§ 333.22 - What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate applications for development or demonstration activities?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate applications for development and demonstration projects:

(a) Importance. (20 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the proposed project addresses national concerns in light of the purposes of this part.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed;

(ii) The potential impact of the proposed project for providing innovative advancements to the problem or issues; and

(iii) Previous research findings related to the problem or issue.

(b) Technical soundness. (30 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality and technical soundness of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for—

(i) High quality in the conceptual design of the project;

(ii) A clear specification of the procedures to be followed in carrying out the project; and

(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that can be quantified.

(c) Plan of operation. (15 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for—

(i) An effective plan of management that insures proper and efficient administration of the project;

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

(iii) How the applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disabling condition.

(d) Evaluation plan. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for assuring adequate performance measurement of project progress.

(e) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The qualifications of the project director;

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

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (e)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iv) How the applicant, as 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 disabling condition.

(3) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary considers experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, and any other qualifications that pertain to the quality of the project.

(f) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which—

(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate;

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and

(iii) The applicant demonstrates access to subjects necessary to conduct the proposed project.

(g) Marketing and dissemination. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine if there are adequate provisions for marketing or disseminating results.

(2) The Secretary considers—

(i) The provisions for marketing, replicating, or otherwise disseminating the results of the project; and

(ii) Provisions for making materials and techniques available to the populations for whom the project would be useful.

(h) Budget and cost-effectiveness. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine if the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.

(2) The Secretary considers the extent to which—

(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and

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

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