GSA proposes mentor/protégé program
The General Services Administration would like to have its own mentor/protégé program and is seeking public comment on the proposal.
In a Federal Register notice published today, GSA seeks permission to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation to include the program.
Mentor/protégé programs have proved popular. Typically, an agency with such a program matches small, inexperienced firms with larger, established players for a certain period of time. The larger companies provide business guidance and lessons learned. In addition, the small players participate in contracts, earn revenue and gain some past-performance credentials under the guidance of the larger firms.
The mentor companies, meanwhile, gain the technical skills of the protégé and, potentially, partnerships that outlast the formal mentor/protégé arrangements.
Public comments are due by Aug. 11.
To comment: Go to www.regulations.gov and type "GSAR Case 2006-G501'' under the heading "Comment or Submission."
About the Author
Michael Hardy is the news editor for Federal Computer Week.