Award Criteria Guidelines

OAQDA and the OCDO understand that general criteria for both the coal and non-coal portions may overlap with criteria specific to coal projects.  

Award Criteria Guidelines Table

1. Use of Ohio Coal.  The technology will maintain or increase the use of Ohio coal.
2. Objectives.   The proposal has clearly stated objectives; the objectives are well defined and realistic and will advance the state-of-the-art; and the objectives are likely to be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
3. Technical Merit.  Proposal thoroughly and clearly discusses significant technical issues and/or risks/opportunities associated or anticipated with this technology or process; a thorough background discussion is provided describing the technology’s development to date; the project will build upon and not duplicate prior work; and the level of proposed scale-up is appropriate and not over-reaching.  Sufficient technical support is provided to substantiate a high probability of success; the proposal contains a very clear, detailed, logically sequenced statement of work with specific performance targets or ranges and identified QA/QC methods; the technology is not “off-the-shelf” or commercially guaranteed for the particular application for which it is proposed; and the project will be completed in a reasonable time frame.
4. Environmental Performance. The project identifies significant environmental issues associated with its commercial use; the technology is superior in environmental performance to competing technologies; valid performance claims are presented; the technology will meet or exceed requirements of the Clean Air Act (as amended) and other appropriate laws and regulations; the technology addresses a current or anticipated environmental issue; related issues such as by-products, parasitic power use and associated ancillary costs are addressed; and the project identifies and includes any necessary permitting and provides sufficient time in project for same.
5. Technical and Management Competence.  Project sponsor(s) and key personnel have relevant experience and depth and possess the capability both corporately and in personnel knowledge/ability to ensure the project is properly managed (technically and financially), engineered, constructed, and operated, documented and reported within budget.  The project team has sufficient technical, managerial and marketing capabilities and skills to undertake a project of this magnitude.  The company has enough depth of personnel, funding, and resources to handle a project of this scale, especially if unforeseen problems arise.

1. Applicability to Ohio.  This project/technology is applicable to Ohio coal-consuming facilities or is a technology/process likely to be used in Ohio using Ohio coal as a fuel or feedstock; there is likelihood of near-term adoption in the marketplace for demonstration and pilot projects.
2. Competition and Market.  The applicant exhibits a full understanding of the implementation constraints applicable to commercial processes.  The applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of the market and this technology’s competition in that market and how this technology surpasses the competition in performance and cost.  The applicant is experienced in commercialization of new technologies and presents evidence of same.
3. Cost-effectiveness.  Application of the technology is likely to meet or exceed environmental requirements as established by current and expected law and regulation at an economically competitive cost compared to currently available and/or emerging technologies.  The applicant identifies the cost or credit associated with byproduct disposal or sale.  The applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of the economic issues that must be addressed in the technical development.
4. Business/Marketing Plan.  Given the level of development (i.e., pilot, demonstration, deployment, etc.) of the technology, an appropriate business/marketing plan is presented.  The applicant demonstrates knowledge of the Ohio and overall market, how this will advantage Ohio coal, and how to penetrate the market.  Clear steps/plans are presented to commercialize the technology.

1. Financial Ability.   The applicant is financially stable and has sufficient depth of resources to support the project, especially if unforeseen problems arise.
2. Reasonableness of Budget.  The budget is reasonable for the tasks proposed.  The ratio of OCDO funds to private and other public contributions (cash and in-kind) is not excessive and is within limits set elsewhere in this document.  The project cost and relative investment by the State of Ohio is commensurate with the risk undertaken by the State.  The applicant and co-applicants bear an appropriate share of the risk.
3. Cost-share.  The Applicant bears a significant portion of the project’s total cost, with cash and, where appropriate, in-kind contributions.
4. Past Performance as an OCDO or other Ohio Agency Grant or Loan Recipient. For those applicants who have previously received support from OCDO or another State agency, the adherence to and completion of the requirements of the previous agreement(s) was acceptable.  No taxes or other debts to the State of Ohio are outstanding.