114 STAT. 2763A-680 PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX I fiscal years, beginning with fiscal year 2000, based on the most recent statistics compiled by the Administrator.". SEC. 112. MENTORING NETWORKS. The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 34, as added by section 111(b)(2) of this Act, the following: "SEC. 35. MENTORING NETWORKS. " (a) FINDINGS. —Congress finds that— "(1) the SBIR and STTR programs create jobs, increase capacity for technological innovation, and boost international competitiveness; "(2) increasing the quantity of applications from all States to the SBIR and STTR programs would enhance competition for such awards and the quality of the completed projects; and "(3) mentoring is a natural complement to the FAST program of reaching out to new companies regarding the SBIR and STTR programs as an effective and low-cost way to improve the likelihood that such companies will succeed in such programs in developing and commercializing their research. "(b) AUTHORIZATION FOR MENTORING NETWORKS. —The recipient of an award or participant in a cooperative agreement under section 34 may use a reasonable amount of such assistance for the establishment of a Mentoring Network under this section. "(c) CRITERIA FOR MENTORING NETWORKS.— A Mentoring Network established using assistance under section 34 shall— "(1) provide business advice and counseling to high technology small business concerns located in the State or region served by the Meiitoring Network and identified under section 34(c)(l)(E)(ii) as potential candidates for the SBIR or STTR programs; "(2) identify volunteer mentors who— "(A) are persons associated with a small business concern that has successfully completed one or more SBIR or STTR funding agreements; and "(B) have agreed to guide small business concerns through all stages of the SBIR or STTR program process, including providing assistance relating to— "(i) proposal writing; "(ii) marketing; "(iii) Government accounting; "(iv) Government audits; "(v) project facilities and equipment; "(vi) human resources; "(vii) third phase partners; "(viii) commercialization; "(ix) venture capital networking; and "(x) other matters relevant to the SBIR and STTR programs; "(3) have experience working with small business concerns participating in the SBIR and STTR programs; "(4) contribute information to the national database referred to in subsection (d); and "(5) agree to reimburse volunteer mentors for out-of-pocket expenses related to service as a mentor under this section. "(d) MENTORING DATABASE. —The Administrator shall—
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