In reading through some program guidelines for application to a
government-funded program, I came across the following paragraphs and
wondered
if any of you have ever encountered such language. These are apparently
some
federal flow-through funds to a state program, and I wonder if some this
language is mandated by the authorizing statues. My first reaction as a
taxpayer
is to take offense at the implication that objective criteria may or may
not be
applied in the award decision and that applicants will not receive
evaluator's
comments. Am I being too picky? Not that it would improve agency-applicant
relations any, but does not the FOIA apply to at least those applications
which
are funded?

"...The Department reserves the right to reject any and all applications
after
all have been evaluated, to negotiate awards after the application process
and
to accept applications deemed most favorable to the interests of the State.
 The
Department also reserves the right to withdraw this request for
applications and
not award a contract. All applicants will be notified of the disposition of
their application.

...Only the final results of the Department's evaluation shall be
considered
public. Work papers and individual evaluator's comments, notes and scores
are
not available for public inspection. Department staff will not be available
 to
provide comments on unsuccessful applications."

[end of quote]

-------
Molly Daniel
Grants Specialist
Mattoon, IL

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