Understanding the SBA's New Mentor-Protégé Program

In late 2016, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched its long-awaited Mentor-Protégé Program for all small businesses. This new program significantly expands qualified small businesses' access to assistance from qualified "mentor" businesses. It allows mentors to engage more directly with their small business partners to meet subcontracting plan goals and, in appropriate circumstances, enter joint ventures with their protégés to pursue set-aside contracts that the mentor would otherwise be ineligible to receive.

Through the first quarter of 2017, the SBA has approved more than 100 new mentor-protégé arrangements. The new program will have significant impacts on the overall federal procurement landscape as more mentor-protégé teams enter the set-aside market.

This program will discuss several issues relevant to the SBA's new Mentor-Protégé Program, including:

• benefits and eligibility requirements of the SBA's Mentor-Protégé Program 
• practical and legal issues associated with forming and performing mentor-protégé agreements 
• macro changes to the federal procurement market that are likely to flow from the new program

Presenters

• David Black  |  Partner, Tysons
• Bob Tompkins  |  Partner, Washington, D.C.
• Rodney Perry  |  Associate, Washington, D.C.

Continuing Legal Education

Holland & Knight will make all reasonable efforts to seek CLE credit for this program in states with an MCLE requirement. Holland & Knight is an approved provider in several jurisdictions, including California, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Texas. In certain instances, some programs may not be awarded CLE credits because of content, delivery or jurisdictional restrictions. For New York attorneys, this program's format qualifies for CLE for transitional (newly admitted) and experienced attorneys.