116 STAT. 1966 PUBLIC LAW 107-279—NOV. 5, 2002 (d) APPLICATIONS. — (1) SUBMISSION. — Each applicant desiring a contract under this section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may reasonably require. (2) PLAN.— Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain a 5-year plan for carrying out the activities described in this section in a manner that addresses the priorities established under section 207 and addresses the needs of all States (and to the extent practicable, of local educational agencies) within the region to be served by the regional educational laboratory, on an ongoing basis. (e) ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS. — (1) IN GENERAL. —In entering into contracts under this section, the Director shall— (A) enter into contracts for a 5-year period; and (B) ensure that regional educational laboratories established under this section have strong and effective governance, organization, management, and administration, and employ qualified staff. (2) COORDINATION.— In order to ensure coordination and prevent unnecessary duplication of activities among the regions, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall— (A) share information about the activities of each regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section with each other regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section and with the Department of Education, including the Director and the Board; (B) oversee a strategic plan for ensuring that each regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section increases collaboration and resource-sharing in such activities; (C) ensure, where appropriate, that the activities of each regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section also serve national interests; and (D) ensure that each regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section coordinates such laboratory's activities with the activities of each other regional technical assistance provider. (3) OUTREACH.—In conducting competitions for contracts under this section, the Director shall— (A) actively encourage eligible entities to compete for such awards by making information and technical assistance relating to the competition widely available; and (B) seek input from the chief executive officers of States, chief State school officers, educators, and parents regarding the need for applied research, wide dissemination, training, technical assistance, and development activities authorized by this title in the regions to be sei^^ed by the regional educational laboratories and how those educational needs could be addressed most effectively. (4) OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS.— Before entering into a contract under this section, the Director shall design specific objectives and measurable indicators to be used to assess the particular programs or initiatives, and ongoing progress and performance, of the regional educational laboratories, in order to ensure that the educational needs of the region are being
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