6 U.S.C. § 475a Mentor-Protege Program

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-34 (published on www.congress.gov on 12/26/2023), except for [P. L. 118-31]
• Year: 2023
• Citation: 6 U.S.C. § 475a

(a) Establishment

There is established in the Department a mentor-protege program (in this section referred to as the "Program") under which a mentor firm enters into an agreement with a protege firm for the purpose of assisting the protege firm to compete for prime contracts and subcontracts of the Department.

(b) Eligibility

The Secretary shall establish criteria for mentor firms and protege firms to be eligible to participate in the Program, including a requirement that a firm is not included on any list maintained by the Federal Government of contractors that have been suspended or debarred.

(c) Program application and approval

(1) Application

The Secretary, acting through the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department, shall establish a process for submission of an application jointly by a mentor firm and the protege firm selected by the mentor firm. The application shall include each of the following:

(A) A description of the assistance to be provided by the mentor firm, including, to the extent available, the number and a brief description of each anticipated subcontract to be awarded to the protege firm.

(B) A schedule with milestones for achieving the assistance to be provided over the period of participation in the Program.

(C) An estimate of the costs to be incurred by the mentor firm for providing assistance under the Program.

(D) Attestations that Program participants will submit to the Secretary reports at times specified by the Secretary to assist the Secretary in evaluating the protege firm's developmental progress.

(E) Attestations that Program participants will inform the Secretary in the event of a change in eligibility or voluntary withdrawal from the Program.

(2) Approval

Not later than 60 days after receipt of an application pursuant to paragraph (1), the head of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization shall notify applicants of approval or, in the case of disapproval, the process for resubmitting an application for reconsideration.

(3) Rescission

The head of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization may rescind the approval of an application under this subsection if it determines that such action is in the best interest of the Department.

(d) Program duration

A mentor firm and protege firm approved under subsection (c) shall enter into an agreement to participate in the Program for a period of not less than 36 months.