DOZENS of island residents attended a workshop organized by NIPOA Standard, Global Resources Solutions, and the CNMI Small Business Development Center at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to learn how to take advantage of the Department of Defense’s Mentor-Protégé Program.
According to the DOD Office of Small Business Programs’ website, the Mentor-Protégé Program helps small businesses partner with larger firms. The goal is for smaller businesses to have a smoother transition into the military’s supply chain.
The day’s agenda included seminars and Q&A sessions on properly invoicing the federal government, doing business with the Pacific Air Forces, an overview of government contracting, and more. Residents also had opportunities to ask organizers directly about the Mentor-Protégé Program.
According to GSR’s Director of the Mentor-Protégé Program, Shehan Goonewardene, the program was created by the DOD to help small businesses acquire government contracts. Small businesses benefit from the guidance provided by their mentor company. “The goal is for the small business to grow to the point that they can pursue contracts independently and bring that capability to the government,” Goonewardene said. He clarified that it is up to the small business to find a mentor, as the DOD does not make matches.
Prime contractors who take on small businesses as proteges can be reimbursed for allowable costs of developing a protégé.
“Mentor-Protégé is really a way for small businesses to utilize government funds for free to get training,” Goonewardene said. “The goal of the Mentor-Protégé Program is that there is a lot of business happening in Saipan. We want that business and revenue to remain here. There’s no reason large companies from the mainland should be winning contracts when local businesses can do it.”
Goonewardene also described some of the frustrations small businesses face when pursuing federal contracts.
“One of the frustrating parts for any Saipan company is seeing money allocated to this region, hearing about millions coming in, but finding out that a small company has won the work elsewhere, or spending months trying to get a hold of the right people,” he said. “Frustration is part of federal government contracting, but the benefits are long-term. If you’re looking to get a contract tomorrow just by registering on sam.gov, that won’t happen. But if you register on sam.gov, team up with a company like NIPOA, and pursue contracts over five years, you can reach a point where you support your family, become a local mentor, and bring in a smaller company to continue the cycle.”
He emphasized that relationship building and patience are key to landing federal contracts.
“Do not enter the Mentor-Protégé Program only when it’s time to get a contract. Start early because we know contracts are coming. That way, in two years, you’ll have the necessary certifications and standards to pursue contracts as a subcontractor and eventually as a prime contractor,” he said.
Goonewardene added that there are currently no CNMI protégés in the program, and that GSR is interested in mentoring the DOD’s first CNMI-based protégé.
Dozens of island residents learned best practices for partnering with the federal government as well as the Mentor-Protégé Program at a workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
Shehan Goonewardene speaks to the media on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
