Agency Education Department

Contractor Children's Museum of Minnesota

SWIFT Contract Number 159668

Project Name conduct “Play as Learning” training

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Children’s Museum of Minnesota was contracted with to provide their expertise on child development and play, and offer training to library staff serving youth. They conducted “Play as Learning” training and professional development for public library staff.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 07/01/2019 - 00:00

Original end date Tue, 06/30/2020 - 00:00

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

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $25616.00

Amendments $0.00

Contract total $25616.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? federal

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) The Children’s Museum staff provides a unique expertise on child development and play. The Minnesota Children's Museum's mission is grounded in play, particularly focused on 0-5 year old children. The organization's exhibits and learning activities are grounded in academic research related to play, early childhood indicators of progress and best practices in early childhood development. Its staff are highly trained professionals that lead workshops and other types of professional development opportunities for different types of organizations.

The museum has collaborated with public libraries over the last 10 years to help to create playful learning spaces in libraries - small scale museum quality exhibits. The spaces have been well-received by children, families and library staff.

This is a single source procurement because there are no other entities in Minnesota that have the museum's combined expertise to deliver the learning objectives - expertise on public libraries, on early childhood development, research-based knowledge of play, early childhood indicators of progress and professional development. Because of this, it is uniquely suited to meet the needs of library staff across the state for professional development on play as learning.

Evaluator Name Ashley Bieber

Evaluator Email Address Ashley.Bieber@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's quality satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's cost reasonable

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Satisfactory. The workshop provided was well received and attendees gave positive reviews on their evaluations. The remainder of the programs were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.): NA

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