GSA proposes mentor/protégé program
The program would team new, small businesses with experienced contractors, giving the small players business guidance and other aid.
The General Services Administration would like to have its own mentor/protégé program and is seeking public comment on the proposal.In a Federal Register notice published today, GSA seeks permission to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation to include the program.Mentor/protégé programs have proved popular. Typically, an agency with such a program matches small, inexperienced firms with larger, established players for a certain period of time. The larger companies provide business guidance and lessons learned. In addition, the small players participate in contracts, earn revenue and gain some past-performance credentials under the guidance of the larger firms.The mentor companies, meanwhile, gain the technical skills of the protégé and, potentially, partnerships that outlast the formal mentor/protégé arrangements.Public comments are due by Aug. 11.To comment: Go to www.regulations.gov and type "GSAR Case 2006-G501'' under the heading "Comment or Submission."