Norbert Doyle, EM Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition & Program Management discusses EM’s mission and major contracting opportunities during the “Federal Contract Opportunities Forecast” session at Reservation Economic Summit 2020.
Norbert Doyle, EM Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition & Program Management discusses EM’s mission and major contracting opportunities during the “Federal Contract Opportunities Forecast” session at Reservation Economic Summit 2020.

LAS VEGAS – EM officials engaged with representatives of tribal owned businesses during the recent Reservation Economic Summit 2020 to discuss how they can help the cleanup program accelerate work completion.

The federal officials met one-on-one with Indian Country businesses during the event, which brings together tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials, and CEOs. The event is sponsored by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), which marks its 51st anniversary this year.

EM’s participation focused on how tribal owned businesses and Alaska Native corporations can support the EM end-state contracting initiative to accelerate cleanup work at sites.

Norbert Doyle, EM Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition & Project Management, highlighted strategic subcontracting as the “sweet spot” — a way to enhance opportunities for small businesses — and stressed the importance of pre-solicitation and pre-proposal conferences.

Doyle noted the importance of EM’s collaborations with Indian Country, as several of EM’s cleanup sites are located near sovereign tribal nations and impact Indian lands and resources. He also highlighted potential contracting opportunities for Indian Country businesses.

During a panel session, Doyle emphasized the role of American Indian tribes in EM’s renewed focus on completing cleanup across the DOE complex. “It continues to be both important and rewarding to participate at RES, especially in the federal contracting panel discussion and ‘matchmaking’ with tribal firms - firms that have unique capabilities to both support the DOE-EM mission and benefit Indian Country,” he said.

EM Program Analyst participate in Reservation Economic Summit 2020.
EM Program Analyst participate in Reservation Economic Summit 2020.

EM and DOE officials participated in RES 2020 sessions that focused on contracting and procurement and federal contracting opportunities. Additionally, EM officials provided information about doing business with DOE to tribal business owners at the Procurement Matchmaking Expo and a booth at the Business Trade Show. Representatives from multiple DOE offices including Indian Energy Policy and Programs, Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Economic Impact and Diversity, Loan Programs, and Fossil Energy supported the event.