The partnership behind the pedigree.
An SBA Mentor-Protégé JV built on 50 combined years of federal remediation — from the Navajo Nation to national nuclear sites.
Mentor-Protégé Joint Venture
How the JV is Structured
Clawson-EnergySolutionsJV is formed under the SBA's Mentor-Protégé Program — a structured teaming vehicle designed to grow the technical and business capacity of small, disadvantaged firms through active mentoring from a proven large business.
Clawson Excavating (protégé) retains majority ownership and control of the joint venture. EnergySolutions(mentor) contributes radiological licensing, NRC compliance systems, and Health Physics expertise that extend the JV's capability set to the full remediation lifecycle.
The result is a single contract vehicle that covers heavy earth-moving, waste characterization, radiological surveying, transportation, and permitted disposal — eliminating the subcontractor coordination risk that slows most AML projects.
Joint Venture Structure
Clawson-EnergySolutions JV
SBA 8(a) · SBA Mentor-Protégé · Navajo Nation Priority 2
Clawson Excavating
Protégé · Majority Owner
Heavy earth-moving · Remote sites · Tribal relations
EnergySolutions
Mentor · Minority Owner
NRC licensing · Radiological expertise · Health Physics
Clawson Excavating
23 Years on the Navajo Nation
Founded by Liz Clawson in Wales, Utah, Clawson Excavating has built its entire track record on Navajo Nation land — 12 Abandoned Mine Lands reclamation projects spanning 75+ remote project areas across New Mexico and Arizona.
That depth means cultural fluency, established tribal relationships, and field logistics systems engineered for sites with no road access, no utilities, and strict cultural resource protection requirements.
23+
Years Operating
12
Navajo AML Projects
75+
Remote Project Areas
Industry Awards
Clawson Excavating
Leadership
Elizabeth “Liz” Clawson
JV Chairwoman / Executive Manager
A Navajo Nation citizen, Liz founded Clawson Excavating in Wales, Utah and has led the company through 23+ years of federal AML reclamation work across Navajo Nation lands in New Mexico and Arizona.
Her leadership has earned Clawson Excavating four industry awards from federal and tribal agencies — including the 2019 USEPA Outstanding WOSB Award, the 2016 OSM Western Regional Award, the 2017 Navajo Nation Economic Summit Construction Sector Award, and the 2008 Navajo Nation EPA Environmental Excellence Award.
Cecil Clawson
Operations Principal, Clawson Excavating
Cecil brings decades of field operations experience to Clawson Excavating's AML and heavy excavation projects across the Four Corners region, with deep expertise in remote site logistics and crew coordination on Navajo Nation land.
EnergySolutions Principals
EnergySolutions JV principal contacts are available upon request with the qualifications package.
EnergySolutions
30+ Years Radiological Expertise
EnergySolutions is one of the most experienced radiological remediation firms in the United States — with a track record spanning DOE cleanup programs, NRC-licensed decommissioning, and commercial radioactive waste management.
Their Health Physics staff and NRC broad-scope materials license mean the JV can characterize, excavate, transport, and dispose of radiologically impacted material under a single contractor — with full regulatory chain-of-custody from soil to permitted disposal.
Active Licenses & Authorizations
NRC #39-35044-01
Nuclear Regulatory Commission — broad scope materials license
NYS DOH #C6220
New York State Dept. of Health — radioactive materials
CA DPH #7958-34
California Dept. of Public Health — radioactive materials
Why This Partnership
What Sets the JV Apart
Procurement officers evaluating teams for AML and radiological remediation work will find a JV that addresses every common gap in the field.
Preferred Federal Vehicle
SBA 8(a) certification combined with SBA Mentor-Protégé status means we qualify for sole-source awards and set-aside contracts that accelerate procurement timelines.
Navajo Nation Priority 2
Tribal preference on Four Corners federal work. Clawson's decades of community relationships and cultural competency are built in — not bolted on.
One Contract, Full Lifecycle
Most JVs bring heavy equipment or radiological expertise. We bring both. From initial mine characterization through final waste disposal and NRC license termination.
Remote-Site Proven
75+ project areas across Navajo Nation land with no paved road access. Our logistics, crew welfare, and water management systems are purpose-built for austere terrain.
50+ Combined Years
Clawson's 23 years of AML excavation and EnergySolutions' 30+ years of licensed radiological operations give the JV a combined track record unmatched by newer entrants.
Native American-Owned Core
Liz Clawson, Navajo Nation citizen, founded and leads Clawson Excavating — a WOSB recognized four times by federal and tribal agencies for environmental stewardship.
Ready to evaluate the team?
We work directly with contracting officers and prime contractors. Request our qualifications package or discuss project scope.