Agency Water & Soil Resources Board

Contractor Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa

SWIFT Contract Number 131838

Project Name CWF PROJECTS FY18/19

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: To support increasing awareness and benefits of soil health and soil conservation through research and outreach that expands the tools and skills of Minnesota’s conservation delivery community. The mission of the initiative is to protect and improve soil resources and water quality by developing the knowledge, skill and ability of local conservationist to more effectively partner with stakeholders and promote sustainable soil and land management. In particular, the program would emphasize the importance of soil health and identifying the water quality and impacts of applied land and water management practices.

Project Duration

Start Date Sat, 09/30/2017 - 00:00

Original end date Thu, 12/31/2020 - 00:00

Actual end date Thu, 06/30/2022 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $1000000.00

Amendments $1000000.00

Contract total $200000.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 2302 / R9PC099, R9PCPP9

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) Laws of Minnesota 2017, Chapter 91, Article 2, Section 7(p), requires the Board to contract with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) for restoration, maintenance, and other activities, for at least $500,000 in each year of the 2018-19 biennium. To fulfill this legal obligation, BWSR will be using funds appropriated in the Laws to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance and restore water quality in lakes, rivers and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects.

Evaluator Name Marcey Westrick

Evaluator Email Address marcey.westrick@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The work under this contract was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic so there was a period of time where no field work could be performed. This was outside of the control of the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa performs high-quality work. The project manager frequently communicated with BWSR staff to develop an RFP process to select projects. These proposals were reviewed by BWSR staff to ensure they met the needs of the program. The projects select filled the capacity needs of local governments while providing both education and training to crew members. The crews CCMI deployed performed the needed work with no known complaints.

Evaluate the contractor's cost Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa have responsible rates. Cost covers the necessary crew time to do short-term, seasonal work on projects throughout the state of Minnesota.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall, the performance of Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa was good.

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 5 - very satisfied