Agency Water & Soil Resources Board

Contractor Regents of University of Minnesota

SWIFT Contract Number 105553

Project Name Tillage and Erosion Survery

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: To develop the Tillage and Erosion survey program for MN to include remote sensing analysis to measure cover crop emergence and crop residue levels statewide. Also, to develop the Daily Erosion Project application for MN to tracke soil loss statewide.
BWSR received legislative appropriation (2015 1st
Special Session, Chapter 2 Article 1, Section 7
Paragraph (n) to Systematically collect data and
produce county, watershed and statewide estimates
of soil erosion caused by water and wind along with
tracking adoption of conservation measures to address
erosion.

Project Duration

Start Date Tue, 03/01/2016 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 02/28/2018 - 00:00

Actual end date Wed, 09/30/2020 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $859999.34

Amendments $223997.50

Contract total $1083996.84

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 2302/R9PC205

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) 1) The vendor must have applicable deep expertise. This includes academic and scientific expertise in soil science, remote sensing, agronomy, landscape analysis and soil erosion modeling.
2) Have a keen understanding of the spatial variability in MN major soil types, geomorphology, cropping systems and climatological conditions
3) Must develop products and data that are open source and non-proprietary, thus allowing for data availability to all potential users, including future research institutions in the mid-west to maximize the state’s public investment.

Contacted national leaders in tillage data collection. Conducted search of peer reviewed literature and academic journals. Investigated conservation publications and reports. Contacted Mankato State University and Wisconsin University. All available options was unable to perform desired outcome.

Evaluator Name Matt Drewitz

Evaluator Email Address matt.drewitz@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Contractor (U of M) was timely with invoices and reports. There were some project delays because of extreme weather events that impacted field data collection and also the COVID 19 pandemic caused delays with the project.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of the work met the expectations of BWSR and was similar to other contract work that BWSR and other agencies have received from the U of M. This project was enhanced by having Iowa State University as a sub-contractor, as their staff provided tremendous value to the work.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The costs were based on U of M rates and some staff working on the project did not charge to the contract and provided in-kind, which saved funds.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The contractor performed well, communicated with BWSR staff, and helped formulate and develop this program for the long term. The results of this project were presented to the Clean Water Council in 2021 and was favorably receieved.

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