Alaska Native Corporation UIC acquires defense contractor in largest deal to date

Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) has acquired a majority stake in Colorado Springs-based Delta Solutions & Strategies LLC, marking the Alaska Native Corporation's largest acquisition in its history.

The deal, which closed Nov. 29, reportedly gives UIC a 70% ownership stake in Delta, a defense support services firm that primarily serves the U.S. Air Force. Delta CEO Mark Stafford retained 30% ownership in the company, according to a local media report in Colorado Springs.  

Delta joins UIC's federal contracting division as part of the Bowhead Family of Companies. The acquisition aims to enhance Bowhead's service offerings for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command, according to a statement. 

"This acquisition strengthens our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to the Department of Defense and other key government agencies," UIC President and CEO Dr. Pearl K. Brower said in a statement. "By leveraging Delta's specialized expertise, we are positioned to offer an even broader range of services, helping our clients address the ever-evolving challenges in defense and national security."

Delta brings 400 employees and more than 180 subcontractors currently supporting 46 federal contracts to the deal. The company has won federal defense contracts and subcontracting work totaling nearly $315 million over the past three years, according to market intelligence firm HigherGov. 

 The service-disabled veteran-owned small business provides military training products, operations and maintenance, modeling and simulations, and professional and technical advisory services for the Department of Defense. Delta maintains operations across 27 states as well as Korea, Japan and Germany.

Delta's senior leadership team will remain in place, including Stafford as president and CEO. The company will be renamed Delta Solutions & Strategies — Bowhead, but maintain its Colorado Springs headquarters, Stafford told The Gazette. 

"Delta's ethical business practices align closely with the Iñupiat values that guide Bowhead's business efforts, making our companies a great fit for this integration in terms of organizational culture and the pursuit of excellence," UIC Government Services/Bowhead President Mike Hundley said in a statement.

The acquisition provides Delta with expanded market reach and access to a wider range of Department of Defense and federal contracts, as well as additional funding and business resources to strengthen its competitive position. 

The deal follows UIC's September announcement of a joint venture with M5B Global, an SBA-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business specializing in Foreign Military Sales. That partnership created Bowhead M5B Global LLC to pursue international defense contracts. 

UIC's Bowhead division currently employs 3,000 people across 16 U.S. offices and manages 300 contracts providing support to defense and civilian government agencies. The company offers services in systems and information technology, logistics and marine, engineering and program management, manufacturing and products, and advanced technology.