For the past 30 years, Congress has continued to renew the Defense Department\u2019s Mentor-Prot\xe9g\xe9 Program \u2014 but only as a pilot. The program, which pairs up established defense companies with small businesses for mutually beneficial gains, has been continually saved from the chopping block by lawmakers since 1991. Now, after an in-depth look from outside business experts, the Defense Business Board is recommending Congress make the program permanent once DoD makes a few tweaks.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices