PROGRAM OVERVIEWA. BACKGROUNDExecutive Order S-11-06, issued in July 2006, required the California Departmentof Transportation to support a small business architecture and engineeringmentor-protégé program in all Districts. Executive Order S-11-06 was supportedby a wide array of firms and organizations committed to expanding the number ofhighly qualified small businesses available in the public transportation sector.This program was designed to support the achievement of a goal of 25 percentparticipation by small and disadvantaged business firms in State constructionand infrastructure spending.B. MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of the District 4 Calmentor Program is to increase the pool of highlyqualified small businesses available for Professional Architectural & Engineeringpublic transportation sector contracts within the District 4 geographic boundary.C. GOALS AND OBJECTIVESThe goal of the Calmentor Program is to facilitate 12-month pairings betweenMentors and Protégés that enhance the knowledge, qualifications, readiness,and capacity of Protégés to perform work on public transportation sector projects.It is not the goal of the Calmentor Program to provide or otherwise obtain newcontracts or revenue sources for Protégés.