The document discusses mentor-protégé programs, which provide incentives for large government contractors to assist and guide small businesses. The purpose is to help small businesses enhance their capabilities and participate in more contracts. Under these programs, an experienced mentor firm is matched with a protégé small business to provide management guidance, technical assistance, and other resources over time to help the small business grow. Both parties can benefit from new opportunities and relationships. Commitment is needed from both sides for the partnership to succeed.

1. Mentor Protégé (MP) Programs Dr. Bob Dawkins Director Education & Standards A-T Solutions Inc

3. MP Overview MP Program (DoD and DHS): Pre-eminent program within the Federal government for the transformation of a small business firm with high potential to a firm of substance All stakeholders (Mentor, Protégé, and DoD/DHS) enter an Agreement with a positive outlook and a need to succeed in a documented way by improving revenues, employment levels, and other key indicators of success such as technology enhancement or technology transfer. A process of teaming and building acumen in the use of improved business systems and strengthening infrastructure. Consensus is that the program has been positive, constructive, and useful in building stronger business relationships, elevating small business firms to a higher level, transferring technology, and fulfilling the supply needs of the DoD. http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/mentor_protege/

4. Qualifications Mentor firm must be: Currently performing under at least one active approved subcontracting plan negotiated with DoD or another Federal agency pursuant to FAR 19.702 (DHS-based on their primary NAICS code) http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/ North American Industry Classification System Currently eligible for the award of Federal contracts. Mentor Applications (DoD must be approved and may be submitted to the OSBP of the Cognizant Military Service or Defense Agency. http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/ Office of Small Business Programs

7. Benefit to Mentor Direct reimbursed Agreements are those in which the Mentor receives reimbursement for allowable costs of developmental assistance provided to the Protégé. These Agreements are outlined in DFARS Appendix I

8. Development Assistance A mentor firm can provide to a protégé firm include: Management guidance related to: Financial/Organizational management Overall business management/planning Business development Technical assistance Rent-free use of facilities and/or equipment Property Loans and any other types of mutually beneficial assistance

9. Challenges Like a good marriage: Both groups have to be committed Time and resources Partnerships should be carefully thought out Mentor should believe in potential of protégé and recognize ‘fit’ with its own organizational requirements Protégé must also compare cultural norms and ask; ‘is this mentor the best choice for my strategic goals Both groups have a clear WIIIFMS What-is-in-it-for-me statement

10. Exemplary Performance has been named as the newest partner in the Booz Allen Mentor-Protégé program. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has just approved Exemplary Performance as a protégé small business to Booz Allen. Booz Allen’s mentor-protégé program offers the best of two worlds: combining the resources, stability, and experience of a large, established business (mentor) with the innovation, focus, and energy of a small, emerging business (protégé).Today’s managers face a daunting challenge—responsibilities and demands for services have increased, but internal resources have decreased. To achieve their missions, managers need qualified, responsive, support contractors who can meet program requirements and deliver real value. Booz Allen and Exemplary Performance are ideally suited to help government agencies with the management and analytical services demanded by today’s critical Homeland Security programs. Mentor-Protégé programs have been designed so that everyone benefits from participating in them: Clients gain access to the corporate capabilities and resources of large companies and the emerging technologies that are often delivered by small companies Government agencies can support small business opportunities and meet their agencies’ small business prime and subcontracting goals Mentors are reimbursed or credited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program’s contract agreement and expand their small business subcontracting base Protégés gain access to the business and technical expertise and experience of a large firm, broaden their market areas and client base, and participate in new large-scale efforts they may be unable to lead on their own Exemplary_Performance@mail.vresp.com

11. Summation Must understand requirements Must outline relationship Recognize WIIIFMS Put in the necessary work/resources Most important: partner selection

12. Questions

13. References Small Business Sector Topic Mentor /Protégé Program PPT by Michael Davis http://www.freeppts.net/powerpoint/navy-mentor-prot233g233-program-208891.html http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/mentor_protege/ http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105301 http://www.sba.gov/content/mentor-prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9-program http://www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/smallbusiness/editorial_0716.shtm

14. http://www.state.gov/m/a/sdbu/c14690.htm http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/osbp_Mentor_Protege_Manual.pdf http://mentorprotege.gmu.edu/contact.html

15. Contact Information Dr. Bob Dawkins robertdawkins@a-tsolutions.com Office: 540-373-9542 Ext 105