By: Edward T. DeLisle

On December 22, 2010, the VA announced that it had selected the first twenty (20) mentor-protégé teams to participate in its newly minted Mentor-Protégé Program. The program is designed to assist firms that have already been verified as veteran-owned or service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses by the VA. Eligible firms are permitted to team with mentors, who are expected to provide developmental assistance to their protégé(s). In return for providing assistance to protégé firms, the VA has stated that mentors can expect “proposal evaluation consideration” with regard to proposals submitted on “best value” solicitations. Moreover, large business prime contractors serving as mentors can receive subcontracting plan credits in connection with a specific VA contract. Protégé firms are limited to one mentor at a time and can only participate in the program twice. There are no specific limitations such as this placed on mentor firms.

The VA expects to name five (5) more mentor-protégé teams this month. After this month, the next set of teams will be selected in August, 2011. For additional information on the program, interested contractors should review the VA’s Mentor-Protégé Program Guidebook.

Edward T. DeLisle is a Partner in the firm and a member of the Federal Contracting Practice Group.