; (7) provide on-site consultation and technical assistance at covered facilities to maximize cost efficiency, quality assurance, and operational effectiveness in painting and coating operations; and (8) conduct outreach to servicemembers at covered facilities, in coordination with Department of Defense and any appropriate skilled labor organizations, employers, and industry organizations with specialties in corrosion and painting, to raise awareness of military painter career opportunities and any related industrial and commercial painting apprenticeship opportunities for Veterans. (d) Contract procedures A contract under subsection (a) shall be awarded in accordance with full and open competition (as that term is defined in chapter 1 of title 41, United States Code). (e) Provision of services for Coast Guard The Secretary of Defense may enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating under which the Center may provide, with or without reimbursement for the cost thereof, training and other assistance to the Coast Guard in accordance with subsection (c). (f) Annual report Not later than September 30 of each year covered by the contract under subsection (a), the Center shall submit to the Director of the Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight a report that describes the progress of the Center in carrying out the functions described in subsection (c), including the progress of the Center in— (1) expanding training programs for military painters; and (2) conducting applied research relating to military painting. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) The term eligible institution means an entity that— (A) as of the date of the enactment of this section, provides military painter training programs that lead to a certification that is recognized by the Department of Defense; (B) demonstrates the ability to establish sustainable military painter operations at multiple covered facilities, including on military bases and depots