The term “technology cluster” means a concentration of technology-related business concerns, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit institutions, that reinforce each other’s performance in the areas of technology development through formal or informal relationships.
The Secretary shall authorize the director of each National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to implement the Program at the National Laboratory or facility through one or more projects that meet the requirements of subsections (e) and (f).
Each project funded under this section shall meet the requirements of this subsection.
The costs of carrying out projects under this section shall be shared in accordance with section 16352 of this title.
The calculation of costs paid by the non-Federal sources for a project shall include cash, personnel, services, equipment, and other resources expended on the project after the commencement of the project.
Independent research and development expenses of Government contractors that qualify for reimbursement under section 31.205–18(e) of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, issued pursuant to section 1303(a)(1) of title 41, may be credited towards costs paid by non-Federal sources to a project, if the expenses meet the other requirements of this section.
A project under this section shall be competitively selected using procedures determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary shall allocate funds under this section only if the Director of the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility managing the project determines that the project is likely to improve the ability of the National Laboratory or single-purpose research facility to achieve technical success in meeting departmental missions.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for activities under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.