### Company Overview & Leadership
Cherokee Federal operates as a trusted team of government contracting professionals focused on building innovative solutions and solving complex challenges across national security, intelligence, information technology, health solutions, DoD logistics, and humanitarian relief sectors globally [5]. Leveraging the agility of a small business backed by the resources of a large corporation [12], the organization employs over 5,000 experts [5]. Notably, the company’s profits entirely support the Cherokee Nation tribe, building a brighter future for tribal citizens [5].
Cherokee Federal specializes in advanced technology solutions, including data engineering, algorithm development, statistical analysis, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) applications [1]. The firm utilizes a two-speed strategy for Agile IT modernization, rapidly updating customer-facing applications while maintaining a measured approach for backend systems to mitigate concurrent cost and risk [1]. Security is paramount, implemented through a Zero Trust Architecture based on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” which minimizes component access and enhances threat prevention across on-premises, hybrid, and native cloud environments [1]. For secure application development, the firm employs an Agile Systems Development Life Cycle incorporating Low/No Code development and AI-augmented software engineering, ensuring security and Section 508 requirements are integrated early [1]. These solutions are rigorously tested at the cloud-based Cherokee Innovation Lab located at Tysons Corner, which supports a disciplined, data-driven approach for long-term value and measurable results [1].
The company supports a wide range of federal clients and maintains a strong operational footprint, supported by a specialized leadership team:
* **Primary Customers:** US Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy [3], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) [7]. * **Key Service Domains:** Managed services, Program Management Office Support, Case Management, Technical & Advisory Services (delivered domestically and internationally) [2], and manufacturing solutions (including wire harnesses, CNC machining, and electro-mechanical assemblies) backed by over 50 years of aerospace manufacturing experience [14]. * **Workforce Expertise:** Ninety-four percent of intelligence experts hold top secret clearances or higher [21]. Personnel hold certifications including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and Cybersecurity Certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH) [16]. * **Corporate Presence:** Headquarters in Tulsa, OK, with regional offices in Arlington, VA, Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO, Huntsville, AL, and San Antonio, TX [5]. * **Corporate Standards:** Maintains status as an AWS Select Partner [1]. Criterion Systems holds SAFe Bronze Partner and CMMI certifications [1]. Manufacturing operations adhere to AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and ITAR compliance standards [14]. * **Contract Vehicles:** Includes GSA HCaTS Unrestricted Pool 2, GSA PSS Schedule SIN 871-1, GSA Schedule 70 SIN 132-51, and the Information Technology Enterprise Software (ITES) contract W52P1J-1-D-A016 [8].
**Leadership Team**
* Alison Kruse serves as the Information Technology Lead [1]. * Anthony Monas holds the position of Data & Analytics Lead [1]. * Shailesh Patel is the Cloud Solutions Lead and Cybersecurity & Privacy Lead [1]. * Karl Gaskins is the Executive General Manager for Small Businesses, and Dirk Catron is the Executive General Manager for Full & Open contracts [2]. * Brad Barnhart, Vice President, Intelligence Practice, and Beth Inglis, Executive General Manager, Intelligence Practice, draw from decades of active-duty service and intelligence community insight [4].
### Federal Market & Contracts
Cherokee Federal maintains a significant federal market presence, leveraging its structure as a team of tribally owned, small disadvantaged business entities, many of which hold 8(a) and/or HUBZone certifications [3]. This status provides unique acquisition advantages, including sole-source procurement methods. The Tribal 8(a) program allows for a sole-source procurement method without a dollar threshold limitation, pursuant to regulation 13 CFR 124.506 [1]. Civilian agencies benefit from a $25 million direct award ceiling without Justification & Approval (J&A), while DoD agencies have a $100 million ceiling without J&A [1]. Furthermore, the Tribal 8(a) status renders its entities exempt from the competitive $4.5 million threshold, as defined in 13 CFR 124 and FAR 19.805-1 [3], and direct awards to tribal 8(a) entities are not protestable [20].
The organization executes nearly 2,000 projects spanning construction, engineering, manufacturing, and mission solutions, supporting key clients including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) [9][18].
* **Intelligence Support:** Cherokee Federal’s intelligence companies (including Cherokee Analytics, Cherokee Preting, Cherokee Insights, and Criterion Systems) support the national security sector and combatant commands [6]. Cherokee Preting provides highly-specialized intelligence analysis and training solutions, with 94% of its experts holding top secret clearances or higher [11]. * **Health & Readiness:** Cherokee Nation Integrated Health (CNHS) operates as the sole services contractor supporting the 1st Army Virtual Medical Center (VMEDCEN) at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) [16]. CNHS manages medical outpatient coding for BAMC, achieving a 98 percent or greater industry benchmark and tripling coding output to exceed 35,000 transactions per month [16]. CNHS is also the largest physical and virtual case management provider for the Army National Guard, supporting over a dozen States in Periodic Health Assessments (PHA) and individual medical readiness (IMR) [16]. * **Key Contract Vehicles:** The firm holds the GSA 8(a) STARS III Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) (Contract 47QTCB21D0333) [3], and multiple entities participate in the GSA OASIS+ suite of contracts, covering domains such as Management and Advisory (M&A), Environmental (ENV), Facilities (FAC), Logistics (LOG), Research and Development (R&D), Intelligence Services (INTEL), and Technical and Engineering (T&E) [3]. * **GSA Schedule 70 Contracts:** Includes SIN 132-51 for Information Technology Professional Services (held by Cherokee Nation Services Group and Cherokee Nation Technologies) [1], and Health Information Technology Services (HIT SIN 132-56) (held by Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions and Cherokee Nation Assurance) [10][18]. * **Notable Programs:** Cherokee Nation Environmental Services (CNES) received a $15,100,000.00 contract for the MILCON Redundant Chilled Water Loop at the Pentagon [13]. CNES also executed a $13,022,079.00 contract awarded by Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) in 2017 for Pentagon Electrical Upgrades (PEU), which included the design and construction of a 69-kilovolt (kV)/13.8 kV electrical substation [13]. * **Federal Performance:** Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions (CNTS) received positive Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARS) results in June 2018, February 2019, and April 2019, noting that management was highly effective, proactively addressed issues, and maintained highly effective communication [10]. CNTS supports the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with full life cycle support for scientific, laboratory, and field research [10].
**Identifiers & Codes**
* **Cherokee Nation Management & Consulting:** UEI VJPCB8N3JYK3, CAGE 6YW97 [2] * **Cherokee Nation System Solutions:** UEI FMWVU3EYSVF7, CAGE 7LSU0 [3] * **Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs:** Eligible for 8(a) Direct Award, Primary NAICS Code 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology) [3] * **Cherokee Nation Aerospace & Defense:** HUBZone certified, eligible for 8(a) Direct Award, Primary NAICS Code 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Mfg.) [3]
### Certifications & Socioeconomic
Cherokee Federal maintains a robust quality management and security posture, leveraging advanced frameworks and highly certified personnel to ensure compliance and operational excellence. The organization’s security capabilities are formalized through the CyberScale® framework, which measures program maturity and defines an optimized target state tailored to organizational mission and risk appetite [19]. This framework aligns with federal standards including FISMA, NIST, OMB, DHS, and OIG [19]. Cybersecurity and privacy professionals utilize the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to enhance the customer’s ability to manage risk [10].
The company’s commitment to quality and compliance is demonstrated through:
* **Quality Management (ISO/CMMI):** The manufacturing service line holds the ISO 9001:2015 [14] and AS9100D certifications [14]. Personnel apply expertise in IT service management through ITIL Certification to align IT services with business goals [1]. * **Professional Certifications:** Personnel hold advanced credentials such as Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), SAFe Agilist (SA), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and maintain advanced security credentials like CISSP, CISM, and CEH [1]. * **Socioeconomic Status:** The team consists of tribally owned, small disadvantaged business entities [3]. Six specific companies are listed as HUBZone certified: Cherokee Nation Aerospace & Defense, Cherokee Nation Federal Consulting, Cherokee Nation Government Solutions, Cherokee Nation Solutions Link, Cherokee Nation System Solutions, and Cherokee United Services [3]. * **Clearances:** Cherokee Preting reports that 94% of its experts hold top secret clearances or higher [16]. * **Export Controls:** The manufacturing service line maintains ITAR compliance [14].
### Recent News & Recognition
Cherokee Federal executed significant