379.30—What selection criteria does the Secretary use under this program?

(a) The Secretary uses the procedures in 34 CFR part 75 to select applications and award new grants.

(b) The Secretary uses the following selection criteria to evaluate an application:

(1) Extent of need for project (20 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the project meets demonstrated needs. The Secretary looks for evidence that—

(i) The applicant has demonstrated a demand in the competitive labor market of the geographic area to be served for the types of jobs for which project participants will be placed and, if appropriate, trained.

(A) The applicant may demonstrate the demand for those jobs by describing an existing current labor market analysis, other needs assessment, or one that it has performed in collaboration with private industry.

(B) The labor market analysis or needs assessment must be consistent with the current and projected local employment opportunities identified by the local workforce investment board for the community under section 118(b)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; and

(ii) The job placement and, if appropriate, job training to be provided meets the identified needs for personnel in specific occupations or occupational categories in the geographic area to be served.

(2) Partnership with industry (25 points). The Secretary looks for information that demonstrates—

(i) The extent of the project's proposed collaboration with private industry in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of job development, job placement, career advancement activities, and, to the extent included as part of the activities to be carried out by the project, job training activities; and

(ii) The extent of proposed participation of the BAC in—

(A) The identification of job and career opportunities within the community, consistent with the current and projected local employment opportunities identified by the local workforce investment board for the community under section 118(b)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;

(B) The identification of the skills necessary to perform the jobs and careers identified; and

(C) For individuals with disabilities in fields related to the job and career availability identified under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, prescribing either—

(1) Training programs designed to develop appropriate job and career skills; or

(2) Job placement programs designed to identify and develop job placement and career advancement opportunities.

(3) Project design and plan of operation for achieving competitive employment (25 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine—

(i) The extent to which the project goals and objectives for achieving competitive employment for individuals with disabilities to be served by the project are clearly stated and meet the needs identified by the applicant and the purposes of the program;

(ii) The extent to which the project provides for all services and activities required under § 379.10 ;

(iii) The feasibility of proposed strategies and methods for achieving project goals and objectives for competitive employment for project participants;

(iv) The extent to which project activities will be coordinated with the DSU and with other appropriate community resources to ensure an adequate number of referrals and a maximum use of comparable benefits and services;

(v) The extent to which the applicant's management plan will ensure proper and efficient administration of the project; and

(vi) Whether the applicant has proposed a realistic timeline for the implementation of project activities to ensure timely accomplishment of proposed goals and objectives to achieve competitive employment for individuals with disabilities to be served by the project.

(4) Adequacy of resources and quality of key personnel (10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine—

(i) The adequacy of the resources (including facilities, equipment, and supplies) that the applicant plans to devote to the project;

(ii) The quality of key personnel who will be involved in the project, including—

(A) The qualifications of the project director;

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

(D) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve the project's goals and objectives, including the time that key personnel will commit to the project.

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

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

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

(6) Project evaluation (10 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the proposed evaluation plan with respect to—

(i) Evaluating project operations and outcomes;

(ii) Involving the BAC in evaluating the project's job development, job placement, career advancement activities, and, to the extent included as part of the activities to be carried out by the project, job training activities;

(iii) Meeting the annual evaluation reporting requirements in § 379.21(a)(6) ;

(iv) Determining compliance with the indicators; and

(v) Addressing any deficiencies identified through project evaluation.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0566)

Code of Federal Regulations

(Authority: 29 U.S.C. 711(c) and 795 )