Gracieh, I'd also like to know the answer to that question. I called Ford and asked, but the person I spoke with said that information could not be disclosed. I asked about previous years, and was told that it varies. Sometimes alternates get the award; sometimes alternates don't get the award. So basically I have no idea how many alternates there are and if one or two or five end up getting the award... And considering that there were a few alternates last year who didn't get the award, I'm not going to get my hopes up this year. But I am going to remain positive.
What I did find out is that there's an internal ranking list of alternates, but they won't tell you where you are on that list either. So it's possible that if you are at the top, you'll get an award.
Try calling Ford if you want... You may get more information. I'm going to ask one of my recommenders who received the award, but he got the award over 10 years ago so procedures have probably changed.
Gracieh, can you PM your email address? We should keep each other updated.