![]() ![]() Second, the OIG found that the ASMPP did not effectively ensure small business protégés developed as intended or adequately measure benefits of the program overall. ![]() If SBA heeds its OIG’s advice, new program applicants should be on the lookout for the additional requirement. ![]() While SBA already uploaded the mentor certification form to, the form is not mandatory at this time, so OIG recommended “implementing mandatory use” of the form. To combat this problem, “SBA drafted a certification form for mentors to complete and submit during the application process” requiring mentors to promise compliance with the applicable regulations. As a result, the OIG concluded that “there is little assurance that unqualified mentors are not participating in the program and receiving program benefits, including small business set-aside and sole source contracts, for which they would not otherwise be eligible.” §125.9(b), the OIG noted that the current mentor-protégé agreement template and application and annual report questionnaires focus almost exclusively on protégés. While mentors are required to meet a number of conditions for participation in the program under 13 C.F.R. ![]() According to the OIG, this failure stemmed from the application and annual report processes. We’ll highlight some of the main issues that the OIG identified and then discuss how the report may impact the program.įirst, the OIG determined that the ASMPP’s structure didn’t properly ensure that unqualified mentors weren’t receiving program benefits. Recently, however, the SBA’s Office of the Inspector General released a report highlighting some opportunities to improve the program and recommending SBA take additional steps to ensure compliance with the program’s requirements. Since then, the ASMPP has served as a powerful tool for many businesses and, as of August 1, there were 885 active mentor-protégé agreements. The SBA must find that there are not any control or affiliation issues that exist between the mentor and the protégé.In 2016, SBA established the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program, or ASMPP, enabling mentors of any size to provide business development assistance to small protégé businesses to enhance the protégé’s ability to compete for federal contracts.The SBA must make a determination that the mentor-provided assistance will promote real developmental gains for the protege, not just act as a contracting vehicle for the large business to partake in small business set-aside contracts.Requirements for approval by the SBA of the mentor-protégé agreement: Have no more than three protégés at a time.Be organized for profit or as an agricultural cooperative.Have no more than two mentors in the business’ lifetimeĪll Small program qualification (large business/mentor).Be organized as a for-profit business or as an agricultural cooperative.Have a proposed mentor for the joint venture.Be a small business with industry experience in which the joint venture is formed to seek contracts.General and administrative assistance, like human resource sharing or security clearance support, can be utilized as part of the agreementĪll Small program qualifications (small business/protégé).Business development, including strategy and identifying contracting and partnership opportunities.Education about international trade, strategic planning, and finding markets.Assistance navigating federal contract bidding, acquisition, and performance process.Financial assistance in the form of equipment investments loans, and bonding.Guidance on internal business management systems, accounting, marketing, manufacturing, and strategic planning.Benefits to Protégés of All Small Mentor-Protégé Program: This includes contracts set-aside for veteran-owned, woman-owned, 8(a), and HUBZone businesses. These joint venture would then qualify for all set-aside contracts in which the small business is eligible. Mentors and protégés in the All Small program can form joint ventures. MBE (Minority Businesses) Certifications.Alaska Native Corporation / Tribally-Owned Companies – Services. ![]()
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