(a) Agency officials responsible for formulating Manual directives containing applicable standards, criteria, and guidelines shall determine whether substantial public interest or controversy concerning a proposed Manual directive can be expected.
(b) The following shall be considered in making this determination:
(1) Direct written or oral communication with those known to be interested in the proposal;
(2) The degree to which the proposal is likely to adversely or beneficially affect the general public as well as those known to be interested in the proposal;
(3) The amount of change the proposal represents from current direction;
(4) The extent of recent news media coverage on subjects related to the proposal; and
(5) The amount of interest or controversy expressed on previous proposals on the same or similar subjects.