Resources


ISU Supplier Orientation

Procurement Services, in conjunction with the Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), offers supplier orientation sessions monthly. These virtual sessions are free of charge and open to all interested suppliers. Pre-registration is required. 

Topics covered by ISU Procurement Services include:

  • How to do business with Iowa State University
  • What we buy and how we buy
  • The registration process
  • The invoicing and payment process
  • Information available to suppliers on our website
  • The bid process

CIRAS provides information on:

  • Services they offer to help Iowa businesses throughout the state in obtaining government contracts at the federal, state and local level
  • Information on the Iowa Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

 

ISU Supplier Handbook

This guide is designed to be a general overview of how to do business with Iowa State University.

Click here for the ISU Supplier Handbook.

 

Public Records Request

If you are new to competitive bidding or have not been successful at competitive bidding, consider making a public records request to review the current contract or agreement and the winning bid.  Knowing what ISU has paid in the  past and/or what was required to fulfill the contract may help a supplier prepare their bid response the next time that contract comes up for bid.

The Iowa Fair Information Practices Act requires the contents of bids to be placed in the public domain immediately after the bids have been evaluated and an award has been made.  This law applies to both formal and informal bids and provides for the protection of confidential and proprietary information.  Any person may ask to review bids and has the right to do so and to request photocopies.  Charges for photocopies (25 cents per page, as well as time spent to redact proprietary information and postage) may be applied if significant copies and/or time are involved.

A person may request a copy of a record in person, in writing, by telephone, or by electronic means.  More information on public records requests can be found on the following website: https://www.ur.iastate.edu/records/

 

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Established in 1981, America’s SBDC Iowa (SBDC) provides no-cost, confidential, customized, professional business advice in all 99 Iowa counties to entrepreneurs and existing businesses. They also present affordable workshops that teach practice skills and techniques, conduct research, provide comprehensive information services, and offer access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields.

America’s SBDC Iowa is an accredited affiliate of America’s SBDC, the National Association of Small Business Development Centers. The statewide America’s SBDC Iowa program is hosted right here at Iowa State University by the Ivy College of Business.  They are located at:

Small Business Development Center

1805 Collaboration Place

Ames, IA 50010

 

Please visit the America’s SBDC Iowa website or email iowasbdc@iastate.edu to request counseling or find an SBDC near you.

 

Targeted Small Business (TSB) Program

The Targeted Small Business (TSB) program is designed to help women, individuals with minority status, service-connected disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities overcome some of the hurdles to start or grow a small business in Iowa.

In order to be a certified Targeted Small Business in Iowa, the business must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Be located in the state of Iowa
  • Be operating for a profit
  • Have an annual gross income of less than $4.0 million computed as an average of the three preceding fiscal years
  • Be 51 percent or more owned, operated, and actively managed by women, minorities, or persons with a disability
  • Be TSB-certified by the Iowa Economic Development Authority

Please visit the Iowa Economic Development Authority Targeted Small Business Program website or email tsbcert@iowaeda.com for more  information.

 

Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS)

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) provides applied research, education, and technical assistance to Iowa industry through partnerships with Iowa's government agencies,  educational institutions, and not-for-profit associations.

CIRAS assists businesses throughout the state of Iowa and have an office in Ames located at Iowa State University and hosted by the College of Engineering:

Center for Industrial Research and Service           

1805 Collaboration Place

Suite 2300

Ames, IA 50010

The CIRAS Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helps Iowa businesses identify, compete for, and win government contracts. Their no-cost assistance comes in the form of teaching, mentoring, and coaching. CIRAS government contracting specialists work with Iowa companies to understand the market potential of government procurement, reduce the barriers inherent to government contracting, and assist existing government contractors with market expansion.

Please visit the CIRAS PTAC website or email ciras@iastate.edu for more information.

 

Procurement Services Contact

Lisa Thomas

quotedesk@iastate.edu

515-294-8201

2221 Wanda Daley Dr
1340 Administrative Services Building
Ames, IA 50011-1004

 

Request a Meeting

Suppliers can request a meeting with Iowa State University Procurement Services to:

  • Meet the Procurement Agent that handles your commodity area
  • Request a post-award bid review
  • Learn more about how to do business with ISU

 

Click here to request a meeting 

 

For Suppliers


Lisa Thomas

Email: quotedesk@iastate.edu

Phone: 515-294-8201

 

For University Staff: 


Tera Lawson

Email: tjlawson@iastate.edu

Phone: 515-294-1308