The Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé program is useful for small-business owners contracting with the federal government for the first time as it pairs them with experienced prime contractors (mentors) to provide guidance and assistance in areas such as business development, technical expertise, and access to contracts. Small businesses can gain invaluable experience in federal contracting, and also have the opportunity to subcontract and work together with mentors.
Consider, for instance, that I choose a small local company that makes precision parts. A business owner is seeking to grow and begin contracting with federal agencies for the first-time. The DoD Mentor-Protégé program would be useful for the small-business owner as it would pair them with an experienced prime contractor that specializes in manufacturing precision parts, who would provide guidance and assistance in areas such as business development, technical expertise, and access to contracts