Agency Health Department

Contractor St. Mary's University

SWIFT Contract Number 91043

Project Name TickNET

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The purpose of this contract was to provide the skilled resources needed to conduct tick collection services in southeastern Minnesota. The contract specifically covered costs related to labor and travel to 10-20 research locations in 2015 and the continuation of a smaller number of sites in 2016. The tickborne disease risk study occurred at approximately 80 locations across the state (i.e., many more than the Minnesota Department of Health can efficiently travel to and conduct field research). A research team based out of Winona could get to tick sampling sites in the southeast region relatively quickly and efficiently.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 04/13/2015 - 00:00

Original end date Thu, 12/31/2015 - 00:00

Actual end date Sat, 12/31/2016 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $22675

Amendments $2020

Contract total $24695

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? CDC - EIP Grant

Is this a sole source contract? Yes

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) There are only a few field biologists in the state with experience in conducting field research on ticks. The Minnesota Department of Health is aware of who these people are and the areas of the state where they work. Dr. Minnerath, our collaborator at St. Mary's University in Winona, is a skilled field biologist with experience in collecting ticks from research sites. The combination of her unique experience and location in the heart of southeastern Minnesota, make her the single source available to do the work.

Evaluator Name Jenna Bjork

Evaluator Email Address Jenna.Bjork@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Dr. Minnerath and her team successfully visited all of the sites in 2015 and 2016 on a timely basis. We greatly appreciated the willingness and ability to travel and conduct tick sampling in a relatively small amount of time (i.e., optimizing the chances of collecting the most amount of nymphal ticks in a 2-3 week window in June). Data sheets, tick specimens, and invoices were also submitted to MDH in a timely fashion.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Dr. Minnerath and her team were highly dependable in their tick sampling efforts as well as following study protocols and identifying tick species in the field.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Mileage was standard and total mileage reimbursed was appropriate and did not exceed estimates made prior to the study. Hourly rates were also appropriate for undergraduate student labor and Dr. Minnerath's labor (PhD) as well.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance We were very satisfied with the overall performance provided by Dr. Minnerath and her team at St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. She proved to be reliable and scientific with all of her efforts, in the field and in communications with us. We would not hesitate to work with Dr. Minnerath again in the future.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied