The SBA Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) is designed to cultivate strong protégé firms through mentor-provided business development assistance, and to help protégés successfully compete for government contracts. As of November 16, 2020, the 8(a) Mentor-Protégé program and the All-Small Mentor-Protégé program merged into one SBA Mentor-Protégé Program.

What are the Benefits of the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program?

• Removes the need for businesses to choose between two mentor-protégé programs
• Streamlines the new program while keeping the same benefits as the two former programs
• Requires less SBA involvement for joint ventures
• Mentor-protégé agreement clarifications of Title 13 Part 125.9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
• New and updated tools to encourage participation in the MPP
• Changes to the joint venture review and approval process
• Guidance on internal business management systems, accounting, marketing, manufacturing, and strategic planning
• Financial assistance in the form of equity investments, loans, and bonding
• Assistance navigating federal contract bidding, acquisition, and the federal procurement process
• Education about international trade, strategic planning, and finding markets
• Business development, including strategy and identifying contracting and partnership opportunities
• General and administrative assistance, like human resource sharing or security clearance support

What Company can be a Protégé?

• One that meets the SBA’s Size Standard or SBA’s table of small business size standards
• Is for profit or in Agriculture
• A Protégé may have two mentors at the same time without conflict or competition
• A company may not have more than two mentors over the life of the business

Who can be a Mentor?

• Is for profit or in Agriculture
• Is able to carry out its responsibilities to assist the protégé
• Possess good character
• Does not appear on the federal list of debarred or suspended contractors
• Is able to impart value to a protégé firm due to lessons learned and practical experience gained or through its knowledge of general business operations and government contracting

How long does the mentor protégé program last?

• A mentor protégé relationship may last up to 6 years
• The program may be extended by mutual agreement between protégé and mentor

How to Apply to the MPP?

• Make sure both businesses are registered at SAM.gov
• The SBA must determine that the mentor-provided assistance will promote real developmental gains for the protégé and not just act as a vehicle to receive federal small business set-asides.
• Decide whether you are applying for an MPP using your primary or secondary NAICS Code
• Both businesses must complete the SBA’s online tutorial and make sure to save your completion certificates.
• Both Mentor and the Protégé must execute the Mentor-Protégé Agreement(MPA Addendum)
• SBA requires 15 days screening and 90 days processing to complete an MPA
• An applicant protégé and its prospective mentor may not be affiliated at the time of application (Affiliates: one party has the power to control the other, or a third party or parties’ controls or has the power to control both.)

Mentor-Protégé Agreement

• Agreement template may be found in the SBA website.

How are MPP’s Evaluated?

• The MPP relationship is evaluated Annually.
• The SBA considers the progression of relationship.
• The SBA measures the benefits received.
• There may be proposed amendments to the mentor-protégé agreement.
• Evaluation can result in voluntary terminations of the mentor-protégé agreement or incomplete evaluation termination.
• A protégé may exchange a new mentor for the existing one.

For over 20 years, Coley has supports small and large businesses navigate government contracting.  If you have additional questions on, contact Coley GCS directly by phone at 210-402-6766, email at hello@coleygsa.com or schedule a call. In addition, you can visit FedMap.us, a powerful platform to accelerate government contractor success.

JF Bierlein

Senior Consultant with Coley GCS, LLC, a Government Contracts Consulting, Coaching and Training company. Published author and certified FedMap Coach with over 40 years’ experience working with Federal agencies and contractors.