Mentors

Background

The PennDOT Mentor-Protege Program was initially devised as a remedy to address the disparity identified by the 2018 PennDOT disparity study. In 2018, a study conducted by BBC Research and Consulting found that when all relevant prime contracts and subcontracts that PennDOT awarded during the study period were totaled, black American-owned firms were found to have experienced underutilization. This was represented by being the only group with a disparity index of less than 100. The line down the center of the graph shows a disparity index level of 100, which indicates parity between participation and availability. Disparity indices of less than 100 indicate disparities between participation and availability, that is, underutilization. For reference, a line is also drawn at a disparity index level of 80 because some courts use 80 as the threshold for what indicates a substantial disparity.

Purpose

The PennDOT Mentor-Protege Program, while being open to all DBEs, was developed specifically to help underutilized PennDOT DBEs gain qualifications and project experience. This is a critical concept for all program stakeholders to understand as we set the proper expectations for participation in this program. It’s also important to remember that the Mentor-Protege Program does not replace the DBE program, but your protege’s participation will count toward your DBE goal for the Mentor-Protege Program project.

Tips For Mentors

For mentors, you should not begin mentoring until you have begun a PennDOT project with Mentor-Protege Program provisions. Construction cohort mentors can request to add Mentor-Protege Program work orders to their existing projects. SOIs for PennDOT Professional Services advertisements with Mentor-Protege Program provisions must include a protege. Your Protege contract amount will also be counted towards your DBE goal. In addition, all mentors seeking to participate should be business partner registered and qualified, or pre-qualified to prime projects on ECMS.