July 2021 TSB Bullseye Newsletter

City of Des Moines Selected for Global Procurement Enhancement Program

During a year dominated by the pandemic, it was clear that the current, largely paper-based and closed public procurement systems are not meeting the needs of our time. Public procurement – while critical for providing essential public services like managing health services or floods and buying life-saving goods such as protective equipment – is in urgent need for reform.
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Newest Members of the Certified Targeted Small Business Directory

In the last quarter, 31 new businesses became Targeted Small Businesses. Please welcome the following to the Targeted Small Business Directory.
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TSB By the Numbers

Want to know more about State Procurement?

• Visit the DAS Central Procurement Website
• Contact DAS Central Procurement Manager Karl Wendt, 515.281.7073
• Review How to do Business with the State of Iowa
• Find out What Does the State Buy?
• Learn about state purchasing practices in Iowa's Procurement Administrative Rules
• Understand TSB Procurement guidelines for state buyers
• Register your business at the Vendor Self Service Portal
• Locate your NIGP Commodity Codes to receive solicitation notifications
• Check out current Bid Opportunities open to all businesses

Vendor Orientations Offered

Recognizing small businesses have been impacted by less foot traffic due to COVID, IEDA launched the ShopIowa.com marketplace to help keep small brick and mortar businesses afloat by serving as an online shopping hub for small business customers.
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Vendor Orientations Offered

Want to learn more about doing business with the state of Iowa or Iowa State University (ISU)? Plan to attend one of these upcoming vendor orientation sessions.
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Iowa Legal Aid Services

Iowa Legal Aid has a new project providing free legal services for low-income business owners, the Community Economic Development Project (CED). CED can help people start a business, or if the business already exists, can help with legal matters related to the business. Examples include drafting contracts, reviewing and negotiating contracts and leases, entity selection, entity formation, answering specific legal questions and giving advice on a variety of business-related matters.

Clients must meet eligibility requirements, including income restrictions and other considerations. Another goal of the project is to provide Community Legal Education presentations for the public. Iowa Legal Aid can present on general business law topics or a specific topic, if the group is interested. Iowa Legal Aid can present in different languages.

There are three ways to apply for Iowa Legal Aid Services:

1. Walk into any of the 10 offices - open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except Thursday afternoons.) Bring paperwork regarding your business.
2. Call us 1.800.532.1275, Monday - Friday 9-11:00 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. (except Thursday afternoons.)
3. Apply Online - Do not apply online if you have deadlines. iowalegalaid.org/resource/applying-for-help-from-iowa-legal-aid
4. For issues or questions, please contact Samantha Wagner, staff attorney for the CED Project, at swagner@iowalaw.org.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership Announces Supplier Diversity Training Program

The Greater Des Moines Partnership announced a new Supplier Diversity Training Program for small business owners and corporate purchasing agents.
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Targeted Small Business Highlights

News from some the many outstanding small businesses across Iowa.
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Resource Partner Events/Opportunities

Workshops and other events brought to you by our many wonderful partner organizations.
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