Charmaine Williams-James

Charmaine Williams-James serves as a Contract Specialist within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, where she plays a pivotal role in executing procurements that advance federal trust responsibilities to federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native villages. Her work centers on acquiring goods and services that support tribal self-determination, including infrastructure, educational support, and facility modernization. She manages a diverse portfolio of contract actions under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, ensuring compliance with tribal sovereignty principles and federal procurement statutes. Her acquisitions frequently involve construction, technical services, and operational support critical to reservation-based communities. Williams-James maintains strong, recurring relationships with key contractors including SEALASKA CONSTRUCTORS LLC, TEPA EC, LLC, GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C., CGI FEDERAL INC., and COOPER ZIETZ ENGINEERS, INC. These partnerships reflect a pattern of engagement with Native-owned enterprises and specialized service providers experienced in delivering culturally responsive solutions in remote and underserved environments. Her contracting approach emphasizes long-term vendor collaboration, performance accountability, and alignment with tribal priorities. Her procurement strategy demonstrates a pronounced commitment to socioeconomic inclusion, with nearly half of her awards structured under the Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) set-aside, a unique Department of the Interior program. She also frequently utilizes No Set-Aside and Total Small Business Set-Aside authorities, reflecting a balanced approach that prioritizes Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) participation while maintaining flexibility for mission-critical needs. Her contracting patterns consistently elevate Native-owned and tribally controlled businesses. Her primary NAICS focus includes Educational Support Services (611710), Telecommunications (517312), and Electrical Contracting (238210), indicating deep expertise in procuring services that enhance tribal education infrastructure, digital connectivity, and facility operations. She regularly supports acquisitions in food services and environmental systems, demonstrating broad technical knowledge in mission-critical domains serving tribal communities.