The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program (M-P), created by congress in 1991, offers incentives to major defense contractors to assist small disadvantaged businesses (SDB) with developmental support. The purpose is to allow SDB to increase their participation in Federal procurement contracts.

The goal of the program is to increase the small business supplier base of the Department of Defense (DoD). Each of the participating DoD agencies require meaningful participation by Historically Black Colleges and Universities and/or Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs). DoD agencies’ program coordination is provided by their respective Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office (SADBU).

The program provides SDB, schools and the agencies at the Department of Defense with opportunities for greater success in the DoD logistics and acquisition program, from which all participants greatly benefit.

The DoD M-P Program has as major goals:

• Seek and develop SDB subcontractors for increased overall participation of SDBs in DoD subcontracting
• Foster long-term business relationships between DoD contractors and SDBs
• Provide incentives to DoD contractors
• Develop a more robust Defense Supply System
• Increase institutional capacity as HBCU/MI