CIRAS is dedicated to helping Iowa businesses discover and pursue government contracting opportunities that fuel their growth. As part of this commitment, the CIRAS BidMatch service will transition from a free tool to a paid annual subscription of $199, effective October 1, 2025. Why is BidMatch changing? Due to some changes in CIRAS federal funding … Continue reading CIRAS BidMatch Service Moves to Paid Subscription Model
Federal law requires that the government as a whole, as well as individual procuring agencies, attempt to meet certain goals for awarding prime contracting and subcontracting dollars to small businesses and certain subcategories of small businesses. Understanding the government’s small business goals can make a company more competitive in the federal government marketplace. What Are … Continue reading Understanding & Leveraging Federal Small Business Goals
Hach partnered with CIRAS to solve a persistent blade cleaning challenge. Using the CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab Powered by Alliant Energy and 3D printing, a team of interns developed a safer, ergonomic tool that reduces cleaning time and safety risks, saving the company an estimated $163,000 annually. Company Overview Since our founding in 1933, Hach® … Continue reading Hach Company: 3D-Printed Prototyping for a Safer Blade-Cleaning Solution with CIRAS Support
The primary rulebook for U.S. federal government contractors, the Federal Acquisition Regulation, is in the midst of a top-to-bottom overhaul. This process, known as the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, or RFO, is intended to “return the FAR to its statutory roots, rewritten in plain language” to make the rules easier to understand and follow for contractors and … Continue reading When Do FAR Amendments Apply to Solicitations and Contracts?
Operational Excellence (OE) is essential for success in today’s competitive business landscape. It begins by cultivating a culture where employees are encouraged and empowered to recognize inefficiencies and suggest meaningful solutions. At the heart of OE lies a strong Continuous Improvement (CI) system—one that supports the collection, evaluation, and implementation of ideas. When CI is … Continue reading Turning Challenges into Opportunities through Operational Excellence
RCS Millwork in Ankeny crafts high-quality interiors for a variety of companies and industries, including restaurants, entertainment and athletic facilities, and hospitals. Betsy Hansen, RCS vice president, saw opportunities to improve hiring and workforce retention and reached out to the CIRAS workforce team. After assessing their current state, CIRAS proposed a project that blended HR … Continue reading Manufacturer Brings CIRAS on Board for Onboarding
Slips and falls from heights are among the most common causes of construction incidents—and they consistently rank among the costliest workers’ compensation claims. Roofs are the most frequent surface involved. Most flat roofing membranes sold in the United States are thermoplastic, creating slippery and unsafe walking surfaces. Recognizing the need for research in this area, … Continue reading Creating Safer Commercial Roofs
Taylor Construction, based in New Vienna, Iowa, has emerged as a key player in the state’s road and bridge infrastructure development. Under the leadership of Krista Thier, president of Taylor Construction, the company has grown steadily through strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to community and collaboration. Thier, who holds a background in business, joined … Continue reading Building Bridges to Success in Government Contracting
M’s Machine and Manufacturing, based in Monona, produces precision metal and plastic parts for the agricultural, asphalt, automotive, and electrical industries. Keeping up with demand during peak production had become a challenge due to labor shortages and the time-consuming process of changeovers on intricate lathes. The company has nine lathes, each averaging 75 changeovers per … Continue reading Beyond Automation: M’s Machine Invests in People to Improve Productivity
CIRAS exists to make Iowa industry better. For more than 60 years, we’ve worked alongside Iowa leaders, providing perspective, expertise, and connections to help you make informed decisions and implement change. Today’s business environment can feel like walking through dense fog. You know where you’re trying to go, but the path forward isn’t always clear. … Continue reading Director’s Update