(a) Solicitation of proposalsWithin one year after October 15, 1990, the Secretary shall solicit and, subject to available appropriations, select proposals on a competitive basis from applicants to carry out the program under section 5303 of this title. In order for a proposal to be considered by the Secretary, the applicant shall have in existence at the time the proposal is submitted the following qualifications:
(1)
the technical capability to enable it to make use of existing research support and facilities in carrying out its research objectives;
(b) Proposal criteriaEach proposal shall—
(1) demonstrate the support of the metal casting industry by describing—
(B)
how industry will participate in the evaluation of the applicant’s progress in research and development activities; and
(2) have a commitment for matching funds from non-Federal sources, which shall consist of:
(B)
as determined by the Secretary, the fair market value of equipment, services, materials, appropriate technology transfer activities, and other assets directly related to the proposal’s cost;
(3)
include a single or multiyear management plan that outlines how the research and development activities will be administered and carried out;
(5)
describe the technology transfer mechanisms the applicant will use to make available research results to industry and to other researchers.
(c) Content of management planThe management plan set forth in subsection (b)(3) shall—
(4) define the overall program management and direction by—
(B)
outlining how the coordination of research and development between the individuals and organizations involved will be achieved;
(C)
demonstrating how implementation and monitoring of the progress of research projects after receipt of funding from the Secretary will be achieved;
(d) Selection of proposalsFrom the proposals submitted, the Secretary shall select proposals for funding. The Secretary shall attempt to select at least four proposals. The Secretary shall select the proposals that—
(1) will best result in carrying out needed metal casting research and development in one or more of the following general areas—
(C)
processing technologies and design for energy efficiency, material conservation, environmental protection, or industrial productivity; and
(D)
other areas of research, which in the judgment of the Secretary, after consulting with the Board established in section 5306 of this title, further the purposes of this chapter;
(2)
represent research and development in specific areas identified in the “Metal Casting Research Priorities” developed annually by the Board pursuant to section 5306(b)(1) of this title;
(3)
to the greatest extent possible and subject to available appropriations, ensure that at least one applicant is selected from each of the four census regions of the country where the metal casting industry is concentrated;
(e) Funding of program
From amounts made available in separate appropriation Acts, the Secretary shall provide to each applicant selected the financial and technical assistance and other incentives that are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter.