The Eyak Corporation Responds to Congressional Request

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

The Eyak Corporation Responds to Congressional Request for DHS Information On EyakTek CORDOVA, Alaska, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/

The Eyak Corporation today reasserted its commitment to following strict ethical and legal compliance with all federal rules and regulations regarding its business activities and contracting services on behalf of the U.S. government. The company’s announcement follows last week’s indictment of a former Eyak Technology (EyakTek) employee who, for his own benefit, allegedly conspired with others outside EyakTek to defraud the U.S. government.

The announcement also follows a recent request by a Congressional representative to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for information on EyakTek and the past activities of another EyakTek subsidiary company.

“The alleged actions of EyakTek’s former employee, Harold Babb, constitute a reprehensible breach of trust, and violated an ethical and fiduciary responsibility to serve the interests of the U.S. government,” stated Rod Worl, Chief Executive Officer of The Eyak Corporation and President of EyakTek. “His alleged conduct in no way reflects the operations or corporate culture of The Eyak Corporation or any of our subsidiary companies. We will continue to assist the U.S. Department of Justice in its pursuit and prosecution of all those involved in this scheme to defraud our country.”

Eyak noted that last week’s indictments involve the alleged activities of Mr. Babb and those he allegedly conspired with at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – as well as another as-yet unidentified company -- to enrich themselves at the expense of the U.S. government.

In a letter dated October 12, a Congressional representative requested information from DHS regarding other EyakTek federal contracts, including information relating to EyakTek subsidiary, EG Solutions (EGS), work on the DHS FirstSource contract, and Mr. Babb’s activities while employed at EGS. The alleged scheme detailed in last week’s indictments has no connection whatsoever to EGS's performance on the FirstSource contract.

EGS remained in compliance with all federal rules and regulations regarding its work on the FirstSource contract, evidence of which was provided in a detailed response to the SBA following its suspension in November 2010 on an unrelated matter.

All EGS billings under the FirstSource contract were appropriate; they reflected products and services provided to the government at fixed prices following competition among approved FirstSource vendors.

Furthermore, while an employee of EGS, Mr. Babb was not involved in the sourcing or administration of individual orders, was not involved in reporting on the FirstSource contract, nor was he involved in the selection of teaming members or suppliers related to individual contract orders. EGS fully cooperated with the U.S. Government in its review of those matters.

Mr. Worl concluded: “We applaud the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice to hold those who participated in this alleged scheme personally accountable for their actions.” For more information about the Eyak companies, please visit our websites at eyakcorporation.com and eyaktek.com.

SOURCE The Eyak Corporation RELATED LINKS
http://www.eyakcorp.com

EyakTek Keeps Open with the Press and Community

It is with great hope I ask the Native and business community at large to stand by EyakTek until the entire facts surface regarding the recent news articles regarding the indictment of "four individuals".

In posted news articles we must carefully read between the lines to get to the meat of what is going on. In the spirit of transparency, The Eyak Corporation has went as far to post the entire US Department of Justice Press Release and the entire 42-page indictment against four individuals that are mentioned in various articles.

Any corporation, minority or non-minority, can be targeted by unethical individuals. We can only root for companies, like EyakTek, who have to endure this and at the same time hope that if and/or when this happens to our own organizations that we will all be portrayed in a fair and accurate manner as well.

The national group, Native 8(a) Works, released the following statement on October 4th, 2011:

"...The alleged wrongdoing by a few individuals is exactly that – the actions of individuals – and these individuals’ crimes should not be considered representative of the Native corporation subsidiary or the broader category of Native-owned 8(a) companies that provide excellent products and services to the federal government."

Let’s go through this together - root for truth - and then see what we can learn from this along the process.

Senator Murkowski Listens to Her Constituents and Victory Dangles Close

Senator Lisa Murkowski listened to her large passionate base of supporters in Alaska, many of whom are Natives, and ran as a write-in candidate to reclaim her senate seat. The political powers in the Lower '48 told her it couldn't be done....but little did they know that you should never tell a strong Alaskan woman she can't do something, especially when she has the power of the most amazing state in the union behind her.

Victory is now dangling close for Lisa Murkowski and at this time it appears it is in the rear view mirror for tea party candidate Joe Miller.

Alaska Natives around the state rallied individually and corporately for Lisa. Individuals happily vented support at their social networking sites and gave her campaign a great boost. By doing this they helped persuade many undecided people to fill in the oval and spell M-U-R-K-O-W-S-K-I.

What was unique about Lisa Murkowski in this race is that she brought both the democratic and republican voters together. Even elected democrats publicly came out in support of Lisa. Such unprecedented support from both democrats and republicans is quite rare in most senate races. The reason she has gained this support is not because of what she has promised she will do for both sides, it is because Lisa Murkowski has already EARNED support with her actions.

Whether you are an indigenous person living in Alaska, or living in the States, losing Lisa would impact you. She is an strong supporter of indigenous rights. Losing Lisa, would have been losing a lot. She is a champion for the successful Native 8(a) Program which helps our Tribes and Alaska Natives work to create a better opportunities for the advancement of our people.

We need a senator, exactly like Lisa Murkowski, who is strong enough to stand and fight against any anti-Native policies, sandwiched in any bills, being pushed through Congress by people like, Senator Claire McCaskill.

Senator Lisa Murkowski has been a champion for Native people. Yesterday at the polls, Alaska Natives championed Senator Lisa Murkowski!

Why does Lisa make a stand for the Native 8(a) Program? It is surely not because it is the popular thing to do. Senator Lisa Murkowski understands that Congress created the successful Native 8(a) Program and we shouldn't mess with success!

Keep up the good fight Senator Murkowski and know Alaska Natives will be there next to you!!

"Don't ever underestimate the power of a strong Alaskan Woman, maybe that's what I leave you with!" Lisa Murkowski to election central reporter on November 2, 2010.

Washington Post Misses the Mark on Native 8(a) Core Facts

It is a shame the Washingon Post printed story writer, Robert O'Harrow's unbalanced article in a front page spot. At best, his characterizations of Alaska Natives in government contracting demonstrates the need for the public to receive more accurate information regarding successful Native 8(a) businesses. Will the Washington Post step up to the plate to provide this balanced journalism??

O'Harrow blatantly states in his article, Promises Unmet, that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) promises remain unfilled. The problem with his under researched statement is that Congress is fulfilling the promise given to Alaska Natives by allowing them to participate in the Native 8(a) Program without bias or prejudice against them.

Congress promised Alaska Natives economic development opportunities in exchange for their millions of acres of oil-rich land, which was the Alaska Native's legal indigenous and historic land. Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) have not asked for a hand-out from the government - but through the Native 8(a) Program have participated in the hand-up from Congress that was rightfully offered, and graciously taken. This is called fulfilling the ANCSA promise.

Through ANCSA, Congress mandated Alaska Natives to form corporations to protect their indigenous lands and to provide economic benefits and opportunities to their Native shareholders. Think about it for a minute -- Most businesses or groups find a business they want to do and then incorporate. Alaska Natives were forced to incorporate and then go find a business. If the Alaska Native owned businesses goes bust then their indigenous sacred land is lost forever.

A PROMISE THAT IS A WORK-IN-PROGRESS

Remember, Alaska's indigenous people gave up trillions of dollars worth of land and resources for what they STILL BELIEVE is legislation that will be honored from Congress without bias or prejudice. The Native 8(a) Program is the missing piece of Congresses ANCSA fulfillment.

Alaskans live in a remote location. They don't have casino privileges as do Lower '48 Natives. Participation in the Native 8(a) Program was the solution to fulfill the ANCSA promise from Congress for this historically underprivileged group of people.

• Are Alaska Native individuals rich from government contracting? No.
• Are many Alaska Native's quality of life improved from educational benefits, job opportunities, dividends and cultural revitalization funding from ANC profits? Yes.
• Are their children going to college with scholarship benefits provided from contracting revenues? Yes.
• Will there be more native employee's at ANCs with each new generation after they benefit from training, education and development from business profits? Yes.
• Are the majority of ANCs doing a excellent job in their line of business - government contracting? Yes.
• So what's the problem? Nadda

Facts:

• Many Alaska Native Corporations excel at the government contracting business and receive rave reviews from the government.
• As Native American Contractors Association (NACA) rightfully point out: "ANCs must submit a comprehensive proposal showing commensurate qualifications, past performance and the infrastructure required to successfully complete each contract award."
• For a comprehensive list of facts visit: http://www.native8aworks.com/the_facts/.

This article represents the sole opinion of the author, Brenda Dukart.

58 Members of House of Rep - Sign Letter Against Long Overdue Native Land Settlement

Fifty-Eight members of the House of Representatives succumbed to the media blitz put on by environmental special interest groups who would deny the Indigenous-owned corporation/people from receiving land entitled to them for settlement of their Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act legislation (ANCSA). This land settlement would have fulfilled the promise from Congress over from almost forty years ago.

These 58 members of Congress signed a letter that said Sealaska receiving this land would negatively impact the environment. Sealaska rightfully says the letter is "misleading" and "ill-informed."

If this legislation is passed, the bill would maintain and create jobs, while preserving old-growth trees. It will also put the land in the hands of the rightful indigenous caretakers. The Tongass National Forest is land that is made available for Native selection. Sealaska owners are the indigenous people of that region - therefore -- Let the People have the land that should be rightfully theirs. It is a no-brainer.

One member of Congress who see's clearly through the smoke, wrote a letter to get accurate information to the public and Congress. To read this letter find the link at this site: Don Young's letter.

Time to Act: Stand with Sealaska & Sign your Support for S881

Native Paint stands with Sealaska in support for S881. What is impressive about Sealaska is their progressive interest in green energy and affordable sustainable jobs for Southeast Alaska.

Sealaska has been a cornerstone of strength to Southeast Alaska. It is now time to stand with them. Whether you are on the East Coast or West Coast or in Alaska - NOW is the time to make a stand for this indigenous group. Help the United States demonstrate their evolution and fulfill their promise to the Sealaska people who are Native Americans.

Your successful support will:

*Return dozens of sacred sites to Native ownership forever.

*Continued public access as guaranteed under federal law.

*Help the United States Government become a keeper of their promise to Native Americans.

*Open the doors for sustainable affordable jobs with new green energy and eco-tourism projects.

*Help the Tongass gain 30,000 acres of old growth reserves.

Quick Facts

"Your Letter of Support"

Video

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Alert sent from NACA: The Department of Defense is moving quickly to develop rules implementing Section 811 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 (Pub. L. No. 111-84). However, tribal consultations are necessary to evaluate any substantial direct effects of the procurement regulations that were not considered by Congress prior to enactment of Section 811.

We urge your tribe to sent a letter to OMB Director Orszag and Defense Secretary Gates urging them to engage in tribal consultations as required by Executive Order 13175 and cc your members of Congress. A draft letter is attached to this Legislative Alert. Tribal Consultation is a requirement for all agencies engaging in actions which may have tribal implications. Even if your tribe is not engaged in federal contracting, all agencies must be held accountable by tribes to engage in tribal consultation before taking an agency action. Please join us in urging the OMB, Department of Defense and Congress to comply with the Executive Order and Obama Presidential Memorandum signed November 5, 2009.

Background
Section 811 of the Act requires all Federal agencies to provide written justification and approval for all sole-source awards above $20 million made pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. This new requirement changes long-standing small business statutory provisions, presently in 10 U.S.C. § 2304(f)(2), that exempt all 8(a) procurements from justification and approval requirements. Section 811 will have a direct impact on 8(a) firms owned by Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian organizations which are currently the only contractors in the 8(a) program eligible to receive sole-source contracts over $20 million. The revised justification and approval process that shall be applied government-wide will almost certainly create new regulatory burdens on these tribal-owned firms and could potentially discourage contracting officers from making sole-source awards to tribal-owned firms above this size as permitted under the Small Business Act. Because of these new regulations will be policies that have serious tribal implications, the agencies must consult with tribes before developing an interim or final regulation.

For more information, please contact Lael Echo-Hawk at lael@nativecontractors.org or by phone at 202.756.2676.

Lael Echo-Hawk, Esq.
Legislative Director
Native American Contractors Association
1514 P St. N.W. Suite 2
Washington, DC 20005
P. (202) 758.2676 / C. (202) 536-8666
E. lael@nativecontractors.org
www.nativecontractors.org