An analysis of contracting activity with the federal government indicates that Native American/American Indians are most successful in construction industries. This analysis provides information on this important segment of American small businesses – a segment that is too often overlooked.
Of more than 2000 contractors that were registered with the federal government in 2008, 49.5% were in construction, broken down as follows: 31.2% were in construction of buildings, 7.0% were in heavy construction and civil engineering, and 11.3% were in specialty trades contracting.
Outside of the construction industry, Native American/American Indians contractors were most heavily concentrated in professional, scientific and technical service industries (21.0%).
Construction industries also accounted for the largest employment in Native American/American Indian enterprises (53.3%) or 24,062 workers. In total, 48,422 workers were employed in Native American firms that engaged in federal government contracting.
Total government contracting by Native American/American Indians was measured for the three years leading up to 2008. The results indicated that 68.1% of the awards on federal government contracts were in construction industries, broken down as follows: $1.5 billion was awarded to firms in construction of buildings; $57.5 million was awarded in heavy construction and civil engineering; and $42.8 million went to firms in specialty trades contracting.
The second largest industry in regards to total revenue was primary metals and machinery manufacturing. It accounted for 19.5% of government awards, or $459.7 million dollars. The largest size awards received by Native American/American Indians were also in this industry, on average $32.8 million.
The second-largest awards were received in construction of buildings, $7.4 million. Overall, the average size award received by Native American/American Indians and government contracting was in $6.5 million. For a related Gazelle Index post on this topic see American Indian/Native American Small Businesses: A Profile
NUMBER NATIVE AMERICAN/AMERICAN INDIAN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS, BY INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT
AVERAGE AND TOTAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS TO NATIVE AMERICAN/AMERICAN INDIAN FEDERAL CONTRACTORS
