,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #ehd #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #adbg ,report ,no4 #aaf-bia ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ac1 #bjai,mr4 ,coons 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,gardner1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,tillis1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 ,mr4 ,peters1 ,mr4 ,moran1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 and ,ms4 ,collins7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,november #af1 #bjbj,reported by ,mr4 ,wicker1 with an amendment,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act to improve the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,global ,leadership in ,advanced ,manufacturing ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,improvements to ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program 7a7 ,centers for manufacturing innovation ,subsection 7c7 of section #cd of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c77i7 of paragraph 7#a71 by striking and tool both places it appears and inserting tool development for microelectronics1 food manufacturing1 superconductors1 advanced battery technologies1 robotics1 advanced sensors1 quantum information science1 supply chain water optimization1 and aeronautics and advanced materials2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,d71 by striking and minority and inserting 1 minority1 and veteran2 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking 1 but such and all that follows through under subsection 7d74 7b7 ,financial assistance ,to establish and support centers for manufacturing innovation ,subsection 7d7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7ii7 in clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 by inserting 1 including appropriate measures for assessing the effectiveness of the activities funded with regards to the center's success in advancing the current state of the applicable advanced manufacturing technology area such as technology readiness level and manufacturing readiness level1 after measures2 and 7,,ii7 by striking the period at the end2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 establish standards for the performance of centers for manufacturing innovation that are based on the measures developed under clause 7ii72 and 7iv7 for each center for manufacturing innovation supported by the award1 if any1 once every #e years1 conduct an assessment of the center to confirm whether the performance of the center is meeting the standards for performance established under clause 7iii74 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by inserting 1 including the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,food and ,drug ,administration1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 and the ,national ,science ,foundation after manufacturing2 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,e7-- 7i7 in clause 7ii71 by striking without the need for long-term ,federal funding2 7ii7 in clause 7iii71 by striking significantly2 7iii7 in clause 7v71 by inserting and to improve the domestic supply chain after technologies2 and 7iv7 in clause 7ix71 by inserting industrial1 research1 entrepreneurship1 and other after leverage the2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,no award of financial assistance may be made under paragraph 7#a7 to support a center for manufacturing innovation that the ,secretary finds under paragraph 7#d77;,c7 does not meet the standards for performance established under paragraph 7#d77;,c77iii74 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in the first sentence1 by striking large capital facilities or equipment purchases and inserting large capital facilities1 equipment purchases1 workforce development1 or general operations2 and 7ii7 by striking the second sentence2 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraph 7,c72 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,use of financial assistance ,financial assistance awarded under paragraph 7#a7 may be used-- 7,a7 for the purposes described in such paragraph2 or 7,b7 to carry out ,program-wide activities directed by the ,secretary1 such as activities targeting workforce development4 4 7c7 ,funding ,subsection 7e77#b7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subparagraph 7,a7 to read as follows3 7,a7 ,,nist industrial technical services account ,to the extent provided for in advance by appropriations ,acts1 the ,secretary may use amounts appropriated to the ,institute for ,industrial ,technical ,services account to carry out this section as follows3 7i7 ,for each of the fiscal years #bjae through #bjai1 an amount not to exceed #e1jjj1jjj4 7ii7 ,for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjcj1 such amounts as may be necessary to carry out this section4 2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking through #bjbd and inserting through #bjai4 7d7 ,national ,program ,office ,subsection 7f7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by inserting coordinate with and1 as appropriate1 before enter2 and 7ii7 by inserting including the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,food and ,drug ,administration1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 and the ,national ,science ,foundation1 after manufacturing12 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,c7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,f7 as subparagraph 7,j72 and 7,d7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,e7 the following3 7,f7 to carry out pilot programs in collaboration with the centers for manufacturing innovation such as a laboratory-embedded entrepreneurship program2 7,g7 to provide support services and funding as necessary to promote workforce development activities2 7,h7 to coordinate with centers for manufacturing innovation to develop best practices for the membership agreements and coordination of similar project solicitations2 7,i7 to collaborate with the ,department of ,labor1 the ,department of ,education1 industry1 career and technical education schools1 local community colleges1 universities1 and labor organizations to provide input for the development of national certifications for advanced manufacturing workforce skills in the technology areas of the centers for manufacturing innovation2 and 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting ,state and local governments1 after community colleges12 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,liaisons 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may provide financial assistance to a manufacturing extension center established as part of the ,hollings ,manufacturing ,extension ,partnership to detail a liaison of the center to a center for manufacturing innovation to facilitate the support by the ,partnership of at least the following3 7,i7 ,cybersecurity awareness and support services for small- and medium-sized manufacturers4 7,,ii7 ,assistance with workforce development4 7,,iii7 ,technology transfer for small and medium-sized manufacturers4 7ii7 ,selection of liaisons ,selection of a liaison under this subparagraph shall be made in coordination with the applicable center for manufacturing innovation4 4 7e7 ,reporting and auditing ,subsection 7g7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking ,december #ca1 #bjbd and inserting ,december #ca1 #bjcj2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking #b years and inserting #c years2 and 7ii7 by striking #b-year and inserting #c-year2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking ,december #ca1 #bjbd and inserting ,december #ca1 #bjcj4 7f7 ,expansion ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary of ,commerce shall increase the number of centers for manufacturing innovation that participate in the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,global ,leadership in ,advanced ,manufacturing ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,improvements to ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program 7a7 ,alternate program name ,subsection 7a7 of section #cd of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bghs7 is amended by inserting or as ,manufacturing ,,usa after as the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program4 7b7 ,centers for manufacturing innovation ,subsection 7c7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c77i7 of paragraph 7#a71 by striking and tool development for microelectronics both places it appears and inserting tool development for microelectronics1 food manufacturing1 superconductors1 advanced battery technologies1 robotics1 advanced sensors1 quantum information science1 supply chain water optimization1 aeronautics and advanced materials1 and graphene and graphene commercialization2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,d71 by striking and minority and inserting 1 minority1 and veteran2 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking 1 but such and all that follows through under subsection 7d74 7c7 ,financial assistance ,to establish and support centers for manufacturing innovation ,subsection 7d7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7 is amended to read as follows3 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the ,program1 the ,secretary shall award financial assistance to the following3 7,a7 ,to a person or group of persons to assist the person or group of persons in planning1 establishing1 or supporting a center for manufacturing innovation4 7,b7 ,to a center for manufacturing innovation1 including a center that was not established using ,federal funds1 to support workforce development1 cross-center projects1 and other efforts which support the purposes of the ,program4 2 7#b7 in paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 and 7#d71 by striking under paragraph 7#a7 each place it appears and inserting under paragraph 7#a77;,a72 7#c7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7ii7 in clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 by inserting 1 including appropriate measures for assessing the effectiveness of the activities funded with regards to the center's success in advancing the current state of the applicable advanced manufacturing technology area such as technology readiness level and manufacturing readiness level1 after measures2 and 7,,ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 establish standards for the performance of centers for manufacturing innovation that are based on the measures developed under clause 7ii72 and 7iv7 for each center for manufacturing innovation supported by the award1 #e years after the initial award and every #e years thereafter until ,federal funding is discontinued1 conduct an assessment of the center to confirm whether the performance of the center is meeting the standards for performance established under clause 7iii74 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by inserting 1 including1 as appropriate1 the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,food and ,drug ,administration1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 and the ,national ,science ,foundation after manufacturing2 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,e7-- 7i7 in clause 7ii71 by striking without the need for long-term ,federal funding2 7ii7 in clause 7iii71 by striking significantly2 7iii7 in clause 7v71 by inserting and to improve the domestic supply chain after technologies2 and 7iv7 in clause 7ix71 by inserting industrial1 research1 entrepreneurship1 and other after leverage the2 7#d7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,performance deficiency 7i7 ,notice of deficiency ,if the ,secretary finds that a center for manufacturing innovation does not meet the standards for performance established under clause 7iii7 of paragraph 7#d77;,c7 during an assessment pursuant to clause 7iv7 of such paragraph1 the ,secretary shall notify the center of any deficiencies in the performance of the center and provide the center one year to remedy such deficiencies4 7ii7 ,failure to remedy ,if a center for manufacturing innovation fails to remedy a deficiency identified under clause 7i7 or to show significant improvement in performance one year after notification of a performance deficiency identified under clause 7i71 the ,secretary shall notify the center that the center is ineligible for further financial assistance awarded under paragraph 7#a7 4 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 in the first sentence1 by striking large capital facilities or equipment purchases and inserting satellite centers1 large capital facilities1 equipment purchases1 workforce development1 or general operations2 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraph 7,c72 and 7#e7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 ,use of financial assistance ,financial assistance awarded under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 may be used to carry out ,program-wide activities directed by the ,secretary1 such as activities targeting workforce development4 4 7d7 ,funding ,subsection 7e77#b7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subparagraph 7,a7 to read as follows3 7,a7 ,,nist industrial technical services account ,to the extent provided for in advance by appropriations ,acts1 the ,secretary may use amounts appropriated to the ,institute for ,industrial ,technical ,services account to carry out this section as follows3 7i7 ,for each of the fiscal years #bjae through #bjai1 an amount not to exceed #e1jjj1jjj4 7ii7 ,for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjcj1 such amounts as may be necessary to carry out this section4 2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking through #bjbd and inserting through #bjai4 7e7 ,national ,program ,office ,subsection 7f7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by inserting coordinate with and1 as appropriate1 before enter2 and 7ii7 by inserting including the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,education1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,labor1 the ,food and ,drug ,administration1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 and the ,national ,science ,foundation1 after manufacturing12 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,c7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,f7 as subparagraph 7,j72 and 7,d7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,e7 the following3 7,f7 to carry out pilot programs in collaboration with the centers for manufacturing innovation such as a laboratory-embedded entrepreneurship program2 7,g7 to provide support services and funding as necessary to promote workforce development activities2 7,h7 to coordinate with centers for manufacturing innovation to develop best practices for the membership agreements and coordination of similar project solicitations2 7,i7 to collaborate with the ,department of ,labor1 the ,department of ,education1 industry1 career and technical education schools1 local community colleges1 universities1 and labor organizations to provide input for the development of national certifications for advanced manufacturing workforce skills in the technology areas of the centers for manufacturing innovation2 and 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments1 after community colleges12 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,liaisons 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may provide financial assistance to a manufacturing extension center established as part of the ,hollings ,manufacturing ,extension ,partnership to support the purposes of the ,program by providing services in one or more of the following areas3 7,i7 ,cybersecurity awareness and support services for small- and medium-sized manufacturers4 7,,ii7 ,assistance with workforce development4 7,,iii7 ,technology transfer for small and medium-sized manufacturers4 7,,iv7 ,such other areas as the ,secretary determines appropriate to support the purposes of the ,program4 7ii7 ,support ,support under clause 7i7 may include the designation of a liaison4 4 7f7 ,reporting and auditing ,subsection 7g7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 by striking under subsection 7d77#a7 and inserting under subsection 7d77#a77;,a72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking ,december #ca1 #bjbd and inserting ,december #ca1 #bjcj2 and 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking #b years and inserting #c years2 and 7ii7 by striking #b-year and inserting #c-year2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking ,december #ca1 #bjbd and inserting ,december #ca1 #bjcj4 7g7 ,expansion ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary of ,commerce shall increase the number of centers for manufacturing innovation that participate in the ,network for ,manufacturing ,innovation ,program4 #c4 ,regional innovation program ,section #bg of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgbb7 is amended to read as follows3 #bg4 ,regional innovation program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible recipient defined ,the term eligible recipient means-- 7,a7 a ,state2 7,b7 an ,indian tribe2 7,c7 a city or other political subdivision of a ,state2 7,d7 an entity that is a nonprofit organization1 an institution of higher education1 a public-private partnership1 a science or research park1 a ,federal laboratory1 a venture development organization1 or an economic development organization or similar entity that is focused primarily on improving science1 technology1 innovation1 or entrepreneurship2 or 7,e7 a consortium of any of the entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7#b7 ,regional innovation initiative ,the term regional innovation initiative means a geographically-bounded public or nonprofit activity or program to address issues in the local innovation systems in order to-- 7,a7 increase the success of innovation-driven industry2 7,b7 strengthen the competitiveness of industry through new product innovation and new technology adoption2 7,c7 improve the pace of market readiness and overall commercialization of innovative research2 7,d7 enhance the overall innovation capacity and long-term resilience of the region2 and 7,e7 leverage the region's unique competitive strengths to stimulate innovation and to create jobs4 7#c7 ,state ,the term ,state means one of the several ,states of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 or any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,venture development organization ,the term venture development organization means a ,state or nonprofit organization that contributes to regional or sector-based economic prosperity by providing services for the purposes of-- 7,a7 accelerating the commercialization of research2 7,b7 strengthening the competitive position of industry through the development1 commercial adoption1 or deployment of technology2 and 7,c7 providing financial grants1 loans1 or direct financial investment to commercialize technology4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a regional innovation program to encourage and support the development of regional innovation strategies designed to increase innovation-driven economic opportunity within their respective regions4 7c7 ,regional innovation grants 7#a7 ,authorization of grants ,as part of the program established pursuant to subsection 7b71 the ,secretary may award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible recipients for activities designed to develop and support a regional innovation initiative4 7#b7 ,permissible activities ,a grant awarded under this subsection shall be used for multiple activities determined appropriate by the ,secretary1 including-- 7,a7 improving the connectedness and strategic orientation of the region through planning1 technical assistance1 and communication among participants of a regional innovation initiative2 7,b7 attracting additional participants to a regional innovation initiative2 7,c7 increasing the availability and investment of private and philanthropic financing that supports innovation-based business ventures2 7,d7 completing the research1 development and introduction of new products1 processes1 and services into the commercial market2 7,e7 increasing the number of full-time equivalent employment opportunities within innovation-based business ventures in the geographic region2 and 7,f7 achieving quantifiable1 positive benefits to1 or measurable enhancements for1 the economic performance of the geographic region4 7#c7 ,restricted activities ,grants awarded under this subsection may not be used to pay for-- 7,a7 costs related to the recruitment1 inducement1 or associated financial or tangible incentives that might be offered to relocate an existing business from a geographic area to another geographic area2 or 7,b7 costs associated with offsetting revenues forgone by one or more taxing authorities through tax incentives1 tax increment financing1 special improvement districts1 tax abatements for private development within designated zones or geographic areas1 or other reduction in revenues resulting from tax credits affecting the geographic region of the eligible recipients4 7#d7 ,applications 7,a7 ,in general ,an eligible recipient shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7,b7 ,components ,each application submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall-- 7i7 describe the regional innovation initiative2 7ii7 indicate whether the regional innovation initiative is supported by the private sector1 ,state and local governments1 and other relevant stakeholders2 7iii7 identify what activities the regional innovation initiative will undertake2 7iv7 describe the expected outcomes of the regional innovation initiative and how the eligible recipient will measure progress toward those outcomes2 7v7 indicate whether the participants in the regional innovation initiative have access to1 or contribute to1 a well-trained workforce and other innovation assets that are critical to the successful outcomes specified in the application2 7vi7 indicate whether the participants in the regional innovation initiative are capable of attracting additional funds from non-,federal sources2 and 7vii7 if appropriate for the activities proposed in the application1 analyze the likelihood that the participants in the regional innovation initiative will be able to sustain activities after grant funds received under this subsection have been expended4 7,c7 ,feedback ,the ,secretary shall provide feedback to program applicants that are not awarded grants to help them improve future applications4 7,d7 ,special considerations ,the ,secretary shall give special consideration to-- 7i7 applications proposing to include workforce or training related activities in their regional innovation initiative from eligible recipients who agree to collaborate with local workforce investment area boards2 and 7ii7 applications from regions that contain communities negatively impacted by trade4 7#e7 ,cost share ,the ,secretary may not provide more than #ej percent of the total cost of any activity funded under this subsection4 7#f7 ,outreach to rural communities 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct outreach to public and private sector entities in rural communities to encourage those entities to participate in regional innovation initiatives under this subsection4 7,b7 ,justification ,as part of the program established pursuant to subsection 7b71 not less frequently than once each year for the duration of the program as authorized1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,assistant ,secretary of ,commerce for ,economic ,development1 shall submit to ,congress an annual report that explains the balance in the allocation of grants to eligible recipients under this subsection between rural and urban areas4 7#g7 ,funding ,the ,secretary may accept funds from other ,federal agencies to support grants and activities under this subsection4 7d7 ,regional innovation research and information program 7#a7 ,in general ,as part of the program established pursuant to subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall establish a regional innovation research and information program-- 7,a7 to gather1 analyze1 and disseminate information on best practices for regional innovation initiatives1 including information relating to how innovation1 productivity1 and economic development can be maximized through such strategies2 7,b7 to provide technical assistance1 including through the development of technical assistance guides1 for the development and implementation of regional innovation initiatives2 7,c7 to support the development of relevant metrics and measurement standards to evaluate regional innovation initiatives1 including the extent to which such strategies stimulate innovation1 productivity1 and economic development2 and 7,d7 to collect and make available data on regional innovation initiatives in the ,united ,states1 including data on-- 7i7 the size1 specialization1 and competitiveness of regional innovation initiatives2 7ii7 the regional domestic product contribution1 total jobs and earnings by key occupations1 establishment size1 nature of specialization1 patents1 ,federal research and development spending1 and other relevant information for regional innovation initiatives2 and 7iii7 supply chain product and service flows within and between regional innovation initiatives4 7#b7 ,research grants ,the ,secretary may award research grants on a competitive basis to support and further the goals of the program established under this section4 7#c7 ,dissemination of information ,data and analysis compiled by the ,secretary under the program established in this subsection shall be made available to other ,federal agencies1 ,state and local governments1 and nonprofit and for-profit entities4 7#d7 ,regional innovation grant program ,the ,secretary shall incorporate data and analysis relating to any grant awarded under subsection 7c7 into the program established under this subsection4 7e7 ,interagency coordination 7#a7 ,in general ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the activities carried out under this section are coordinated with1 and do not duplicate the efforts of1 other programs at the ,department of ,commerce or at other ,federal agencies4 7#b7 ,collaboration 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall explore and pursue collaboration with other ,federal agencies1 including through multi-agency funding opportunities1 on regional innovation strategies4 7,b7 ,small businesses ,the ,secretary shall ensure that such collaboration with ,federal agencies prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses4 7f7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #e years after ,congress first appropriates funds to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall competitively award a contract with an independent entity to conduct an evaluation of programs established under this section4 7#b7 ,requirements ,the evaluation conducted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 an assessment of whether the program is achieving its goals2 7,b7 the program's efficacy in providing awards to geographically diverse entities2 7,c7 any recommendations for how the program may be improved2 and 7,d7 a recommendation as to whether the program should be continued or terminated4 7g7 ,reporting requirement ,not later than #e years after the first grant is awarded under subsection 7c71 and every #e years thereafter until #e years after the last grant recipient completes the regional innovation initiative for which such grant was awarded1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that describes the outcome of each regional innovation initiative that was completed during the previous #e years4 7h7 ,funding ,from amounts appropriated by ,congress for economic development assistance authorized under section #bg of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgbb71 the ,secretary may use up to #ej1jjj1jjj in each of the fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd to carry out this section4 4 ,november #af1 #bjbj,reported with an amendment