Protégé Qualifications

Protégé Qualifications

Applicants interested in participating in the Y-12 Mentor Protégé Program must meet the qualifications listed below. Note that the Socioeconomic Programs Office has determined that any small businesses that have participated in a Department of Energy protégé agreement in the past will not be eligible to participate in the Y‑12 Mentor Protégé Program.

Criteria Required for 2010 Mentor Protégé Class Selection

• Be a small disadvantaged business that meets the requirements of Title 13 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 124, subpart B; an 8(a) contractor certified by the Small Business Administration and eligible under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act; a women-owned small business that meets the requirements of Title 15 United States Code (U.S.C.) 637(d)(3)(D); a service-disabled veteran as defined in Public Law (P.L.) 106 50, Veterans Entrepreneurship Small Business Development Act of 1999; a historically black college or university determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of 34 CFR 608.2; or other minority institution of higher learning determined by the Secretary of Education to meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1067k
• Be eligible for work under a government/federal contract
• Have been in business for a minimum of three to five years prior to applying for the Mentor Protégé Program
• Provide verification of a strong financial balance sheet
• Have experience in the completion of DOE/NNSA contract(s)/project(s) preferred
• Must exhibit competent management organization, staff level and technical experience for the purpose of performing and completing project-oriented assignments
• Must 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
• Must prove company ownership and management commitment and involvement

Other Criteria Given Consideration

• Experience in subcontracting with Y‑12
• Certified quality assurance program (i.e., ISO 9000 or NQA-1)
• Maintains a foreign ownership, control and interest (FOCI)
• Multisite and multiagency experience
• Local presence a plus, but not mandatory
• Bonding capacity (for construction)
• Number of employees
• Current annual revenues
• A local presence (a plus)

Exceptions to the above criteria are allowed but must be reviewed and approved by Socioeconomic Program Office

Benefits from Participating

Successful protégé candidates may receive the following benefits from participation in the program:

• Increased technical and business capability, industrial competitiveness, client-based expansion and improved financial stability
• Development of enhancements that make the company a more competitive contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to DOE/NNSA, other federal agencies, or commercial markets
• Direct, positive impact on the economy of the local community