Some members of Congress and some minority business groups are questioning the success of Alaska Native corporation contracting.

The House Government Reform Committee held a hearing last month to look into the growth of Native contracting. A Government Accountability Office report found that federal contract awards to Native corporations grew from 265 million in 2000 to $1.1 billion in 2004.

Rep. Tom Davis (R-Virginia), the chairman of the committee, Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Illinois), the chairman of the Small Business Committee, and other members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat, say the rapid growth has had negative impacts on small businesses.

Alaska Native leaders and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) defended the program, saying it is working as intended. They said revenue from government contracting is being distributed to Natives and being used to improve the lives of Natives.

Get the Story:
Do Alaskan companies freeze out competitors? (Federal Computer Week 7/17)

GAO Report "Contract Management: Increased Use of Alaska Native Corporations� Special 8(a) Provisions Calls for Tailored Oversight":
Abstract | Highlights | Full Report

Relevant Links:
Native American Contractors Association - http://www.nativeamericancontractors.org
House Committee on Government Reform - http://reform.house.gov

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