XL EagleTribally owned firm (Tribally owned and Native American-owned business)
Tribally owned firm stands for Tribally owned and Native American-owned business. A tribally owned firm is a business owned by a federally recognized Indian tribe, an Alaska Native Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian Organization, rather than by individual people. These entity-owned firms can join the 8(a) program under special rules and can qualify as Small Disadvantaged Businesses.
Native American-owned firms owned by individual tribal members are different. They follow the normal rules for whatever program they apply to. Some agencies, such as the Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs, also apply the Buy Indian Act, which gives preference to Indian Economic Enterprises.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If you work near tribal lands, Buy Indian Act purchases and tribally owned primes can be real opportunities, either as a qualifying firm or as a subcontractor.
Example
A tribally owned construction company wins an Indian Health Service clinic renovation and subcontracts the HVAC work to a small local mechanical contractor.
Tribally owned firm: common questions
What is the Buy Indian Act?
A federal law that lets the Department of the Interior and Indian Health Service give contracting preference to Indian Economic Enterprises. It applies only to those agencies.
Is a tribally owned firm the same as a Native American-owned firm?
Not exactly. Tribally owned means the tribe as an entity owns it. A Native American-owned firm may be owned by individuals, and different rules apply.
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