Washington state Native corporation wins defense contract

BREMERTON, Wash. – A Washington state Native corporation has won a $99 million government contract for U.S. Navy projects, with much of the work expected to be done in Puget Sound.

The Kitsap Sun reported Monday that Port Madison Enterprises’ Construction Corporation received the five-year contract for work at installations across 11 states.

The company owned by the Suquamish Tribe will conduct projects for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest.

Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman said the construction firm is distinct from the Suquamish tribal government.

The U.S. Department of Defense says it awarded the contract following a bidding process involving five companies.

Officials said the first project is expected to be the $198,000 construction of a new fence around the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.