Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 5.djvu/716

 114 STAT. 2763A-676 PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX I "(ii) to establish or operate a Mentoring Network within the FAST program to provide business advice and counseling that will assist small business concerns that have been identified by FAST program participants, program managers of participating SBIR agen- > cies, the Administration, or other entities that are knowledgeable about the SBIR and STTR programs as good candidates for the SBIR and STTR programs, and that would benefit from mentoring, in accordance with section 35; "(iii) to create or participate in a training program for individuals providing SBIR outreach and assistance at the State and local levels; and "(iv) to encourage the commercialization of technology developed through SBIR program funding. "(2) SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS. —In making awards or entering into cooperative agreements under this section, the Administrator and the SBIR program managers referred to in paragraph (1)— "(A) may only consider proposals by applicants that intend to use a portion of the Federal assistance provided under this section to provide outreach, financial support, or technical assistance to technology-based small business concerns participating in or interested in participating in the SBIR program; and "(B) shall consider, at a minimum— "(i) whether the applicant has demonstrated that the assistance to be provided would address unmet needs of small business concerns in the community, and whether it is important to use Federal funding for the proposed activities; "(ii) whether the applicant has demonstrated that a need exists to increase the number or success of small high-technology businesses in the State, as measured by the number of first phase and second phase SBIR awards that have historically been received by small business concerns in the State; "(iii) whether the projected costs of the proposed activities are reasonable; "(iv) whether the proposal integrates and coordinates the proposed activities with other State and local programs assisting small high-technology firms in the State; and "(v) the manner in which the applicant will measure the results of the activities to be conducted. "(3) PROPOSAL LIMIT.— Not more than one proposal may be submitted for inclusion in the FAST program under this section to provide services in any one State in any 1 fiscal year. "(4) PROCESS. —Proposals and applications for assistance under this section shall be in such form and subject to such procedures as the Administrator shall establish. " (d) COOPERATION AND COORDINATION.— In carrying out the FAST program under this section, the Administrator shall cooperate and coordinate with— "(1) Federal agencies required by section 9 to have an SBIR program; and

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