Strategic Road Map for Pharmaceutical Industry Cluster Development in Iowa

Location:	Iowa
Posted:	Dec 22, 2025
Due:	Jan 16, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Iowa
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	269-RFP-2394-2026
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Formal Request for Proposals

TITLE OF RFP:

State Agency:

State seeks to purchase:

Strategic Road Map for Pharmaceutical Industry Cluster Development in

Iowa

Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)

IEDA is seeking a consultant to develop a strategic roadmap for growth in

the pharmaceutical sector in the state of Iowa.

Initial term of the contract:

Anticipated Contract term -

Beginning:

State Issuing Officer:

Email:

Address:

1 year

Possible extensions: 1

2 years (total)

February 1, 2026

Lisa Connell

Ending: February 28, 2027

lisa.connell@iowaeda.com

1963 Bell Ave, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50315

PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE—Event or Action:

State Posts Notice of RFP on TSB website:

State Issues RFP:

Questions Due:

Authority Response to Questions on or before

Proposals Due Date:

Anticipated Date to issue Notice of Intent to Award:

Anticipated Date to execute contract:

Date/Time (Central Time Zone):

December 19, 2025

December 22, 2025

January 9, 2026 / 4:00 PM Local time

Des Moines, IA

January 12, 2026 / 4:00 PM Local time

Des Moines, IA

January 16, 2026 / 4:00 PM Local

time Des Moines, IA

January 28, 2026

February 1, 2026

Addenda to this RFP will be posted in the Iowa Management

of Procurement and Contracts System (IMPACS)

Proposals and Questions Required to be Submitted in

IMPACS.

Firm Proposal Terms - Per Section 3.2.13, the minimum Number of Days following the

120

deadline for submitting proposals that the Contractor guarantees all proposal terms,

including price, will remain firm:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SPECIFICATIONS

3. FORM AND CONTENT OF PROPOSALS

4. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

5. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

6. CONTRACTUAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Attachment 1 – Certification Letter

Attachment 2 – Authorization to Release Information Letter

Attachment 3 – Cost Proposal

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1. Purpose. The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from

Responsible Contractors to provide the services identified on the RFP cover sheet and further

described in Section 2 of this RFP to the Authority. The Authority intends to award a Contract(s)

beginning on the date listed on the RFP cover sheet, and the Authority, in its sole discretion, may

extend the Contract for up to the number of extensions identified on the RFP cover sheet. The

Authority may award more than one Contractor under this RFP.

1.2.

Definitions. For the purposes of this RFP and the resulting contract, the following

terms shall mean:

1.2.1. “Authority” means the Iowa Economic Development Authority and any other

governmental body that purchases from the Contract; may also be referred to as, “IEDA”,

“State Agency”, “Department” or “Authority”.

1.2.2. “Proposal” means the Contractor’s proposal submitted in response to the RFP.

1.2.3. “Contract” means the contract(s) entered into with the successful Contractor(s) as

described in Section 6.1.

1.2.4. “Contractor” or “Bidder” means a vendor submitting Proposals in response to this

RFP.

1.2.5. “Responsible Contractor” means a Contractor that has the capability in all respects

to perform the requirements of the Contract. In determining whether a Contractor is a

Responsible Contractor, the Authority will consider various factors including, but not limited

to, the Contractor’s competence and qualifications to provide the goods or services requested,

the Contractor’s integrity and reliability, the past performance of the Contractor and the best

interest of the Authority and the State.

1.2.6. “Responsive Proposal” means a Proposal that complies with the material provisions

of this RFP.

1.2.7. “RFP” means this Request for Proposals and any attachments, exhibits, schedules

or addenda hereto.

1.2.8. “State” means the State of Iowa, the Authority, and all state agencies, boards, and

commissions, and any political subdivisions making purchases from the Contract as permitted

by this RFP.

1.3. Overview of the RFP Process. Contractors will be required to submit their Proposals

electronically in IMPACS. It is the Authority’s intention to evaluate Proposals from all

Responsible Contractors that submit timely Responsive Proposals and award the Contract(s) in

accordance with Section 4, Evaluation and Selection.

1.4. Background Information. This RFP is designed to provide Contractors with the information

necessary for the preparation of competitive Proposals. The RFP process is for the Authority’s

benefit and is intended to provide the Authority with competitive information to assist in the

selection process. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Each Contractor is responsible for

determining all factors necessary for submission of a comprehensive Proposal.

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Our mission is to strengthen economic and community vitality by building partnerships and

leveraging resources to make Iowa the choice for people and business. For more information

about IEDA and its programs, visit IEDA’s Web site at opportunityiowa.gov.

The Economic Growth Division at IEDA drives business expansion and investment across Iowa

by developing strategies that strengthen key industries and attract new opportunities. The

division works to foster innovation, support workforce development, and create a competitive

environment for sustainable economic growth statewide.

SECTION 2: SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Overview. The successful Contractor shall provide the services to the Authority and other

agencies using the Contract in accordance with the specifications as provided in this Section.

2.2 Proposed Scope of Work and Deliverables. Deliverables listed are the minimum

expected from the Contractor. Additional information and deliverables based on Contractor’s

experience with similar projects are encouraged. The final scope of work may be refined based

on input and negotiation with the selected consultant.

The Contractor will develop a comprehensive and actionable strategic roadmap to define a clear

pathway for growth in the pharmaceutical sector in the state of Iowa. This roadmap is intended

to drive increased capital investment, physical development, and job creation across the state.

Task 1: The Contractor will conduct an in-depth analysis of Iowa’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.

The assessment should:

• Evaluate the capabilities of Iowa’s workforce and talent pipelines, including universities,

community colleges, technical programs, and specialized training relevant to

pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development, and biotech.

• Identify major pharmaceutical and life sciences employers, suppliers, and related

industries. Map supplier locations and assess supply chain strengths and gaps.

• Analyze partnerships between academic institutions, research centers, and industry

players. Assess the state’s capacity for innovation and commercialization of

pharmaceutical technologies.

• Compare Iowa’s assets and performance against leading pharmaceutical hubs to

identify competitive advantages and areas for improvement.

Task 2: The Contractor will perform a comprehensive analysis of barriers to pharmaceutical

sector growth, including:

• Infrastructure gaps (e.g., lab space, manufacturing facilities)

• Workforce limitations or skill shortages

• Supply chain weaknesses

• Policy or regulatory hurdles at local, state, or federal levels

• Limitations in marketing, incentives, or business support systems

Task 3: The Contractor will conduct market research to identify high-growth subsegments within

the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, such as:

• Biologics and Biosimilars

• Generics

• Specialty Pharmaceuticals

• Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)

• Pharmaceutical Packaging and Logistics

• Emerging Technologies (e.g., personalized medicine, gene therapy)

As part of this task, the Contractor should also evaluate which subsegments best align with

Iowa’s strengths and economic goals. The Contractor should identify priority subsegments

based on strategic fit and potential for investment and job creation.

Task 4: The Contractor will develop a targeted strategy for attracting pharmaceutical employers,

including:

• A database of prospective companies and key contacts within priority subsegments

• Marketing and branding recommendations to position Iowa as a pharmaceutical

destination

• Suggested enhancements to incentive packages

• Plans for leveraging partnerships with universities, research institutions, and existing

industry leaders

Task 5: Contractor’s findings from Tasks 1-4 should be synthesized into a clear, actionable

roadmap that includes:

• Recommendations for infrastructure and facility development

• Workforce training and development programs

• Business attraction and retention initiatives

• Policy and regulatory changes to support growth

• Metrics for tracking progress and measuring success

• A phased implementation plan, milestones, and associated costs

SECTION 3: FORM AND CONTENT OF PROPOSALS

3.1. Instructions. These instructions prescribe the format and content of the Proposal. They

are designed to facilitate a uniform review process. Failure to adhere to the Proposal format may

result in the rejection of the Proposal.

3.1.1. The Proposal shall be submitted timely to in IMPACS. Proposals submitted by

other means will be rejected by the Authority.

The Authority shall not be responsible for misdirected messages or premature opening of

Proposals if a Proposal is not properly submitted.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.