All application packages will be evaluated by a Technical Review Panel and will be prioritized for potential funding. The review will consider consistency with national priorities, and preference will be given to performance-based proposals. The following evaluation factors will be used in reviewing the applications for HP grants:

1. Prior performance — Completion of identified programs and goals per the project plan.
2. Effective Use of Prior Grants — Demonstrated timely use of available funds.
3. Cost Effectiveness — Applications will be evaluated and prioritized on the expected impact on safety relative to the investment of grant funds. Where appropriate, costs per unit will be calculated and compared with national averages to determine effectiveness. In other areas, proposed costs will be compared with historical information to confirm reasonableness.
4. Applicability to announced priorities — grant applications that specifically address these issues will be given priority consideration.
5. Ability of the applicant to support the strategies and activities in the proposal for the entire project period of performance.
6. Use of innovative approaches in executing a project plan to address identified safety issues.
7. Feasibility of overall program coordination and implementation based upon the project plan.

Performance with respect to previous year grant programs will be considered by the Review Panel, in addition to other objective and performance-based criteria that FMCSA deems appropriate.