Section 130.90  Application Evaluation Procedures

a)         The Department will evaluate complete proposals in the following manner:  proposals will be evaluated to determine whether the proposed project meets the project eligibility criteria specified in Section 130.40 and to determine whether, based on the information supplied in the application documentation, the proposal demonstrates that: 

1)         the project is economically viable;

2)         the project is technically viable; and

3)         the Project will result in economic development benefits to the State.

b)         The Department may obtain the assistance of other persons either within or outside of State government in reviewing part or all of any application when, in the opinion of the Department, to do so would promote a more thorough and fair understanding of the proposed project.  If the Department elects to obtain such assistance, the Department shall select persons qualified by relevant environmental, technical, or engineering experience.

c)         The Department reserves the right to make on-site survey inspections during the

evaluation when, in the opinion of the Department, to do so would promote a more thorough and fair understanding of the proposed project.

d)         Upon completion of the evaluation and determination of the grant award, in accordance with Section 130.100, the Department staff shall make a recommendation to the Director.  The Director may then approve, reject, or amend the grant award, according to the best interests of the State, at her or his discretion.

e)         Rejection of applications. The Department reserves the right to reject any proposal that does not comply with the requirements of this Part.

f)         No rights conferred.  The submission of a proposal under this Section confers no right upon any applicant.  The Department is not obligated to award a grant, to pay any cost incurred by the applicant in the preparation and submission of a proposal, or pay any grant related costs incurred prior to the project start date.