The Administrator of RBS and the Administrator on behalf of SBA, in their sole discretion, will evaluate and select an Applicant to participate in the RBIC program based on a review of the Applicant's application materials, interviews or site visits with the Applicant (if any), and background investigations conducted by the Agency and other Federal agencies. The Agency's evaluation and selection process is intended to—

(a) Ensure that Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis and in a fair and consistent manner;

(b) Take into consideration the unique proposals presented by Applicants;

(c) Ensure that each Applicant licensed as a RBIC can fulfill successfully the goals of its comprehensive business plan; and

(d) Ensure that the Agency selects Applicants in such a way as to promote nationwide geographic distribution of Developmental Capital investments.

[69 FR 32202, June 8, 2004, as amended at 85 FR 16523, Mar. 24, 2020]