success at NASA Student Launch

CIRAS Staff News: Meet John Michel

John Michel joined CIRAS as a Government Contracting Specialist with the APEX Accelerators, serving clients in Western Iowa. John brings over seven years of expertise in public procurement and contracting, specializing in various commodity areas, including scientific, medical (veterinary), construction, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations). In his past duties as a Senior Procurement Agent, … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet John Michel

CIRAS Staff News: Meet Kathy McKown

Kathy has more than ten years of contracting-related experience in construction and consultant contracts and in sponsored research. In her duties as Manager, Contract Administration at FPM, she leveraged contract administration skills to oversee over $100M in annual expenditures and ensure compliance for federally-funded projects up to $40M.    Kathy works with Iowa companies to develop … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Kathy McKown

Best Practices in Selling to Iowa’s Regent Universities

Exploring Best Practices for Engaging with State/Regent Universities Being well-prepared and strategic is crucial before approaching a State/Regent University with your products or services. Here are some refined practices to enhance your approach: In-depth Research: Delve into the university’s strategic goals, active initiatives, and existing contracts. Regularly check their websites for details on current contracts, … Continue reading Best Practices in Selling to Iowa’s Regent Universities

Unlocking Business Potential Through Secondary Market Research

In business development, the strategic use of secondary market research is a pivotal tool for companies aiming to optimize their decision-making and enhance their competitive edge. This type of research involves analyzing existing data collected from various sources, such as government reports, industry statistics, and market analysis studies. Understanding how to leverage this data can … Continue reading Unlocking Business Potential Through Secondary Market Research