Pa. program to support small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses is expanded

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) recently announced the launch of the second cohort of the Commonwealth’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP), which pairs experienced contractors with small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to help them grow, compete, and win state contracts.

This year’s program will focus on vendors approved under the Commonwealth’s Consulting Services Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) contract, according to a press release.

Over the 12-month cohort, participating protégés will receive targeted guidance on navigating state procurement, meeting contract requirements, and identifying growth opportunities.

Said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, “The Mentor-Protégé Program isn’t a handout – it’s a helping hand for small-business owners and entrepreneurs that are based right here in Pennsylvania.”

The expansion of the Mentor-Protégé Program is part of the Shapiro-Davis administration’s broader effort to open doors for businesses of all sizes and backgrounds, the release said. Earlier this summer, DGS launched new Micro and Midsize Business Programs to support enterprises that have either outgrown traditional small-business criteria or are not yet able to compete with larger firms.

Said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil, “By connecting experienced contractors with businesses eager to grow, we’re strengthening our vendor community, increasing competition, and driving innovation in state contracting.”

These initiatives, which are the first of their kind in Pennsylvania, provide streamlined certification, increased visibility through a dedicated vendor directory, and access to procurement opportunities tailored to business size and capacity.

Program benefits for Mentor-Protégé participants include:

Targeted skill development and business growth.Access to mentor expertise and best practices.Networking within the Commonwealth’s vendor community.Personalized guidance to meet business goals.

Eligibility and Application

Mentors must be active Commonwealth prime contractors in good standing with at least one contract award of $300,000 or more in the past three years.Protégés must be verified as a Small Diverse Business (SDB) or Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) by DGS and listed on Consulting Services ITQ #4400007410 (Commodity Code 84110000-ITQ-33).

Interested firms can learn more and apply online. Vendors not yet on the Consulting Services ITQ may also begin the prequalification process online to become eligible.