General Services Administration hosts Native American Industry Day for Native American-owned businesses and tribal government leaders

November 08, 2023

WASHINGTON –  The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) held an industry day today to foster collaboration and engagement among 300 in-person participants including Native American-owned businesses, tribal government leaders, and the federal government. The primary focus of the event was on identifying GSA opportunities, resources, and exploring how GSA can continue to deepen the government-to-government relationship.

The Native American Industry Day showcased the benefits of GSA’s acquisition vehicles, including Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs). These tools and services are helping connect small businesses from Indian Country with opportunities, including infrastructure investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). These include investments in a clean energy economy, boosting American innovation, creating good-paying jobs, and tackling the climate crisis through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

In opening the event, GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said, “We believe that government works best when it works for everyone. We’re committed to continuing to demonstrate our respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance through regular, meaningful and robust interactions like these.”

“At GSA, we are committed to supporting the growth and prosperity of Native American communities and businesses,” said Julie Ramey, GSA’s first-ever Tribal Liaison. “This Industry Day is a demonstration of the government delivering on consultation requests and strengthening partnerships between tribal governments, organizations, and businesses. We believe these resources can play a pivotal role in optimizing the allocation of IRA and BIL funds into critical infrastructure projects, and lead to sustainable economic and social benefits for Native American communities.”

GSA also announced the launch of a new Native American Affairs website featuring training resources, funding guides, and other solutions to acquisition challenges for tribal nations. 

The Industry Day event featured subject matter experts, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities. Attendees gained valuable insights into how GSA’s tools and services can make a meaningful impact on infrastructure development and economic growth within Native American communities.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $87 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.