Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor Cook County SWCD

SWIFT Contract Number 139773

Project Name Cook County SWCD Civic Engagement and WRAPS

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Complete WRAPS in Rainy River Headwaters. Provide support for outreach and engagement in Rainy River Headwaters and Lake Superior North watersheds. Support watershed gap monitoring. Support MPCA gage monitoring.

Project Duration

Start Date Sat, 05/05/2018 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 06/30/2021 - 00:00

Actual end date Wed, 06/30/2021 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $120000.00

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $113707.15

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? State

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Karen Evens

Evaluator Email Address karen.evens@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Satisfied- Contractor tried to make the best of a bad situation, since COVID disrupted the project and the planned level of efforts. Staff schedules and projects changed, staff availability changed, staff office locations changed, venues and use of meeting locations changed, etc. This all impacted projects and budget. The budget was adjusted to reflect the COVID new world, but even with that, the final budget was not fully spent since some projects were scaled down or more limited in scope from the planned.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Satisfied

Evaluate the contractor's cost Very Satisfied

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Very Satisfied- Given the adjustments needed to manage the contract in COVID experience, all involved gave it their best efforts. Cook SWCD staff and partners tried some very innovative approaches to get through the COVID problems. Partners working with the SWCD would often comment at a meeting how well some project was working despite all the adjustments needed and how appreciative the partner was for that attention or approach to a problem. The lake management plan effort was a very successful element of this contract. Utilizing other outreach methods and materials were also developed to a more professional polished skill level that county residents also commented on. For example, radio spots and newspaper inserts and flyers.

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