Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments; Clearance of a New Information Collection; U.S. DOT Mentor Protégé Pilot Program, 68521-68523 [2011-27916]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2011 / Notices
The Commission finds it appropriate
to designate a longer period within
which to take action on the proposed
rule changes so that it has sufficient
time to consider these proposed rule
changes and the issues raised by these
proposals.
Accordingly, the Commission,
pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5
designates December 15, 2011, as the
date by which the Commission should
either approve, disapprove, or institute
proceedings to determine whether to
disapprove the proposed rule changes.
‘‘The Commission received no
comments on the proposal.’’
Kevin O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–28609 Filed 11–3–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
[Docket Number DOT–OST–2011–0189]
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.6
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Request for Comments;
Clearance of a New Information
´ ´
Collection; U.S. DOT Mentor Protege
Pilot Program
[FR Doc. 2011–28529 Filed 11–3–11; 8:45 am]
AGENCY:
Office of the Secretary (OST),
(DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–65468A; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2011–51]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Approval of
Proposed Rule Change to List and
Trade Managed Fund Shares of
TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF under
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600;
Correction
November 1, 2011.
Securities and Exchange
Commission.
ACTION: Order; correction.
AGENCY:
On October 11, 2011, the
Securities and Exchange Commission
published an Order Granting Approval
of Proposed Rule Change to List and
Trade Managed Fund Shares of
TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF under NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 8.600 (‘‘Notice’’) in
the Federal Register. The Order, in the
second-to-last sentence of the
introductory paragraph, contained the
phrase ‘‘[CONFIRM]’’ which should
have been deleted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristie Diemer, Division of Trading and
Markets, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, (202) 551–5613.
SUMMARY:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Correction
In the Federal Register dated October
11, 2011, in FR Doc. 2011–26135, on
page 62874, the second-to-last sentence
of the introductory paragraph is
corrected to read as follows:
5 15
6 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:06 Nov 03, 2011
Jkt 226001
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq) this notice announces the
information collection request on
´ ´
Mentor Protege Pilot Program annual
´ ´
report form, and the Mentor Protege
Pilot Program evaluation form.
´ ´
DOT’s Mentor-Protege Pilot Program
enhances the capability of
disadvantaged and small business
owners to compete more successfully
for federal procurement opportunities.
The program encourages private-sector
relationships and expands DOT’s efforts
to identify and respond to the
developmental needs of small and
disadvantaged businesses. The program
is administered by the DOT OST Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization (OSDBU).
SUMMARY:
Purpose
In accordance with Public Law 95–
507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business
Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and
execution of the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) activities on
behalf of small businesses, in
accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of
the Small Business Act (SBA), as
amended. The Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization also
administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the
Minority Resource Center (MRC), which
includes the design and carry-out
programs to encourage, promote, and
assist minority entrepreneurs and
businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to
those business opportunities
PO 00000
Frm 00127
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
68521
The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) is implementing a
´ ´
Mentor-Protege Pilot Program that
encourages agreements between large
and small business prime contractors
´ ´
and eligible small business proteges.
Small business concerns include
small disadvantaged businesses, 8(a)
firms, women owned businesses,
HUBZone small businesses, veteranowned-businesses and service disabled
veteran-owned small businesses. The
program is also designed to improve the
performance of DOT contractors and
subcontractors, foster the establishment
of long-term business relationships
between small businesses and prime
contractors, and increase the overall
number of small businesses that receive
DOT contract and subcontract awards.
General Policy
1. Eligible business prime contractors
(not under a suspension or debarment
action and not in the Excluded Parties
List System (ELPS) database) approved
as mentor firms may enter into
´ ´
agreements with eligible proteges.
Mentors provide appropriate
developmental assistance to enhance
´ ´
the capabilities of proteges to perform as
contractors and/or subcontractors.
2. Eligible small business prime
contractors (not under a suspension or
debarment action and not in the ELPS
database) capable of providing
developmental assistance may act as
mentors.
´ ´
3. Proteges may participate in the
program in pursuit of a prime contract
or as subcontractors under the mentor’s
prime contract with the Department of
Transportation.
´ ´
4. Mentors and Proteges are solely
responsible for finding their
counterpart. Therefore, we strongly
encourage firms to explore existing
business relationships in an effort to
´ ´
establish a Mentor-Protege relationship.
´ ´
5. Mentor-Protege agreements should
be for up to 24 months.
6. The duration of this pilot program
will be for two years.
Measurement of Program Success
The overall success of the Mentor´ ´
Protege Program will be measured by
the extent to which it results in:
a. An increase in the quality of the
´ ´
technical capabilities of the protege
firms.
b. An increase in the number, dollar
value and percentage of contracts or
´ ´
subcontracts awarded to proteges since
the date of entry into the program.
c. An increase in the number and
dollar value of contract and subcontract
´ ´
awards to protege firms since the time
of their entry into the program.
E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM
04NON1
68522
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2011 / Notices
Annual reports should be submitted
´ ´
by the mentor and protege firms to the
OSDBU on program progress. Only one
report per agreement will be submitted
for review. The OSDBU will evaluate
these reports by considering the
following:
1. Detailed actions taken by the
mentor, to increase the participation of
´ ´
protege as seller to the Federal
Government.
2. Detailed actions taken by the
mentor, to develop the technical
´ ´
capabilities of a protege as defined in
the agreement.
´ ´
3. The degree to which the protege
has met the developmental objectives in
the agreement.
4. The degree to which the mentor
firm’s participation in the Mentor´ ´
´ ´
Protege Program resulted in the protege
receiving contract(s) and subcontract(s)
from private firms, DOT or any other
Federal agency.
5. In addition to the annual report,
´ ´
mentor and protege firms should submit
an evaluation to the OSDBU at the
conclusion of the mutually agreed upon
program period, or the voluntary
withdrawal by either party from the
program, whichever comes first.
Mentor Firms
Eligibility. The mentor can be a
business that has graduated from the
8(a) Business Development program, a
firm in the transitional stage of the
program, or a small or large business. In
addition, the mentor must be able to
show that it is currently eligible for
Federal contracting opportunities, is not
under a suspension or debarment
action, and is not in the ELPS database.
´ ´
Mentors may have multiple proteges.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
´ ´
Protege Firms
´ ´
(1) Eligibility. A protege should be:
(a) A Small Business (SB), HUBZone,
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB),
Women Owned Small Business, Veteran
Owned Small Business, or Service
Disabled Veteran Owned Small
Business
(b) Able to show that it is currently
eligible for Federal contracting
opportunities, is not under a suspension
or debarment action, and is not in the
Excluded Parties List System (ELPS)
database.
´ ´
(2) Proteges may have multiple
´ ´
mentors. Proteges participating in
´ ´
mentor-protege programs in addition to
the DOT program should maintain a
system for preparing separate reports of
mentoring activity for each agency’s
program.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:06 Nov 03, 2011
Jkt 226001
´ ´
Selection of Mentor or Protege Firms
´ ´
Mentor and protege firms are
responsible for selecting their
counterpart. The mentor is encouraged
to select from a broad base of Small
Businesses including SB, SDB, WOSB,
VOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone firms
whose core competencies support the
Department of Transportation’s mission.
Mentor-Protege Agreement Process
Firms interested in becoming a
mentor firm should submit copy of a
´ ´
signed mentor-protege agreement for
´ ´
each mentor-protege relationship to
DOT OSDBU for review. This will
provide OSDBU the opportunity to
evaluate the nature and extent of
technical and managerial support, and
traditional subcontracting support
´ ´
involved in the mentor-protege
relationship, enabling OSDBU to
provide advice and assistance to the
parties.
´ ´
The Mentor Protege agreement should
contain:
(1) Name, address, phone, and email
´ ´
of mentor and protege firm(s) and a
point of contact within both firms who
will oversee the agreement.
(2) A description of the type of
developmental program that will be
provided by the mentor firm to the
´ ´
protege firm, including a schedule for
providing assistance, and criteria for
´ ´
evaluation of the protege’s
developmental success.
(3) Program participation term .
(4) Other terms and conditions, as
appropriate
(5) Procedures for the mentor’s
voluntary withdrawal from the program
´ ´
including notification of the protege
firm and the OSDBU. The Mentor
should provide at least 30 days’ written
notice to OSDBU before withdrawing
from the program.
(6) OSDBU will review a Mentor
´ ´
Protege agreement no later than 30 days
after receipt.
(7) Following OSDBU review, the
mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.
´ ´
OSDBU Review of Mentor-Protege
agreement
(1) The agreement defines the
relationship between the mentor and
´ ´
protege firms only. The agreement itself
does not create any privity of contract
´ ´
between the mentor or protege and
DOT.
(2) OSDBU will review the
information to ensure the mentor and
´ ´
protege are both eligible for the program
and provide appropriate advice and
assistance to the firms concerning the
agreement and its implementation.
PO 00000
Frm 00128
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(3) OSDBU will notify the parties if
changes in the agreement are advisable
in order to make the agreement meet the
´ ´
objectives of the mentor-protege
´ ´
program. The mentor and protege
should incorporate OSDBU
recommendations before implementing
the agreement.
(4) Upon completion of the review,
the mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.
Developmental Assistance
The forms of developmental
assistance a mentor can provide to a
´ ´
protege include:
• Management, financial and/or
technical assistance.
• Overall business management/
planning.
• Cooperation on joint venture
projects.
• Rent-free use of facilities and/or
equipment.
• Temporary assignment of personnel
´ ´
to protege for the purpose of training.
• Any other types of mutually
beneficial assistance.
Internal Controls
1. The OSDBU will oversee the
program to achieve program objectives.
2. OSDBU will review and evaluate
´ ´
mentor-protege agreements for
practicality, and accuracy of provided
information.
3. OSDBU can perform site visits
´ ´
where Mentor-Protege activity is
performed.
4. OSDBU will review annual reports
´ ´
to measure protege progress against the
established developmental assistance
included in the approved agreement.
5. If OSDBU determines that the
objectives of the agreement are not met,
OSDBU may conclude the existing
´ ´
Mentor-Protege agreements if it
determines that such actions are in the
best interest of the agency. The OSDBU
will communicate this decision in
writing, and will be sent to the mentor
´ ´
and protege after approval by the
Director, OSDBU or representative.
DATES: Written comments should be
submitted by January 3, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Leonardo San Roman, Small Business
Specialist, Procurement Assistance
Division, Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave SE., Room W56–497,
Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 1(800) 532–1169 or (202) 366–1930, by
email: mentorprotege@dot.gov. or visit
our Web site at https://
www.osdbu.dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM
04NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2011 / Notices
´ ´
Title: U.S. DOT Mentor Protege Pilot
program.
OMB Control Number: This is a
proposed new information collection.
´ ´
Forms: Mentor Protege pilot program
´ ´
annual report; and Mentor Protege pilot
program evaluation form.
Type of Review: New Information
Collection.
Affected Public: Prime contractors
and small businesses participating in
´ ´
DOT’s Mentor Protege Pilot Program.
Respondents: Approximately 20.
Frequency: One-time.
Estimated Average Burden Per
Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 20 hours.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Abstract
In accordance with Public Law 95–
507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business
Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and
execution of the U. S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) activities on
behalf of small businesses, in
accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of
the Small Business Act (SBA), as
amended. The Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization also
administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the
Minority Resource Center (MRC) which
includes the design and carry out
programs to encourage, promote, and
assist minority entrepreneurs and
businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to
those business opportunities.
The information collected will be
from prime contractors and small
business owners. The information
collected will be used by DOT OSDBU
to determine whether or not the type of
technical assistance provided to the
´ ´
protege was in accordance with Mentor´ ´
Protege agreement.
Abstract
In accordance with Public Law 95–
507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business
Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and
execution of the U. S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) activities on
behalf of small businesses, in
accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of
the Small Business Act (SBA), as
amended. The Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization also
administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the
Minority Resource Center (MRC) which
includes the design and carry out
programs to encourage, promote, and
assist minority entrepreneurs and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:06 Nov 03, 2011
Jkt 226001
businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to
those business opportunities.
The information collected will be
from prime contractors and small
business owners, and it will be used by
DOT OSDBU to determine Mentor´ ´
Protege program success and
recommendations to the pilot program.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. Section 332(4).
Issued in Washington, DC on October 11,
2011.
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization.
[FR Doc. 2011–27916 Filed 10–27–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. FD 35558]
Utah Southern Railroad Company,
LLC—Change in Operators
Exemption—Iron Bull Railroad
Company, LLC
Utah Southern Railroad Company,
LLC (USRC), a noncarrier, has filed a
verified notice of exemption under 49
CFR 1150.31 to change operators from
Iron Bull Railroad Company (IBRC) to
USRC on a rail line known as the
Comstock Subdivision (the line) that
extends between milepost 0.1 at or near
Iron Springs, Utah, and milepost 14.7 at
or near Iron Mountain, Utah, a distance
of 14.6 miles in Iron County, Utah. The
line is leased from Union Pacific
Railroad Company by PIC Railroad, LLC
(PIC) and is operated by USRC pursuant
to an operating agreement with PIC.
This change in operators is exempt
under 49 CFR 1150.31(a)(3).1
In 2006, IBRC filed a verified notice
of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 for
operation of the line pursuant to an
operating agreement with PIC.2 In a
letter dated September 30, 2008, USRC
notified the Board that, effective
October 1, 2008, the name of IBRC was
being changed to USRC. USRC now
states, however, that, as of the date of
that letter, USRC ‘‘had been
incorporated, and acquired IBRC’s
operating authority, and operated [the
line] as a corporation separate and
distinct from IBRC.’’ Counsel for USRC
1 To qualify for a change of operators exemption,
an applicant must give notice to shippers on the
line. See 49 CFR 1150.32(b). On October 26, 2011,
USRC filed certification that notice had been given
to the sole shipper on the line, CML Metals
Corporation.
2 Iron Bull R.R.—Operation Exemption—PIC R.R.,
FD 34897 (STB served Sept. 14, 2006).
PO 00000
Frm 00129
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
68523
recently became aware that USRC has a
corporate existence separate from IBRC
and that IBRC’s corporate existence has
been dissolved, and USRC therefore
now files this notice to obtain the
required exemption to change operators
of the line.
USRC certifies that as a result of this
transaction its projected revenues will
not exceed those that would qualify it
as a Class III rail carrier and that such
revenues would not exceed $5 million
annually. As discussed above, the
proposed transaction has been
consummated.
If the verified notice contains false or
misleading information, the exemption
is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the
exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d)
may be filed at any time. The exemption
will be effective November 20, 2011 (30
days after the notice of exemption was
filed). The filing of a petition to revoke
will not automatically stay the
effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions
for stay must be filed no later than
November 10, 2011.
An original and 10 copies of all
pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD
35558, must be filed with the Surface
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20423–0001. In
addition, a copy of each pleading must
be served on Thomas F. McFarland,
Thomas F. McFarland, P.C., 208 South
LaSalle Street, Suite 1890, Chicago, IL
60604–1112.
Board decisions and notices are
available on our Web site at https://
www.stb.dot.gov.
Decided: November 1, 2011.
By the Board.
Rachel D. Campbell,
Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011–28642 Filed 11–3–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Fiscal Service
Fee Schedule for the Transfer of U.S.
Treasury Book-Entry Securities Held
on the National Book-Entry System
Bureau of the Public Debt,
Fiscal Service, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of the
Treasury (Treasury) is announcing a
new fee schedule applicable to transfers
of U.S. Treasury book-entry securities
maintained on the National Book-Entry
System (NBES) that occur on or after
January 3, 2012.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM
04NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68521-68523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27916]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
[Docket Number DOT-OST-2011-0189]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments;
Clearance of a New Information Collection; U.S. DOT Mentor
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public
law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq) this notice announces the
information collection request on Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot
Program annual report form, and the Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot
Program evaluation form.
DOT's Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot Program enhances the
capability of disadvantaged and small business owners to compete more
successfully for federal procurement opportunities. The program
encourages private-sector relationships and expands DOT's efforts to
identify and respond to the developmental needs of small and
disadvantaged businesses. The program is administered by the DOT OST
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).
Purpose
In accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and execution of the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) activities on behalf of small businesses, in
accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of the Small Business Act (SBA),
as amended. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
also administers the provisions of Title 49, of the United States Code,
Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC), which includes the
design and carry-out programs to encourage, promote, and assist
minority entrepreneurs and businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to those business opportunities
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is implementing a
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot Program that encourages agreements
between large and small business prime contractors and eligible small
business prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
Small business concerns include small disadvantaged businesses,
8(a) firms, women owned businesses, HUBZone small businesses, veteran-
owned-businesses and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
The program is also designed to improve the performance of DOT
contractors and subcontractors, foster the establishment of long-term
business relationships between small businesses and prime contractors,
and increase the overall number of small businesses that receive DOT
contract and subcontract awards.
General Policy
1. Eligible business prime contractors (not under a suspension or
debarment action and not in the Excluded Parties List System (ELPS)
database) approved as mentor firms may enter into agreements with
eligible prot[eacute]g[eacute]s. Mentors provide appropriate
developmental assistance to enhance the capabilities of
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s to perform as contractors and/or subcontractors.
2. Eligible small business prime contractors (not under a
suspension or debarment action and not in the ELPS database) capable of
providing developmental assistance may act as mentors.
3. Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s may participate in the program in pursuit
of a prime contract or as subcontractors under the mentor's prime
contract with the Department of Transportation.
4. Mentors and Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s are solely responsible for
finding their counterpart. Therefore, we strongly encourage firms to
explore existing business relationships in an effort to establish a
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship.
5. Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreements should be for up to 24
months.
6. The duration of this pilot program will be for two years.
Measurement of Program Success
The overall success of the Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program
will be measured by the extent to which it results in:
a. An increase in the quality of the technical capabilities of the
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms.
b. An increase in the number, dollar value and percentage of
contracts or subcontracts awarded to prot[eacute]g[eacute]s since the
date of entry into the program.
c. An increase in the number and dollar value of contract and
subcontract awards to prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms since the time of
their entry into the program.
[[Page 68522]]
Annual reports should be submitted by the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms to the OSDBU on program progress. Only one
report per agreement will be submitted for review. The OSDBU will
evaluate these reports by considering the following:
1. Detailed actions taken by the mentor, to increase the
participation of prot[eacute]g[eacute] as seller to the Federal
Government.
2. Detailed actions taken by the mentor, to develop the technical
capabilities of a prot[eacute]g[eacute] as defined in the agreement.
3. The degree to which the prot[eacute]g[eacute] has met the
developmental objectives in the agreement.
4. The degree to which the mentor firm's participation in the
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program resulted in the
prot[eacute]g[eacute] receiving contract(s) and subcontract(s) from
private firms, DOT or any other Federal agency.
5. In addition to the annual report, mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms should submit an evaluation to the OSDBU at
the conclusion of the mutually agreed upon program period, or the
voluntary withdrawal by either party from the program, whichever comes
first.
Mentor Firms
Eligibility. The mentor can be a business that has graduated from
the 8(a) Business Development program, a firm in the transitional stage
of the program, or a small or large business. In addition, the mentor
must be able to show that it is currently eligible for Federal
contracting opportunities, is not under a suspension or debarment
action, and is not in the ELPS database. Mentors may have multiple
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Firms
(1) Eligibility. A prot[eacute]g[eacute] should be:
(a) A Small Business (SB), HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business
(SDB), Women Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, or
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
(b) Able to show that it is currently eligible for Federal
contracting opportunities, is not under a suspension or debarment
action, and is not in the Excluded Parties List System (ELPS) database.
(2) Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s may have multiple mentors.
Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s participating in mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute]
programs in addition to the DOT program should maintain a system for
preparing separate reports of mentoring activity for each agency's
program.
Selection of Mentor or Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Firms
Mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms are responsible for
selecting their counterpart. The mentor is encouraged to select from a
broad base of Small Businesses including SB, SDB, WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB,
and HUBZone firms whose core competencies support the Department of
Transportation's mission.
Mentor-Protege Agreement Process
Firms interested in becoming a mentor firm should submit copy of a
signed mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement for each mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship to DOT OSDBU for review. This will
provide OSDBU the opportunity to evaluate the nature and extent of
technical and managerial support, and traditional subcontracting
support involved in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship,
enabling OSDBU to provide advice and assistance to the parties.
The Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement should contain:
(1) Name, address, phone, and email of mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm(s) and a point of contact within both firms
who will oversee the agreement.
(2) A description of the type of developmental program that will be
provided by the mentor firm to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm,
including a schedule for providing assistance, and criteria for
evaluation of the prot[eacute]g[eacute]'s developmental success.
(3) Program participation term .
(4) Other terms and conditions, as appropriate
(5) Procedures for the mentor's voluntary withdrawal from the
program including notification of the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and
the OSDBU. The Mentor should provide at least 30 days' written notice
to OSDBU before withdrawing from the program.
(6) OSDBU will review a Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement no
later than 30 days after receipt.
(7) Following OSDBU review, the mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.
OSDBU Review of Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement
(1) The agreement defines the relationship between the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms only. The agreement itself does not create
any privity of contract between the mentor or prot[eacute]g[eacute] and
DOT.
(2) OSDBU will review the information to ensure the mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] are both eligible for the program and provide
appropriate advice and assistance to the firms concerning the agreement
and its implementation.
(3) OSDBU will notify the parties if changes in the agreement are
advisable in order to make the agreement meet the objectives of the
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program. The mentor and
prot[eacute]g[eacute] should incorporate OSDBU recommendations before
implementing the agreement.
(4) Upon completion of the review, the mentor may implement the
developmental assistance program.
Developmental Assistance
The forms of developmental assistance a mentor can provide to a
prot[eacute]g[eacute] include:
Management, financial and/or technical assistance.
Overall business management/planning.
Cooperation on joint venture projects.
Rent-free use of facilities and/or equipment.
Temporary assignment of personnel to prot[eacute]g[eacute]
for the purpose of training.
Any other types of mutually beneficial assistance.
Internal Controls
1. The OSDBU will oversee the program to achieve program
objectives.
2. OSDBU will review and evaluate mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute]
agreements for practicality, and accuracy of provided information.
3. OSDBU can perform site visits where Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute]
activity is performed.
4. OSDBU will review annual reports to measure
prot[eacute]g[eacute] progress against the established developmental
assistance included in the approved agreement.
5. If OSDBU determines that the objectives of the agreement are not
met, OSDBU may conclude the existing Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute]
agreements if it determines that such actions are in the best interest
of the agency. The OSDBU will communicate this decision in writing, and
will be sent to the mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] after approval by
the Director, OSDBU or representative.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted by January 3, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leonardo San Roman, Small Business
Specialist, Procurement Assistance Division, Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Ave SE., Room W56-497, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:
1-(800) 532-1169 or (202) 366-1930, by email: mentorprotege@dot.gov. or
visit our Web site at https://www.osdbu.dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 68523]]
Title: U.S. DOT Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot program.
OMB Control Number: This is a proposed new information collection.
Forms: Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] pilot program annual report;
and Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] pilot program evaluation form.
Type of Review: New Information Collection.
Affected Public: Prime contractors and small businesses
participating in DOT's Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Pilot Program.
Respondents: Approximately 20.
Frequency: One-time.
Estimated Average Burden Per Response: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20 hours.
Abstract
In accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and execution of the U. S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) activities on behalf of small
businesses, in accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of the Small
Business Act (SBA), as amended. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization also administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC)
which includes the design and carry out programs to encourage, promote,
and assist minority entrepreneurs and businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to those business opportunities.
The information collected will be from prime contractors and small
business owners. The information collected will be used by DOT OSDBU to
determine whether or not the type of technical assistance provided to
the prot[eacute]g[eacute] was in accordance with Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement.
Abstract
In accordance with Public Law 95-507, an amendment to the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1953, OSDBU is
responsible for the implementation and execution of the U. S.
Department of Transportation (DOT) activities on behalf of small
businesses, in accordance with Section 8, 15 and 31 of the Small
Business Act (SBA), as amended. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization also administers the provisions of Title 49, of
the United States Code, Section 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC)
which includes the design and carry out programs to encourage, promote,
and assist minority entrepreneurs and businesses in getting contracts,
subcontracts, and projects related to those business opportunities.
The information collected will be from prime contractors and small
business owners, and it will be used by DOT OSDBU to determine Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program success and recommendations to the pilot
program.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. Section 332(4).
Issued in Washington, DC on October 11, 2011.
Brandon Neal,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
[FR Doc. 2011-27916 Filed 10-27-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
