This past week has been exciting for NACA policy priorities. Two bills were introduced in Congress that directly address them:

• S. 1735 - the ONAA Enhancement Act of 2021 - was introduced on May 20th. This bipartisan legislation will expand and will better fund the Office of Native American Affairs at the SBA; it was Introduced by Senator Hickenlooper (D-CO) and co-Sponsored by Senators Lummis (R-WY), Hirono (D-HI), and Inhofe (R-OK). We are working with House members to have a companion bill introduced in the House of Representatives.

 

• H.R. 3350 - Small-Business Procurement Utilization Reform Act (SPUR Act) - was introduced May 19th. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) - Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus; Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) - Vice Chair of the House Small Business Committee; Maria Salazar (R-FL); Andy Kim (D-NJ); and Dean Phillips (DMN). If it becomes law, this legislation will raise government-wide contracting goals of the SBA from 23% (current) to 25%.

NACA is also very pleased to share that Category Management reform is on the table with the House and Senate Small Business Committees for inclusion in the 2022 NDAA. The House Small Business Committee staff confirmed that language is near completion. We will have a working draft shortly. NACA is gearing up to fully support this effort that would create an exception for 8(a) contracts for inclusion in Category Management. Soon you will be hearing from us about Facility Clearance, CMMC, and Buy Indian as well.

So, as you can see, we are marching forward on NACA's policy priorities. While much is being accomplished, there is still work to be done. We look forward to working with NACA Members, allies, Congress, the Administration, and others to work tirelessly to reach these important objectives.

NACA continues to be gratified by the broad-based, positive response we are receiving on our policy priorities both in Congress and within the Administration. It looks like we will now have at least three legislative initiatives in this session of Congress, with the prospect of a couple of more.

​ABOUT NACA

NACA exists for Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) to collaboratively protect our contracting rights and access to business development through advocacy and education. Doing business with the federal government via the 8(a) program has become an effective, transformative, and powerful economic development opportunity for Native communities. Some examples of how participation in the 8(a) program enables impactful investment in Native communities include:

• Youth programs (e.g., Head Start and early childhood education)
• Native language revitalization programs
• Scholarships for post-secondary education
• Vocational and job training programs
• Native history and cultural preservation
• Infrastructure
• Housing
• Elder care
• Healthcare
• Many other Native community priorities

NACA’s unique membership is a unifying voice and an exceptional example of cooperation within Indian Country. Its Board of Directors ensures that our members and Native 8(a) businesses are represented in policy and legislative matters aligning with NACA's mission.

WORKING TOGETHER

NACA members and other Native communities have established strong small businesses and qualified 8(a) companies that are bringing efficiency and effectiveness to many federal agencies through the goods and services they provide. With strong advocacy and education, NACA will continue to work with our membership, federal agencies, Congress, and allies to proactively and aggressively make federal contracting opportunities available to qualified Native businesses.
 
At this time, one of the most effective ways to expand contracting opportunities for qualified Native businesses is federal policy change. Federal policies must encourage - even require - the removal of key regulatory and procedural barriers that stand in the way of self-determination for all Native communities. By removing these obstacles, qualified Native businesses can compete more effectively and for a larger share of federal contracts.
 
Making these changes is a win-win for the federal government and Native communities alike. The federal government will receive expanded products and services from exceptional, qualified Native businesses, and Native communities will benefit from increased economic opportunities and positive outcomes.