FY27 Mentor Protege Program (MPP) Broad Agency Announcement

1.0 Introduction & Program Overview Mentor-Prot g Program: The Department of War (DOW) Mentor-Prot g Program (MPP) is a premier business development initiative designed to incentivize large prime contractors to provide developmental assistance to small businesses. The primary goal is to enhance the capabilities of Prot g s, enabling them to become more competitive and expand their presence in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Through this mutually beneficial partnership, Prot g s gain valuable technical and business expertise, while the DoD cultivates a broader, more resilient supplier network to support its mission. 2.0 MPP Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) BAA Management and Agreement Execution: The Office of Small Business Programs & Industry Engagement (OSBP&IE) manages this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and is the primary point of contact for submissions and review. Opportunity Description: Opportunity Name: FY27 Mentor-Prot g Program (MPP) Agreement Call Opportunity Number: Refer to posting Opportunity Type: This is a 2-phase submission. Phase 1: White Paper submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), 30 days after the announcement date. Phase 2: Final Proposal requests will only be issued to selected White Paper submissions based on the evaluation criteria. Selected submitters will receive a Request for Proposal (RFP) for their Phase 2 response. Dates: White Paper submissions must be submitted via email to the DCSA MPP Program Manager and the MPP Intermediary no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), 30 calendar days from the BAA announcement date. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered until a subsequent evaluation cycle. The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) remains open, and White Papers are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, submissions are reviewed according to the following quarterly review cycle: Review Cycle I March 29: White Papers submitted on or before March 29 will be reviewed immediately following this date. Review Cycle II June 30: White Papers submitted after March 29 or before June 30 will be reviewed after June 30. Review Cycle III September 30: White Papers submitted after June 30 or before September 30 will be reviewed after September 30. Review Cycle IV December 31: White Papers submitted after September 30 or before December 31 will be reviewed after December 31. Review Cycle V March 31: White Papers submitted after December 31 or before March 31 will be reviewed after March 31. Submission Address: All White Papers are to be submitted by email (Subject: FY27 MPP Mentor-Prot g Agreement (Insert Mentor & Prot g Name). All submissions will be acknowledged with an email confirmation within 24 hours of receipt. If a confirmation email is not received within 48 hours, please follow up to ensure delivery. The Government is not responsible for email system malfunctions or undeliverable email. BAA Submission Process: Phase I. White Paper Submission (Attachment 1): Firms respond to this Open Call by submitting a white paper summarizing technical and cost information. Phase II. Final Proposal Submission: After successful evaluation of white papers, selected firms provide a full Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal (Attachment 2), and Letters of Endorsement. The proposal will be reviewed for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. Prot g Pilot Initiative (PPI) Application (Attachment 3): The Department of War (DOW) Pilot Prot g Initiative (PPI) was established under Pub. L. 117-63, div. A, title VIII, 856 (d), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat, 2726. This pilot initiative provides Proteges in DOW reimbursable agreements an opportunity to propose projects supporting the advancement of engineering, software development, or manufacturing customization in support of the War Fighter. Proposals are limited to a maximum of up to 25% of the annual budget of the respective reimbursable agreement. The proposed amount will be used exclusively by Prot g for the project. PPI applications are due in Phase II with the final proposal. 3.0 Mentor-Prot g Program MPP Objective & Benefits: To leverage Mentor-Prot g Agreements (MPAs) to mature Prot g firms for its critical mission spaces. By incentivizing Mentors to provide technical assistance, the agency aims to integrate high-capability small businesses into the Defense Industrial Base. This expansion directly strengthens national security by ensuring a resilient, value-added supply chain capable of safeguarding sensitive defense assets. 4.0 Participation Requirements Prot g Firm Eligibility: Small business concerns eligible for federal contracts. Meet SBA size standards. Must satisfy one of the following: HUBZone, Women-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Native American/Hawaiian controlled, socially/economically disadvantaged, employing severely disabled individuals, nontraditional defense contractors, or contributing to national security priorities. Mentor Firm Eligibility: Prime contractors with $25M or more in DOW contracts in the last fiscal year. Active DOW subcontracting plan. Financially sound, good character, not debarred/suspended or under investigation. Approved by DOW OSBP as a Mentor. Note: Active SAM.gov registration is mandatory for all vendors, mentors, prot g s, and subcontractors at the time of package submission. 5.0 Technical Priorities The core technical priorities are structured around modernizing technology, integrating data, and securing IT infrastructure: 1- Modernizing IT Infrastructure and Cloud Optimization National Background Investigation Services (NBIS): A primary focus is accelerating the delivery of NBIS to transform personnel vetting, including full transition to NBIS for Personnel Vetting operations including background investigations. Cloud Migration: Transitioning systems, such as the Defense Information System for Security (DISS), to a secure, self-hosted cloud environment and transforming it to enhance scalability and agility. System Modernization: Replacing legacy, slow-performing and siloed systems with modern, high performing components based on the DoW mandated Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) approach. 2- Data Integration and Advanced Analytics Data-Driven Decision Making: Enhancing data understanding, delivery, and management to enable faster, more accurate risk determinations in personnel and industrial security. AI and Machine Learning: Implementing a variety of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to analyze large volumes of data, identify anomalies, and calculate potential risks while keeping human judgment at the center of trust decisions. Automated Data Ingestion: Developing tools to automatically ingest data, improving the speed and quality of background investigations. 3- Cyber and Industrial Security Securing the Defense Industrial Base: Protecting cleared facilities and IT systems from cyber-attacks, foreign insider threats, and vulnerabilities. Behavioral Threat Analysis Capability (BTAC): Enhancing capabilities to detect insider threats through advanced behavioral monitoring. Zero Trust Architecture: Strengthening cyber posture through modern, secure IT solutions that protect sensitive national security information. 4- Digital Workforce and Governance Digital Skills Training: Empowering a skilled digital workforce, including expanding AI experience and cybersecurity awareness. IT Governance: Establishing enterprise-wide IT, data, and cybersecurity governance to ensure compliance and efficiency. 6.0 Scope of Work Allowable Developmental Assistance: Refer to DFARS Appendix I, paragraph I-106 for specific guidelines regarding allowable developmental assistance. Mentors can use authorized subcontractors to provide developmental assistance to proteges. Authorized subcontractors include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), APEX Accelerators (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). Types of developmental assistance include, but are not limited to: Technical/Engineering Assistance: Technology transfer, certifications, quality processes, manufacturing improvements. Business Development Assistance: HR, accounting, marketing, safety, and company policies. Federal Contract Language Training: FAR/DFARS compliance assessment and workshops. Facility Clearance (FCL) Sponsorship & Guidance: Establish a formal process to assist the prot g in obtaining and maintaining a facility clearance to be eligible for classified contracts. Personnel Security & FSO Training: Provide templates, policies, and coaching for running a compliant Facility Security Officer (FSO) program and managing cleared staff. Cybersecurity Compliance (DFARS/NIST/CMMC): Train the prot g to build a secure IT/cyber program, share assessment tools, and prepare them for audits. Insider Threat & Counterintelligence Program Setup…