Evaluation of SBA's All Small Mentor-Protégé Program

The Small Business Administration (SBA) established the All Small Mentor-Protégé program in 2016 to extend SBA-approved mentor-protégé relationships to all small businesses. The program seeks to develop protégé firms through mentor-provided business development assistance and to help protégé firms successfully compete for federal contracts. 

The program aims to help small businesses learn from experienced government contractors, including large businesses. Under this program, businesses that share a mentor-protégé relationship can form a joint venture to compete for federal contracts reserved for small businesses.

The Office of the Inspector General's objectives were to determine whether SBA implemented effective controls to ensure it conducted initial application reviews and annual evaluations in accordance with the All Small Mentor-Protégé program regulations and it measured program success. OIG met with SBA officials to gain an understanding of the program structure and processes, and their perspectives on the challenges to the implementation of the program. Additionally, OIG selected and reviewed 12 mentor-prótége applications submitted between the inception of the program and August 1, 2018.