---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 385.51"
title: "46"
number: "385.51"
heading: "Criteria: Projects."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/385.51"
---

# §385.51. Criteria: Projects.


The criteria to be used by MarAd in evaluating all projects prior to award of a grant or cooperative agreement are as follows:

- (a) **In terms of the accomplishment of a public purpose—**
  - (1) The potential contribution which the proposed work is expected to make to the MarAd assistance mission;
  - (2) The economic, environmental, and societal significance which a successful demonstration or project may have for the nation, and in particular the national merchant marine program;
  - (3) **The relationship of the proposal to—**
    - (i) The public need for the potential results of the research, development, or demonstration effort, and whether it is unlikely that similar results would be achieved in a timely manner in the absence of Federal assistance;
    - (ii) Whether the potential opportunities for non-Federal interests to recapture the investment in the undertaking through the normal commercial utilization of proprietary knowledge appear inadequate to encourage timely results;
    - (iii) The extent of the problems treated and whether the objectives sought by the undertaking are national, widespread, or regional in their significance;
    - (iv) The extent of opportunities to induce non-Federal support of the undertaking;
    - (v) The degree of risk of loss of the investment inherent in the research, and the availability of risk capital to the non-Federal entities which might otherwise engage in the field of the research so as to further timely development of the technology; and,
    - (vi) **The availability of appropriations to MarAd.**
- (b) **In terms of the particular objectives of the project, whether the project has—**
  - (1) High technical merit which promises or represents an innovative idea, method, or approach;
  - (2) Program value not previously recognized or pursued by MarAd; and,
  - (3) **A reasonable degree of probability of achieving the stated objectives.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: Sec. 204(b), Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended (46 U.S.C. 1114(b)); Reorganization Plans No. 21 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1273), and No. 7 of 1961 (75 Stat. 840), as amended by Pub. L. 91-469 (84 Stat. 1036); Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-8 (36 FR 19707, July 23, 1973); and Secretary's Circular 30 (Nov. 5, 1979).

### Source

Source: 45 FR 66168, Oct. 6, 1980, unless otherwise noted.