What Are Teaming, Joint Ventures, and Mentor-Protégé?

Teaming and Partnering with other small businesses is a great way to enter the federal market. A word of caution, make sure you thoroughly vet any business you are considering teaming or partnering with.

All Small Mentor-Protégé Agreements
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently established the All Small Mentor-Protégé program for all small businesses. This program is designed to assist small protégé firms in competing for federal contracts by receiving technical assistance and additional capacity from the mentor firm. The 8(a) Mentor-Protégé program is being rolled into the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program.

Joint Venture Agreements
A small business can enter into an arrangement with a more experienced business, to pursue procurement opportunities as a joint venture. The joint venture can then be awarded contracts over a set period of time.

GSA Teaming Agreements
Teaming Agreements are an everyday occurrence in federal government contracting. Contractors typically enter into teaming agreements to formalize their relationship while pursuing a federal contract. If a federal contract is awarded to the lead contractor, the normal expectation is that the parties will then perform the work according to mutually acceptable terms.

Department of Defense (DOD) Mentor-Protégé Agreement
Since 1991, the Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) has offered substantial assistance to small disadvantaged businesses. Helping them to expand the overall base of their marketplace participation has produced more jobs and increased national income.