We all do better when Iowa businesses do better. So if it makes sense, we should put Iowa companies first when spending your state and local tax dollars on the goods and services government needs to operate.
To that end, the Senate approved Senate File 170. This bipartisan Iowa First legislation applies to state contracts for less than $500,000. If an Iowa-based business is narrowly underbid on a state contract—within five percent or $10,000, whichever is less—by an out-of-state company, the Iowa business will have the chance to match that out-of-state bid.
Iowa First is a win-win. If it becomes law, no Iowa business will “just miss out” to an out-of-state business on a state contract. At the same time, government will never be required to pay more than the lowest bid. This is a great way to support local business people who’ve built their companies here in Iowa.