Agency Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Contractor Portage Partners Consulting

SWIFT Contract Number 241964

Project Name Parent Aware Redesign & Advisory Committee Facilitation

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: Parent Aware is established in state law as a QRIS framework to ensure that Minnesota's children have access to high-quality early learning and care programs in a range of settings so that they are fully ready for kindergarten (MN Statutes §142D.13). The state required professional technical services for project management and coordination of public engagement activities to support the Parent Aware Redesign and the Parent Aware Advisory Committee

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 01/19/2024 - 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? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $453700

Amendments $28390

Contract total $482090

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Federal - Child Care and Development 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 Jennifer M. Barshack

Evaluator Email Address jennifer.barshack@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Timeliness was excellent. Contractor fulfilled all responsibilities and deliverables on time or in advance of deadlines.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Contractor provided consistently high quality professional technical services in accordance with contract and work plan. These included recruiting child care program representatives, early childhood advocates, grantees, and partners to participate in multiple activities to gather data and community input to help determine root causes of barriers to Parent Aware participation and to inform needed improvements. The contractor demonstrated excellent understanding of the state’s objectives and the need to build upon previous and concurrent initiatives. The contractor’s team was highly professional, experienced, skilled and organized and expanded the state’s engagement approach with workgroups, focus groups, and ongoing ambassador communications.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Contractor stayed within budget. Cost for deliverables related to participant recruitment, enrollment, tracking and stipend distribution was on the high end.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Contractor's performance overall was excellent.

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.): N/A

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