Mentor-Protege Programs Have Policies That Aim to Benefit Participants But Do Not Require Postagreement Tracking

Book excerpt: A mentor-protege program is an arrangement in which mentors businesses, typically experienced prime contractors provide technical, managerial, and other business development assistance to eligible small businesses, or proteges. In return, the programs provide incentives for mentor participation, such as credit towardsubcontracting goals, additional evaluation points toward the awarding of contracts, an annual award to the mentor providing the most effective developmental support to a protege, and in some cases, cost reimbursement. Overall, mentor-protege programs seek to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete more successfully for federal government contracts by furnishing them with assistance to improve their performance. This report identifies 13 federal agencies that currently have mentor-protege programs and examines whether they are effectively supporting the goal of increasing small business participation in federal government contracting. Includes recommendations. Figures. This is a print on demand report.