,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #bggi  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #ab1 #bjaf ,mr4 
,coons 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,ayotte1 & ,mr4 
,pet]s7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0  
read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on  
,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation  ,a
 ,,bill  ,to reau?orize ! ,holl+s       
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 & =   
o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act
 may be cit$ z ! ,manufactur+ ,ext5sion 
,p>tn]%ip ,improvem5t ,act ( #bjaf4  #b4
 ,reau?orization ( ,holl+s ,manufactur+ 
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip  7a7 ,au?orization (
 appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce to
 c>ry out ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+        
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip "u sections #be &   
#bf ( ! ,national ,in/itute ( ,/&>ds &  
,te*nology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghk &  
#bghl7 #bfj1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s 
#bjag ?r\gh #bjbj4  7b7 ,improvem5ts    
,section #be ( ! ,national ,in/itute (  
,/&>ds & ,te*nology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 
#bghk7 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3  #be4 

,holl+s ,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip
  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t & purpose  7#a7       
,e/abli%m5t  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y1
 ?r\gh ! ,director &1 if appropriate1   
?r\gh o!r (ficials1 %all e/abli% a      
program = ! provision ( assi/ance = !   
creation & support ( manufactur+        
ext5sion c5t]s = ! transf] ( manufactur+
 te*nology & be/ bus9ess practices4     
7,b7 ,designation ( program ,! program  
e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be    
kn[n z ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+ ,ext5sion 
,p>tn]%ip 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z !  
,program74  7,c7 ,designation ( c5t]s ,!
 c5t]s provid$ = "u subp>agraph 7,a7    
%all be kn[n z ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+   
,ext5sion ,c5t]s 79 ?is ,act ref]r$ to z
 ! ,c5t]s74  7#b7 ,affiliations ,ea*    
,c5t] creat$ "u ! ,program %all be      
affiliat$ ) a ,unit$ ,/ates-bas$        
nonpr(it in/itution1 consortium !re(1   
in/itution ( high] education1 or ,/ate  
or local gov]nm5t t applies = & is aw>d$
 f9ancial support "u subsection         
7c77#a77;,a74  7#c7 ,objective ,!       

objective ( ! ,program %all be to       
enhance competitiv5ess1 productivity1 & 
te*nological p]=mance 9 ,unit$ ,/ates   
manufactur+ ?r\gh--  7,a7 ! transf] (   
manufactur+ te*nology & te*niques       
develop$ at ! ,in/itute to ,c5t]s &1    
?r\gh !m1 to manufactur+ companies      
?r\gh\t ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  7,b7 !        
p>ticipation ( individuals f indu/ry1   
in/itutions ( high] education1 ,/ate    
gov]nm5ts1 o!r ,f$]al ag5cies1 &1 :5    
appropriate1 ! ,in/itute 9 coop]ative   
te*nology transf] activities2  7,c7     
ef=ts to make new manufactur+ te*nology 
& processes usable by ,unit$ ,/ates-bas$
 small & m$ium-siz$ companies2  7,d7 !  
active dissem9ation ( sci5tific1        
eng9e]+1 te*nical1 & managem5t in=mation
 ab\t manufactur+ to indu/rial firms1   
includ+ small & m$ium-siz$ manufactur+  
companies2  7,e7 ! utilization1 :5      
appropriate1 ( ! exp]tise & capability t
 exi/s 9 ,f$]al ag5cies1 o!r ?an !      
,in/itute1 & ,f$]ally sponsor$          
laboratories2  7,f7 ! provision to      

community colleges & area c>e] &        
te*nical education s*ools ( in=mation   
ab\t ! job skills ne$$ 9 small &        
m$ium-siz$ manufactur+ bus9esses 9 !    
regions !y s]ve2 &  7,g7 promot+ & exp&+
 c]tification sy/ems (f]$ ?r\gh indu/ry1
 associations1 & local colleges1 :5     
appropriate4  7b7 ,activities ,!        
activities ( a ,c5t] %all include !     
foll[+3 7#a7 ,! e/abli%m5t ( automat$   
manufactur+ sy/ems & o!r advanc$        
production te*nologies1 bas$ on         
,in/itute-support$ rese>*1 = ! purpose (
 demon/rations & te*nology transf]4     
7#b7 ,! active transf] & dissem9ation ( 
rese>* f9d+s & ,c5t] exp]tise to a wide 
range ( companies & ent]prises1         
p>ticul>ly small & m$ium-siz$           
manufactur]s4  7#c7 ,! facilitation (   
collaborations & p>tn]%ips betwe5 small 
& m$ium-siz$ manufactur+ companies &    
community colleges & area c>e] &        
te*nical education s*ools to help su*   
colleges & s*ools bett] und]/& !        
specific ne$s ( manufactur]s & to help  

manufactur]s bett] und]/& ! skill sets t
 /ud5ts le>n 9 ! programs (f]$ by su*   
colleges & s*ools4  7c7 ,f9ancial       
assi/ance  7#a7 ,au?orization  7,a7 ,9  
g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,b7 & z o!rwise provid$ 9 ?is          
subsection1 ! ,secret>y may provide     
f9ancial assi/ance ?r\gh a coop]ative   
agreem5t to any ,c5t] creat$ "u !       
,program4  7,b7 ,co/ %>+ ,! ,secret>y   
may n provide to a ,c5t]1 "u subp>agraph
 7,a71 m ?an #ej p]c5t ( ! capital &    
annual op]at+ & ma9t5ance funds requir$ 
to create & ma9ta9 su* ,c5t]4  7,c7     
,rule ( con/ruction ,= purposes (       
subp>agraph 7,b71 no am\nt receiv$ by a 
,c5t] "u a provision ( law o!r ?an      
subp>agraph 7,a7 may be consid]$ z an   
am\nt provid$ "u subp>agraph 7,a74  7#b7
 ,application  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,a nonpr(it
 in/itution1 or consortium !re(1 an     
in/itution ( high] education1 or a ,/ate
 or local gov]nm5t seek+ f9ancial       
assi/ance = a ,c5t] "u p>agraph         
7#a77;,a7 %all submit to ! ,secret>y an 

application !re= at su* "t1 9 su* mann]1
 & conta9+ su* in=mation z ! ,secret>y  
may require4  7,b7 ,co/ %>+  7i7 ,9     
g5]al ,9 ord] to receive assi/ance "u   
p>agraph 7#a77;,a71 an applicant =      
f9ancial assi/ance "u subp>agraph 7,a7 (
 ?is p>agraph %all provide adequate     
assurances t ! applicant & ! applicant's
 p>tn]+ organizations w obta9 fund+ =   
#ej p]c5t or m ( ! capital & annual     
op]at+ & ma9t5ance funds requir$ to     
create & ma9ta9 ! ,c5t] f s\rces o!r ?an
 assi/ance "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a74  7ii7 
,agreem5ts ) o!r entities ,9 meet+ ! #ej
 p]c5t requirem5t 9 clause 7i71 a ,c5t] 
may ent] into agreem5ts ) o!r entities1 
su* z private indu/ry1 in/itutions (    
high] education1 & ,/ate gov]nm5ts1 to  
accompli% programmatic objectives &     
access new & exi/+ res\rces t w fur!r ! 
impact ( ! ,f$]al inve/m5t made on      
behalf ( small & m$ium-siz$ manufactur+ 
companies4  7iii7 ,acc\nt+ (            
contributions f ?ird p>ties ,all        
contributions describ$ 9 clause 7ii7 f  

an entity to a ,c5t] pursuant to an     
agreem5t describ$ 9 su* clause t is     
det]m9$ by ! ,c5t] z programmatically   
reasonable & allocable "u ,program      
proc$ures %all be consid]$ z a portion (
 ! ,c5t]'s contribution = purposes (    
clause 7i74  7,c7 ,legal rights ,ea*    
p]son :o submits an application "u      
subp>agraph 7,a7 ) respect to a ,c5t]   
%all include 9 ! application a proposal 
= ! allocation ( ! legal rights         
associat$ ) any inv5tion :i* may result 
f ! activities ( ! ,c5t]4  7#c7 ,m]it   
review ( applications  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,secret>y %all subject to m]it review   
ea* application receiv$ "u p>agraph     
7#b77;,a74  7,b7 ,consid]ations ,9 mak+ 
a decision :e!r to approve an           
application receiv$ "u p>agraph         
7#b77;,a7 & provide f9ancial support "u 
p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y %all consid]1
 at a m9imum1 ! foll[+3  7i7 ,! m]its ( 
! application1 p>ticul>ly ^? portions ( 
! application reg>d+ te*nology transf]1 
tra9+ & education1 & adaptation (       

manufactur+ te*nologies to ! ne$s (     
p>ticul> indu/rial sectors4  7ii7 ,!    
quality ( s]vice to be provid$4  7iii7  
,geographical div]sity & ext5t ( s]vice 
area4  7iv7 ,! p]c5tage ( fund+ f o!r   
s\rces4  7#d7 ,evaluations  7,a7 ,?ird &
 eigh? ye> evaluations by panel  7i7 ,9 
g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ea*    
,c5t] t receives f9ancial assi/ance "u  
p>agraph 7#a7 is evaluat$ dur+ its ?ird 
& eigh? ye>s ( op]ation by an evaluation
 panel appo9t$ by ! ,secret>y4  7ii7    
,composition ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t 
ea* evaluation panel appo9t$ "u         
subp>agraph 7,a7 is compos$ (--  7,i7   
private exp]ts1 none ( :om are connect$ 
) ! ,c5t] evaluat$ by ! panel2 &  7,,ii7
 ,f$]al (ficials4  7iii7 ,*air ,= ea*   
evaluation panel appo9t$ "u subp>agraph 
7,a71 ! ,secret>y %all appo9t a         
*airp]son :o is an (ficial ( !          
,in/itute4  7,b7 ,fif? ye> evaluation by
 ,secret>y ,9 ! fif? ye> ( op]ation ( a 
,c5t] receiv+ f9ancial support "u       
p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y %all conduct 

a review ( ! ,c5t]4  7,c7 ,p]=mance     
measurem5t ,9 evaluat+ a ,c5t] pursuant 
to subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b71 an         
evaluation panel or ! ,secret>y1 z !    
case may be1 %all measure ! p]=mance ( !
 ,c5t] aga9/--  7i7 ! objectives        
specifi$ 9 subsection 7a77#c72 or  7ii7 
su* o!r objectives z ! ,secret>y        
consid]s appropriate4  7,d7 ,positive   
evaluations ,if an evaluation ( a ,c5t] 
"u subp>agraph 7,a7 is positive1 !      
,secret>y may cont9ue "u p>agraph 7#a7  
to provide f9ancial assi/ance to !      
,c5t]--  7i7 9 ! case ( an evaluation   
occurr+ 9 ! ?ird ye> ( a ,c5t]1 ?r\gh ! 
fif? ye> ( ! ,c5t]2  7ii7 9 ! case ( a  
review by ! ,secret>y occurr+ 9 ! fif?  
ye> ( a ,c5t]1 ?r\gh ! eigh? ye> ( !    
,c5t]2 &  7iii7 9 ! case ( an evaluation
 occurr+ 9 ! eigh? ye> ( a ,c5t]1 ?r\gh 
! t5? ye> ( ! ,c5t]4  7,e7 ,o!r ?an     
positive evaluations  7i7 ,probation ,a 
,c5t] t receives an evaluation "u       
subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 t is o!r ?an   
positive %all be consid]$ to be on      

probation dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ! date 
on :i* ! ,c5t] receives notice "u       
subclause 7,i7 ( clause 7ii7 & end+ on !
 date t reevaluation ( ! ,c5t] has be5  
complet$ "u subclause 7,,iii7 ( su*     
clause4  7ii7 ,notice & reevaluation ,if
 a panel or ! ,secret>y gives a ,c5t] an
 evaluation "u subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b71
 z ! case may be1 an evaluation t is o!r
 ?an positive1 ! panel or ! ,secret>y1 z
 ! case may be1 %all--  7,i7 notify !   
,c5t] ( ! reason = ! o!r ?an positive   
evaluation1 includ+ any defici5cies 9 ! 
p]=mance ( ! ,c5t] t ! panel or !       
,secret>y1 z ! case may be1 has         
id5tifi$2  7,,ii7 assi/ ! ,c5t] 9       
rectify+ ! defici5cies by provid+ !     
,c5t]1 n less frequ5tly ?an once e #c   
mon?s1 an analysis ( ! ,c5t]1 if ! panel
 or ! ,secret>y1 z ! case may be1       
consid]s do+ s appropriate2 &  7,,iii7  
reevaluate ! ,c5t] n lat] ?an #a ye>    
aft] ! date on :i* notice is submitt$ "u
 subclause 7,i74  7iii7 ,cont9u$ support
 dur+ p]iod ( probation ,! ,secret>y may

 provide cont9u$ fund+ "u p>agraph 7#a7 
= a ,c5t] dur+ a ,c5t]'s p]iod (        
probation "u ?is subp>agraph4  7iv7     
,rem$y  7,i7 ,9 g5]al ,if a ,c5t]       
receives an evaluation "u subclause     
7,,iii7 ( clause 7ii7 t is o!r ?an      
positive because ! ,c5t] has n rectifi$ 
! defici5cies id5tifi$ by ! panel or !  
,secret>y1 z ! case may be1 9 ! notice  
submitt$ "u subclause 7,i7 ( su* clause 
or %[n a significant improvem5t 9 its   
p]=mance1 ! ,secret>y %all conduct a new
 competition to select an op]ator = !   
,c5t]4  7,,ii7 ,treatm5t ( ,c5t]s       
subject to new competition ,^u !        
selection ( an op]ator = a ,c5t] "u     
subclause 7,i71 ! ,c5t] %all be consid]$
 a new ,c5t] = purposes ( ?is p>agraph &
 p>agraph 7#e74  7#e7 ,reapplication    
competition = f9ancial support aft] #aj 
ye>s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,if an op]ator ( a  
,c5t] has receiv$ f9ancial support "u   
p>agraph 7#a7 = a p]iod ( #aj           
consecutive ye>s1 ! ,secret>y %all      
conduct a new competition to select an  

op]ator = ! ,c5t] consi/5t ) ! plan     
requir$ "u p>agraph 7#f77;,a77ii74  7,b7
 ,incumb5t op]ators ,an op]ator ( a     
,c5t] t has receiv$ f9ancial support "u 
p>agraph 7#a7 = a p]iod ( #aj           
consecutive ye>s t ! ,secret>y det]m9es 
is 9 good /&+ %all be eligible to       
compete 9 ! competition = ! ,c5t]       
conduct$ "u subp>agraph 7,a74  7,c7     
,treatm5t ( ,c5t]s subject to           
reapplication competition ,^u !         
selection ( an op]ator = a ,c5t] "u     
subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,c5t] %all be       
consid]$ a new ,c5t] = purposes ( ?is   
p>agraph & p>agraph 7#d74  7#f7 ,reports
  7,a7 ,/atus report & plan ,n lat] ?an 
#ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( !  
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip        
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjaf1 ! ,secret>y   
%all submit to ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1
 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate &
 ! ,committee on ,sci5ce1 ,space1 &     
,te*nology ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives--
  7i7 a report on h[ ! ,in/itute has    
conduct$ evaluations1 competitions1 &   

reapplication competitions "u ?is       
subsection2 &  7ii7 a plan z to h[ !    
,in/itute w conduct su* evaluations1    
competitions1 & reapplication           
competitions4  7,b7 ,indep5d5t assessm5t
 ( reapplication competition process    
7i7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all contract 
) an indep5d5t organization to p]=m an  
assessm5t ( ! implem5tation ( !         
competition & reapplication competition 
processes "u ?is subsection n lat] ?an  
#c ye>s aft] ! date ( ! submittal ( !   
report "u subp>agraph 7,a74  7ii7       
,consultation ) ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d ,!
 organization conduct+ ! assessm5t "u   
clause 7i7 may consult ) ! ,,mep        
,advisory ,bo>d4  7,c7 ,comp>ison (     
,c5t]s  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s
 aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( !           
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip        
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjaf1 ! ,secret>y   
%all submit to ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1
 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate &
 ! ,committee on ,sci5ce1 ,space1 &     
,te*nology ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives a

 report provid+ in=mation on ! fir/ &   
second ye>s ( op]ations ( ,c5t]s t 7    
subject to a competition conduct$       
pursuant to p>agraph 7#d77;,e77iv77,i7 z
 comp>$ to long/&+ ,c5t]s4  7ii7        
,cont5ts ,! report requir$ by clause 7i7
 %all include detail on ! engagem5t 9   
s]vices provid$ by ,c5t]s & !           
*>act]i/ics ( s]vices provid$1 includ+  
volume & type ( s]vices1 s t !          
,committees c evaluate :e!r ! co/-%>+   
ratio has an effect on ! s]vices provid$
 by ,c5t]s4  7d7 ,op]ational requirem5ts
  7#a7 ,pat5t rights ,! provisions (    
*apt] #ah ( title #ce1 ,unit$ ,/ates    
,code1 %all apply1 to ! ext5t n         
inconsi/5t ) ?is section1 to ! promotion
 ( te*nology f rese>* by ,c5t]s "u ?is  
section except = contracts = su*        
specific te*nology ext5sion or transf]  
s]vices z may be specifi$ by /atute or  
by ! ,director4  7#b7 ,protection (     
confid5tial in=mation ( ,c5t] cli5ts ,! 
foll[+ in=mation1 if obta9$ by ! ,f$]al 
,gov]nm5t 9 connection ) an activity ( a

 ,c5t] or ! ,program1 %all be exempt f  
public disclosure "u section #eeb (     
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code3  7,a7    
,in=mation on ! bus9ess op]ation ( any  
p>ticipant 9 ! ,program or ( a cli5t ( a
 ,c5t]4  7,b7 ,trade secrets ( any cli5t
 ( a ,c5t]4  7#c7 ,ov]sight bo>ds  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,z a condition on receipt (    
f9ancial assi/ance "u p>agraph 7#a71 a  
,c5t] %all e/abli% a bo>d to ov]see !   
op]ations ( ! ,c5t]4  7,b7 ,memb]%ip    
7i7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* bo>d e/abli%$ "u      
subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be compos$ (      
memb]s z foll[s3 7,i7 ,! memb]%ip ( ea* 
bo>d %all be repres5tative ( /akehold]s 
9 ! region 9 :i* ! ,c5t] is locat$4     
7,,ii7 ,a majority ( ! memb]s ( ! bo>d  
%all be select$ f among individuals :o  
own or are employ$ by small or          
m$ium-siz$ manufactur+ companies4  7ii7 
,limitation ,a memb] ( a bo>d e/abli%$  
"u subp>agraph 7,a7 may n s]ve on m ?an 
"o bo>d e/abli%$ "u su* subp>agraph4    
7,c7 ,bylaws  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* bo>d    
e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 %all adopt 

& submit to ! ,director bylaws to gov]n 
! op]ation ( ! bo>d4  7ii7 ,conflicts ( 
int]e/ ,bylaws adopt$ "u clause 7i7 %all
 include policies to m9imize conflicts (
 int]e/1 includ+ su* policies relat+ to 
disclosure ( relation%ips & recusal z   
may be necess>y to m9imize conflicts (  
int]e/4  7e7 ,acceptance ( funds ,9     
addition to su* sums z may be           
appropriat$ to ! ,secret>y & ,director  
to op]ate ! ,program1 ! ,secret>y &     
,director may also accept funds f o!r   
,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies & f ! private
 sector "u section #b7;c77#g71 to be    
available to ! ext5t provid$ by         
appropriations ,acts1 = ! purpose (     
/r5g!n+ ,unit$ ,/ates manufactur+4  7f7 
,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d  7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t 
,!re is e/abli%$ )9 ! ,in/itute a       
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip        
,advisory ,bo>d 79 ?is subsection ref]r$
 to z ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d74  7#b7   
,memb]%ip  7,a7 ,composition  7i7 ,9    
g5]al ,! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d %all     
consi/ ( n few] ?an #aj memb]s appo9t$  

by ! ,director & broadly repres5tative (
 /akehold]s4  7ii7 ,requirem5ts ,( !    
memb]s appo9t$ "u clause 7i7-- 7,i7 at  
lea/ #b memb]s %all be employ$ by or on 
an advisory bo>d = a ,c5t]2  7,,ii7 at  
lea/ #a memb] %all repres5t a community 
college2 &  7,,iii7 at lea/ #e o!r      
memb]s %all be f ,unit$ ,/ates small    
bus9esses 9 ! manufactur+ sector4  7iii7
 ,no ,f$]al employees ,no memb] ( !     
,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d %all be an        
employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4  7,b7    
,t]m ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph    
7,c7 or 7,d71 ! t]m ( (fice ( ea* memb] 
( ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d %all be #c    
ye>s4  7,c7 ,vacancies ,any memb]       
appo9t$ to fill a vacancy occurr+ prior 
to ! expiration ( ! t]m = :i* 8         
pr$ecessor 0 appo9t$ %all be appo9t$ = !
 rema9d] ( su* t]m4  7,d7 ,s]v+         
consecutive t]ms ,any p]son :o has      
complet$ #b consecutive full t]ms (     
s]vice on ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d %all  
!reaft] be ineligible = appo9tm5t dur+ !
 #a-ye> p]iod foll[+ ! expiration ( !   

second su* t]m4  7#c7 ,meet+s ,! ,,mep  
,advisory ,bo>d %all meet n less ?an    
twice ea* ye> & %all provide to !       
,director--  7,a7 advice on ,holl+s     
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip        
programs1 plans1 & policies2  7,b7      
assessm5ts ( ! s\ndness ( ,holl+s       
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip plans &
 /rategies2 &  7,c7 assessm5ts ( curr5t 
p]=mance aga9/ ,holl+s ,manufactur+     
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip program plans4  7#d7
 ,f$]al ,advisory ,committee ,act       
applicability  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 dis*>g+ 
its duties "u ?is subsection1 ! ,,mep   
,advisory ,bo>d %all function solely 9  
an advisory capacity1 9 accordance ) !  
,f$]al ,advisory ,committee ,act4  7,b7 
,exception ,section #ad ( ! ,f$]al      
,advisory ,committee ,act %all n apply  
to ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d4  7#e7       
,annual report  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n less   
frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye>1 ! ,,mep     
,advisory ,bo>d %all transmit a report  
to ! ,secret>y = transmittal to         
,congress )9 #cj days aft] ! submission 

to ,congress ( ! ,presid5t's annual     
budget reque/ 9 ea* ye>4  7,b7 ,cont5ts 
,su* report %all address ! /atus ( !    
,program & comm5t on ! relevant sections
 ( ! programmatic plann+ docum5t &      
updates !reto transmitt$ to ,congress by
 ! ,director "u subsections 7c7 & 7d7 ( 
section #bc4  7g7 ,competitive aw>ds    
program  7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,director  
%all e/abli% )9 ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+  
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip & section #bf a     
program ( competitive aw>ds among       
p>ticipants describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 = !
 purposes describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#c74     
7#b7 ,p>ticipants ,p>ticipants receiv+  
aw>ds "u ?is subsection %all be !       
,c5t]s1 or a consortium ( su* ,c5t]s4   
7#c7 ,purpose1 !mes1 & reimbursem5t     
7,a7 ,purpose ,! purpose ( ! program    
e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 is to add     
capabilities to ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+  
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 includ+ !          
developm5t ( projects to solve new or   
em]g+ manufactur+ problems z det]m9$ by 
! ,director1 9 consultation ) !         

,director ( ! ,holl+s ,manufactur+      
,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 ! ,,mep ,advisory  
,bo>d1 o!r ,f$]al ag5cies1 & small &    
m$ium-siz$ manufactur]s4  7,b7 ,!mes ,! 
,director may id5tify "o or m !mes = a  
competition c>ri$ out "u ?is subsection1
 :i* may v>y f ye> to ye>1 z ! ,director
 consid]s appropriate aft] assess+ !    
ne$s ( manufactur]s & ! success (       
previ\s competitions4  7,c7             
,reimbursem5t ,c5t]s may be reimburs$ = 
co/s incurr$ by ! ,c5t]s "u ?is         
subsection4  7#d7 ,applications         
,applications = aw>ds "u ?is subsection 
%all be submitt$ 9 su* mann]1 at su* "t1
 & conta9+ su* in=mation z ! ,director  
%all require 9 consultation ) ! ,,mep   
,advisory ,bo>d4  7#e7 ,selection  7,a7 
,pe] review & competitively aw>d$ ,!    
,director %all ensure t aw>ds "u ?is    
subsection are pe] review$ &            
competitively aw>d$4  7,b7 ,geographic  
div]sity ,! ,director %all endeavor to h
 broad geographic div]sity among select$
 proposals4  7,c7 ,crit]ia ,! ,director 

%all select applications to receive     
aw>ds t ! ,director det]m9es w--  7i7   
improve ! competitiv5ess ( indu/ries 9 !
 region 9 :i* ! ,c5t] or ,c5t]s are     
locat$2  7ii7 create jobs or tra9 newly 
hir$ employees2  7iii7 promote ! transf]
 & comm]cialization ( rese>* & te*nology
 f in/itutions ( high] education1       
national laboratories or o!r            
,f$]ally-fund$ rese>* programs1 &       
nonpr(it rese>* in/itutes2  7iv7 recruit
 a div]se manufactur+ work=ce1 includ+  
?r\gh outrea* to wom5 & m9orities2 or   
7v7 a*ieve su* o!r result z ! ,director 
consid]s w advance ! objective set =? 9 
subsection 7a77#c74  7#f7 ,program      
contribution ,recipi5ts ( aw>ds "u ?is  
subsection %all n be requir$ to provide 
a mat*+ contribution4  7#g7 ,global     
m>ketplace projects ,9 mak+ an aw>d "u  
?is subsection1 ! ,director1 9          
consultation ) ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d &
 ! ,secret>y1 may take into consid]ation
 :e!r an application has significant    
pot5tial = enhanc+ ! competitiv5ess (   

small & m$ium-siz$ ,unit$ ,/ates        
manufactur]s 9 ! global m>ketplace4     
7#h7 ,work=ce developm5t projects ,9    
mak+ an aw>d "u ?is subsection1 !       
,director1 9 consultation ) ! ,,mep     
,advisory ,bo>d & ! ,secret>y1 may take 
into consid]ation :e!r a project        
supports ! developm5t & implem5tation ( 
appr5tice%ip programs1 int]n%ip         
programs1 /ud5t-bas$ le>n+ programs1 or 
indu/ry-recogniz$ c]tification programs 
to help s]ve ! work=ce ne$s ( consortia 
( manufactur+ companies4  7#i7 ,indu/ry 
consid]ation  7,a7 ,con/ruction indu/ry 
mod]nization ,9 mak+ an aw>d "u ?is     
subsection1 ! ,director1 9 consultation 
) ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d & ! ,secret>y1
 may take into consid]ation :e!r a      
project supports ! mod]nization ( !     
con/ruction indu/ry4  7,b7 ,heal? c>e   
indu/ry ,9 mak+ an aw>d "u ?is          
subsection1 ! ,director1 9 consultation 
) ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d & ! ,secret>y1
 may take into consid]ation :e!r a      
project supports ! mod]nization ( !     

heal? c>e indu/ry4  7,c7 ,biote*nology &
 biomanufactur+ ,9 mak+ an aw>d "u ?is  
subsection1 ! ,director1 9 consultation 
) ! ,,mep ,advisory ,bo>d & ! ,secret>y1
 may take into consid]ation :e!r a      
project supports ! biote*nology &       
biomanufactur+ indu/ry4  7#aj7 ,duration
 ,! duration ( an aw>d "u ?is subsection
 %all be = n m ?an #c ye>s4  7h7        
,evaluation ( ob/acles unique to small  
manufactur]s ,z "p ( ! ,holl+s          
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 !     
,director %all--  7#a7 evaluate ob/acles
 t are unique to small manufactur]s t   
prev5t su* manufactur]s f effectively   
compet+ 9 ! global m>ket2  7#b7 implem5t
 a compreh5sive plan to tra9 ! ,c5t]s to
 address su* ob/acles2 &  7#c7          
facilitate improv$ communication betwe5 
! ,c5t]s to assi/ su* manufactur]s 9    
implem5t+ appropriate1 t>get$ solutions 
to su* ob/acles4  7i7 ,developm5t ( op5 
access res\rces ,z "p ( ! ,holl+s       
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 !     
,director %all develop op5 access       

res\rces t address be/ practices relat$ 
to inv5tory s\rc+1 supply *a9 managem5t1
 manufactur+ te*niques1 available ,f$]al
 res\rces1 & o!r topics to fur!r !      
competitiv5ess & pr(itability ( small   
manufactur]s4  7j7 ,innovation ,s]vices 
,initiative ,z "p ( ! ,holl+s           
,manufactur+ ,ext5sion ,p>tn]%ip1 !     
,director %all e/abli% an innovation    
s]vices initiative to assi/ small &     
m$ium-siz$ manufactur]s 9 improv+       
pr(itability ?r\gh ! r$uction ( en]gy   
use1 gre5h\se gas emissions1 &          
environm5tal wa/e4  7k7 ,def9itions ,9  
?is section3 7#a7 ,area c>e] & te*nical 
education s*ool ,! t]m area c>e] &      
te*nical education s*ool has ! mean+    
giv5 su* t]m 9 section #c ( ! ,c>l ,d4  
,p]k9s ,c>e] & ,te*nical ,education     
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 
#bcjb74  7#b7 ,community college ,! t]m 
community college means an in/itution ( 
high] education 7z def9$ "u section     
#aja7;a7 ( ! ,high] ,education ,act (   
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a777 at :i* 

! highe/ degree t is pr$om9ately aw>d$  
to /ud5ts is an associate's degree4  4