DICA, a family business in Urbandale, Iowa, earned a $95,000 GSA contract with guidance from CIRAS APEX Accelerator. This milestone expands the company’s presence in the federal marketplace and demonstrates its ability to successfully navigate complex government contracting requirements.
Company Overview
DICA is a family-owned and operated company based in Urbandale, Iowa, with 38 employees. Since 1988, the company has specialized in manufacturing high-performance engineered outrigger pads, crane pads, cribbing blocks, and magnetic sling protectors that are lightweight, easy to use, and built to last. Proudly made in the USA and compliant with ASME B30.5 standards, DICA products are trusted by operators on all seven continents and in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Situation
As part of its strategic goal to expand into the federal marketplace, DICA identified a General Services Administration (GSA) contract opportunity for crane pads and accessories. Although the company had the right products and relevant experience, pursuing the opportunity required navigating several technical and compliance-related requirements. To ensure a successful submission, DICA reached out to CIRAS APEX Accelerator team lead Kelly Freel for a thorough review of its prepared bid package.
Solution
Following a detailed review, Kelly provided targeted feedback and clarified which sections of the solicitation required responses based on the company’s SAM.gov registration and which sections could be left blank. She also guided DICA through the GSA Order Management Services (OMS) Vendor Portal onboarding process and offered recommendations on quote requirements under FAR Clause 52.212-1. Kelly also provided reference materials and resources to help DICA meet expected formatting and submission standards.
Results
DICA submitted a fully compliant bid, which resulted in a GSA contract award valued at more than $95,000. This federal contract not only expands the company’s reach into the government market but also validates its readiness to meet federal contracting requirements.
“Working with CIRAS and Kelly Freel has been a game changer for us. They have become a true partner, and Kelly has brought the hands-on approach and support that makes real progress possible,” said Kelly Koberg of DICA.
CIRAS and the APEX Accelerator helps Iowa businesses like DICA navigate the complex world of government contracting by providing tailored, one-on-one support to meet each client’s goals.
Contact Kelly Free to learn more.
This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.