Selection Criteria

Any small businesses that have participated in a DOE protégé agreement in the past are not eligible to participate in the Y-12 Mentor Protégé Program. The following types of small businesses are eligible:

• Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) that meet the requirements of Title 13 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 124, subpart B
• HUBZone companies that meet the requirements of Title 13 CFR 126, subpart B
• 8(a) Contractors certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and eligible under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act
• Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) that meet the requirements of Title 15 United States Code (U.S.C.) 637(d)(3)(D)
• Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) as defined in Public Law (P.L.) 106 50, Veterans Entrepreneurship Small Business Development Act of 1999
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of 34 CFR 608.2
• Other Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs) of higher learning determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1067k

In addition, companies must

• Be eligible for work under a government/federal contract
• Have been in business for a minimum of three to five years before applying for the Mentor Protégé Program
• Provide verification of a strong financial balance sheet
• Exhibit competent management organization, staff level, and technical experience for the purpose of performing and completing project-oriented assignments
• Have a proven accounting system that meets DCAA definition of generally accepted accounting practices to prove the company is capable of tracking costs associated with performing government contracts
• Have approved corporate business, marketing, human resource, health and safety, and quality assurance plans
• Prove company ownership and management commitment and involvement
• Provide at least two business references related to performance of projects or business practices

Local presence is a plus but is not mandatory. Experience in the completion of a DOE/NNSA contract(s)/projects is preferred.

In addition to the above criteria, the following will be given consideration:

• Experience in subcontracting with Y-12
• Possession of a certified Quality Assurance Program (i.e., ISO 9000 or NQA1)
• Ability to maintain Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence (FOCI) approval
• Multi-site and multi-agency experience
• Bonding capacity (for construction)
• Number of employees
• Current annual revenues

A typical duration of a mentor protégé agreement is 2 years with one 1-year option. At the end of this period, the protégés graduate from the program.

If you have questions about the selection criteria, please contact us.