108 STAT. 254 PUBLIC LAW 103-227—MAR. 31, 1994 Federal Register, publication. reflects the need for assistance, taking into account such factors as the proportion of economically disadvantaged students, the increased cost burden of service delivery in areas of sparse populations, and any special initiatives being undertaken by State, intermediate, local educational agencies, or Bureau-funded schools, as appropriate, which may require special assistance from the laboratory. (7) EVALUATIONS.—The Assistant Secretary shall provide for independent evaluations of each of the regional educational laboratories in carrying out the duties described in paragraph (1) in the third year that such laboratory receives assistance under this subsection in accordance with the standards developed by the Assistant Secretary and approved by the Board and shall transmit the results of such evaluations to the relevant committees of the Congress, the Board, and the appropriate regional educational laboratory board. (8) INVITATION REGARDING COMPETITION FOR AWARDS OF ASSISTANCE.— Prior to awarding a grant or entering into a contract under this section, the Secretary shall invite applicants, including the regional educational laboratories in existence on the day preceding the date of enactment of this Act, to compete for such award through notice in the Federal Register and in the publication of the Department of Commerce known as the Commerce Business Daily. (9) APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE.— Each application for assistance under this subsection shall— (A) cover not less than a 5-year period; (B) describe how the applicant would carry out the activities required by this subsection; and (C) contain such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (10) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.— No regional educational laboratory receiving assistance under this subsection shall, by reason of the receipt of that assistance, be ineligible to receive any other assistance from the Department of Education as authorized by law or be prohibited from engaging in activities involving international projects or endeavors. (11) ADVANCE PAYMENT SYSTEM.— Each regional educational laboratory shall participate in the advance payment system at the Department of Education. (12) ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.—In addition to activities described in paragraph (3), the Assistant Secretary, from amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (h), is authorized to enter into agreements with a regional educational laboratory for the purpose of carrying out additional projects to enable such regional educational laboratory to assist in efforts to achieve the National Education Goals and for other purposes. (13) PLAN. —Not later than July 1 of each year, each regional educational laboratory shall submit to the Assistant Secretary a plan covering the succeeding fiscal year, in which such laboratory's mission, activities, and scope of work are described, including a general description of— (A) the plans such laboratory expects to submit in the remaining years of such laboratory's contract; and (B) an assessment of how well such laboratory is meeting the needs of the region.
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