Agency Education Department

Contractor Michigan Department of Education (Michigan)

SWIFT Contract Number 152282

Project Name TIG Administrative Review Project

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) needed a web-based software application for managing administrative reviews of food nutrition programs overseen by MDE at schools, daycare centers, family daycare homes, community centers, etc. The State of Michigan (Michigan) had already developed the type of administrative review management application needed by MDE, called the Grant Electronic Monitoring System/Michigan Administrative Review System (GEMS/MARS). Michigan was willing to share their application’s codebase and data with MDE as set forth in a separate SWIFT Contract # 141943. However, MDE also needed training and support so its staff could learn how to configure and use the Michigan GEMS/MARS application. This contract enabled MDE to obtain and pay for the training support needed from Michigan’s GEMS/MARS Business system expert, Josh Long.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 02/11/2019 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00

Actual end date Thu, 12/31/2020 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) 866

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $57847.20

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $57847.20

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Federal funds

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) This contract is a Joint Powers Agreement between the States of Minnesota and Michigan. MDE received the code base and data for a web-based application developed by Michigan, as stated above. No other State had this application. Only one person at Michigan had the expertise, knowledge and experience needed to assist MDE with configuring the Michigan-developed application to meet MDE’s needs and to train MDE’s administrative review staff on how to use the system.

Evaluator Name Wendy Ferstle

Evaluator Email Address Wendy.Ferstle@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The individual contractor attempted to be as timely as his Michigan management allowed. He was very responsive when questions arose from the MDE project team.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The contractor was extremely knowledgeable and provided critical information for the success of the project.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Cost was reasonable based on services provided.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The contractor did a reasonable job providing knowledge transfer to the Minnesota System Administrator, but was unable to provide expected staff training due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

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.): No

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied