“Whether it’s earned or not, you owe us. We gave up two-thirds of our island, and we’ve waited for this to happen.”
That blunt message from Tinian businessman Philip Mendiola-Long set the tone for a candid discussion between local business leaders and U.S. military officials during the NIPOA-GRS FY26 U.S. Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program workshop held last June 21 at the Tinian Conference Center, where participants repeatedly urged the military to ensure more contract opportunities reach Tinian companies instead of off-island firms.
Mendiola-Long said generations of Tinian residents had sacrificed land and development opportunities in anticipation of increased military activity, only to see many lucrative contracts awarded to mainland companies instead of businesses based on Tinian.
“We gave up two-thirds of our island… We’ve had investors come in… and we have to say no, because the military’s coming… And then when you finally do, we’re giving it to companies in Virginia. We’re giving it to companies in Alaska or wherever,” he said.
He urged military contracting officials to require prime contractors to identify local subcontractors before contracts are awarded.
“Describe how you’re going to use local contractors on the ground… and who would those local contractors be,” Mendiola-Long said.
He also warned that awarding contracts to off-island firms that later scramble to find local subcontractors undermines confidence within Tinian's business community.
“Whether it's earned or not, you owe us,” Mendiola-Long said, adding that Tinian residents had honored decades-old commitments to share much of their island for military use and expected meaningful economic opportunities in return.
Earlier, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan welcomed participants and thanked the Department of the Air Force and industry partners for bringing the workshop to Tinian, saying the military buildup presents an opportunity that local businesses should be prepared to seize. Mendiola-Long likewise encouraged businesses to use the workshop to build relationships and position themselves for upcoming defense contracts rather than waiting until solicitations are released.
Tinian resident Frederick Deleon Guerrero later raised concerns over communication gaps between military units on the ground and contracting officials.
He described instances in which local businesses invested time and money responding to requests from military personnel, only to find that when formal solicitations were eventually issued, those earlier discussions appeared to have little bearing on the procurement process.
Deleon Guerrero said some contractors believed they had been “shafted” after preparing extensively for anticipated work that ultimately went elsewhere. He questioned whether information gathered by rotating military units was effectively passed on to contracting officials, saying continuity between operational units and contracting offices was critical for local businesses.
Responding, 1st Lt. Irene York, chief of contracting for the 356th Expeditionary Theater Support Group, explained that the contracting process begins only after military units complete market research and formally submit requirements.
“Everything starts with the market research,” York said. She explained that contracting officers can only evaluate proposals using the criteria published in each solicitation and are legally required to follow those evaluation standards.
Master Sgt. Anthony Lehman, budget manager for the 356th ETSG, acknowledged the concerns raised by local businesses.
“The individuals that were on the ground… did not have the authority to obligate the federal government like Lt. York does,” Lehman said, explaining that only warranted contracting officers can award larger contracts and that greater visibility from contracting officials should help reduce misunderstandings.
PACAF Small Business Program director Ailie Sourille said she understood the frustrations expressed by local contractors and emphasized that the Air Force wants greater local participation while remaining bound by federal procurement law.
She encouraged businesses to stay engaged with the contracting office because opportunities continue to arise even if a company is not initially selected for a blanket purchase agreement. Sourille also urged businesses to monitor new contracting pathways, including AFWERX, Other Transaction Agreements, and Commercial Solutions Openings, while continuing to track opportunities through SAM.gov. She added that PACAF's biggest needs include resilient infrastructure, engineering, logistics, cybersecurity, communications and emerging technologies to support operations throughout the Indo-Pacific.
As background, Department of the Air Force Small Business Programs Acquisition Program manager David Sikora told attendees that the military buildup presents significant opportunities for local companies, but businesses must prepare themselves by understanding federal procurement requirements, obtaining the proper certifications and building relationships with prime contractors before solicitations are issued. He said the Air Force mentor-protégé program is designed to help small businesses strengthen their capabilities and become more competitive for future contracts.
Global Resource Solutions director Sheehan Goonewardene said the mentor-protégé program is intended to connect local firms with experienced prime contractors and help them compete successfully for federal work through long-term partnerships rather than one-time transactions.
NIPOA oresident Mary Moriarty said the program has already demonstrated how mentorship can help island businesses build experience, credibility and relationships necessary to compete for defense contracts.
HGA principal Josh Stowers said large prime contractors actively seek reliable local partners.
“The question is not whether or not the opportunity exists; it’s whether or not your company is positioned where those opportunities emerge,” Stowers said.
He encouraged businesses to focus on their core strengths, maintain compliance, communicate consistently, and build trust with prime contractors well before solicitations are issued.
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