366.27—What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

In evaluating each application for a new center under this part, the Secretary uses the following selection criteria:

(a) Extent of the need for the project (20 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for persuasive evidence that shows the extent to which the project meets the specific needs for the program, including considerations of—

(i) The needs addressed by the project;

(ii) How the applicant identified those needs (e.g., whether from the 1990 census data or other current sources);

(iii) How those needs will be met by the project; and

(iv) The benefits to be gained by meeting those needs.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows that the need for the center has been established based on an assessment of the ability of existing programs and facilities to meet the need for IL services of individuals with significant disabilities in the geographic area to be served.

(3) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) That the applicant proposes to establish a new center to serve a priority service area that is identified in the current State plan; and

(ii) The priority that the State has placed on establishing a new center in this proposed service area.

(b) Past performance (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the past performance of the applicant in successfully providing services comparable to the IL core services and other IL services listed in section 7 (29) and (30) of the Act and 34 CFR 365.21 and 365.22 and other services that empower individuals with significant disabilities.

(c) Meeting the standards and the assurances (25 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows—

(1) Evidence of demonstrated success in satisfying, or a clearly defined plan to satisfy, the standards in section 725(b) of the Act and subpart G of this part; and

(2) Convincing evidence of demonstrated success in satisfying, or a clearly defined plan to satisfy, the assurances in section 725(c) of the Act and subpart F of this part.

(d) Quality of key personnel (10 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including—

(i) The qualifications of the project director, if one is to be used;

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other management and decision-making personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (d)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project;

(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 disability; and

(v) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally under-represented, including—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(D) Elderly individuals.

(2) To determine personnel qualifications under paragraphs (d)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, the Secretary considers—

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

(ii) Any other qualifications that pertain to the objectives of the project.

(e) Budget and cost effectiveness (10 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows 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.

(f) Evaluation plan (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows 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;

(2) Will determine how successful the project is in meeting its goals and objectives; and

(3) Are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.

(4) (Cross-reference: See 34 CFR 75.590.)

(g) Plan of operation (20 points). The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project, including—

(1) The quality of the design of the project;

(2) The extent to which the plan of management ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(3) How well the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

(4) The quality and adequacy of the applicant's plan to use its resources (including funding, facilities, equipment, and supplies) and personnel to achieve each objective;

(5) 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 disability; and

(6) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access to services for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally under-represented, including—

(i) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(ii) Women;

(iii) Elderly individuals; and

(iv) Children and youth.

(h) Involvement of individuals with significant disabilities (5 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that individuals with significant disabilities are appropriately involved in the development of the application.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows that individuals with significant disabilities or their parents, guardians, or other legally authorized advocates or representatives, as appropriate, will be substantially involved in planning, policy direction, and management of the center, and, to the greatest extent possible, that individuals with significant disabilities will be employed by the center.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0018)

Code of Federal Regulations

(Authority: 29 U.S.C. 796f-1(d)(2)(B) )