Agency Housing Finance Agency

Contractor Neka Creative LLC

SWIFT Contract Number 190873

Project Name CERA Marketing & Outreach

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Minnesota Housing led the implementation of the COVID-Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program, known externally as RentHelpMN. The agency needed to market the program to reach all potentially eligible Minnesota renters who fell behind on their rent and related housing payments. The Marketing & Outreach contractor was charged with developing a strategy marketing plan, creating the materials, and conducting community outreach and some paid social media placements as well as text and email campaigns.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 03/01/2021 - 00:00

Original end date Mon, 05/30/2022 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 01/28/2022 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $200000.00

Amendments $0

Contract total $200000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? CERA Federal Funds

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 Jillian Mazullo

Evaluator Email Address jill.mazullo@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Excellent. The program was run on an emergency basis, and meeting deadlines for creation of the marketing materials, especially in the initial weeks and months of the program, was of utmost importance. The contractor met all deadlines and communicated any delivery date changes ahead of time.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The materials created for RentHelpMN were attractive, eye-catching, met branding requirements, and were recognizable. The contractor’s materials were featured as a notable example of a successfully branded and marketed rental assistance program by the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The cost of the deliverables was reasonable and predictable.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The work of this contractor was of high quality and followed a strategic outreach plan developed early in the program. Agency staff were pleased with their performance and expressed interest in potentially working with the firm again in the future if the opportunity arose.

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