15 U.S.C. § 657r: Mentor-protege programs

The Administrator is authorized to establish a mentor-protege program for all small business concerns. The mentor-protege program established under paragraph (1) shall be identical to the mentor-protege program of the Administration for small business concerns that participate in the program under section 637(a) of this title (as in effect on January 2, 2013 ), except that the Administrator may modify the program to the extent necessary given the types of small business concerns included as proteges. positive consideration in any past performance evaluation of the covered mentor; and the application of costs incurred for providing training to such covered protege to the subcontracting plan (as required under paragraph (4) or (5) of section 637(d) of this title ) of the covered mentor. positive consideration in any past performance evaluation of the covered territory mentor; and the application of costs incurred for providing training to such covered territory protege to the subcontracting plan (as required under paragraph (4) or (5) of section 637(d) of this title ) of the covered territory mentor. the head of the department or agency submits a plan to the Administrator for the program; and the Administrator approves such plan. will assist proteges to compete for Federal prime contracts and subcontracts; and complies with the regulations issued under paragraph (3). are between a covered protege and a covered mentor; or are between a covered territory protege and a covered territory mentor. The types of developmental assistance to be provided by mentors, including how the assistance provided shall improve the competitive viability of the proteges. Whether any developmental assistance provided by a mentor may affect the status of a program participant as a small business concern due to affiliation. The length of mentor-protege relationships. The effect of mentor-protege relationships on contracting. Benefits that may accrue to a mentor as a result of program participation. Reporting requirements during program participation. Postparticipation reporting requirements. The need for a mentor-protege pair, if accepted to participate as a pair in a mentor-protege program of any Federal department or agency, to be accepted to participate as a pair in all Federal mentor-protege programs. may adversely affect the protege’s status as a small business concern; or provide disproportionate economic benefits to the mentor relative to those provided the protege. The types of assistance provided by a mentor to assist with compliance with the requirements of contracting with the Federal Government after award of a contract or subcontract under this section. Any mentor-protege program of the Department of Defense. Any mentoring assistance provided under a Small Business Innovation Research Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer Program. Until the date that is 1 year after the date on which the Administrator issues regulations under paragraph (3), any Federal department or agency operating a mentor-protege program in effect on January 2, 2013 . identifies each Federal mentor-protege program; small business concerns; small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans; qualified HUBZone small business concerns; small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; or small business concerns owned and controlled by women; describes the type of assistance provided to proteges under each such program; describes the benefits provided to mentors under each such program; and describes the progress of proteges under each such program with respect to competing for Federal prime contracts and subcontracts. The head of each Federal department or agency carrying out a mentor-protege program shall provide to the Administrator, on an annual basis, the information necessary for the Administrator to submit a report required under paragraph (1). has the ability to assist and commits to assisting a protege to compete for Federal prime contracts and subcontracts; and satisfies any other requirements imposed by the Administrator. The term “mentor-protege program” means a program that pairs a mentor with a protege for the purpose of assisting the protege to compete for Federal prime contracts and subcontracts. is eligible to enter into Federal prime contracts and subcontracts; and satisfies any other requirements imposed by the Administrator. The term “covered mentor” means a mentor that enters into an agreement under this chapter, or under any mentor-protege program approved under subsection (b)(1), with a covered protege. The term “covered protege” means a protege of a covered mentor that is a Puerto Rico business. The term “covered territory mentor” means a mentor that enters into an agreement under this chapter, or under any mentor-protege program approved under subsection (b)(1), with a covered territory protege. The term “covered territory protege” means a protege of a covered territory mentor that is a covered territory business. Mentors and proteges with approved agreement in a program operating pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(C) shall be permitted to continue their relationship according to the terms specified in their agreement until the expiration date specified in the agreement. Agencies operating mentor protege programs pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(C) shall submit the plans specified in subsection (b)(1)(A) to the Administrator within 6 months of the promulgation of rules required by subsection (b)(3). The Administrator shall provide initial comments on each plan within 60 days of receipt, and final approval or denial of each plan within 180 days after receipt.