(a) approval of contractors participating in the program established pursuant to subdivision one of this section, to be known, for the purposes of such program, as "mentor firms". Mentor firms must demonstrate commitment and ability to assist protege firms, including favorable financial health, good character, and experience in contracting with the state. Once approved, a mentor firm must annually certify that it continues to possess good character and a favorable financial position. Incentives for mentor firms to participate in the program may include: (i) where contracts are awarded by best value, additional evaluation points as specified in the request for proposal; and (ii) where protege firms are certified minority and women-owned businesses, credit towards fulfillment of minority and women-owned business participation requirements, including without limitation additional credit towards fulfillment of minority and women-owned business subcontracting participation goals based on costs incurred by a mentor firm in providing assistance to a certified minority and women-owned business protege firm.

(b) approval for small and certified minority and women-owned business concerns receiving assistance under the program established pursuant to subdivision one of this section, to be known, for the purposes of such program, as "protege firms". A protege firm may have only one mentor at a time and may participate in the mentor-protege program for a maximum of five years.

(c) a process by which each mentor firm, before providing assistance to a protege firm under the program, shall enter into a mentor-protege agreement regarding the assistance to be provided by the mentor firm, for a period as determined by the chief executive officer of the agency, department or authority. A mentor firm may provide a protege firm with assistance and training in general business management; financial management, engineering, safety and technical matters; bonding assistance or bonding waivers; subcontracts; rent-free use of facilities and/or equipment; joint venture arrangements; and any other assistance as determined by the chief executive officer of the agency, department or authority. Mentor-protege agreements shall be approved by the chief executive officer of the agency, department or authority, and shall provide that either party may terminate the agreement with thirty days advance notice and notice to the chief executive officer. No determination of affiliation or control may be found between a protege firm and its mentor firm based on the mentor-protege agreement or any assistance provided pursuant to such agreement.