Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 121.djvu/610

 PUBLIC LAW 110–69—AUG. 9, 2007

121 STAT. 589

dkrause on GSDDPC44 with PUBLAW

appointment during the one-year period following the expiration of the second such term. ‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The MEP Advisory Board shall meet not less than 2 times annually, and provide to the Director— ‘‘(A) advice on Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs, plans, and policies; ‘‘(B) assessments of the soundness of Manufacturing Extension Partnership plans and strategies; and ‘‘(C) assessments of current performance against Manufacturing Extension Partnership program plans. ‘‘(4) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—In discharging its duties under this subsection, the MEP Advisory Board shall function solely in an advisory capacity, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. ‘‘(5) REPORT.—The MEP Advisory Board shall transmit an annual report to the Secretary for transmittal to Congress within 30 days after the submission to Congress of the President’s annual budget request in each year. Such report shall address the status of the program established pursuant to this section and comment on the relevant sections of the programmatic planning document and updates thereto transmitted to Congress by the Director under subsections (c) and (d) of section 23.’’. (e) MANUFACTURING EXTENSION CENTER COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.—Such section 25 is further amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(f) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.— ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish, within the Centers program under this section and section 26 of this Act, a program of competitive awards among participants described in paragraph (2) for the purposes described in paragraph (3). ‘‘(2) PARTICIPANTS.—Participants receiving awards under this subsection shall be the Centers, or a consortium of such Centers. ‘‘(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program under this subsection is to develop projects to solve new or emerging manufacturing problems as determined by the Director, in consultation with the Director of the Centers program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized manufacturers. One or more themes for the competition may be identified, which may vary from year to year, depending on the needs of manufacturers and the success of previous competitions. These themes shall be related to projects associated with manufacturing extension activities, including supply chain integration and quality management, and including the transfer of technology based on the technological needs of manufacturers and available technologies from institutions of higher education, laboratories, and other technology producing entities, or extend beyond these traditional areas. ‘‘(4) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards under this subsection shall be submitted in such manner, at such time, and containing such information as the Director shall require, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board.

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