Agency Education Department

Contractor Teaching Strategies

SWIFT Contract Number 157317

Project Name KEP GOLD assessment

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The services in the contract supported the Kindergarten Entry Profile (KEP) in order to increase low-cost training options statewide, support the use of this KEP-approved assessment, and strengthen the knowledge of local certified GOLD trainers. The contract resulted in increased access to Teaching Strategies publisher-certified trainers and trainings statewide. Many early learning programs use the GOLD, including:
• Voluntary prekindergarten programs (VPK) [Minn. Stat. § 124D.151]
• School readiness plus (SRP) programs [2017 Session Law, Laws of Minnesota 1985, 1st Spec. Sess. chapter 13, article 1, section 61]
• School readiness (SR) programs [Minn. Stat. § 124D.15]
• Early Childhood Special Education Part (ECSE) B 619 programs to help produce Child Outcome Summary (COS) scores, which must be reported via MDE to the USDOE Office of Special Education and Related Services annually.
• Parent-Aware-approved child care programs (three and four star rated programs using a KEP assessment receive additional points).
• Head Start programs (Head Start Program Performance Standard 1302.33).

Project Duration

Start Date Thu, 05/16/2019 - 00:00

Original end date Mon, 12/30/2019 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 12/30/2022 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $90605.00

Amendments $90930.00

Contract total $181535.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? State

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 primary reason a single source contract is necessary is that only Teaching Strategies can certify trainers to train on the GOLD and only Teaching Strategies GOLD-certified trainers can run trainings on the GOLD assessment, as the GOLD is a proprietary product they created. No other publishers or entities can provide these specific services and support of the GOLD.

Evaluator Name Jon Vaupel

Evaluator Email Address jon.vaupel@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Very Satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's quality Very Satisfactory

Evaluate the contractor's cost Very Reasonable

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Very Satisfactory

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