A Statement of Need shall be issued by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Juvenile Services before: A prospective licensee may submit to the Office a proposal for a residential child care program in accordance with COMAR 14.31.02; An existing or previously licensed residential child care program is relocated to another site; The physical site of a residential child care program is expanded; or The number of placements in a residential child care program is increased. In developing a statement of need, the Agencies shall: Consider needs identified in the State Resource Plan and the Interagency Strategic Plan; Consider the specialized mental, physical, and behavioral health and development needs of children in the county or region affected by the statement of need; and Give notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed statement of need to stakeholders in the counties or regions affected by the statement of need, including: State and local child-serving agencies; Providers of residential and community-based services for children; and Children, parents, foster parents, and other guardians. When the need for a residential child care program is identified, the Agencies shall publish a notice of a statement of need in the Maryland Register. The statement of need shall include: Identification of the geographic area or areas of need, including the primary region or regions of residence of the children who will be placed in the facility; Identification of population to be served, including specialized mental, physical, behavioral health, and developmental needs of the children affected by the statement of need; Description of services that will be provided; Description of the current availability of the proposed services in the region or regions; Description of the actual or projected number of children who need the proposed services from the region or regions; Number of beds required; Description of the methodology used as the basis for the agency's calculations set forth in a manner that permits independent verification if requested; Date by which proposals must be submitted; Date by which beds must be available; and Selection criteria. Proposals for a residential child care program must be submitted to the Office in accordance with COMAR 14.31.02 only in response to a published statement of need. The Agencies may not grant a license for a residential child care program unless a statement of need has been issued. The Agencies may not delegate their authority to issue a statement of need. The Agencies shall perform the licensure for a residential child care program in accordance with the applicable provisions of COMAR 14.31.05. The Agencies shall perform an evaluation of responses to requests for proposals, and selection of a contractor in accordance with the applicable provisions of COMAR 21.05.03 and other applicable statutes and regulations.