FAQs

BEP Certified Vendors and Prime Vendors who has the knowledge of the State of Illinois Procurement process.

The MPP duration is 12 months of Mentor Protégé Agreement (MPA) inception. If there is a need to extend beyond the 12 months a request must be submitted to the MPP Manager for an extension not to exceed 1 quarter.  

Due to program capacity a request for change will not be allowed. A mentor or protégé may request to terminate their MPA. Under extenuating circumstances if program capacity allows a protégé may be assigned to an available mentor. Mentors will not be allowed to change protégés but may remain for another program cycle if they remain in good standings with the program and the status of their business. 

Applicants can have a preference however assignment will be based upon factors that best suit program needs. 

The MPP currently has no bid incentives, credits and/or contracts that are tied to this program. 

To maximize the benefits of this program all participants should attend 90% of the scheduled mentoring sessions. Participant may identify another person to attend in their place if availability is a conflict, this person must be listed on the MPA. There are no required makeup sessions. 

There are 5 areas that a mentor and protégé can select from to help assist with the protégé business plan: Management & Technical Assistance, Financial Assistance, Business Development, Contracting and General and Administrative assistance.  

A participant can be terminated from the program for lack of responsiveness with reports and attendance of mentoring sessions. Participants will be notified by Program Manager if there is an intent to terminate from the program.