Im trying to find a Mentor company in order to participate in the mentor protege program. Its hard finding a mentor company that will give a small business a shot.
Answers
Andre-
Thanks for your service!
Without knowing your company's capabilities or what specific agency you are targeting for business, here are some general suggestions to help you find a mentor company:
- Reach out to the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) for the agency where you have current performance and/or are seeking business opportunities. They might know of firms that have supported the mentor / protege program in the past, or firms that may be willing to engage in that program.
- In addition to specific Departments such as DoD and DHS, consider larger government agencies such as GSA and SBA, who have their own mentor / protege programs. Here is a list of previous GSA program participants that might give you some ideas on interested companies: http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/staffoffices/MentorProtegeParticipantsListforExternalPage-APRIL282011.pdf
- If you can't find a company willing to be a member right away, then consider utilizing your local PTAC counselors who can provide you with the specific mentoring you need: Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (http://www.aptac-us.org/contracting-assistance/
Feel free to message me if you have any questions on the above resources or if you'd like to discuss specific ideas on finding the right mentor company for your industry/targeted agency.
Thanks again!
Deb
Hello Andre,
I am currently working for the Navy and a Logistics consultant. I understand your situation and know there are agencies that participate in this mentor/protégé relationship. I am a big advocate for the mentor program with my current command and have been a mentor/coach for personnel within the federal government and private industry. As a certified coach I believe in the value a coach brings to the individual and/or the company. With the brief detail you have entered I would offer that you have a couple of options in front of you. Look into finding a mentor/coach to assist you with getting things in the proper order and set you up for success or based on the type of business you have look into teaming with an established company that you can confidently provide your service or product(s). Either way, I'm happy to help.
Rashid Hill
L3ProCoach
The DOD and other federal agencies, have a Mentor/protege program., where the smaller company finds a mentor company to agree to take a shot at getting approved for the program. Once you have found a mentor company willing to take you in as there protege, you then fill out the paper work,and hope to get approved. if approved, when the mentor company bids on contracts through that agency, the protege company becomes the mentor companies sub-contractor. So, the "giving a small business a shot" reference was about finding a mentor company willing to agree to take you in as a small business protege, and applying for the program.
Andre, I sought a mentor in a role similar to those which I aspired. He was a good resource in that he answered some questions and introduced me to folks who could answer some questions.
Could you clarify what you mean by "giving a small business a shot"?
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