Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 3.djvu/526

 Ill STAT. 2614 PUBLIC LAW 105-135—DEC. 2, 1997 "(A) QUALIFICATION.—The position of Assistant Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service position under section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code. The Assistant Administrator shall serve as a noncareer appointee (as defined in section 3132(a)(7) of that title). " (B) RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.— "(i) RESPONSIBILITIES.— The responsibilities of the Assistant Administrator shall be to administer the programs and services of the Office of Women's Business Ownership established to assist women entrepreneurs in the areas of— "(I) starting and operating a small business; "(II) development of management and technical skills; " (III) seeking Federal procurement opportunities; and "(IV) increasing the opportunity for access to capital. "(ii) DUTIES. —The Assistant Administrator shall— "(I) administer and manage the Women's Business Center program; "(II) recommend the annual administrative and program budgets for the Office of Women's Business Ownership (including the budget for the Women's Business Center program); "(III) establish appropriate funding levels therefore; "(IV) review the annual budgets submitted by each applicant for the Women's Business Center program; "(V) select applicants to participate in the program under this section; "(VI) implement this section; "(VII) maintain a clearinghouse to provide for the dissemination and exchange of information between women's business centers; "(VIII) serve as the vice chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise; "(IX) serve as liaison for the National Women's Business Council; and "(X) advise the Administrator on appointments to the Women's Business Council. "(C) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the responsibilities and duties described in this paragraph, the Assistant Administrator shall confer with and seek the advice of the Administration officials in areas served by the women's business centers. " (h) PROGRAM EXAMINATION. — "(1) IN GENERAL.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997, the Administrator shall develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial examination of each women's business center established pursuant to this section. "(2) EXTENSION OF CONTRACTS. — In extending or renewing a contract with a women's business center, the Administrator

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