Protege Requirements

To participate in the program, the Protege must be in good standing in the 8(a) program and must be current with all reporting requirements. In addition, the Protege must also meet one of the following requirements:

• It must be in the developmental stage of the 8(a) program.
• It must have never received an 8(a) contract.
• It must have a size of less than half the size standard for a small business based on its primary NAICS/SIC code.

MPP Certification for Non-8(a) Firms

Federal regulations require that any firm that is not an 8(a) certified firm but is seeking to be eligible as a Small Disadvantaged Business for participation as a Protege under the Mentor-Protege Program must be certified as an SDB by the Small Business Administration. Self-certifications are no longer sufficient.

Contact the local SBA District Office for an application package. Submit the completed application to SBA's Assistant Administrator for Small Disadvantaged Business Certification and Eligibility (AA/SDBCE). No firm will be recognized as an SDB without certification by the SBA for any of the purchasing programs that give an SDB preference for award.