(a) The department's regional offices, the New York State Science and Technology Foundation, the New York State Urban Development Corporation, or other State agencies, authorities, offices or commissions, or local economic development entities, may refer an industrial firm or group of firms to the department to be qualified to apply for industrial effectiveness assistance.

(b) The department shall assign industrial effectiveness experts or specialists employed or certified by the department to visit and conduct interviews with the firm or group of firms, to review financial statements, and to complete a qualification for assistance questionnaire. The specialist shall report and recommend to the department whether the firm or group of firms should be qualified to apply for assistance under the program.

(c) Qualification of an industrial firm or group of industrial firms by the department pursuant to section 4202.4, 4202.5 or 4202.6 of this Part shall make the firm or group of firms eligible to apply to the department for industrial effectiveness assistance.

(d) The department shall enter into such contractual agreements as are appropriate and necessary to facilitate the conduct of the program.