The purpose of performance measurement is to strengthen the RSVP project and foster continuous improvement. Performance measures are used to assess how an applicant for a grant approaches the design of volunteer activities and how those activities impact community needs.

An application to AmeriCorps for funding under RSVP must contain:

(a) In a year one renewal application:

(1) Performance measures.

(2) Estimated performance data for the project years covered by the application.

(b) In a year two or three continuation application:

(1) Performance measures.

(2) Estimated performance data for the project years covered by the application.

(3) Actual performance data, where available, for the preceding completed project year.

(a) AmeriCorps may establish performance measures that will apply to RSVP projects, which sponsors will be responsible for meeting.

(b) An applicant is responsible for choosing its own project specific performance measures.

(a) An applicant for AmeriCorps funds is required to submit any uniform performance measure AmeriCorps may establish for all applicants. Requirements, including types of performance measures, will be communicated in the notice of funding and other related materials.

(b) AmeriCorps may specify additional requirements related to performance measures on an annual basis in program guidance and related materials.

(c) Applicants for AmeriCorps funds will submit performance measures through the grant application. AmeriCorps will provide standard forms.

(a) AmeriCorps reviews and approves performance measures for all applicants that apply for funding.

(b) An applicant must follow AmeriCorps provided guidance and formats when submitting performance measures.

(c) Final performance measures, as negotiated between the applicant and AmeriCorps, will be documented in the approved grant application.

AmeriCorps will set specific reporting requirements, including frequency and deadlines, concerning performance measures established in the grant award. A sponsor is required to report on the actual results that occurred when implementing the grant and to regularly measure the project's performance.

When a sponsor finds it is not on track to meet its performance measures, the sponsor must develop a plan to get back on track or submit a request to AmeriCorps to amend its performance measures. AmeriCorps may limit when amendments to performance measure can be submitted, as well as limit the types of changes a sponsor can make to performance measures. The request must include all of the following:

(a) Why the project is not on track to meet its performance requirements;

(b) How the project has been tracking performance measures;

(c) Evidence of corrective steps taken;

(d) Any new proposed performance measures; and

(e) A plan to ensure that the project will meet the new proposed measure(s).

If a sponsor fails to meet a target performance measure established in the approved grant application, AmeriCorps may take one or more of the following actions:

(a) Reduce the amount, suspend, or deny refunding of the grant, in accordance with the provisions of § 2553.31;

(b) Terminate the grant, in accordance with 45 CFR part 1206.