---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3196"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3196"
heading: "Performance evaluations of grant recipients"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3196"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Public Works and Economic Development"
  - "Subchapter V — Administration"
---

# §3196. Performance evaluations of grant recipients

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall conduct an evaluation of each [university center](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) and each [economic development district](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A) that receives [grant](/usc/42/3122.md?p=8) assistance under this chapter (each referred to in this section as a “grantee”) to assess the grantee’s performance and contribution toward retention and creation of employment.
- (b) **Purpose of evaluations of university centers—** The purpose of the evaluations of [university centers](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be to determine which [university centers](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) are performing well and are worthy of continued [grant](/usc/42/3122.md?p=8) assistance under this chapter, and which should not receive continued assistance, so that [university centers](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) that have not previously received assistance may receive assistance.
- (c) **Timing of evaluations—** Evaluations under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be conducted on a continuing basis so that each grantee is evaluated within 3 years after the first award of assistance to the grantee, and at least once every 3 years thereafter, so long as the grantee receives the assistance.
- (d) **Evaluation criteria—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall establish criteria for use in conducting evaluations under [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Evaluation criteria for university centers—** The criteria for evaluation of a [university center](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) shall, at a minimum, provide for an assessment of the center’s contribution to providing technical assistance, conducting applied research, program performance, and disseminating results of the activities of the center.
  - (3) **Evaluation criteria for economic development districts—** The criteria for evaluation of an [economic development district](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A) shall, at a minimum, provide for an assessment of management standards, financial accountability, and program performance.
- (e) **Peer review—** In conducting an evaluation of a [university center](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) or [economic development district](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A) under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall provide for the participation of at least 1 other [university center](/usc/42/3122.md?p=17) or [economic development district](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A), as appropriate, on a cost-reimbursement basis.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–136, title V, § 506, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3611; amended Pub. L. 108–373, title V, § 503, Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1769.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3196, Pub. L. 89–136, title V, § 517, as added Pub. L. 94–188, title II, § 206, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1090, related to vocational and technical educational demonstration projects, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title XVIII, § 1821(a)(8), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 766, effective Sept. 30, 1981.

A prior section 506 of Pub. L. 89–136 was classified to section 3186 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, § 1821(a)(8).

### Amendments

2004–Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–373, § 503(a), struck out “after the effective date of the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998” after “assistance to the grantee”.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 108–373, § 503(b), inserted “program performance,” after “applied research,”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Feb. 11, 1999, see section 105 of Pub. L. 105–393, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title.