In determining whether participation of an applicant company in a covered program would be in the economic interest of the United States under § 600.502(a), DOE may consider any evidence showing that a financial assistance award would be in the economic interest of the United States including, but not limited to—

(a) Investments by the applicant company and its affiliates in the United States in research, development, and manufacturing (including, for example, the manufacture of major components or subassemblies in the United States);

(b) Significant contributions to employment in the United States by the applicant company and its affiliates; and

(c) An agreement by the applicant company, with respect to any technology arising from the financial assistance being sought—

(1) To promote the manufacture within the United States of products resulting from that technology (taking into account the goals of promoting the competitiveness of United States industry); and

(2) To procure parts and materials from competitive suppliers.