NAS Fallon addresses initiatives to support Native American businesses

Naval Air Station Fallon’s commanding officer spoke Nov. 7 with members of Puyenpa Construction LLC, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe on Department of Defense initiatives to support Native American-owned small businesses.

Capt. Shane Tanner was joined by members of the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest Public Works Department Facilities Engineering Acquisition Division and Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fallon.

Tanner said awarding a contract to Puyenpa Construction LLC was monumental for the Navy and tribal partners in continuing to build trust and solidify partnership for years to come. He said enhancing the opportunities for small businesses in the procurement process is a priority for the Navy, and he was pleased the contract was awarded to a tribal-owned business.

Puyenpa Construction, a Native American-owned small business, began construction work in November at NAS Fallon. Their contracted work results from an outreach event held in April 2023 to provide Native American-owned small businesses information on contract opportunities, federal procurement process and other programs and resources designed for their business.

“During my engagements with tribal leadership, I am routinely asked how the tribes could benefit economically from the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization and other related projects at NAS Fallon,” Tanner said. “In April of this year, NAVFAC Southwest and NAS Fallon hosted training for local tribes and native owned businesses to learn more about procurement options available from federal and state agencies.”

Tanner provided outreach information and education to personnel from Puyenpa Construction LLC and Duckwater Shoshone Tribe to encourage an increase in the number of contracts awarded to the native-owned small business demographic.

NAS Fallon is the U.S. Navy's premier tactical aviation training facility. NAS Fallon and the Fallon Range Training Complex are the Navy's premier integrated strike warfare training facilities supporting present and emerging National Defense requirements. Their mission is to support carrier air wings preparing to deploy; and other units participating in training events, including joint and multinational training and exercises.

NAVFAC Southwest supports planning, design, construction, real estate, environmental and public works for U.S Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and other supported federal agencies in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.

Mario Icari is with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest.