Contracting Preferences for Alaska Native Corporations

The preference given Alaska Native Corporations in federal procurement was intended to provide economic opportunities for impoverished Alaskan communities. But it has become a vehicle for avoiding competition and passing work through to large, non-Native contractors. In 2006, GAO called the provisions an “open checkbook.” The hearing examined new findings from federal auditors and explore potential abuses in the award, management, and oversight of these contract vehicles. Additional information and materials relating to this hearing are available at http://mccaskill.senate.gov/issues/soco/docs.cfm