§ 1980.1020 - Scoring.

§ 1980.1020 Scoring.

The Agency will score each eligible application seeking funding under this subpart as described in this section.

(a) Underlying program Program scoring. The Agency will score each application using the criteria for the applicable covered program, identified in § 1980.1002. The maximum number of points an application can receive under this paragraph (a) is based on the scoring criteria for the applicable underlying program identified in § 1980.1002, including any discretionary points that may be awarded.

(b) Section 6025 SECD scoring. The Agency will score each application using the criteria identified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section. The maximum number of points an application can receive under this paragraph (b) is 20 points.

(1) Project's direct support of a Plan's objectivesObjectives of the plan. The Agency will score each application on the basis of the number of a Plan's objectives the Project directly supportshow the project supports achieving the objectives of a plan which are identified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii). Applicants must supply sufficient documentation that demonstrates to the Agency the criteria identified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section are met. The maximum score under this paragraph (b)(1) is 10 points.

(i) If the Project project directly supports implementation of 3 three or more of the Planplan's objectives, the application will receive 10 points will be awarded.

(ii) If the Project project directly supports implementation of 2 two of the Planplan's objectives, the application will receive 5 points will be awarded.

(iii) If the Project project directly supports implementation of less than 2 two of the Planplan's objectives, the application will receive no points will be awarded.

(2) Characteristics of a Planplan. The Agency will score the Plan plan associated with a project Project based upon the characteristics of the Planplan, which are identified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (v) of this section. Applicants must supply sufficient documentation that demonstrates to the Agency the criteria identified in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (v) of this section are met. The maximum score under this paragraph (b)(2) is 10 points.

(i) CollaborationVariety of activities. If the Plan was developed through the collaboration of multiple stakeholders in the service area of the Plan, including the participation of combinations of stakeholders, such as State, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher education, and private entities, plan contains a variety of activities which clearly show facilitation toward achieving the vision for the rural communities and/or region as expressed in the plan, two points will be awarded.

(ii) ResourcesRegional resources leverage. If the Plan plan demonstrates an understanding of the applicable regional assets that could asset resources and indicates leveraging of those resources to support the Planplan, including cultural resources, natural resources, human resources, infrastructure, and financial resources, two points will be awarded.

(iii) Other Federal Agency InvestmentsStrategic partner investments. If the Plan includes Investments investments from Federal agencies strategic partners other than the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two points will be awarded.

(iv) Philanthropic organization InvestmentsParticipation by multiple stakeholders. If the Plan includes Investments from Philanthropic organizations, two points will be awardedplan provides evidence of the involvement of multiple stakeholders from multiple jurisdictions and representing multiple sectors in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of the plan, Rural Development (RD) will award two points.

(v) Objectives and , performance measures, and action steps. If the Plan plan contains clear, measurable objectives and , the ability to establish measurable performance measures and to track progress toward meeting the objectives and identifiable action steps for implementation, two points will be awarded.

(c) Total score. The Agency will sum the scores each application receives under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section in order to rank applications.

[80 FR 28816, May 20, 2015, as amended at 85 FR 59394, Sept. 22, 2020]