636.21—What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate an application?
The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application under this part:
(a) Determination of need for the project.
(10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to assess the effectiveness of the procedures used by the applicant in determining need for the project, including consideration of—
(1)
The process used to ensure that the pressing and severe problems that are identified are in fact high priority problems for the urban area;
(2)
The priority relationship of the problems addressed by the project to other pressing and severe problems identified for the urban area;
(3)
The extent to which the problems addressed by the project represent pressing and severe problems in urban areas nationally;
(4)
The process by which project participants review and comment on proposed project goals, objectives, and strategies; and
(b) Quality of the applicant's organization for operation.
(20 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the organization for operation, including consideration of how the application describes the following:
(1)
The cooperative arrangement between the applicant and any of the following that are appropriate for the conduct of the proposed project:
(2)
(i)
Any previous working relationships between the applicant and the entities listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and
(3)
The agreement among project participants to commit their own resources in carrying out proposed project goals, objectives, and strategies.
(c) Quality of project objectives.
(10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the objectives for each project component activity meet the purposes of the program, are realistic, and are defined in terms of measurable results.
(d) Quality of implementation strategy.
(20 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which—
(e) Quality of 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—
(2)
Describe both process and product evaluation measures for each project component activity and outcome;
(4)
Describe how the data will be analyzed and reported so that adjustments and improvements can be made on a regular basis while the project is in operation;
(5)
Describe a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks; and
(6)
Establish the potential for effectively disseminating project information that can be generalized, replicated, and applied throughout the Nation.
(f) Quality of key personnel.
(10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the qualifications of key personnel, including information that—
(1)
The past work experience and training of key professional personnel are directly related to the stated activity purposes and objectives; and
(g) Budget.
(5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine whether the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective, including information that shows that—
(h) Institutional commitment.
(10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the application demonstrates a financial commitment on the part of the applicant and the local governments associated with its application, including the nature and amount of the matching contribution, and other institutional commitments from the applicant and other entities associated with the project, that are likely to assure the continuation of project activities for a significant time beyond the grant project period.