About Akana
Who We Are:
A Native American-Owned Firm Dedicated to Community
Akana is a proud Native American-owned firm that stands apart for our dedication to quality, safety, and cultural stewardship. We are committed to delivering high-performance solutions for critical infrastructure that strengthens communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Our work is deeply grounded in respect, collaboration, and technical excellence. We are also a certified Federal Small Business Enterprise (FSBE).
Akana is led by CEO Herb Fricke, PE, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation) of Fort Berthold, North Dakota. With over 25 years of experience serving Indian Country, Herb plays a pivotal role in ensuring Akana remains deeply committed to Tribal communities. He has facilitated public meetings, led cultural competency trainings, and built trusted partnerships with Tribal leaders, community organizations, and Tribal enterprises, throughout the Pacific Northwest and Nationwide.
What We Do: Bringing Important Projects to Life
At Akana, we’re all about building the future. We bring essential infrastructure projects to life, working closely with public agencies, private companies, and our Tribal partners. We serve as a trusted partner, providing a comprehensive range of essential services:
Building & Construction
Construction management and inspection of public infrastructure projects in Puget Sound and Chicago
Engineering Solutions
Civil, structural, commissioning, mechanical, and electrical services nationwide
Asset Management
Capital planning and asset management for federal, state, municipal, private, and Tribal clients
Environmental Services
Site assessment, remediation, and environmental health and safety services for federal, state, municipal, private, and tribal clients
Design Services
Architecture, landscape architecture, and planning across the Pacific Northwest, Indian Country nationwide, and Department of Energy (DOE) facilities nationwide
On-Call and IDIQ Contracts
We make it easier for federal agencies, Tribal governments, and municipalities to access essential design and engineering services. Through Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, also known as on-call contracts, we provide a flexible and efficient partnership model. This approach allows agencies to quickly assign tasks without repeated solicitations, saving time and resources while ensuring consistent, high-quality support for diverse infrastructure projects nationwide.
Proven Results: Delivering Impact Nationwide
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve delivered impactful results for King County, Sound Transit, Port of Seattle, SDOT, and Chicago Transit Authority, as well as many municipal, state, private sector, and federally funded projects. Our commitment to quality and cultural integrity has earned us multi-year nationwide contracts, including IHS A/E IDIQ, USFWS A/E MATOC, BIA Nationwide Asset Management, BIA OJS Nationwide Site Assessments, and IHS Phoenix Facility Condition Assessments. We are honored to have served over 50 Tribal communities across the nation.
Trusted Small Business Partner for Federal Infrastructure Modernization
Akana is a trusted leader in federal infrastructure modernization, delivering expert planning, design, and engineering services for high-security environments. Our team of licensed architects, engineers, environmental scientists, and PMP-certified professionals brings deep experience to complex federal projects, especially for the U.S. Department of Energy. We specialize in modernizing campuses and facilities through smart, resilient infrastructure solutions, from site-wide planning and utility systems to laboratories, communication centers, and emergency command hubs. With a collaborative, full-cycle approach, Akana transforms outdated infrastructure into secure, efficient, and mission-ready assets.
Services Overview
Comprehensive civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design, commissioning, and energy solutions.
Asset management, environmental management, and infrastructure lifecycle planning
Architecture, landscape architecture, and community planning.
Expert management, inspection, documentation, and compliance oversight for heavy civil projects.
Workforce Development
At Akana, we believe in the power of opportunity. Our Workforce Development Program is designed to equip individuals with the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in the construction industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, Akana is here to help you build a strong foundation for success.