1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (RIME) Act of 2018 . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Center The term Center has the meaning given the term in section 25(a) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act ( 15 U.S.C. 278k(a) ). (2) Eligible manufacturers The term eligible manufacturer means a manufacturer that— (A) is a small business concern, as that term is defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ); and (B) has an existing relationship with a Center. 3. Pilot program (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a pilot program to award National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) grants to help ensure an adequately trained manufacturing workforce. Under the program, eligible Centers may award MEP grants to eligible manufacturers to retain retiring employees for up to 90 days for the purpose of transferring job-specific skills and training to existing or new employees. The length of each grant shall be determined through negotiations between the Center and the eligible manufacturer. (b) Eligibility In order to be eligible to receive funding and award grants under the program, a Center— (1) must be able to document evidence of an aging workforce within manufacturing firms that are seeking assistance with retaining skills and knowledge of their operations