MASON CITY, Iowa -- Staff from machine shops and metal fabrication firms can learn how to do business with the U.S. Government at a workshop March 23 in Mason City. The session runs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hanford Inn, Highway 122 West. Registration closes March 16.

Rebecca Parks, with the Defense Supply Center in Columbus, Ohio, will explain how to sell materials to the Defense Supply Centers. She will discuss the role of the centers, opportunities online, small business programs, the Automated Best Value System, Department of Defense EMALL (the soldiers’ Internet buying site), alternate offer program guidelines, accessing drawings and technical data and the importance of reliable parts.

The Defense Supply Center Columbus is a field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The DLA is part of the Department of Defense and is the supplier of choice for U.S. war fighters. The DLA manages more than 5.2 million items and annually awards nearly $30 billion in contracts. More than 40 percent of those dollars are awarded to small businesses.

Parks has been a contracting professional in commodities, performing large purchase procurements and long-term contracts on the electronics active devices team.

Iowa State University Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is sponsoring the workshop. Reservations are required. Cost is $30 per person and includes breakfast. Send each individual’s name, company name and check made payable to CIRAS to Kathleen Bryan, CIRAS, 2701 SE Convenience Boulevard, Suite 13, Ankeny, IA 50021. For more information, call (800) 458-4465 or e-mail kathyb@iastate.edu.

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