S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 9.9 of S.L. 2017-57 codifies the Manufacturing Solutions Center (Center) at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). The purpose of the Center is to create and maintain jobs in North Carolina through support of traditional and emerging industries. The Center's services include training, testing, market development, entrepreneur support, product sourcing, prototyping, applied research, and managing a manufacturing business incubator. The president of CVCC appoints the executive director of the Center who then selects other personnel of the Center, subject to the approval by the president.

All fees collected by the Center for services to industry, except for regular curriculum and continuing education tuition receipts, must be retained by the Center and used for the operations of the Center. Purchases made by the Center using these funds are not subject to the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. However, the Center must (i) notify the Secretary of the Department of Administration or the Secretary's designee of the intent to enter into a contract for supplies, materials, printing, equipment, and contractual services that exceeds $1,000,000 and (ii) include in all agreements or contracts to be awarded by the Center a standard clause which provides that the State Auditor and internal auditors of the Center may audit the records of the contractor during and after the term of the contract to verify accounts and data affecting fees and performance. The Center may not award a cost plus percentage of cost agreement or contract for any purpose.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.