((a)) ** Establishment of priorities and criteria; publication in Federal Register** In carrying out the programs authorized by this subchapter, the Administrator shall establish—

((1)) annual research, demonstration, and service program priorities for making grants and contracts pursuant to ; and

((2)) criteria based on merit for making such grants and contracts.

((b)) ** Competitive selection process for grant or contract exceeding $50,000** No grant or contract exceeding $50,000 shall be made under this subchapter unless the grantee or contractor has been selected by a competitive process which includes public announcement of the availability of funds for such grant or contract, general criteria for the selection of recipients or contractors, and a description of the application process and application review process.

((c)) ** Multiple grants or contracts to same grantee or contractor** Multiple grants or contracts to the same grantee or contractor within any 1 year to support activities having the same general purpose shall be deemed to be a single grant for the purpose of this subsection, but multiple grants or contracts to the same grantee or contractor to support clearly distinct activities shall be considered separate grants or contractors.1