{"id":201704,"date":"2025-04-18T01:47:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=850960"},"modified":"2025-04-18T01:47:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T15:47:49","slug":"nasa-announces-first-mentor-protege-agreement-under-enhanced-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=201704","title":{"rendered":"NASA Announces First Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Agreement Under Enhanced Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NASA is marking progress in strengthening the agency\u2019s small business partnerships, supply chain resiliency, and domestic space manufacturing capabilities.<\/p>\n

Under the agency\u2019s enhanced Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program, NASA has announced the first Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Agreement between L3Harris Technologies, a NASA large prime contractor, and Parametric Machining, Inc., a veteran-owned small business.<\/p>\n

This agreement will help advance NASA\u2019s mission by fostering innovation and reinforcing the agency\u2019s supply chain. As NASA continues to advance the Artemis campaign, deep space exploration, and aeronautics research, partnerships like this are essential in securing a resilient and efficient supplier base.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to facilitate the first agreement under the newly enhanced NASA Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program,\u201d said Dwight Deneal, assistant administrator for NASA\u2019s Office of Small Business Programs. \u201cThis agreement, and the many that will follow, promote domestic ingenuity and manufacturing and provide opportunities for small businesses to grow and thrive within NASA\u2019s industrial base.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Agreements, large prime contractors serve as mentors, offering technical and business development assistance to small business prot\u00e9g\u00e9s. This collaboration not only enhances prot\u00e9g\u00e9s\u2019 capabilities but also provides mentors with a stronger, more reliable subcontracting base, enabling them to fill their supply chain gaps. Additionally, prot\u00e9g\u00e9s gain potential prime and subcontract opportunities, enhanced technical capabilities, technical training, and long-term business growth.<\/p>\n

Relaunched in November 2024, the merit-based NASA Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program is designed to bolster small business development while strengthening NASA\u2019s supply chain and industry base. By focusing on a targeted set of North American Industry Classification System codes, including research and development and aerospace manufacturing, NASA ensures that participating small businesses are well-positioned to contribute to long-term mission objectives.<\/p>\n

The agreement between L3Harris Technologies and Parametric Machining, Inc. demonstrates the value of NASA\u2019s revamped Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program. NASA is actively accepting new Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Agreements and encourages large prime contractors and small businesses to explore the benefits of forming partnerships under the program. Participating in the Mentor-Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Program provides:<\/p>\n