Agency Education Department

Contractor Mares Dixon & Associates

SWIFT Contract Number 154158

Project Name Mediation services, Cruz-Guzman

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The State was in need of mediation services in the matter of Cruz-Guzman v. State of Minnesota et al., Case No. 27-CV-15-19117. The parties involved in the matter agreed to the use of the following mediators/contractors: Mares Dixon & Associates and Pamela Alexander.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 03/08/2019 - 00:00

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

Actual end date Fri, 12/31/2021 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? No

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) 309.84

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $74000

Amendments $155000

Contract total $229000

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) This is extremely complex litigation involving novel education law and constitutional law questions. Ms. Mares-Dixon and Judge Alexander are uniquely qualified to mediate this case due to their experience with complex litigation, education law issues, constitutional law issues, and integration/desegregation law.

Evaluator Name Daron Korte

Evaluator Email Address daron.korte@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The mediators’ work was timely. The mediators held mediation sessions according to the agreed upon schedule. They set the agendas and ensured all documentation and presentations needed for each mediation session were ready for each session.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The mediators’ did a good job navigating the complex issues in the case and the diverse and often conflicting perspectives of each of the parties. The mediators were able to get some of the parties to agree to a settlement proposal, which was the ultimate goal.

Evaluate the contractor's cost This was complex mediation requiring a high level of expertise and professionalism. While these mediators may have had a higher hourly rate than others, the quality of mediation services provided were commensurate with the additional cost.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The mediators performed well. They moved the mediation forward as far as it could conceivably go, given the circumstances (i.e. ideological conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, politics). The mediation was unsuccessful due to factors outside of the mediators’ control.

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.): None

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