Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor Cass County ESD

SWIFT Contract Number B40888

Project Name Cass County Lake and Stream Monitoring Program

Project Number (if applicable) CR3317

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: This monitoring project includes both lake and stream monitoring and encompasses all of Cass County, as well as areas in surrounding counties. The reason for such a comprehensive monitoring project is threefold. First, concerned citizens expressed interest in obtaining water quality data, especially as it pertains to streams. Second, in 2009, lakeshed assessments were completed throughout the county; these reports indicated that many surface waters throughout the county were data deficient. In an effort to acquire sufficient data for state/local assessments and county water planning, this SWAG application was developed to address the need for sufficient data on a county-wide basis. Finally, this monitoring project helps to fulfill the State’s intensive watershed monitoring program goals by obtaining water quality data at targeted lake and stream sites.
The lakes component of this project involves monitoring 43 data deficient lake sites in Cass County. All lakes to be monitored are greater than 100 acres and less than 500 acres in size. Three of the lakes to be monitored are on the MPCA’s list of targeted lakes within the Crow Wing River Watershed. The remaining 40 lake sites are located within the Pine River, Leech Lake River, Mississippi River-Headwaters, and Mississippi River-Grand Rapids Watersheds.
The streams component of this project involves monitoring 23 stream sites in Cass and surrounding counties. Five of the stream sites are on the MPCA’s list of targeted stream sites within the Crow Wing River Watershed. Three of the targeted stream sites are in Hubbard County, one is on the Hubbard/Becker County line, and one is on the Wadena/Becker County line. Of the eighteen remaining non-targeted stream sites, fifteen are in Cass County, two are in Hubbard County, and one is in Aitkin County. The non-targeted stream sites are located within the Crow Wing River, Leech Lake River, Pine River, Mississippi River-Grand Rapids, and Mississippi River-Headwaters Watersheds.

Project Duration

Start Date Wed, 03/31/2010 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 06/30/2012 - 00:00

Actual end date Sat, 06/30/2012 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $198971.25

Amendments $0

Contract total $198971.25

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 352 E710 WY2

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 Kelly O'Hara

Evaluator Email Address kelly.ohara@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Good

Evaluate the contractor's quality Good

Evaluate the contractor's cost Good - At the start of the grant there was an overlap between this grant and a 2009 grant. Some confusion as to the separation of funds between the two. This was resolved and invoicing did see an improvement as the grant progressed.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Good - Grant was managed very well however I feel that a bulk of the work was deferred to the subcontractor. While this is allowable under the contract Cass County must recognize that all liability falls upon them. Often times I had to contact RMB for information on how the project was proceeding. I feel that the grantee should always oversee all details of the subcontractors activities and progress.

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 4 - satisfied