Agency Administration Dept

Contractor Equity Strategies, LLC

SWIFT Contract Number 251606

Project Name Equity Baseline Study

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Perform a Baseline Study assessing the current state of how the state enterprise implements state grant policies and best practices to embed equity in grantmaking and grant administration and offer recommendations for improving equitable policies and practices.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 07/19/2024 - 00:00

Original end date Mon, 06/30/2025 - 00:00

Actual end date Mon, 06/30/2025 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? No

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $100000

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $45000

Did project finish within budget? No

What was the funding source? Department of Administration/Office of Grants Management

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) Direct Equity Select

Evaluator Name Mary Schmidt

Evaluator Email Address mary.b.schmidt@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The timeliness of contractor communications varied throughout the course of the contract. Project status updates and work products were frequently delayed or not provided. The timelines for deliverables were adjusted multiple times. Ultimately the vendor was unable to complete the deliverables in the contract period.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The contractor’s verbal communication and collaboration were stronger than written. Deliverables, particularly written products such as summaries, communications to potential study participants, and survey instruments required significant revisions and edits by the agency.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The contractor costs were reasonable and within project budget.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The contractor proposed a scope of work and timeline to address the research questions identified by the agency. The scope of work included employing multiple qualitative research methods to gather data from both state employees, nonprofit organizations, and community members. The contractor completed less than half of the proposed deliverables outlined in the contract and scope of work within the contract period.

Communications with study participants created confusion and required agency intervention to remedy. Project updates (verbal and written) were frequently missed and lacked detail. Submitted invoices were unclear and required revisions prior to approval and payment by the agency.

The contractor was open to feedback and collaboration.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? No

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): A letter of intent to terminate for cause was delivered to the contractor in May 2025. The letter detailed specific actions required to cure including completion of the deliverables in the contract. The contractor advised the agency at the end of the contract period that they were not able to complete the work or cure the contract.

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 1 - very dissatisfied