In evaluating each application, OIED will consider:

(a) The ability of the eligible applicant to:

(1) Operate a business incubator that effectively imparts entrepreneurship and business skills to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs, as demonstrated by the experience and qualifications of the eligible applicant;

(2) Commence providing services within three months; and

(3) Provide quality incubation services to a significant number of Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs or provide such services at geographically remote locations where quality business guidance and counseling is difficult to obtain;

(b) The experience of the eligible applicant in providing services in Native American communities, including in the one or more reservation communities described in the application;

(c) The proposed location of the business incubator; and

(d) The extent to which a grant award will enable an entity that is already providing business incubation services to appreciably enhance those services.

In evaluating the proposed location of the business incubator, OIED will:

(a) Consider the program goal of achieving broad geographic distribution of business incubators; and

(b) Give priority to eligible applicants that will provide business incubation services on or near the reservation of the one or more communities that were described in the application, except that OIED may give priority to an eligible applicant that is not located on or near the reservation of the one or more communities that were described in the application if OIED determines that:

(1) The location of the business incubator will not prevent the eligible applicant from providing quality business incubation services to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs from the one or more reservation communities to be served; and

(2) Siting the business incubator in the identified location will serve the interests of the one or more reservation communities to be served.

(a) Before awarding a grant to an eligible applicant, OIED will conduct an evaluation of the proposed site to verify that the applicant has (or will have) the physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to collaborate and conduct business on a local, regional, national, and/or international level.

(b) To determine whether the site meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section:

(1) If the applicant is in possession of the proposed site, OIED will conduct an on-site visit or review a video submission before awarding the grant.

(2) If the applicant is not yet in possession of the proposed site and has submitted a written site proposal, OIED will review the written site proposal before awarding the grant and will conduct an on-site visit or review a video submission to ensure the site is consistent with the written site proposal no later than one year after awarding the grant. If OIED determines the site is not consistent with the written site proposal, OIED will use that information in determining the ongoing eligibility of the applicant under § 1187.50.