The procedures for application, acceptance, and participation in the Program are in Appendix I, Policy and Procedures for the DoD Pilot Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program. The Director, SBP, of each military department or defense agency has the authority to approve contractors as mentor firms, approve mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreements, and forward approved mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreements to the contracting officer when funding is available. [69 FR 74995, Dec. 15, 2004, as amended at 73 FR 46813, Aug. 12, 2008]