United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Off ice of
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
Publication 9242.6-12FS
PR940
July 1992
SERA Mentor-Protege Program
Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization (A-149C)
Quick Reference Fact Sheet
The Mentor-Protege Program is being introduced and developed within the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to stimulate the participation of small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) in EPA's
contract base. The program will be initiated within the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER) and the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). Other program areas will be included as the
concept becomes institutionalized within EPA. By sharing their managerial and technical expertise, the
prime contractors will help SDBs develop the necessary expertise to compete successfully for EPA
prime and subcontract opportunities in the environmental marketplace at all levels in the public and
private sectors.
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
The EPA's Appropriations Act of 1990
establishes a goal for participation by SDBs in
EPA prime contracts and subcontracts. The
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 also
require that a percentage goal for the use of
SDBs be established within the air research
program. The Mentor-Protege Program is
designed to help the Agency achieve these
goals.
The Program's purposes include:
• Increasing the participation of SDBs as
subcontractors, suppliers, and ultimately as
prime contractors.
• Establishing a mutually beneficial
relationship with SDBs and EPA's large
business prime contractors.
• Developing technical and corporate
administrative expertise of the SDB which
will ultimately lead to greater success in
competition for contract opportunities.
• Promoting the economic stability of SDBs.
• Aiding in the achievement of goals for the
use of SDBs in the Agency's contracting
activities.
As partner firms learn from one another and
develop an effective working relationship, their
combined efforts in seeking and performing
profitable ventures will benefit both firms.
The prime contractor's active participation in
the program demonstrates both a commitment
to achieve the goal of its contractual and
subcontracting plan and a commitment to help
the EPA achieve its goal to encourage greater
participation of SDBs in environmental matters.
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM
Mentor firms will be responsible for selecting
Protege firms. EPA will attempt to assist
Mentor firms in identifying eligible Protege
firms. The proposed Protege firms must have
proven to be viable and capable contractors
who need additional support via this Program
to launch the firm to a competitive status in the
environmental contracting marketplace.
To participate as a Protege, a firm should be a
small disadvantaged business, which for
purposes of this initiative is defined as a small
business concern that is at least 51 percent
owned by one or more socially and
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economically disadvantaged individuals or, in
the case of a publicly traded company, at least
51 percent of the stock is owned by one or
more socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals. Individuals shall be presumed to
be socially disadvantaged if they are members
of the following groups:
• Black Americans
• Hispanic Americans
• Native Americans (including American
Indians)
• Asian Americans
• Eskimos
• Aleuts
• Native Hawalians.
Economically disadvantaged individuals are
considered socially disadvantaged individuals
whose ability to compete in the free enterprise
system has been impaired due to diminished
capital and credit opportunities as compared to
others in the same or similar line of business
who are not socially disadvantaged.
The EPA Mentor-Protege Program is
administered by the Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization. For more
information contact:
Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 MStreetSW
Mail Code A-149C
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone: (703) 305-7305
Fax: (703) 305-6462
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