GSA MAS Contract Holders: Time May Be Running Short to Get Your House in Order The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced a new initiative that “put its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contractors on notice that it is making ‘major changes’ to ‘improve the effectiveness of the MAS Program’ by allowing contracts that fail … Continue reading GSA MAS Contract Holders: Time May Be Running Short to Get Your House in Order
Year: 2025
CIRAS Staff News: Meet Edward Fitzsimons
Edward Fitzsimons joins CIRAS as a Digital Lab Engineer. Edward Fitzsimons brings a unique combination of military precision, technical expertise, and hands-on industry experience to his new role at the CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab, powered by Alliant Energy. Edward served for five years in the United States Marine Corps as a C-130 aircraft engine mechanic, … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Edward Fitzsimons
CIRAS Staff News: Meet Tim Weiss
Tim Weiss joins CIRAS as a Strategic Advisor for Northeastern Iowa. Tim Weiss brings extensive experience in manufacturing leadership to his new role supporting companies in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and the surrounding region. Most recently, he served as Vice President of M&M Sales Enterprises, where he focused on operational efficiency, engineering solutions, … Continue reading CIRAS Staff News: Meet Tim Weiss
A trusted partner helping meat processors grow, provide quality products
HOLSTEIN, Iowa – Jordan Bremer flips through pages of hand-written notes documenting the many flavor combinations she’s tested over the years at Tiefenthaler Quality Meats, pausing on a page of one of her award-winning creations. “This one, I did a nacho patty, and it was my grand champion innovative beef in 2018,” she said. “That … Continue reading A trusted partner helping meat processors grow, provide quality products
Important Updates on CIRAS Funding
Update: On April 15, CIRAS was notified by NIST that they would receive six months of funding while NIST and the Department of Commerce review and evaluate next steps for the program. Original post April 8, 2025: I’m writing to you today to provide you with an important update that impacts how CIRAS serves … Continue reading Important Updates on CIRAS Funding
Avoiding Common Misconceptions About Calculating Small Business Status
Qualifying as a small business for purposes of federal government contracting requires a contractor to compare its average annual receipts or average employee count to the size standard associated with a particular North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. For contractors in the construction and service industries, which generally use receipts-based size standards, there are … Continue reading Avoiding Common Misconceptions About Calculating Small Business Status
Emily Betz Named Director of the Iowa Lean Consortium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2025 AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Lean Consortium (ILC), a program of the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University, is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Betz as director, effective April 7, 2025. Emily has been a valued member of the ILC and CIRAS … Continue reading Emily Betz Named Director of the Iowa Lean Consortium
Stay Ahead of Tariff Changes in Your Supply Chain – April 3 Update
Tariff shifts continue to impact Iowa companies, making it more important than ever to stay proactive in managing risks and adapting your supply chain strategy. CIRAS is committed to keeping you informed and providing actionable insights to help your business stay resilient. Join Marc Schneider, CIRAS Supply Chain Lead, as he breaks down the latest … Continue reading Stay Ahead of Tariff Changes in Your Supply Chain – April 3 Update
Road Construction Safety Tips for DBE Businesses
Now that the season for road construction has begun, safety is essential. Road construction projects are vital for infrastructure development but come with significant risks. For small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), prioritizing safety not only protects workers but also helps prevent costly delays and ensures compliance. Here are key safety measures tailored for small DBEs: … Continue reading Road Construction Safety Tips for DBE Businesses
Building Strong Partnerships With Prime Contractors: Key Strategies for DBEs
Forming strong partnerships with prime contractors and other businesses is vital for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) to secure contracts, expand capabilities, and enhance credibility. Success relies on strategy, persistence, and effective communication. Below are six recommended strategies DBEs should consider applying to position themselves as trustworthy partners and achieve sustainable business growth: Understand Prime Contractor … Continue reading Building Strong Partnerships With Prime Contractors: Key Strategies for DBEs