Since 1991, the Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) has offered substantial assistance to small disadvantaged businesses. Having helped them to expand the overall base of their marketplace participation has produced more jobs and increased national income. The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program assists small businesses (Protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with large companies (Mentors) under individual, project-based Agreements.

Mentors

• Must be eligible for award of Federal contracts and have at least one active approved subcontracting plan negotiated with DoD
• Must be committed to small business & the development of the protégé
• Can mentor more than 1 protégé under separate agreements

Protégés

• Certified Small Disadvantaged Business
• Qualified organization employing the severely disabled
• Women-Owned Small Business
• Qualified HUBZone Small Business
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
• Must be eligible for award of Federal contracts

Agreements

The DOD MPP permits two types of agreements

Credit – Allows mentor to receive credit against their SDB subcontracting goals for costs incurred due to development assistance provided to the protégé.

Direct Reimbursement – Allows mentor to receive monetary reimbursement of costs incurred due to development assistance provided to the protégé.

Note: The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program differs significantly from the Small Business Administration's Mentor-Protégé Program.

For Additional Information:

• DOD Mentor-Protégé Program
• DFARS 219.71
• SBA Mentor-Protégé Program