Ho-Chunk subsidiary wins $6.5 million federal defense contract

WINNEBAGO, Neb. | A Ho-Chunk Inc. subsidiary has been awarded a $6.5 million federal contract to supply furniture and equipment to a Defense Department agency.

All Native Solutions, a company of the Flatwater Group, has a five-year deal with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency/US Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction/Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Elimination, or DTRA/SCC-WMD/SJFHQ-E.

The contract was announced Wednesday by Ho-Chunk, the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

DTRA/SCC-WMD/SJFHQ-E is the Defense Department's official combat support agency for countering weapons of mass destruction. Programs include basic science research and development, operational support to U.S. warfighters on the front line and an in-house weapons of mass destruction think tank that aims to anticipate and mitigate future threats long before they have a chance to harm the U.S. and its allies.

All Native Solutions was one of three companies selected for the award. The contract includes systems furniture, office furniture, case goods, seating, filing, office storage, cabinets and design and installation services for the DTRA headquarters at Fort Belvoir, Va., as well as other locations in the U.S. and overseas.

"We greatly appreciate the opportunity to support the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in their work," Ho-Chunk President and CEO Lance Morgan said in a statement.

The contract was awarded through the federal SBA 8(a) Program, which provides continuous business assistance and counseling to certified 8(a) small, disadvantaged businesses. Income from SBA 8(a) contracting provides significant funding for the development of the Winnebago, Neb., community. Among the services, programs and activities it supports are Winnebago's $1.5 million housing stimulus program.