In early February, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
released a proposed rule that would significantly expand
opportunities for small businesses to participate in the
mentor-protégé program by creating a government-wide
mentor-protégé framework and clarifying the related
rules on joint ventures. These proposed changes would implement the
Jobs Act of 2010 and the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA). Contractors and other industry participants are encouraged
to comment on the proposed rule by April 6, 2015.
Establishment of a Government-Wide Mentor-Protégé
Program
The mentor-protégé program was created as a
business development tool in which mentors provide
protégés with various types of assistance, including
"technical and/or management assistance; financial assistance
in the form of equity investments and/or loans; subcontracts;
and/or assistance performing Federal prime contracts through joint
venture arrangements." To achieve this objective
