LAS VEGAS - Expanding outreach to Indian Country companies, EM officials discussed business opportunities in the cleanup program and greater DOE at the National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) 2018 this month held by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).
“DOE’s continued presence at these very important economic summits has been welcomed and acknowledged by many participants at RES and NCAIED leadership. It firmly demonstrates EM’s sincere desire to engage Indian Country at all levels, including the business realm," EM Tribal Affairs Director Albert Brandt Petrasek said of the summit in Las Vegas.
As the largest national Indian-specific business organization in the U.S., NCAIED is a non-profit that assists American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development. The summit served to connect Indian-owned businesses with government and other opportunities.
"We are very excited about the strong partnership between the Department of Energy and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development," NCAIED President and CEO Chris James said. "This is particularly true for DOE’s Environmental Management program and its strong presence at our Reservation Economic Summits. The Department’s environmental cleanup responsibilities are of great interest to our community because they often take place in the heart of Indian Country. Tribes and Tribal members are a big part of the story of the United States' nuclear legacy, and just as importantly, its future. We look forward to continued collaboration with DOE as we seek to find solutions to our most pressing energy challenges, including how Native Americans and Alaska Natives can be a major part of a growing energy economy."
Several of EM’s cleanup sites are located close or adjacent to sovereign Tribal nations and impact Indian lands and resources. Consistent with the Department's American Indian and Alaska Natives Tribal Government Policy, EM maintains cooperative agreements with Tribal nations to enhance their involvement in cleanup decisions while protecting relevant Tribal rights and resources.
The summit offered EM multiple ways to connect with the Indian Country businesses. In addition to having an exhibitor booth in the tradeshow, where EM officials met with dozens of summit participants, EM conducted a “matchmaking" session for company representatives to meet one on one with EM Consolidated Business Center Small Business Program Manager Anne Marie Bird and Norbert Doyle, EM Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Project Management. Building off of last year’s summit participation, Bird and Doyle met with representatives from 14 different companies.
“The Office of Environmental Management has been successful in its matchmaking endeavors with Tribal-owned businesses and Alaska Native Corporations for the work going on at our sites," Bird said. “Our participation in the Reservation Economic Summit events is worthwhile in assisting Tribal enterprises in understanding how to do business with the Office of Environmental Management and where to look for opportunities."
The Department’s offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Economic Impact and Diversity, and Indian Energy Policy and Programs took part in the summit. Officials from EM and OSDBU joined officials from the U.S. Army and Air Force in a panel discussion on federal contracting opportunities and challenges across government for Tribal enterprises. Doyle and OSDBU Director Charles R. Smith discussed DOE’s diverse mission and how businesses can navigate DOE’s overall $24 billion procurement base.
“This is a terrific event. It’s exciting to meet with so many dynamic and capable small business leaders seeking opportunities to work with the Department," Smith said.
Representatives from a range of Indian Country businesses - from those with experience working for EM to others that had never held contracts with the federal government - sought to learn about the federal procurement process and the variety of business opportunities to support EM and other DOE program offices. Audience members asked DOE officials many questions, including how to navigate security clearance designations and which contract vehicles to seek to secure DOE contracts.
EM officials detailed potential opportunities, including subcontracting under several large, recently-awarded prime contracts at EM’s Hanford and Los Alamos sites. They also discussed the potential that applying for 8(a) status can have for Native-owned businesses seeking contracting opportunities with the government.
“It’s always a great pleasure and very rewarding personally to work with Indian Country as we help to foster economic development of the Tribes," Doyle said. “Having participated in several RES events, I’m more convinced each time that it’s a classic win-win situation. We have needs, and they have capabilities. We look forward to exploring additional ways we can reach Indian Country, and our partnership with Chris James and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development can only further enhance our efforts."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
