Agency Education Department

Contractor Libraries Without Borders

SWIFT Contract Number 185229

Project Name Libraries Without Borders

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), helps Minnesota’s libraries plan, develop, and implement high-quality services that address community needs. MDE applied for and received a grant from the Blandin Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing economic opportunities for rural areas throughout Minnesota, to support a one-year planning and development project to increase digital access and educational and workforce opportunities for residents of manufactured home communities (commonly referred to as trailer parks or mobile home communities) in rural Minnesota. In the grant application, MDE outlined how it would work with Libraries Without Borders (LWB) to achieve the goals of the proposed project.

Project Duration

Start Date Thu, 11/05/2020 - 00:00

Original end date Tue, 08/31/2021 - 00:00

Actual end date Tue, 08/31/2021 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $40651.00

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $40651.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? grant from private foundation to MDE

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) MDE applied for and received a grant from the Blandin Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing economic opportunities for rural areas throughout Minnesota, to support a one-year planning and development project to increase digital access and educational and workforce opportunities for residents of manufactured home communities (commonly referred to as trailer parks or mobile home communities) in rural Minnesota. In the grant application, MDE outlined how it would work with Libraries Without Borders (LWB) to achieve the goals of the proposed project. LWB was determined to be capable of assisting MDE with the proposed project. LWB is a national nonprofit organization that aims to bring together leaders from communities, public libraries, and other organizations to co-design library spaces.

Evaluator Name Hannah Buckland

Evaluator Email Address hannah.buckland@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Fair – The contractor completed the overall project by the contract end date. The contractor was unclear at times about workplan modifications made to accommodate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leading to some delays in meeting project benchmarks on time.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Fair – The contractor was of passable quality. The contractor demonstrated strong initiative and knowledge about public relations. The contractor could improve the clarity of their communication with all stakeholders. The contractor could also improve the degree to which they infuse cultural humility into their work.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Fair – The contractor charged a fair rate for the work performed. The contractor needs to revisit their reliance on unpaid volunteers of color whom they recruited to assist with project execution. This practice undermines MDE’s guiding principle of equity.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Fair – The contractor’s performance was adequate. The overall scope of work was performed on time and within budget. However, during an evaluation State Library Services conducted of its stakeholder-contractor relationships, 5 out of 10 public library survey respondents working directly with the contractor indicated disagreement with the following statements:
• LWB follows through with their commitments.
• LWB communicates in a timely manner.
• LWB fully understands the unique community my library serves, including its racial and cultural diversity.

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 3 - neutral