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General Service Enterprise

Purchasing Contacts in State Government for Targeted Small Businesses 

Contacting the "right" person to market your products or services is an important part of selling your commodities or services to State Government. This information is provided to assist you in finding the "right" person.

Consider what you sell, how the State is likely to buy what you sell, and how to bring your product or service to the attention of the "right" people. If your product or service is commonly used by many State agencies, you may wish to begin with a contact to the Department of Administrative Services, General Services Enterprise - Purchasing or other agency with independent purchasing authority. The State buys common items, such as office supplies, paper and personal computers for the Enterprise through one or several contracts.

On the other hand, if your product or service is likely to be purchased by an individual department or a State field unit (i.e., a prison or State park), a direct contact to that agency or field unit might be the best approach.

Marketing your service or product is the key to making sales to State agencies. Call, send an e-mail or visit these State staff. You'll find them friendly and helpful. If they cannot help you directly, they will work with you to find the "right" person.

SECTION I:   Department of Administrative Services Purchasing Agents.

The Department of Administrative Services, General Services Enterprise (GSE) - Purchasing acts as a business agent for State agencies, helping them buy a variety of goods and services. If your business provides a commodity or service that the State needs, GSE purchasing agents will work with you to establish a Statewide contract for transactions less than $5,000 per occurrence. A Statewide contract enables State agencies to purchase directly from you within contract prices, terms and conditions.

All State procurements over $10,000, are advertised on the TSB web site 48 hours in advance of general advertisement. This announcement includes the name of the contact person and a telephone number or e-mail address.

GSE purchasing agents are familiar with the needs of State agencies. Please call or E-mail them for assistance.

SECTION II:   Agencies/Facilities Financial Managers and Purchasing contacts.

Business managers and their purchasing staff at prisons, the Iowa Veterans' Home and mental health institutions are a good place to start if your product or service is likely to be needed by one of these facilities, but not commonly purchased on a Statewide basis. After the sale, these State employees are the best people to contact regarding payment, after sale service and warranty issues. Make them aware of your capability to serve them through a telephone call, e-mail, or an in-person visit.

Although each location does not have a web site of their own, there is a web location where you can see the different areas.

For the Human Services locations, please visit: Human Services Agencies.

For the Correction locations, please visit: Correction Facilities.

SECTION III:   All other Agencies Financial Managers and Purchasing contacts.

Authorized agency personnel have authority to purchase items under $5,000 from TSB's directly, using either a DGS contract, or by soliciting a direct quotation. If an agency has independent procurement authority, they may contact you for competitive procurements over $5,000. Please use these contacts if you believe your product or service can be of benefit to the unique needs of a particular agency. Otherwise, you may wish to contract DGS purchasing agents if your product or service may be needed by multiple agencies. Vendor payments are handled directly by each agency. For payment, service or warranty issues, please refer to this schedule for the appropriate agency contact.

SECTION IV:   Agencies with Independent Purchasing Authority

Major State agencies with independent purchasing authority include the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa , the Department of Transportation, the State Fair Board, the Iowa Communications Network, and Iowa Prison Industries.

These independent agencies can purchase from DAS contracts. More commonly, they meet their needs independently. You'll find their purchasing staff to be friendly and helpful. If you believe your product or service may be needed by one or more of these agencies, please use the web link above to locate names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and fax numbers.