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INDEPENDENT PRODUCER SCORE SHEET GRANTS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES



REVIEWER ID:_____                                                    APPLICATION ID:_____


1. Nature of the Proposed Venture (Maximum 5 points)                     Enter Score___
 Describe in detail the proposed venture. This must include the value-added activity being proposed, the technology to be used and its availability, and examples of similar ventures. Discuss how the number of end-users for the product will be increased and how more revenue derived from the venture will be available to the producer-owners of the venture. Points will be awarded based on the greatest expansion of markets and increased returns to producers.

Comments:

2. Qualifications of Those Doing the Studies (Maximum 5 points)           Enter Score:___
Describe the education, experiences in performing the requested types of studies, and the success rate for those individuals. Points will be awarded based on demonstrated skills and a successful track record.

Comments:

3. Project Leadership (Maximum 5 points)                                  Enter Score:_____
Describe the individuals who are the members of the steering committee or the individual who is leading this effort; provide information on education, business experience, financial experience, knowledge of the venture to be undertaken, and other relevant information. Points will be based on demonstrated relevant leadership skills.

Comments:

4. Commitment (Maximum 5 points)                                          Enter Score:_____
Describe the level of producer commitment including the number of independent producers currently involved, the number of potential producers who could become involved, cash contributions and level of production from the producers. Describe the potential commitment of end-users of the value-added product to be produced including possible markets identified and potential buyers contacted. Describe the commitment from local and state development organizations, commodity associations, and local political institutions including technical assistance support and financial support. Higher producer commitment, higher end-user commitment, and higher local support will result in more points.

Comments:

5. Work Plan/Budget (Maximum 5 points)                                    Enter Score:_____
Discuss the specific tasks to be completed using grant and matching funds. Each task must be clearly defined and described in detail. The work plan must present the order in which the tasks will be undertaken and the estimated time for completing each task. If a group of producers wants a feasibility study conducted and a business plan drafted, the details of these two tasks must be presented and discussed. The budget must present a detailed breakdown of estimated costs associated with the project and allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken. Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for in the budget. It is important that reviewers understand what is being proposed. Logical, realistic, and economically efficient plans and budgets will result in higher scores.

Comments:

6. Amount Requested                                                       Enter Score:____
One half (1/2) point will be awarded for grant requests between $450,000 and $350,001, one (1) point will be awarded for grant requests between $350,000 and $250,001, one and one half (1 1/2) points will be awarded to grant requests between $250,000 and $150,001, and two (2) points will be awarded for grant requests of $150,000 or less.

Comments:

7. Project Cost Per Producer That Are Owners (Maximum 5 points)	          Enter Score:_____
 Calculated by dividing the Federal requested funds by the total number of producers that are owners of the venture. Points will be based on the largest number of producers that are owners benefited for the least cost.

Comments:

Calculation: 

          Enter amount of funds requested:$_____ 
          Enter number of producer-owners:______
                             Cost Ratio =$______per producer
                                                                  TOTAL SCORE =_____

8. Bioenergy Production                                                 Enter Score:_____
For those applications proposing ventures that focus on the Presidential initiative of bioenergy production, five percent of the total score of the above seven criteria will be added to calculate the final score. For example, if an application is proposing to do a bio-energy project and scores a total of 30 points on criteria one through seven, 1.5 additional points (30 x 0.05) will be added, making the final score 31.5.

Comments:

                                                                        FINAL SCORE =_____

Please write any general comments about the proposal here.


Signature of Reviewer







INDEPENDENT PRODUCER SCORE SHEET GRANTS FOR WORKING CAPITAL



REVIEWER ID:_____                                                   APPLICATION ID:_____

1. Business Viability (Maximum 5 points)                                 Enter Score:_____
 Describe in detail the technical and economic feasibility of the venture. This includes the organizational structure and operational aspects of the venture. Discuss how the venture will operate efficiently and be sustainable. More points will be awarded to those proposals demonstrating the venture will be efficient and sustainable.

Comments:

2. Customer Base/Increased Returns (Maximum 5 points)                    Enter Score:_____
Describe in detail how the customer base for the product being produced will expand because of the value-added venture. Provide documented estimates of this expansion. Describe in detail how a greater portion of the revenue derived from the venture will be returned to the producers that are owners of the venture. Provide 3 years of pro forma financial statements, including an explanation of assumptions used to generate the financial statements. The financial statements must include cash flow statements, income statements, and balance sheets. Income statements and case flow statements must be monthly for the first year, then annual for the next two years. The balance sheet should be annual for all three years. The financial statements will not count as part of the 35 page limit for the narrative section of the proposal. More points will be awarded to those proposals that demonstrate the greatest expansion of the customer base and increased returns to producers.

Comments:

3. Commitment (Maximum 5 points)                                         Enter Score:____
Describe in detail producer commitment to the venture including the number of independent agricultural producers who will participate in the venture and their total level of production; financial resources invested in the venture; and any contracts used between the producers that are owners and the venture. Discuss the amount of fund raised for the independent producers that are owners and the use of those funds. Also describe who will purchase the output of the venture; the amount of output to be purchased; markets that have been identified and any completed marketing studies; and any letter of intent or contracts form the potential end-users. Describe the commitment from local and state development organizations, commodity associations, and local political institutions including technical assistance support and or other supporting documents at this time. However, be sure to cite their existence when addressing this criteria. Points will be awarded based on the greatest level of documented commitment.

Comments:

4. Management Team/Work Force (Maximum 5 points)                       Enter Score:_____
Describe in detail the qualifications of the individuals who will manage and operate the venture. Discuss the education and experience of the management team, especially that experience in managing similar ventures. Describe in detail the availability and quality of the labor force needed to operate the value-added venture. Points will be awarded based on the greatest demonstrated level of relevant skills and experience.

Comments:

5. Work Plan/Budget (Maximum 5 points)                                 Enter Score:_____
Discuss the specific tasks to be completed using grant and matching funds. Each task must be clearly defined and described in detail. The work plan must present the order in which the tasks will be undertaken and the estimated time for completing each task. The budget must present a detailed breakdown of estimated costs associated with the project and allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken. Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for in the budget. It is important that reviewers understand what is being proposed. Logical, realistic, and economically efficient plans and budgets will result in higher scores.

Comments:

6. Amount Requested           	                                       Enter Score:_____
One half (1/2) point will be awarded for grant requests between $450,000 and $350,001, one (1) point will be awarded for grant requests between $350,000 and $250,001, one and one half (1 1/2) points will be awarded to grant requests between $250,000 and $150,001, two (2) points will be awarded for grant requests of $150,000 or less.

Comments:

7. Project cost per producer that is an owner (Maximum 5 points)       Enter Score:_____
Calculated by dividing the Federal requested funds by the total number of independent producers that are owners of the venture. Points will be based on the largest number of producers that are owners benefited for the (least cost.

Comments:

Calculation: 
          Enter amount of funds requested:$_____ 
          Enter number of producer-owners:______
                             Cost Ratio =$______per producer
                                                                  TOTAL SCORE =_____


8. Bioenergy Production                                              	Enter Score:_____
For those applications proposing ventures that focus on the Presidential initiative of bioenergy production, five percent of the total score of the above seven criteria will be added to calculate the final score. For example, if an application is proposing to do a bioenergy product and scores a total of 30 points on criteria one through seven, 1.5 additional points (30 x 0.05) will be added, making the final score 31.5.

Comments:

                                                                        FINAL SCORE =_____

Please write any general comments about the proposal here.


Signature of Reviewer









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