Agency Employ & Econ Development Dept

Contractor International School of Protocol

SWIFT Contract Number 117683

Project Name ISD

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Provide pre-employment transition students curriculum-based workshops with intensive training and immersive experiences structured around workplace readiness training and instruction of self-advocacy. See Exhibit A “Soft Skills Literacy and Leadership Outline” which is attached and incorporated into this contract.

Project Duration

Start Date Wed, 11/09/2016 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00

Actual end date Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $325000.00

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $275000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Federal

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 a unique program that has not been seen before across the nation and is breaking new ground. The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) introduced this program at a conference. Jobs and Salary Trends Report found that employers desire strong communication and interpersonal skills in the job applicants they’re evaluating. Also, The National Educational Longitudinal Study followed 11,000 graduates for 10 years and concluded that strong social skills are key to job success. This is the only vendor that offers this type of training catering to blind, deaf/blind and low vision individuals. Also, this program will help blind, deaf/blind and low vision students recognize how their behavior affects others in social and work related environments.
It is SSB’s statutory obligation to meet the needs of this population to prepare them for competitive work. Our federal grant stipulates 15% of grant award must be used for Pre-Employment Transition Students. In part those funds are to be used for workplace readiness training. This is the only vendor that caters to blind, deaf/blind and low vision soft skills training.
Strong social, communication and interpersonal skills are essential for young blind, deaf/blind, and low vision people seeking quality employment. High schools or colleges may teach basic skills like résumé and cover letter writing, but they are not equipped to help blind, deaf/blind, and low vision students manage public misunderstandings about blindness. Neither can they equip blind students to persuade employers of their abilities to compete on the job. This program is a one-of-a-kind blend of networking skills, blindness training, and social etiquette.
We have consulted with experts in blindness rehabilitation from across the country and that this is the only program combing networking, professional image, job-readiness and self-advocacy. Many other states are using this vendor due to the unique focus of this program

Evaluator Name chris johnson

Evaluator Email Address chris.e.johnson@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness provided duties on time

Evaluate the contractor's quality very attentive on work with our students
good quality training

Evaluate the contractor's cost fair market value

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance very good service

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