151 
priate, the Institute in cooperative technology trans-
fer activities; 
‘‘(3) efforts to make new manufacturing tech-
nology and processes usable by United States-based 
small and medium-sized companies; 
‘‘(4) the active dissemination of scientific, engi-
neering, technical, and management information 
about manufacturing to industrial firms, including 
small and medium-sized manufacturing companies; 
‘‘(5) the utilization, when appropriate, of the 
expertise and capability that exists in Federal agen-
cies, other than the Institute, and federally spon-
sored laboratories; 
‘‘(6) the provision to community colleges and 
area career and technical education schools of infor-
mation about the job skills needed in manufacturing 
companies, including small and medium-sized manu-
facturing businesses in the regions they serve; 
‘‘(7) the promotion and expansion of certifi-
cation systems offered through industry, associa-
tions, and local colleges when appropriate, including 
efforts such as facilitating training, supporting new 
or existing apprenticeships, and providing access to 
information and experts, to address workforce needs 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:36 Dec 14, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00151
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6490.IH
H6490
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
152 
and skills gaps in order to assist small and medium- 
sized manufacturing businesses; and 
‘‘(8) the growth in employment and wages at 
United States-based small and medium-sized compa-
nies. 
‘‘(d) ACTIVITIES.—The activities of a Center shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(1) the establishment of automated manufac-
turing systems and other advanced production tech-
nologies, based on Institute-supported research, for 
the purpose of demonstrations and technology trans-
fer; 
‘‘(2) the active transfer and dissemination of re-
search findings and Center expertise to a wide range 
of companies and enterprises, particularly small and 
medium-sized manufacturers; and 
‘‘(3) the facilitation of collaborations and part-
nerships between small and medium-sized manufac-
turing companies, community colleges, and area ca-
reer and technical education schools, to help those 
entities better understand the specific needs of man-
ufacturers and to help manufacturers better under-
stand the skill sets that students learn in the pro-
grams offered by such colleges and schools. 
‘‘(e) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:06 Dec 16, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00152
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6490.IH
H6490
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
153 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), the Secretary may provide financial 
assistance for the creation and support of a Center 
through a cooperative agreement with an eligible en-
tity. 
‘‘(2) COST SHARING.—The Secretary may not 
provide more than 50 percent of the capital and an-
nual operating and maintenance funds required to 
establish and support a Center. 
‘‘(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For purposes 
of paragraph (2), any amount received by an eligible 
entity for a Center under a provision of law other 
than paragraph (1) shall not be considered an 
amount provided under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(4) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may revise 
or promulgate such regulations as necessary to carry 
out this subsection. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity shall sub-
mit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION.—The Secretary 
shall establish and update, as necessary— 
‘‘(A) a description of the Program; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:36 Dec 14, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00153
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6490.IH
H6490
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
154 
‘‘(B) the application procedures; 
‘‘(C) performance metrics; 
‘‘(D) criteria for determining qualified ap-
plicants; 
‘‘(E) criteria for choosing recipients of fi-
nancial assistance from among the qualified ap-
plicants; 
‘‘(F) procedures for determining allowable 
cost share contributions; and 
‘‘(G) such other program policy objectives 
and operational procedures as the Secretary 
considers necessary. 
‘‘(3) COST SHARING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be considered for 
financial assistance under this section, an appli-
cant shall provide adequate assurances that the 
applicant and if applicable, the applicant’s 
partnering organizations, will obtain funding 
for not less than 50 percent of the capital and 
annual operating and maintenance funds re-
quired to establish and support the Center from 
sources other than the financial assistance pro-
vided under subsection (e). 
‘‘(B) AGREEMENTS
WITH
OTHER
ENTI-
TIES.—In meeting the cost-sharing requirement 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:36 Dec 14, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00154
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6490.IH
H6490
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
155 
under subparagraph (A), an eligible entity may 
enter into an agreement with one or more other 
entities, such as a private industry, institutions 
of higher education, or a State, United States 
territory, local, or tribal government for the 
contribution by that other entity of funding if 
the Secretary determines the agreement— 
‘‘(i) is programmatically reasonable; 
‘‘(ii) 
will 
help 
accomplish 
pro-
grammatic objectives; and 
‘‘(iii) is allocable under Program pro-
cedures under subsection (f)(2). 
‘‘(4) LEGAL RIGHTS.—Each applicant shall in-
clude in the application a proposal for the allocation 
of the legal rights associated with any intellectual 
property which may result from the activities of the 
Center. 
‘‘(5) MERIT REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
subject each application to merit review. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In making a de-
cision whether to approve an application and 
provide financial assistance under subsection 
(e), the Secretary shall consider, at a min-
imum— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:36 Dec 14, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00155
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6490.IH
H6490
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS