Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor International Water Institute

SWIFT Contract Number 43949

Project Name Red River of the North Basin- Major Watershed Load

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network used to have 1 contract with IWI and it covered the major watershed outlet and main-stem river sites. In 2012, an additional contract was added to handle the event-based sub-watershed sites. This sub-watershed contract was then amended to include the major watershed outlets, the main-stem river sites and the sub-watershed sites.

This work plan involves the water quality monitoring of, and data analysis for nine major watersheds (8-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes) in the Lower Red River Basin (see section III). This monitoring will assist in providing the water chemistry data needed to calculate annual pollutant loads for the Major Watershed Load Monitoring Program (MWLMP) and provide short term data sets of select parameters to other Agency programs. The International Water Institute will administer the water quality sampling, and management and submittal of chemistry results to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in a format suitable for upload to the Agency’s current water quality database. Calculation and submittal of annual loads for total phosphorus, orthophosphorus, total suspended solids, nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen and total Kjeldahl nitrogen using the “USACE/MPCA Flux32 Software for Load Estimations” is also required and will be submitted according to agency specifications.

Project Duration

Start Date Fri, 04/06/2012 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 01/31/2014 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 01/31/2014 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $134867.72

Amendments {Empty}

Contract total $134867.72

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? R32E7CW004

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) The International Water Institute is familiar with the specified sampling locations and MWLMP protocols including sample collection, QA/QC, stream safety, and MPCA data management and submittal requirements.
Although few opportunities exist because of the remoteness of the area, this work may be performed by other governmental units with much training, education and equipment. International Water Institute was the only institution which applied to the latest event-based load monitoring in the Red Basin. Since the International Water staff is familiar with water quality issues in the basin, accepted sampling techniques and Agency protocols, training and education would not be required.

Evaluator Name Andrew Butzer

Evaluator Email Address andrew.butzer@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The contractor completed the project within the original schedule. In general their schedule maintenance was good.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Reports were clear and complete, and the work plan objectives were met. Data quality was good, and the contractors displayed creativity and innovation in their work.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The contractor was developed a very accurate budget. Two change orders were needed to adjust the budget because the Red outlet to Canada was moved from Drayton, ND to Emerson, MB with paired sampling at Pembina, ND. There were no disputed invoices, however one invoice was submitted incorrectly. The contractor corrected this mistake and the issue was resolved.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance OverThe International Water Institute performed the tasks necessary to complete the project and submit the deliverables per contract work plan. Pollutant loads were calculated and delivered per MPCA requirements for sites with available flow data. Staff attended MPCA training and communicated well by telephone, Email and/or weekly call-in meetings. International Water Institute field staff need to spend more time keeping field templates current to allow for efficient MPCA Project Manager review and submittal of data.

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