Federal Contracting Advisory · SBA Mentor-Protégé Program
Your 8(a) certification opens doors.Our matches get you through them faster.
Xcelerated Advisers structures SBA-sanctioned Mentor-Protégé relationships between 8(a) firms and established VOSB/SDVOSB partners — pairing your certification with a mentor’s contract vehicles, past performance, and infrastructure so you compete for awards years ahead of schedule.
Why Now
The federal contracting landscape is moving.Your positioning should move with it
FY2025 data shows two socio-economic set-aside categories heading in opposite directions. Firms that pair 8(a) status with an SDVOSB mentor sit on the side of the market that’s expanding — not the side under audit.
$32.5B
SBA FY2025 Procurement Scorecard
$24.3B
SBA FY2025 Procurement Scorecard
Every socio-economic contracting category declined in FY2025 except SDVOSB. An SDVOSB Mentor-Protégé relationship gives an 8(a) protégé access to a category that is growing and legally durable, while its own certification navigates a period of intensified audits and eligibility reform.
The Structure
How the Mentor-Protégé relationship is built
01
Qualify & Match
We assess your certifications, NAICS positioning, and capacity, then identify SDVOSB or VOSB mentors whose contract vehicles and past performance genuinely overlap with your target work — not a generic pairing.
02
Structure the Agreement
We draft the SBA Mentor-Protégé agreement and a joint venture framework that defines work share, past-performance attribution, and compliance obligations under 13 CFR 125.9.
03
Bid as a Team
Your protégé status lets the joint venture bid on set-asides you couldn't win independently, borrowing the mentor's past performance and credibility on evaluation.
04
Build Toward Independence
Every award builds your own past performance record, compliance infrastructure, and security posture — the assets you'll need to hold contracts on your own once the mentor relationship sunsets.
End-to-end mentor-protégé advisory
01
Mentor Sourcing & Vetting
02
NAICS & Capability Mapping
03
Agreement & JV Drafting
04
Compliance Infrastructure
Typical win rate in SDVOSB set-asides, vs. 5–10% in unrestricted competitions
Maximum term of an 8(a) certification — every year without contract access is a year against the clock
Let's find your mentor and map the path to your first joint award.
A 30-minute consultation covers your certification status, target agencies, and whether a mentor-protégé structure is the right next move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SBA Mentor-Protege program?
The SBA Mentor-Protege Program pairs experienced "mentor" firms with smaller "protege" businesses to help the protege build the technical, financial, and management capabilities needed to compete for federal contracts. Mentors can also form joint ventures with proteges to pursue set-aside contracts together, giving both parties access to opportunities they might not win alone.
What are the benefits of joining a mentor-protege agreement?
Proteges gain access to technical expertise, capital, past performance opportunities, and the ability to joint venture with an established mentor on set-aside contracts they couldn't otherwise pursue. Mentors benefit from expanding their small business partnership network, meeting subcontracting goals, and building relationships that can lead to future teaming opportunities.
How do I find the right mentor for an 8(a) mentor-protege agreement?
The right mentor typically operates in a complementary or related industry, has a track record of successful federal contract performance, and shows genuine willingness to invest time in developing your business's capabilities. Attending industry days, teaming events, and working with a consultant familiar with SBA's mentor-protege requirements can help you identify and vet potential matches.
