- Small Business Programs
-
- Historically Black Colleges, Universities & Minority Institutions Program
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program
- Indian Incentive Program (Includes Alaskans and Hawaiians)
- Small Business Programs
- Small Disadvantaged Businesses & 8(a)
- Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs
- Women-Owned Small Business Program
Mentor-Protégé Program
The Mentor-Protégé Program assists eligible Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with major defense contractors (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements to help meet the Air Force mission. Several Air Force Mentor-Protégé teams have received prestigious Nunn-Perry awards for superior performance.
Mentor companies:
- Provide developmental assistance and technology transfer to their protégés
- Are directly reimbursed for services provided to protéégés
Protégés:
- Establish relationships with major Air Force contractors
- Develop necessary business and technical capabilities to perform significant work on Air Force and other Department of Defense (DoD) contracts
- Expand and diversify their customer base
Eligibility Criteria
Mentors must be:
- DoD prime contractors eligible for the award of federal contracts, with at least one active subcontracting plan
Protégés must be:
- A small disadvantaged business qualifications; and
- A women-owned small business; and/or
- A service-disabled veteran-owned small business; and/or
- A qualified HUBZone small business
Note: Mentors and protégés are solely responsible for finding their counterpart. The Air Force Office of Small Business Programs does not participate in the teaming of mentors and protéégés. Interested firms are encouraged to explore existing business relationships in an effort to establish a Mentor-Protégé relationship.
References
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARs), Subpar 219.71
DFARS Appendix I
DoD Mentor-Protégé Home Page
DoD Major Prime Contractors List
Locate a Small Business Specialist
Use the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs Locator to find the right Small Business Specialist for your opportunity.
Click to Start SearchContract Opportunities
Search the Long Range Acquisition Estimate (LRAE) database to identify upcoming procurements from the U.S. Air Force.
Click to Start Search