; and (C) the relative risk of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances faced by firefighters from— (i) their use of personal protective equipment; and (ii) degradation of personal protective equipment from normal use by firefighters. (3) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress a report describing— (A) the findings of the Director with respect to the study carried out under paragraph (1); and (B) recommendations on what additional research or technical improvements to personal protective equipment materials or components should be pursued to avoid unnecessary occupational exposure among firefighters to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through personal protective equipment. (b) Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in personal protective equipment worn by firefighters (1) In general Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall— (A) issue a solicitation for research proposals to carry out the research recommendations identified in the report submitted under subsection (a)(3); and (B) award grants to applicants that submit research proposals to develop safe alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in personal protective equipment. (2) Criteria The Director shall select research proposals to receive a grant under paragraph (1) on the basis of merit, using criteria identified by the Director, including the likelihood that the research results will address the findings of the Director with respect to the study conducted under subsection (a)(1). (3) Eligible entities Any entity or group of two or more entities may submit to the Director a research proposal in response to the solicitation for research proposals under paragraph (1), including— (A) State and local agencies; (B) public institutions, including public institutions of higher education; (C) private corporations