October 5, 2016
SBA to Start Accepting Mentor-Protégé Applications
Source: JD Supra Business Advisor, Anne Marie Tavella, September 30, 2016
On Oct.1, 2016, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will begin accepting applications for the new All Small Mentor-Protégé Program.
This program has been several years in the making and follows authorizations in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, which allowed the SBA to create mentor-protégé programs for all small business programs. Rather than create individual mentor-protégé programs for each small business program, such as women owned or service disabled veteran owned small businesses, the SBA has developed a single program for all small businesses that meet the eligibility criteria.
The SBA finalized the regulation underlying this new program, 13 CFR 125.9, on July 25, 2016. Previously only the 8(a) Disadvantaged Business program had a mentor-protégé program. Subject to SBA approval, the program allows a small business concern (SBC) to partner with a large business concern qualifying mentor company to assist with the small business’s development. Small businesses and their large business mentors that qualify for the new program will be eligible to bid on small business set-aside contracts as a joint venture, provided the small business qualifies for the award. In other words, if a contract is set aside for a veteran-owned small business, a veteran-owned small business that meets the size standard for the contract may team up with its large business mentor to bid on and perform the contract. READ MORE….
Contact your nearest PTAC to learn more about government contracting mentor-protégé program.
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For help with Government Contracting: contact your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Funded through Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. Department of Defense and state and local governments/institutions, PTACs provide free and low-cost assistance in virtually all areas of government contracting.