§ 316.23 - What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate applications for technical assistance activities?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate applications for technical assistance activities:

(a) Plan of operation. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including—

(1) High quality in the design of the project;

(2) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(3) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program; and

(4) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective.

(b) Project content. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine—

(1) The project's potential for national significance, its potential for effectiveness, and the quality of its plan for dissemination of the results of the project;

(2) The extent to which substantive content and organization of the project—

(i) Are appropriate for the attainment of knowledge that is necessary for the provision of quality educational and early intervention services to infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities; and

(ii) Demonstrate an awareness of relevant methods, procedures, techniques, technology, and instructional media or materials that can be used in the development of a model to assist parents of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities; and

(3) The extent to which project philosophy, objectives, and activities are related to the educational or early intervention needs of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

(c) Applicant experience and ability. (15 points) The Secretary looks for information that shows the applicant's—

(1) Experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project;

(2) National experience relevant to performance of the functions supported by the project;

(3) Ability to conduct the proposed project;

(4) Ability to communicate with intended consumers of information; and

(5) Ability to maintain necessary communication and coordination with other relevant projects, agencies, and organizations.

(d) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to use in the project, including—

(1) The qualifications of the project director;

(2) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(3) The time that each of the key personnel plans to commit to the project;

(4) How the applicant, as a part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability; and

(5) Evidence of the key personnel's past experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project.

(e) Evaluation plan. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation—

(1) Are appropriate for the project; and

(2) To the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable. (See 34 CFR 75.590, Evaluation by the grantee.)

(f) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant plans to devote to the project, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.

(g) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which—

(1) The budget is adequate to support the project; and

(2) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0028)