4333 MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM

4333.1 The CCO shall establish a mentor-protégé program designed to match prime contractors with local, small, disadvantaged business enterprises certified by the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development for participation in Library procurement opportunities.

4333.2 The program shall allow approved prime contractors, serving as mentors, to provide assistance to certified local, small, disadvantaged business enterprise firms, serving as protégés, to improve their ability to successfully compete for Library contracts.

4333.3 Approved prime contractors who team with protégés shall be given a maximum of five (5) preference points when the competitive sealed proposal method of procurement is utilized.

4333.4 Approved prime contractors who team with protégés shall have their total evaluated bid price reduced by five percent (5%) when the competitive sealed bidding method of procurement is utilized.

4333.5 Mentor-protégé relationships shall have a minimum duration of three (3) years and may be terminated under the following circumstances:

(a) Mentors are no longer in good financial condition;

(b) Mentors or protégés are delinquent in District taxes or any District debt;

(c) A protégé is removed from or no longer is a participant in the District's local, small, disadvantaged business enterprise program;

(d) The mentor-protégé relationship has expired; or

(e) Other relevant reasons.

4333.6 Firms participating in Library procurement opportunities shall clearly identify mentor-protégé relationships by submitting the appropriate documentation with bids or proposals in order to receive preference points or percentages outlined in this section. The appropriate documentation shall be identified in the Library's mentor-protégé program.

4333.7 The CCO shall establish the Library's mentor-protégé program within 12 months from issuance of these regulations.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 493 (January 18, 2008); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 2712, 2713 (April 6, 2012).