Agency Agriculture Dept

Contractor University of Minnesota

SWIFT Contract Number B33809 AKA SWIFT 37375

Project Name Tracing sediment sources with metoric Beryllium-10

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: MN Statute 114D provided funds to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to coordinate research projects that address impaired waters and the TMDL program. This project was selected as part of an RFP that was issued to fulfill that goal.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 05/18/2009 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 04/20/2011 - 00:00

Actual end date Mon, 04/30/2012 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? No

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $65298.00

Amendments $0

Contract total $65298.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Clean Water Legacy 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 Adam S. Birr, Ph.D.

Evaluator Email Address Adam.Birr@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The final report was delivered past the deadline but this was due in large part to circumstances out of the control of the contractor. Within the final months of the project, the lead investigator of the project experienced a death within the family that required significant time away from work. Secondly, a lab that the contractor required for the purposes of this project was significantly delayed in getting results to the contractor. Unfortunately, the lab is one of a few in the world that offers the analytical needs that the investigator required. The investigator maintained excellent communication with the project manager throughout the process so that the project manager was well informed of the project status.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of he work conducted by the contractor was excellent. There are very few researchers in the country with the expertise the contracator has in this area. The contractor fully met the expectations outlined in the contract and has significantly advanced our understanding of sediment transport in the study area. This work will advance the impaired waters process for the State of Minnesota.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The costs were very reasonable given the scope of the work. A majority of the costs consisted of laboratory analysis needed as part of the project. The contractor was able to significantly leverage the state's resources with other work that was being conducted in the study area.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The overall performance of the contractor and success of the research project was excellent as measured by communication, quality, and cost. The final product in terms of the research report was very well written and significantly advanced our understanding of the topic.

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