167 
‘‘(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program 
under this subsection is to add capabilities to the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, in-
cluding the development of projects to solve new or 
emerging manufacturing problems as determined by 
the Director, in consultation with the Director of the 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the 
MEP Advisory Board, and small and medium-sized 
manufacturers. 
‘‘(4) THEMES.—One or more themes for the 
competition may be identified, which may vary from 
year to year, depending on the needs of manufactur-
ers and the success of previous competitions. These 
themes may include— 
‘‘(A) supply chain integration and quality 
management; 
‘‘(B) the creation of partnerships to en-
courage the development of a workforce with 
the skills necessary to meet the needs of a re-
gion, including the creation of apprenticeship 
opportunities and the adoption of universally 
recognized credential programs, as appropriate; 
‘‘(C) energy efficiency, including efficient 
building 
technologies 
and 
environmentally 
friendly materials, products, and processes; 
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168 
‘‘(D) enhancing the competitiveness of 
small and medium-sized manufacturers in the 
global marketplace; 
‘‘(E) the transfer of technology based on 
the technological needs of manufacturers and 
available technologies from institutions of high-
er education, laboratories, and other technology 
producing entities; and 
‘‘(F) areas that extend beyond traditional 
areas of manufacturing extension activities, in-
cluding projects related to construction industry 
modernization. 
‘‘(5) REIMBURSEMENT.—Centers may be reim-
bursed for costs incurred under the program under 
this subsection. 
‘‘(6) APPLICATIONS.—Applications for awards 
under this subsection shall be submitted in such 
manner, at such time, and containing such informa-
tion as the Director shall require, in consultation 
with the MEP Advisory Board. 
‘‘(7) SELECTION.—Awards under this sub-
section shall be peer reviewed and competitively 
awarded. The Director shall endeavor to have broad 
geographic diversity among selected proposals. The 
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169 
Director shall select proposals to receive awards that 
will— 
‘‘(A) utilize innovative or collaborative ap-
proaches to solving the problem described in the 
competition; 
‘‘(B) improve the competitiveness of indus-
tries in the region in which the Center or Cen-
ters are located; and 
‘‘(C) contribute to the long-term economic 
stability of that region, including the creation of 
jobs or training employees. 
‘‘(8) PROGRAM CONTRIBUTION.—Recipients of 
awards under this subsection shall not be required 
to provide a matching contribution. 
‘‘(9) DURATION.—Awards under this subsection 
shall last no longer than 5 years. 
‘‘(h) INNOVATIVE SERVICES INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director, in co-
ordination with the Advanced Manufacturing Office 
of the Department of Energy, shall establish, within 
the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, 
an innovative services initiative to assist small and 
medium-sized manufacturers in— 
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170 
‘‘(A) reducing their energy usage, green-
house gas emissions, and environmental waste 
to improve profitability; 
‘‘(B) accelerating the domestic commer-
cialization of new product technologies, includ-
ing components for renewable energy and en-
ergy efficiency systems; and 
‘‘(C) identifying and diversifying to new 
markets, including support for transitioning to 
the production of components for renewable en-
ergy and energy efficiency systems. 
‘‘(2) MARKET DEMAND.—The Director may not 
undertake any activity to accelerate the domestic 
commercialization of a new product technology 
under this subsection unless an analysis of market 
demand for the new product technology has been 
conducted. 
‘‘(i) EXPORT ASSISTANCE TO SMALL AND MEDIUM- 
SIZED MANUFACTURERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall— 
‘‘(A) evaluate obstacles that are unique to 
small and medium-sized manufacturers that 
prevent such manufacturers from effectively 
competing in the global market; 
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171 
‘‘(B) implement a comprehensive export 
assistance initiative through the Centers to help 
small and medium-sized manufacturers address 
such obstacles; and 
‘‘(C) to the maximum extent practicable, 
ensure that the activities carried out under this 
subsection are coordinated with, and do not du-
plicate the efforts of, other export assistance 
programs within the Federal Government. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The initiative shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) export assistance counseling; 
‘‘(B) the development of partnerships that 
will provide small and medium-sized manufac-
turers with greater access to and knowledge of 
global markets; and 
‘‘(C) improved communication between the 
Centers to assist such manufacturers in imple-
menting appropriate, targeted solutions to such 
obstacles. 
‘‘(j) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) AREA
CAREER
AND
TECHNICAL
EDU-
CATION SCHOOL.—The term ‘area career and tech-
nical education school’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
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