124 STAT. 4036 PUBLIC LAW 111–358—JAN. 4, 2011 research and development spending, and other relevant information for regional innovation clusters; and ‘‘(iii) supply chain product and service flows within and between regional innovation clusters. ‘‘(2) RESEARCH GRANTS.—The Secretary may award research grants on a competitive basis to support and further the goals of the program established under this subsection. ‘‘(3) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.—Data and analysis compiled by the Secretary under the program established in this subsection shall be made available to other Federal agen- cies, State and local governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities. ‘‘(4) REGIONAL INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.—The Sec- retary shall incorporate data and analysis relating to any grant under subsection (b) or (c) and any loan guarantee under sub- section (d) into the program established under this subsection. ‘‘(f) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that the activities carried out under this section are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, other programs at the Department of Commerce or other Federal agencies. ‘‘(2) COLLABORATION.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall explore and pursue collaboration with other Federal agencies, including through multiagency funding opportunities, on regional innovation strategies. ‘‘(B) SMALL BUSINESSES.—The Secretary shall ensure that such collaboration with Federal agencies prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses. ‘‘(g) EVALUATION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with an independent entity, such as the National Academy of Sciences, to conduct an evaluation of the program established under subsection (a). ‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The evaluation shall include— ‘‘(A) whether the program is achieving its goals; ‘‘(B) any recommendations for how the program may be improved; and ‘‘(C) a recommendation as to whether the program should be continued or terminated. ‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) REGIONAL INNOVATION CLUSTER.—The term ‘regional innovation cluster’ means a geographically bounded network of similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that— ‘‘(A) are engaged in or with a particular industry sector; ‘‘(B) have active channels for business transactions and communication; ‘‘(C) share specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and services; and ‘‘(D) leverage the region’s unique competitive strengths to stimulate innovation and create jobs. ‘‘(2) SCIENCE PARK.—The term ‘Science park’ means a prop- erty-based venture, which has— Deadline. Contracts.
