The program has provided an avenue for disadvantaged Americans to achieve entrepreneurial success and contribute to the strength and vigor of our economy. These programs are typically government sponsored and managed. The program encourages private-sector relationships and expands DOT's efforts to identify and respond to the developmental needs of small and disadvantaged businesses. 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. Mentor Protg Programs are designed to encourage large or experienced firms to develop technical and business capabilities of small and diverse firms to enable them to compete more effectively in their given market. DOT's Mentor-Protg Program enhances the capability of disadvantaged and small business owners to compete for federal procurement opportunities. The new program is offered under SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program serving disadvantaged firms. 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. Listing of companies participating in the mentor-protg program, which is designed to motivate and encourage large business prime contractor firms to provide mutually beneficial developmental assistance to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. The program encourages private-sector relationships and expands SBA’s efforts to identify and respond to the developmental needs of 8(a) clients. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Mentor-Protégé program enhances the capability of 8(a) participants to compete more successfully for federal government contracts.