DoD Mentor-Protege Program

Eligibility Requirements

• •Mentor must be a DoD prime contractor or subcontractor with an active subcontracting plan
• •Protege must qualify under a socioeconomic category (SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc.)
• •Protege cannot be a subsidiary of the mentor or share common ownership
• •Mentor-protege agreement must include specific developmental assistance milestones
• •Mentor must have capacity to provide meaningful developmental assistance
• •Protege cannot currently participate as a protege in another DoD MPP agreement

Certification Process

Mentor and protege submit a joint agreement to the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for approval. The agreement must detail specific types of developmental assistance, measurable milestones, and a timeline not exceeding three years. DoD OSBP reviews for protege eligibility, mentor capability, and agreement quality. Approved agreements include annual reporting requirements and may be extended for up to two additional years.

Contracting Benefits

• +Mentor receives credit toward small business subcontracting goals
• +Developmental costs may be reimbursed as allowable contract costs
• +Protege develops capability for larger DoD subcontracts and prime contracts
• +Joint ventures between mentor and protege for DoD contracts
• +Enhanced past performance references for protege from mentor relationship
• +DoD-specific networking and matchmaking opportunities