Section 220-RICR-80-15-1.7 - Intake and Evaluation ProceduresA. The caseworker and/or representative of DOA will review each application to determine if the applicant has submitted a complete application.B. If the applicant has failed to submit all requested information, the applicant will be notified via mail or by email at the address furnished by the applicant by the caseworker and/or representative of DOA detailing what required information is missing from their application.C. Any application for which all requested information is not received within a thirty (30) calendar day period from the date of the notification will either be withdrawn, and the applicant cannot reapply earlier than sixty (60) days from the expiration of the thirty (30) day period, or the application may be denied.D. The caseworker and/or representative of DOA will evaluate the completed application and may conduct a site visit and complete a site visit report if it felt that further investigation of the applicant firm is warranted to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for certification as a VBE. This evaluation will be completed within a reasonable time after receipt of the completed application, which shall not exceed ninety (90) days.1. While the office is awaiting additional information from the applicant, the ninety (90) day period for processing an application is suspended until all additional information requested from the applicant has been received.E. DOA may, in its discretion, grant or request an interview with the applicant firm, if it feels an interview is essential to complete the application review process.F. After review and verification of each application a case evaluation and/or site visit report will form the basis of the report prepared by the caseworker and/or representative of DOA to the Assistant Administrator - MBE within the ODEO.G. No requests for withdrawal of an application will be considered once the report has been prepared by the caseworker and/or representative of DOA for the Assistant Administrator - MBE.H. The Assistant Administrator - MBE and the Associate Director of ODEO will meet to review the application and reports of the caseworker and/or representative of DOA to determine the certification of the applicant.1. If the Assistant Administrator - MBE and the Associate Director of ODEO, jointly, determine that an applicant meets the criteria for certification as a VBE pursuant to these regulations, DOA shall certify the applicant.2. If the Assistant Administrator - MBE and the Associate Director of ODEO, jointly, determine that an applicant firm does not meet the criteria for certification as a VBE pursuant to these regulations, DOA shall notify the applicant firm by certified mail of the denial determination.a. The denial determination shall include the basis for the denial including a reference to the specific sections of these rules that the applicant has failed to comply with.b. The applicant will also be notified that the applicant has the right to may request an appeal hearing before the Certification Review Committee (CRC).c. If certification is denied the applicant may reapply no earlier than one year after the date of the decision of the D.O.A.220 R.I. Code R. 220-RICR-80-15-1.7
Adopted effective 7/3/2019