article: SECTION 1. VOLUNTEER MENTORING PROGRAMS. (a) In General.--Section 9 of the Small Business Administration Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(u) Volunteer Mentoring Programs.-- ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection-- ``(A) the term `eligible association' means a national or regional association, organization, coalition, or other entity (including an individual) that represents small business concerns participating in SBIR or STTR programs under this section; ``(B) the term `qualified mentoring organization' means a small business concern that has successfully completed 1 or more SBIR or STTR funding agreements under this section; and ``(C) the term `low participation area' means an area within a State that, in the determination of the Administrator, receives a disproportionately low number of SBIR awards, as compared with other areas in the State or in the United States. ``(2) Grant authority.--In order to assist small business concerns in successfully completing the SBIR and STTR programs under this section, the Administration may award, on competitive basis, a grant to 1 or more eligible associations for use in accordance with paragraph (5). ``(3) Applications.--In order to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible association shall submit to the Administration an application in such form and containing such information as the Administration may require. ``(4) Amount of assistance.--The amount of a grant to an eligible association under this subsection shall be equal to not less than $50,000 and not more than $200,000. An eligible association that has received a grant under this subsection may reapply for 1 or more additional grants under this subsection, as may be necessary to carry out the program established and implemented with the initial grant in accordance with paragraph (5). ``(5) Use of assistance.--Amounts made available under a grant awarded under this subsection-- ``(A) shall be used by the eligible association to establish and carry out a program under which 1 or more qualified mentoring organizations provide technical assistance (which may include marketing, proposal writing, government accounting, government audits, facilities and equipment, project management, human resources, phase III partners, commercialization, and venture capital networking) to small business concerns located in low participation areas in order to advise and guide them through the SBIR and STTR program processes from application to award and successful completion of each phase of the program; and ``(B) may be used to reimburse qualified mentoring organizations participating in the program-- ``(i) for necessary out-of-pocket expenses incident to the provision of services by employees of such organizations under the program; and ``(ii) while employees of such organizations are providing such services away from their homes or regular places of business, for travel expenses (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals serving without pay, and for reasonable communications expenses (including telephone calls and facsimiles). ``(6) Status of employees of qualified mentoring organizations.--An employee of a qualified mentoring organization, while carrying out activities under a program carried out with grant awarded under this subsection-- ``(A) shall be deemed to be a Federal employee for purposes of the Federal tort claims provisions in title 28, United States Code; and ``(B) for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (relative to compensation to Federal employees for work injuries) shall be deemed to be a civil employee of the United States within the meaning of the term ``employee'' as defined in section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, and the provisions of that subchapter shall apply to such employee, except that in computing compensation benefits for disability or death, the monthly pay of such employee shall be deemed to be that received under the entrance salary for a grade GS-11 employee. ``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each fiscal year.''. (b) Regulations.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue final regulations to implement section 9(u) of the Small Business Act, as added by this section. (2) Maximum amount.--Not later than 18 months after the date on which regulations are issued under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report, which shall include recommendations regarding any change in the maximum grant amount under section 9(u)(4) of the Small Business Act, as added by this section.
summary: Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), in order to assist small businesses in successfully completing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to award, on a competitive basis, a grant to one or more eligible associations (an association that represents small businesses participating in SBIR and STTR programs) to establish and carry out a program under which one or more qualified mentoring organizations provide technical assistance to small businesses located in low participation areas in order to advise and guide them through the SBIR and STTR processes from application and award through successful program completion. Authorizes appropriations for such grants. Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to the small business committees regarding recommended changes in maximum grant amounts (no less than $50,000 or more than $200,000 per association).