LIFT, the National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is accelerating U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through cutting-edge technology and key strategic initiatives, such as the Department of Defense Mentor – Protégé Program (MPP), which is designed to strengthen the defense industrial base and fill critical gaps in the military supply chain.
As the lead institute for the DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) on the MPP, LIFT plays a pivotal role in educating stakeholders about the program while also serving as an authorized subcontractor. The DoD MPP – the oldest continuously operating federal mentor-protégé program – connects small businesses with large, established defense contractors (mentors) who help them grow their capacity and capabilities to compete in the defense sector.
Through collaboration between the experienced mentor and small business protégé, mentors can provide critical support that helps the protégé successfully compete for defense and federal contractors they may not have qualified for independently.
Mentor-Protégé Agreements can be complex and require trusting business relationships as organizations choose their counterparts. This is an important step in the agreement and the success of the program as the projects rely on communication, compatibility, and commitment between the mentor and protégé.