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- By Brian Edwards
- Native Contracting
The Oneida Nation in Wisconsin is working to terminate a federal contract awarded to one of its companies after the agreement's connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities sparked immediate backlash from tribal leadership and the community.
Jeff House, CEO of Oneida Engineering Science and Construction Group (OESC), publicly apologized Friday during a Facebook livestream for approving the contract, which was awarded Dec. 26 to inspect ICE detention facilities across 34 locations.
“I deeply apologize. This decision did come to me, and I green lighted the proposal to go forward, and I know now it was a huge mistake,” House said during the livestream.
Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill said during the Friday morning broadcast that the Oneida Business Committee learned of the contract late Dec. 29 when social media posts surfaced about the award. Hill immediately called for meetings with committee members and House to understand what had occurred.
“I want to make sure that I clearly state that the Oneida Business Committee was not aware of this joint venture or the signing of the contract,” Hill said. “I also stand strong in my words and conviction that the business venture does not align with the nation's values, our culture and who we are as Haudenosaunee people.”
The contract involves Oneida-Stantec JV, a partnership between Oneida Environmental, a subsidiary of OESC, and Stantec, an Edmonton, Canada-based engineering firm, according to prior Tribal Business News reporting. Government contract databases show the joint venture was awarded a $3.8 million contract on Dec. 27 to provide construction and design quality assurance services through Aug. 28, 2026, for an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas.
The Business Committee adopted a resolution Dec. 31 requiring all tribal divisions, entities and corporations to disengage from contracts involving ICE. The committee also replaced OESC's board of managers with an interim board manager on Friday and passed a second resolution requiring all tribal corporations to adopt Corporate Social Responsibility policies based on the nation's core values, according to FAQs posted by the tribe.
The Business Committee learned of the awards Dec. 29 and adopted a resolution Dec. 31 requiring all tribal divisions, entities and corporations to disengage from contracts involving ICE.
The contract with ICE sparked particular concern following a similar situation involving Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas. Prairie Band Chairman Joseph "Zeke" Rupnick announced Dec. 18 that the tribe had exited all third-party interests connected to federal immigration enforcement work following controversy over a $29.9 million contract awarded to a tribal subsidiary for ICE detention facility work, per prior Tribal Business News reporting.
House said his decision to pursue the contract focused on humanitarian concerns about detainees and business considerations for the company, which generated $177 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025. He said the scope involved facility inspections to ensure humane standards and code compliance, not construction work.
“While I don't approve and I'm appalled by the ICE activities, these people are being detained and put in a facility somewhere, and what had gone through my mind was, ‘Who's taking care of them, who's looking out for their best interest,’” House said.
During the livestream, House answered questions from tribal members about the contract and termination process. He said he has notified the federal government that Oneida Environmental plans to terminate the agreement. The termination process requires following federal procedures and could result in either a termination for convenience or a termination for default, which House said “is basically the death of the company.”
No work has been performed under the contract, and House said there should be no direct costs to exit the agreement. However, a termination for default could prevent Oneida Environmental from securing future federal contracts.
House also disclosed a second contract with ICE signed in September with similar scope that will require termination. Government contract databases show Oneida-Stantec JV was awarded a $2.6 million contract on Sept. 19 for facility condition assessments and property inventory information through September 2028. He said that contract will be more difficult to sever because work has already been performed.
Oneida Environmental operates as an SBA-certified 8(a) contractor performing natural and cultural resource assessment, engineering and inspection services for federal facilities.
OESC’s board of managers consists entirely of Oneida tribal members appointed by the Business Committee. House said he made the decision to pursue the ICE contract without consulting the board, informing them only after the award.
The Business Committee is reviewing all processes and communication requirements between the nation and its corporations to identify gaps, according to the tribe. The review is expected to be completed within the current quarter.
The developments occur as Native-owned contractors face increased federal scrutiny of government contracting programs. The SBA ordered all 8(a) firms to submit detailed financial records by Jan. 5 as part of a program-wide audit, though the deadline was later extended to Jan. 19 amid confusion with the request guidelines.
