; and (ii) developed by the Department, other Federal agencies, or other entities. 157. Regional educational laboratories for applied research, development, and evidence use (a) Authorization (1) Program authorized (A) In general The Evaluation and Evidence Use Commissioner shall enter into contracts with entities to establish a networked system of 10 regional educational laboratories that serve the needs of each geographic region of the United States in accordance with the provisions of this section. (B) Duration A contract under this subsection shall be for a period of not less than 5 years and not more than 7 years. (2) Geographic regions The regions served by the regional educational laboratories shall be the 10 geographic regions served by the regional educational laboratories established under section 941(h) of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as such provision existed on the day before the date of enactment of this Act). (3) Allocation The amount of assistance allocated to each regional educational laboratory by the Evaluation and Evidence Use Commissioner shall reflect the number of local educational agencies and the number of school-age children within the region served by such laboratory, as well as the cost of providing services within the geographic area encompassed by the region. (4) Requirements In entering into contracts under this section for regional educational laboratories, the Evaluation and Evidence Use Commissioner shall ensure that the regional educational laboratories established under this section have strong and effective governance, organization, management, and administration, and employ qualified staff. (5) Coordination In order to ensure coordination and prevent unnecessary duplication of activities among the regions, the Evaluation and Evidence Use Commissioner shall— (A) share information about the activities of each regional educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section with— (i) each other regional educational