DoD Mentor Protégé Program
Shannon C. Jackson, Program Manager
DoD Office of Small Business Programs
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DoD Mentor Protégé Program
The Department’s Mentor-Protégé Pilot Program was established November 5,
1990 (Public Law 101-510) in an effort to respond to concerns, raised by DoD
prime contractors, that many SDBs did not possess the technical capabilities to
perform DoD subcontract requirements making it difficult for these prime
contractors to achieve their SDB subcontracting goals.
Current Status:
• Reauthorized November 25, 2015 via National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA) 2016
• Direct reimbursement of costs and credit towards subcontracting goals
may be incurred through September 30, 2018
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* IAW Public Law 114-92, Section 861, subsection (j)(2)
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Program Objectives
Provide incentives to major DoD contractors by:
Furnishing technical and business assistance to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs)
that employ the severely disabled, Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Service-
Disabled Veteran-Owned and Controlled Businesses (SDVOSB) and Qualified HUBZone
Small Businesses
Enhancing their capabilities to satisfy DoD and other contract and sub-contract
requirements
Increasing the overall participation of protégé firms to perform as subcontractors and
suppliers under DoD, other Federal agency, and commercial contracts
Fostering the establishment of long-term business relationships which benefit DoD and
the Defense Industrial Base (DIB)
Increasing DoD Protégé firms’ technical and business infrastructure capabilities to
contract with DoD or other Federal agencies
Demonstrating benefits to the Warfighter through technology transfer: Prototyping,
Testing, Evaluation
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How is Program Success Measured
DOD OSBP MPP Metrics:
• An increase in the dollar value of contract and subcontract awards, and revenue to protégé
firms (under DoD
contracts, contracts awarded by other Federal/Non-Federal agencies
and commercial contracts) from the date of DOD Mentor-Protégé Agreement (MPA)
execution until 2-years after conclusion of the MPA
• An increase in the number and dollar value of sub-contracts awarded to Protégé firms (and
former Protégé firms) by the Mentor firm
• An increase in the employment levels of Protégé firms from the date of MPA execution
until 2-years after MPA completion
• The number of potential innovative technologies transferred into DoD Programs of Record
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Key Factors for a Successful
MPP Relationship
• When the department increases the industrial base with a qualified vendor that can
support the Warfighter’s needs through technology transfer or services…a “win-
win.”
• When the Protégé is able to continue to grow long after the agreement ends.
• When the Mentor and Protégé achieve a long-term partnership with the department
and other Federal agencies. In some cases, the Protégé is the Prime and the Mentor
is the sub.
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Key Factors for an MPP Agreement
• Establish a quality relationship between the Mentor and Protégé.
- “It’s like marriage, you have to date prior to getting married.”
- Recommended timeframe is 12-18 months before applying for the MPP.
• Identify mutual benefits for the Mentor and the Protégé prior to selecting a
candidate.
• Ensure goals and priorities for both companies are aligned prior to the agreement.
• Ensure the Mentor and Protégé company leadership is committed to the program.
• Ensure there is strong communication between the Mentor, Protégé, and
the Agency PM.
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• Since 2013 current and former MPP protégés have contributed nearly $16 billion of work to the DoD
industrial base
• This averages out to over $3 billion a year
• In FY 2017 alone, there were over 350 former MPP protégés on prime contracts for the DoD
Mentor-Protégé Program – Protégés
Contribution to the DoD Industrial Base
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• Current and former protégés performed on prime contracts in 21 different agencies
• Current and former protégés performed over 90% of this work within the Army, Navy,
Air Force, DISA, and DLA
FY 2017 Protégé Contribution by Service and Agency Dollars Obligated
DEPT OF THE ARMY $922.35M
DEPT OF THE NAVY $755.15M
DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE $1.01B
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY (DISA) $425.39M
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY $102.21M
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY (MDA) $71.77M
U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND (USSOCOM) $45.98M
WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES (WHS) $35.97M
DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) $29.85M
USTRANSCOM $18.97M
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY (DTRA) $14.24M
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE (DFAS) $11.70M
DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY (DMA) $9.76M
DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY $5.08M
DEFENSE SECURITY SERVICE $3.06M
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) $1.94M
DEPT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY (DODEA) $1.92M
DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY $1.88M
DEFENSE MICROELECTRONICS ACTIVITY (DMEA) $1.78M
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES (USUHS) $676,031
DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY (DECA) $69,021
ALL OTHERS (5.26%)
FY 2017 Protégés Contribution
by Service/Agency
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MPP Protégé Impact on Major
Defense Programs
AN/APY- 10 Maritime/Overland Radar
F-35 Aircraft
Standard Missile -3 (SM-3)
P-8A-Poseidon
KC-130J Aircraft
AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
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Mentor Protégé Program Participants
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DoD MPP Agreement Breakout
AIR FORCE - 8
12%
ARMY - 13
19%
DCMA - 15
22%
DIA - 5
8%
MDA - 14
21%
NAVY - 3
5%
NGA - 9
13%
NSA - 0
0%
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Mentor Protégé Program Updates
Changes effective 23 March 2018
1. New reporting requirements for mentor firms to provide information to
DoD OSBP to support decisions regarding continuation of particular
mentor-protégé agreements
2. New eligibility criteria: add limitations on a protégé firms participation in
the MPP
3. Nontraditional Defense Contractor
4. Extends the program until September 2021
5. Amends requirements for business development assistance provided by a
mentor firm and for reimbursement of fees assessed by the mentor firm
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Types of MPP Agreements
DoD Mentor-Protégé Agreements (MPAs)
• Direct Reimbursement MPAs
• Credit MPAs
• Hybrid MPAs (Credit MPA + Reimbursement MPA)
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Directly Reimbursed MP Agreements
Direct Reimbursement of cost of developmental assistance:
• Identify specific contract vehicle/contracting officer
endorsement
• Highly encouraged to use HBCU/MI/SBDC/PTAC
• Direct cost reimbursement of allowable costs outlined
in Appendix I, including:
• Direct labor costs (for assistance by Mentor firm employees)
• Assistance provided by HBCU/MI/SBDC/PTAC
• Other costs
• Detailed Cost Breakdown
• Service Components/Other Defense Agencies (ODAs) may have
additional mission priorities and requirements
• Requires Service Component/Other Defense Agency (ODA)
Approval
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Credit MP Agreements
Provides credit toward DoD subcontracting goals:
• Requires Defense Contract Management Agency
(DCMA) approval
• More focused on business infrastructure
• Costs incurred under Credit Agreement
• May be applied (in the following multiples) towards
SDB subcontracting goals under any Federal Agency
Subcontracting plan: (FAR 19.703)
• 4x for assistance provided by HBCU/MI/SBDC/PTAC i.e.
$400,000 SubK credit given if $100,000 in SDB assistance
is provided by a DoD Mentor via an HBCU/MI, SBDC, or
PTAC
• 3x for labor assistance by Mentor firm employees
• 2x other costs (example: travel or training)
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Criteria for MPP Agreements
• Must show value to DoD and enhance Defense Industrial Base
• May not exceed 3 years
• Must have milestones
• Must have metrics
• Must provide estimated dollar amount of subcontracts
• Must provide detailed cost breakdown
• The total amount reimbursed to a DoD Mentor for costs of assistance
furnished to a DoD Protégé in a fiscal year may not exceed $1M
• The average cost of a 3-year direct reimbursed agreement is $500,000 —
$750,000 (for all three years)
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New MPP Mentor Eligibility under
NDAA 2016*
To be eligible to participate as a mentor, an entity must—
(1) Be eligible for the award of Federal contracts;
(2) Demonstrate that it—
(i) Is qualified to provide assistance that will contribute to the purpose of the Program;
(ii) Is of good financial health and character; and
(iii) Is not on a Federal list of debarred or suspended contractors; and
(3) Be capable of imparting value to a protégé firm because of experience gained as a
DoD contractor or through knowledge of general business operations and Government
contracting, as demonstrated by evidence that such entity—
(i) Received DoD contracts and subcontracts equal to or greater than $100 million
during the previous fiscal year;
(ii) Is an other-than-small business, unless a waiver to the small business exception
has been obtained from the Director, Small Business Programs (SBP), OUSD(AT&L);
(iii) Is a prime contractor to DoD with an active subcontracting plan; or
(iv) Has graduated from the 8(a) Business Development Program and provides
documentation of its ability to serve as a mentor.
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MPP Protégé Eligibility
A Qualifying Protégé must be one of the following:
• A “nontraditional defense contractor”
• A qualified HUBZone small business concern
• A Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
• A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Socio-economically disadvantaged small business
• A qualified organization employing the severely disabled
• An entity currently providing goods or services in the private sector critical to enhancing the
capabilities of the defense supplier base and key to fulfilling key DoD needs
• Eligible for award of Federal contracts
• Less than half the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for its primary North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP
AWARDS
ANNOUNCE MPP
APPLICATION
SUBMISSION
COMPONENT
SELECTION
COMPILE
APPLICATION
COMPONENT
OSBP/COMPONENT
SELECTION PROCESS
CONTRACT
PROCESS
AWARDS
COMPONENT
SELECTION
CONTRACT
PROCESS
OSBP/COMPONENT
SELECTION PROCESS
30 SEP
15 AUG
15 FEB
1 OCT
COMPILE
APPLICATION
COMPONENT
ANNOUNCE MPP
APPLICATION
SUBMISSION
10 Days
30 Days
45-60 Days30 Days
30 Days
10 Days
30 Days
45-60 Days
Mentor Protégé Program
Process Timeline
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Mentor Protégé Program Benefits
Benefits to DoD:
• Stimulate and transition innovative technologies into established
Defense Acquisition programs
• Resolve operational challenges and other critical national security
requirements
• Provides developmental and technical assistance to Protégé for
potential business opportunities with DoD agencies and other
federal agencies
Mentor Benefits:
• Develop long-term business relationships with
SDB concerns
• Develop SDB subcontracting base
• Teaming opportunities with the Protégé to win new contracts and/or
subcontracts
Protégé Benefits:
• Relevant technical assistance
• Teaming opportunities with the Mentor to win new contracts and/or
subcontracts
• DoD long-term Industrial Base partnership
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DoD/SBA MPP Program
Key Differences
DoD SBA 8(a) Business Development (BD) SBA All Small
Source
Appendix I of 48 CFR Chapter 2
Established under Sec 831 of Pub. L. 101-
510, the
NDAA for FY 1991.
13 CFR 124
13 CFR 125.9
Established by the Small Business Jobs Act
of 2010 and the NDAA 2013
Purpose
1. Enhance the capabilities the protégé to
perform as subcontractors and suppliers under
DOD contracts
2. Increase the participation of protégé as
subcontractors and suppliers under DOD
contracts.
1. Enhance the capabilities of the protégé (an
8(a) BD Program participant).
2. Assist the protégé with meeting the goals
established in its SBA
-approved business plan.
3. Improve the protégé’s ability to successfully
compete for contracts.
1. Enhance the capabilities of protégé firms
by requiring approved mentors to provide
business development assistance to
protégé firms.
2. Improve the protégé firms’ ability to
successfully compete for federal contracts.
Funding
(dollars in
millions)
23.1 million (fiscal year 2017)
None
None
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DoD/SBA MPP Program
Key Differences
DoD SBA 8(a) Business Development (BD) SBA All Small
Eligibility
Requirements
(Protégé)
Protégé must be one of the following:
1. Nontraditional defense contractor
2. HUBZone
3. WOSB
4. SDVOSB
4. Socio-economically disadvantaged SB
5. Employing the severely disabled
6. Providing goods or services critical to
enhancing DoD capabilities
7. Be eligible for award of Federal contracts.
8. Less than half the (SBA) size standard for its
primary NAICS code.
Protégé must:
1. Qualify as small for the size standard
corresponding to its primary or secondary NAICS
code
2. Demonstrate how the business development
assistance will advance the goals and objectives set
forth in its business plan.
Protégé must:
1. Qualify as small for the size standard
corresponding to its primary or
secondary NAICS code.
2. SBA will not approve a relationship in
a secondary NAICS code in which the
firm has no prior experience.
Eligibility
Requirements
(Mentors)
Mentor must be:
1. A prime contractor currently performing
under DoD contracts with at least one active
subcontracting plan; or
2. A graduated 8(a) firm that thoroughly
demonstrates its ability to serve as a mentor;
and
3. Be eligible for the award of Federal contracts
Mentor must:
1. Be capable of carrying out responsibilities as a
Mentor to assist the protégé firm.
2. Possess good character.
3. Not appear on the federal list of debarred or
suspended contractors; and
4. Be able to impart value to a protégé (from lessons
learned, practical experience gained from the 8(a) BD
program, or through its knowledge of general
business operations and government contracting)
Mentor must:
1. Be capable of carrying out
responsibilities as a Mentor
to assist the
protégé firm.
2. Possess good character.
3. Not appear on the federal list of
debarred or suspended contractors; and
4. Be able to impart value to a protégé
(from lessons learned or through its
knowledge of general business
operations and government
contracting)
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DoD/SBA MPP Program
Key Differences
DoD
SBA 8(a) Business
Development (BD)
SBA All Small
Max Number of
Agreements - Mentor
More than
one protégé depending on their
size.
One
to three protégés at a time with SBA
approval.
SBA may authorize a participant to be both a
mentor and a protégé at the same time.
One to three protégés at a time with SBA
approval.
SBA may authorize a participant to be both
a mentor and a protégé at the same time.
Max Number of
Agreements -Protégé
One
active DOD mentor-protégé
agreement
at a time.
One
mentor at a time.
SBA may approve a second mentor for a
particular protégé firm after additional
conditions are met.
One mentor at a time.
SBA may approve a second mentor for a
particular protégé firm after additional
conditions are met.
Developmental
Assistance Mentor
may
provide to Protégé
1. Management
and/or technical assistance
2. Award subcontracts
3. Make loans
4. Make
advance and/or progress payments
under
subcontracts
5. Obtain
assistance from Small Business
Developmental Centers, Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers, historically
black colleges and universities, or minority
institutions of higher education.
1. Management
and/or technical assistance
2. Award subcontracts
3.
Trade education
4.
Make loans and/or equity investments,
and cooperate on joint venture projects.
1. Management and/or technical assistance
2. Award subcontracts
3. Trade education
4. Make loans and/or equity investments,
and cooperate on joint venture projects.
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DoD/SBA MPP Program
Key Differences
DoD
SBA 8(a) Business
Development (BD)
SBA All Small
Mechanism to
encourage Mentor
Participation
Will provide mentors with either cost
reimbursement or credit against
applicable subcontracting goals
established under contracts with
DOD or other federal agencies.
A mentor and protégé may
participate in a joint venture as a
small business for any government
prime contract or subcontract,
including procurements with a dollar
value less than half the size standard
corresponding to the assigned NAICS
code and 8(a) sole source contracts,
provided the protégé qualifies as
small for the procurement and
additional provisions for 8(a) sole
source contracts.
A mentor and protégé may
participate in a joint venture as a
small business for any government
prime contract or subcontract,
provided the protégé qualifies as
small for the procurement. Such a
joint venture may seek any type of
small business contract (i.e., small
business set-aside, 8(a), HUBZone,
service-disabled veteran-owned
small business, or women-owned
small business) for which the
protégé firm qualifies and within
certain requirements, receives
exclusion from the affiliation rules
for the duration of the joint venture
agreement.
Procuring activities may provide
incentives in the contract evaluation
process to a mentor that will provide
significant subcontracting work to its
SBA- approved protégé firm, where
appropriate.
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• Receive congressional reauthorization for the Mentor Protégé Program
beyond 2021
• Identify ways to collaborate with SBIR, RIF, and MIBP to address critical
technology areas in which the Mentor Protégé Program support
• Expand the Mentor Protégé Program to other DoD agencies (DTRA, DISA,DSS)
• Develop an automated portal for the Mentor Protégé Program application
process
Mentor Protégé Program
Key Focus Areas
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“To build a successful partnership it needs to
be mutually beneficial and closely managed
with an emphasize on growing trust”
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Questions
