PUBLIC LAW 105-135—DEC. 2, 1997 111 STAT. 2615 shall consider the results of the examination conducted under paragraph (1). "(i) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— The authority of the Administrator to enter into contracts shall be in effect for each fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. After the Administrator has entered into a contract, either as a grant or a cooperative agreement, with any applicant under this section, it shall not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or extend any such contract unless the Administrator provides the applicant with written notification setting forth the reasons therefore and affords the applicant an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code. "(j) REPORT. —The Administrator shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the effectiveness of all projects conducted under the authority of this section. Such report shall provide information concerning— "(1) the number of individuals receiving assistance; "(2) the number of startup business concerns formed; "(3) the gross receipts of assisted concerns; "(4) increases or decreases in profits of assisted concerns; and "(5) the employment increases or decreases of assisted concerns. "(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— "(1) IN GENERAL.— There is authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the projects authorized under this section, of which, for fiscal year 1998, not more than 5 percent may be used for administrative expenses related to the program under this section. "(2) USE OF AMOUNTS. — Amounts made available under this subsection for fiscal year 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, may only be used for grant awards and may not be used for costs incurred by the Administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this section. "(3) EXPEDITED ACQUISITION,— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator, acting through the Assistant Administrator, may use such expedited acquisition methods as the Administrator determines to be appropriate to carry out this section, except that the Administrator shall ensure that all small business sources are provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.". (b) APPLICABILITY.— 15 USC 656 note. (1) IN GENERAL.— Subject to paragraph (2), any organization conducting a 3-year project under section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) (as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act) on September 30, 1997, may request an extension of the term of that project to a total term of 5 years. If such an extension is made, the organization shall receive financial assistance in accordance with section 29(c) of the Small Business Act (as amended by this section) subject to procedures established by the Administrator, in coordination with the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business Ownership established under section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) (as amended by this section).
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