SBA OPENS MENTOR PROGRAM TO ALL SMALL BUSINESS

•Rule became effective August 24, 2016. SBA began accepting applications October 1, 2016. •Prescribed content requirements for joint venture agreements for both programs. Authorized SBA to evaluate other Federal Agency Mentor-Protégé Programs. •ASMPP approval and processing is conducted in SBA HQ, rather than the 8(a) distributive model. District Offices have no formal review or approval role in the process. •Applications are only accepted through the online portal: Certify.SBA.gov. Paper submittals will not be accepted. •Completion of an Online Tutorial through SBA’s Online Learning Center is required to be eligible. Both Protégé and Mentor must complete the course and upload certificate of completion. •Participation in ASMPP requires annual reporting and an evaluation process. •Approved ASMPP partnerships receive “an exclusion of affiliation” for contracting purposes.