It’s called the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Mentor-Protégé program. And it enhances the capability of participants to compete more successfully for federal government contracts. SimplexGrinnell has entered into an agreement under the program with Federal Construction Group, a certified 8(a) small, disadvantaged and minority-owned government general contractor.

Mentors provide technical and management assistance, financial assistance in the form of equity investments and/or loans, subcontract support, and assistance in performing prime contracts through joint venture arrangements with 8(a) firms.

The program is offered under SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program serving disadvantaged firms. SBA’s 8(a) program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development initiative that helps socially and economically disadvantaged Americans gain access to economic opportunity. The program has provided an avenue for disadvantaged Americans to achieve entrepreneurial success and contribute to the strength and vigor of our economy.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) accepted the mentor-protégé agreement for Federal Construction Group (protégé), and SimplexGrinnell (mentor) earlier this summer. From an overall perspective, the program is designed to:

• Improve the performance of contracts and subcontracts
• Facilitate the establishment of long-term business relationships between large prime contractors and small business subcontractors
• Strengthen subcontracting opportunities and foster complementary capabilities to meet increasing government demands for quality, cost-effective solutions

“As a longtime leader in the fire and life-safety industry, SimplexGrinnell supports the goals and objectives of the Mentor-Protégé Program,” said Tom Staves, national business development manager for government programs at SimplexGrinnell “In our mentor role, we are committed to helping Federal Construction, a highly skilled general contractor, compete for federal government contracts. By working together under the auspices of this important SBA program, Federal Construction Group and SimplexGrinnell can provide best-in-class, turnkey solutions for fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, emergency communications and integrated security.”

Mike Reynoso, Vice President of Operations for Federal Construction Group, said: “We are excited about the Mentor-Protégé agreement with SimplexGrinnell. As a customer-focused general contractor serving the federal government, Federal Construction is dedicated to providing our customers with high-quality products and services across the full spectrum of life safety. The relationship with SimplexGrinnell clearly enhances our ability to meet those objectives.”