Expansion awards pilot program

The terms used in this section have the meanings given the terms in section 278k of this title. The Director shall establish, subject to the availability of appropriations, as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership under sections 278k and 278k–1 of this title, a pilot program of expansion awards among participants described in subsection (c) for the purposes described in subsection (e). Participants receiving awards under this section shall be Centers, or a consortium of Centers (as such term is defined in section 278k of this title). Subject to the availability of appropriations, an award for a recipient under this section shall be in an amount equal to the sum of the following: An award under this section shall be made for one or more of the following purposes: To expand advanced technology services to United States-based small- and medium-sized manufacturers, which may include— establishing partnerships, for the development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced technologies, with— To build capabilities across the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership for domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization, including— The Director may reimburse Centers for costs incurred by the Centers under this section. Applications for awards under this section 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. The Director shall ensure that awards under this section are reviewed and merit-based. The Director shall endeavor to have broad geographic diversity among selected proposals. The Director shall select applications consistent with the purposes identified pursuant to subsection (e) to receive awards that the Director determines will achieve one or more of the following: Recipients of awards under this section shall not be required to provide a matching contribution. In making an award under this section, the Director, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Advisory Board and the Secretary, may take into consideration whether an application has significant potential for enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized United States manufacturers in the global marketplace. The Director shall ensure that the duration of an award under this section is aligned and consistent with a Center’s cooperative agreement established in section 278k(e) of this title. Not later than October 1, 2025, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that includes—