Sec. 101.51  Comparative evaluation of mutually exclusive applications.

    (a) In order to expedite action on mutually exclusive applications 
in services under this rules part where the

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random selection process does not apply, the applicants may request the 
Commission to consider their applications without a formal hearing in 
accordance with the summary procedure outlined in paragraph (b) in this 
section if:
    (1) The applications are entitled to comparative consideration 
pursuant to Sec. 101.45;
    (2) The applications have not been designated for formal evidentiary 
hearing; and
    (3) The Commission determines, initially or at any time during the 
procedure outlined in paragraph (b) of this section, that such procedure 
is appropriate, and that, from the information submitted and 
consideration of such other matters as may be officially noticed, there 
are no substantial and material questions of fact presented (other than 
those relating to the comparative merits of the applications) which 
would preclude a grant under paragraphs (a) and (b) of Sec. 101.47.
    (b) Provided that the conditions of paragraph (a) of this section 
are satisfied, applicants may request the Commission to act upon their 
mutually exclusive applications without a formal hearing pursuant to the 
summary procedure outlined below:
    (1) To initiate the procedure, each applicant will submit to the 
Commission a written statement containing:
    (i) A waiver of the applicant's right to a formal hearing;
    (ii) A request and agreement that, in order to avoid the delay and 
expense of a comparative formal hearing, the Commission should exercise 
its judgment to select from among the mutually exclusive applications 
that proposal (or proposals) which would best serve the public interest; 
and
    (iii) The signature of a principal (and the principal's attorney if 
represented).
    (2) After receipt of the written requests of all of the applicants 
the Commission (if it deems this procedure appropriate) will issue a 
notice designating the comparative criteria upon which the applications 
are to be evaluated and will request each applicant to submit, within a 
specified period of time, additional information concerning the 
applicant's proposal relative to the comparative criteria.
    (3) Within thirty (30) days following the due date for filing this 
information, the Commission will accept concise and factual argument on 
the competing proposals from the rival applicants, potential customers, 
and other knowledgeable parties in interest.
    (4) Within fifteen (15) days following the due date for the filing 
of comments, the Commission will accept concise and factual replies from 
the rival applicants.
    (5) From time to time during the course of this procedure the 
Commission may request additional information from the applicants and 
hold informal conferences at which all competing applicants will have 
the right to be represented.
    (6) Upon evaluation of the applications, the information submitted, 
and such other matters as may be officially noticed the Commission will 
issue a decision granting one (or more) of the proposals which it 
concludes would best serve the public interest, convenience and 
necessity. The decision will report briefly and concisely the reasons 
for the Commission's selection and will deny the other application(s). 
This decision will be considered final.

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