“Technical services” means activities or programs designed to enable businesses, commerce, and industrial establishments to acquire and use scientific and engineering information more effectively through such means as—

(1) preparing and disseminating technical reports, abstracts, computer tapes, microfilm, reviews, and similar scientific or engineering information, including the establishment of State or interstate technical information centers for this purpose;

(2) providing a reference service to identify sources of engineering and other scientific expertise; and

(3) sponsoring industrial workshops, seminars, training programs, extension courses, demonstrations, and field visits designed to encourage the more effective application of scientific and engineering information.

“Designated agency” means the institution or agency which has been designated as administrator of the program for any State or States under section 1353 or 1357 of this title.

“Qualified institution” means (1) an institution of higher learning with a program leading to a degree in science, engineering, or business administration which is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association to be listed by the Secretary of Education, or such an institution which is listed separately after evaluation by the Secretary of Education pursuant to this subsection; or (2) a State agency or a private, nonprofit institution which meets criteria of competence established by the Secretary of Commerce and published in the Federal Register. For the purpose of this subsection the Secretary of Education shall publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies or associations which he determines to be reliable authority as to the quality of science, engineering, or business education or training offered. When the Secretary of Education determines that there is no nationally recognized accrediting agency or association qualified to accredit such programs he shall publish a list of institutions he finds qualified after prior evaluation by an advisory committee, composed of persons he determines to be specially qualified to evaluate the training provided under such programs.

“Participating institution” means each qualified institution in a State, which participates in the administration or execution of the State technical services program as provided by this chapter.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce.

“State” means one of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam or the Virgin Islands.

“Governor”, in the case of the District of Columbia, means the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia.

(Pub. L. 89–182, § 2, Sept. 14, 1965, 79 Stat. 679; Pub. L. 89–771, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1322; Pub. L. 96–88, title III, § 301(a)(1), title V, § 507, Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 677, 692.)