Sec. 5. Model accessible passenger car competition
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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall organize a national competition to design 1 or more model accessible passenger cars. The purpose of the competition under this section shall be to develop 1 or more designs for an accessible passenger car which, without additional modification— can be manufactured for an amount not to exceed 75 percent of the average manufacturing cost of a passenger car that is available for purchase by consumers in the United States; and can be sold to the public for an amount not to exceed 75 percent of the average sale price of a new passenger car that is available for purchase by consumers in the United States.
Any automobile manufacturer that manufactures passenger cars for sale in the United States may submit a proposal for the competition authorized under this section, regardless of size. The Administrator shall establish guidelines for the competition authorized under this section in accordance with paragraphs
(2)through (5). A proposal may not be selected for a cash prize under subsection
(d)unless the Administrator determines that— the cost for manufacturing the proposed accessible passenger car does not exceed 75 percent of the average manufacturing cost of a passenger car that is generally available for purchase by consumers in the United States; and the sale price of the proposed accessible passenger car will not to exceed 75 percent of the average sale price of a new passenger car that is available for purchase by consumers in the United States. Each proposal submitted under this section shall represent designs collaboratively developed by— an eligible automobile manufacturer; a postsecondary school of design; and at least 1 national organization serving people with disabilities. Proposals submitted under this section shall meet the general requirements set by the Department of Transportation for all passenger cars available for purchase in the United States. Each proposal submitted under this section shall describe the specifications of the proposed accessible passenger car, including— the extent to which the car meets the requirements of an accessible passenger car set forth in subsection (a)(2); estimated highway and city fuel economy; the cost of the vehicle; the extent to which the vehicle provides adequate space for using and storing mobility devices, including wheelchairs; whether the car includes hand controls, either as standard equipment or as an option available from the manufacturer; the ease and comfort with which drivers with disabilities can enter and exit the car; the ease with which drivers with disabilities can reach and utilize car controls; the ease of making additional modifications to the car, if necessary; and available luggage or storage space. The Administrator shall convene a selection panel to select the winning proposals for the competition that includes representatives from the automobile industry and the disability community. The Administrator shall award cash prizes, in an amount to be determined by the Administrator, to the automobile manufacturers, postsecondary schools of design, and disability organizations that collaborated on a design that was selected under subsection (d). There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.