Subject to the limitations of this section and §296.4, assistance under this part is available to eligible companies or joint ventures that request either of the following:

(a) Single company awards: No award given to a single company shall exceed a total of $3,000,000 over a total of 3 years.

(b) Joint venture awards: No award given to a joint venture shall exceed a total of $9,000,000 over a total of 5 years.