Cherokee Nation Red Wing

What Cherokee Nation Red Wing does

Cherokee Federal is the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, a tribally owned holding company wholly owned by the Cherokee Nation. The company delivers mission-critical services to more than 60 U.S. federal agencies across defense, intelligence, civilian, and health missions via seven core capabilities: Advanced Technology Services (cloud, cybersecurity, data & analytics, IT infrastructure, Zero Trust), Health Services, Intelligence Analysis & Operational Services, Civil Support & Stabilization, Logistics & Sustainment, Manufacturing, and Program & Engineering Technical Services. Cherokee Federal also develops and manufactures two proprietary hardware products — the patent-pending Mobile Vertipad Platform (MVP™) for VTOL/eVTOL aircraft and the Mobile Command Center (MC2™) — out of ISO/AS9100-certified facilities, and holds CMMC Level 2 C3PAO and AWS Select Tier Services Partner credentials.

The business model is exclusively federal government contracting, accessed through more than 20 vehicles spanning Tribal 8(a) sole-source awards (no dollar threshold limitation for tribally owned firms under 13 CFR 124.506, protest-proof), government-wide vehicles (GSA OASIS+, GSA MAS, GSA STARS III), and agency-specific IDIQs (DHA Omnibus IV, DTRA AEMSS, MDA Facilities, DIA SIA 3 and SITE III, SeaPort NxG, FAA eFAST, NOAA NMITS). The company self-performs nearly 80% of 8(a) contract work. By statutory mandate, net income from Cherokee Federal LLCs is distributed monthly to the Cherokee Nation General Fund — not to private shareholders — funding healthcare, housing, education, and public safety for 470,000+ Cherokee citizens ($364M over the past decade).

Cherokee Federal pursues aggressive inorganic and geographic expansion: three acquisitions (ATA 2024, MSI 2025, HigherEchelon Salesforce Practice 2025), new offices in San Antonio and Colorado Springs in 2025, and a Growth Capital Division dedicated to programmatic M&A. With 5,000+ employees globally, the company has appeared on the Washington Technology Top 100 for eight consecutive years and ranked #54 on Bloomberg Government's BGOV200 list in 2022. The principal strategic risk is regulatory: the SBA's program-wide review of the 8(a) Business Development Program and proposed rule RIN 3245-AI66 could materially restructure Tribal participation in federal contracting.

Name

Cherokee Nation Red Wing

Legal name

Cherokee Nation Businesses

Website

https://cherokee-federal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting arm of Cherokee Nation Businesses, serves 60+ U.S. agencies across defense, intelligence, health, and technology using Tribal 8(a) sole-source awards and 20+ contract vehicles. Offers professional services plus proprietary MVP™ and MC2™ hardware from a 5,000-employee, tribally owned base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Contracting: Cherokee Federal generates revenue entirely through federal government contracting. The company operates as a federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, winning contracts through competitive procurements across more than 20 vehicles including Tribal 8(a) sole-source awards, GSA OASIS+, GSA MAS, GSA STARS III, SeaPort NxG, DHA Omnibus IV, and numerous other IDIQs and BPAs spanning defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. By statutory mandate, net income from each Cherokee Federal LLC is distributed to the Cherokee Nation General Fund to support governmental services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cherokee Federal is a diversified federal contracting enterprise that delivers mission-critical solutions across defense, technology, health, intelligence, logistics, and manufacturing to more than 60 U.S. federal agencies. The company provides both professional services (advanced technology/cloud/cybersecurity, health, intelligence analysis, civil support, logistics, program & engineering) and proprietary manufactured products including the MVP™ Mobile Vertipad Platform and MC2™ Mobile Command Center, all delivered through federal contract vehicles including Tribal 8(a) sole-source awards, GSA OASIS+, and agency-specific IDIQs.

Product overview

Cherokee Federal operates as a diversified federal contracting enterprise offering a portfolio of specialized services across defense, technology, health, intelligence, and manufacturing domains. The company provides both manufactured products (MVP and MC2 platforms) and professional services including advanced technology/cloud/cybersecurity, health services, intelligence analysis, civil support, logistics, program & engineering services, and contracting solutions. Services are delivered through multiple contract vehicles including Tribal 8(a), GSA OASIS+, and various defense/intelligence agencyIDIQs. The company operates ISO/AS9100-certified manufacturing facilities in Northeast Oklahoma and holds CMMC Level 2 C3PAO cybersecurity certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MVP™ (Mobile Vertipad Platform): Patent-pending mobile vertipad platform for VTOL and eVTOL aircraft, offering rapidly deployable, auto-leveling landing surface supporting up to 30,000 pounds.
• MC2™ (Mobile Command Center)

Products and services

• Mobile Vertipad Platform (MVP) Patent-pending, rapidly deployable mobile vertipad for VTOL and eVTOL aircraft with auto-leveling system supporting up to 30,000 lbs on a 24-foot landing surface. Designed for airports, austere missions, emergency response, and defense operations.
• Mobile Command Center (MC2) Truck-mounted command center with integrated Starlink satellite connectivity, drone/UAS integration, real-time communications, and enhanced situational awareness for public safety, emergency management, and defense missions.
• Advanced Technology Services Cloud, cybersecurity, data & analytics, IT infrastructure, and low-code/no-code solutions for federal agencies across the U.S. government.
• Health Services Global, enterprise-wide health solutions supporting service members and the nation with transformative healthcare delivery for federal health agencies including the Defense Health Agency.
• Intelligence Analysis & Operational Services Securing the nation's critical assets through intelligence analysis and operational support services for the U.S. Intelligence Community including DIA and NGA.
• Civil Support & Stabilization Operations Specialized emergency services and rapid deployment support for populations and communities in need, including humanitarian missions such as Operation Allies Welcome supporting over 85,000 Afghan evacuees.
• Logistics & Sustainment Operations Mission readiness through mobilization, supply chain management, and logistics sustainment for federal defense and civilian agencies.
• Manufacturing Services Precision manufacturing and integration of mission-critical systems including design, prototyping, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and electronics assembly with ISO/AS9100-certified facilities for federal customers.
• Program & Engineering Technical Services Program management, engineering, and facility support including technical expertise, workforce integration, SME deployment, process optimization, systems engineering, and applied technical operations for federal missions.
• Contracting Solutions Rapid acquisition contracting solutions including Tribal 8(a) sole-source awards, GSA OASIS+, MAS, STARS III, SeaPort NxG, and defense/intelligence/civilian agency vehicle access for federal agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contracts awarded in weeks vs. months through rapid acquisition Tribal 8(a) sole-source process.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HigherEchelon (Salesforce Practice)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2025Cherokee Federal acquired the Salesforce practice of HigherEchelon, a Salesforce partner specializing in public sector solutions, effective November 1, 2025. The acquisition aims to enhance Cherokee Federal's digital modernization capabilities and expand its support to government agencies in transforming operations through Salesforce-based solutions.
• MSI, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Cherokee Federal's Growth Capital Division acquired a majority stake in MSI, LLC, expanding the company's capabilities and portfolio within the federal contracting ecosystem. This investment supports Cherokee Federal's growth strategy and extends its reach into additional federal mission areas.
• ATA, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2024Cherokee Federal's Growth Capital Division acquired a majority stake in ATA, LLC, enhancing Cherokee Federal's portfolio of federal contracting capabilities. This investment aligns with the company's strategy of expanding through targeted acquisitions that strengthen its service offerings.
• Criterion SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Cherokee Federal expanded its cybersecurity and information technology services by acquiring Criterion Systems, a cybersecurity and IT firm. This acquisition strengthened Cherokee Federal's cybersecurity capabilities and added depth to its IT services portfolio for federal customers.
• Conti Federal (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2022Cherokee Nation Environmental Solutions established a joint venture with Conti Federal under the U.S. Small Business Administration Mentor-Protégé Program. The partnership enables collaboration on federal infrastructure and environmental projects, combining Cherokee Nation's Tribal 8(a) status with Conti Federal's engineering and construction expertise.
• Preting ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 November 2021Cherokee Federal expanded its intelligence footprint by acquiring Preting Consulting, a move that enhanced the company's analytical capabilities and intelligence community support services. The acquisition supported growth across defense and intelligence mission areas.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Koniag Government Services: Federal contracting subsidiary of Koniag, Inc., an Alaska Native Regional Corporation. Delivers IT, cyber, and professional services across DoD and civilian agencies, often via small business set-aside vehicles. Direct peer in the tribal/ANC federal contracting ecosystem with overlapping capabilities and customer base.
• Calista Corporation: Alaska Native Regional Corporation with a federal services arm providing IT, logistics, and construction support to DoD and federal civilian agencies. Directly comparable as another ANC-owned entity leveraging small business set-aside authorities to compete for federal contracts.
• Doyon Government Group: Federal services arm of Doyon, Limited, an Alaska Native Regional Corporation. Provides IT, logistics, and technical services to federal agencies including DoD and intelligence community. Directly comparable as another ANC/tribal-affiliated 8(a)-eligible federal contractor competing in overlapping mission areas.
• ASRC Federal: Federal contracting subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation. Like Cherokee Federal, ASRC Federal leverages ANC/tribal-owned status to compete for federal contracts, operates across defense, IT, intelligence, and civilian agencies, and pursues acquisitions to expand capabilities. Most direct comparability in business model and statutory positioning.

Broad incumbents

• SAIC: Large federal services integrator focused on defense, intelligence, and civilian agency IT modernization. Competes with Cherokee Federal on intelligence analysis, IT services, and health contracts, and shares overlapping presence on vehicles like SeaPort NxG.
• Leidos: Major federal contractor with significant defense, intelligence, and health IT portfolios overlapping Cherokee Federal's customer base. Often a prime contractor on vehicles where Cherokee Federal serves as a subcontractor or teammate. Comparable in scale and mission area coverage.
• CACI International: Federal contractor with strong intelligence, cyber, and electronic warfare portfolios. Directly comparable mission overlap with Cherokee Federal's intelligence analysis and operational services; both serve DIA, NGA, and Army customers.
• Peraton: Federal contractor formed from the Perspecta/Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services merger, with a strong intelligence, defense, and homeland security portfolio. Competes directly with Cherokee Federal on intelligence vehicles and homeland security contracts, including overlapping DHS and DoD customer relationships.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: One of the largest U.S. federal contractors, with deep defense, intelligence, and civilian agency relationships, including major presence on vehicles like DIA SITE III where Cherokee Federal also competes. Provides advanced technology, consulting, and engineering services to federal clients, often teaming with or competing against Cherokee Federal on prime contracts.
• KBR (Government Solutions): Global federal and government services contractor with strong science, engineering, and logistics portfolios supporting NASA, DoD, and intelligence agencies. Comparable in scale and mission breadth, and a likely teammate or competitor on large defense and civilian agency vehicles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CherokeeFederal
• Facebookfacebook.com/CherokeeFederal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cherokee-federal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cherokee Nation Red Wing