Agency Education Department

Contractor Voyager Sopris Learning (VSL))

SWIFT Contract Number 180309

Project Name LETRS facilitator training

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The purpose of the contract was for the vendor to deliver training to cohorts of state sponsored Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (“LETRS”) facilitators. The vendor provided two trainings to two cohorts of facilitators.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 07/17/2020 - 00:00

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

Actual end date Thu, 06/30/2022 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $26975.00

Amendments $53950.00

Contract total $80925.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? state

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) VSL holds intellectual property rights over all the LETRS content and the licensure of trained facilitators. MDE is engaged in a multi-year implementation project with VSL to study the impact of knowledge and training as it becomes enacted to improve student achievement.

Evaluator Name Vicki Weinberg

Evaluator Email Address Vicki.Weinberg@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Satisfactory. The vendor had an issue with getting us some materials on time; however, they made up for it with added supports.

Evaluate the contractor's quality very satisfied

Evaluate the contractor's cost very satisfied

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall this contractor’s performance is satisfactory. They provided a high quality trainer for our participants, worked diligently to address all questions and concerns, and continue to support our implementation project. MDE would work with this vendor again as they provide high quality information and materials. MDE is engaging with them to make improvements to our implementation project and their supports.

A concern we have is that their products continue to be heavily influenced by advisory panels vs. implementation data. At this time that may be scope creep for their product line, but they are adding staff who have more implementation experience to support state level work, so this is an opportunity for growth and optimism that product development will include results driven improvements.

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.): MDE did complete an after action review with VSL to improve preparation and delivery for its next cohort of facilitators. There was one item for the contractor to address. The item related to updates to slide decks. There is no communication of when their slide decks, that facilitators are to use, are updated.

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied