More backlash after TX-based company awarded catering contract 

07/24/2025 - CNMI leaders are in full support of several local businesses crying foul after a Texas-based company won a $238,706 catering contract to provide three to-go style meals a day to up to 600 U.S. Air Force personnel currently training in the CNMI.

CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said she’s not surprised by the development and that the issue has been the gripe of many businesses in her native Tinian, where there currently is a massive military buildup.

In fact, she said the lack of local preference for U.S. Department of Defense contracts has been raised repeatedly by Tinian elected officials to DoD.

To this end, King-Hinds said she’s working on amending the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program to level the playing field for locally owned small businesses.  

“The 8(a) program was created to support disadvantaged businesses, but as it stands, the system isn’t working for the Marianas. My amendment will ensure that small, locally owned companies have a real shot at federal opportunities.”

She added that the lack of local preference for DoD contracts is an issue she’s been fighting since before she decided to run for office. 

“Those of us who have been involved in the military development for years have been fighting this fight, and because of all of the groundwork laid, we have a shot at giving our businesses a better deal from this pivot,” she said.

CNMI delegate candidate Galvin Deleon Guerrero laments that the contract to cater hundreds of troops training in the Commonwealth for more than a month went to a U.S. mainland company. 

“It is unfortunate that more is not being done to negotiate better terms for our islands as the CNMI is being used more and more for its strategic military importance. 

Not only has the overall military build-up excluded local businesses, but it has also failed to invest in the kind of corresponding infrastructure, workforce, and economic development needed to support that build-up. This most recent instance of choosing a Texas firm over local vendors also speaks to broader concerns in our community about equity in who is benefiting from the military development,” he said.

From Luta, For Luta’s Mona Sierra, for her part, said she’s just happy that everyone can now see what DoD plans for the islands. 

“I think it’s the perfect example of the deception that the DoD continues to push alongside leaders who paint this false narrative that military expansion equals economic development We’re seeing it right before our eyes—an opportunity to pump over $200,000 into our local economy but instead we continue to be tricked into believing we have ‘opportunities’ to apply for these contracts when truly, our people won’t see the benefits of it. This shouldn’t even be a question—I’ve worked on procurements for million-dollar contracts, and local businesses should receive extra points in the evaluation and selection process,” she said

Local activist Anufat Terlaje-Pangelinan agrees with Sierra’s stance, saying, “I think this is a time for our people to finally realize that the Department of Defense has no interest in boosting our local economy. They've made it clear in the Rota hearings and they've made it clear in the Tinian hearings. Having a bid that involves mainland entities without prioritizing food vendors already present is a slap in the face to our people.”

Social media was also flooded with comments about the Air Force’s decision to award the catering contract to a Texas firm.

William Dewitt, meanwhile, suggested that a fool-proof solution would be to just give U.S. troops a per diem.

“The military members should each be provided a per diem amount to spend on their three daily meals at whichever local restaurant they choose. Or, if they prefer, they could spend it on meals provided by the Texas vendor. Either way, let the [Air Force] personnel make the choice of how and where to spend the meal money,” he also said on Facebook. 

Over on Instagram, @anthony_nmrai started his comment with an expletive, then said, “Should be local first and foremost. Buy local and support local when you're in the Northern Marianas.”

@happylanchera, for her part, wrote, “All that false hope of bringing the CNMI a bunch of revenue.”

Report by Mark Rabago