Alaska Native corporation lands $7.4 million contract for federal courthouse project

The Howard H. Baker, Jr. United States Courthouse in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo: Brent Moore

Chitina Diversified Services, an Alaska Native corporation owned firm, has won a $7.4 million contract from the General Services Administration (GSA).

The firm will use the contract to make repairs at the Howard H. Baker, Jr. United States Courthouse in Knoxville, Tennessee. The award was announced by the GSA on Tuesday.

“This project is a prime example of how the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment to invest in America while expanding opportunities for small businesses,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said in a news release. “The Howard H. Baker, Jr. Courthouse is a place where hundreds of dedicated public servants work to ensure justice and we’re proud to support that vital effort while reducing our environmental impact, saving taxpayer dollars, and creating jobs in the community.”

According to the GSA, the project will make the federal building more sustainable. The use of low-carbon materials is expected to avoid over 50 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The investment in this courthouse is an example of how we’re making strategic investments in critical facilities across the region,” said Jeff Smith, Regional Commissioner for GSA’s Southeast Sunbelt Region. “The project will make repairs to building infrastructure, while using sustainable building materials and investing in small businesses.”

Of the $7.4 million award, $3.3 million came from the Inflation Reduction Act, the GSA said. The federal law has been called the largest investment in climate programs in history.

Chitina Diversified Services is a subsidiary of Chitina Native Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation in Chitina, Alaska. It is certified as a socially and economically disadvantaged business through the 8(a) program at the Small Business Administration.