Agency MNIT

Contractor IBM Curam/Merative

SWIFT Contract Number 127774

Project Name METS

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: State-specific customization and development of the IBM Cúram social program management software platform for the Department of Human Services and MNsure.

Project Duration

Start Date Sat, 07/01/2017 - 00:00

Original end date Sun, 06/30/2019 - 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: $24000000.00

Amendments $56000000.00

Contract total $80000000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Operations and CMS APD

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) The state’s deployed healthcare eligibility and case management solution includes a base software platform, IBM Cúram, and customization services to meet state-specific requirements, currently provided by the IBM Cúram professional technical services team.

Selection of IBM Cúram as the software platform was previously determined through an open and competitive solicitation.

For state-specific customization, the IBM Cúram professional technical services team is an internal division of the product manufacturer (IBM). As a result, they have a direct communication path with the IBM Cúram base product development team. This improves alignment of product/customization effort, avoiding rework, and resulting in faster implementation of high priority functionality for the state and counties, including work that is legislatively-mandated by the state or required for federal compliance.

Additionally, in an environment where it may not be easily determined if issues are rooted in the base product or the custom development, maintaining a single vendor between the software and the customization services allows the state to place responsibility with a single manufacturer when issues arise. This avoids protracted disputes and provides a faster response and resolution for a critical healthcare eligibility system.

Furthermore, changing vendors would result in significant additional costs to the state as project-specific knowledge, including state rules, system structure, and individual roles, are transferred to a new PT contractor. The state would also lose access to some proprietary tools, such as Upgrade Helper, which would need to be designed and replaced by the new PT contractor. Projects face implementation delays during this time, resulting in the continued need for manual intervention by government staff in certain eligibility cases, and putting deadlines in jeopardy.

DHS and MNIT continues to evaluate where the association between the IBM Cúram base product and the professional technical services team is crucial, and where appropriate, utilizes other professional technical services contracts through the BUY.IT program. Currently, 25 other vendors are contracted separately via the BUY.IT program as a part of DHS systems modernization.

Evaluator Name Deb Tibstra

Evaluator Email Address deb.tibstra@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness IBM Cúram/Merative completed work on-time or ahead of schedule meeting the required release schedules.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of the IBM Cúram/Merative work was good, meeting the requirements as described by the DHS and MNsure business partners.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Most development and quality assurance happens off-shore, utilizing extremely cost-effective rates, less than what it would cost for a state employee. On-shore resources are for technical analysts, deployment specialists and architects. While significantly more expensive, they are within the range of other vendors providing similar services.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall IBM Curam/Merative has met the needs of DHS and MNsure's business. They partner closely with MNIT to deliver as a united team. IBM Curam/Merative were flexible and responsive during the COVID pandemic.

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 4 - satisfied