Important Reinterpretation of 8(a) Federal Procurement Law May Mean High-Value Government Contracts will be Returning to Alaska Native Corporations

The continued initiative from Alaska Senators has recently brought about a reinterpretation of the requirements imposed by the Small Business Administration’s “8(a)” program – aimed at helping companies owned by minorities and disadvantaged groups compete in federal contracting.  In 1986, Congress expanded the “8(a)” program to include Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and Indian tribes.  After the 1986 8(a) expansion, ANCs received many sole source federal defense contracts.  ANCs thrived under this procurement model, but their success in federal contracting was scrutinized by some in Washington D.C.