Agency MNIT

Contractor August Ash, Inc.

SWIFT Contract Number 124324

Project Name Streamlined Certification Web Application Professional/Technical Services

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The purpose of this contract was to provide software development services to update and enhance an existing web application. The existing web application was originally created by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The effort the State invested in was to create one website where businesses applying to 3 different disadvantaged business programs run by different levels of government (Federal, State, local) could go to submit 1 application which would be distributed to certifying programs of the applicant's choice.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 05/01/2017 - 00:00

Original end date Mon, 10/30/2017 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 06/30/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $55025

Amendments $113810

Contract total $168835

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) August Ash is the developer of the website for MNUCP and currently maintains the website. This is used for the Federal DBE program and is regulated by the Federal government. We are told that starting over with a different vendor/website would require federal approval. Further, the foundation of the collaborative agreement involving the State, the City of St. Paul, the Airports Commission and MNUCP is based on using this website, making modifications to it and building an interface. Switching to a different base would entail an entirely different approach and would likely be the end of the project. For these reasons, it has been determined that there isn't any other vendor that is reasonably able and available to step into the shoes of the current code developer.

Evaluator Name Igbal Mohammed

Evaluator Email Address igbal.mohammed@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness August Ash team were responsive to our project timeline, requests and implementation.

Evaluate the contractor's quality When there were issues, August Ash team collaboratively worked with the State to fix them.

Evaluate the contractor's cost August Ash hourly rates were reasonable. We added budget as needed.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Overall, the system worked for everyone and served the purpose of creating streamlined certification portal for small businesses in MN. Early in the project there was a security issue affecting non-public data that was a concern for other government partners and MNIT, but this was corrected. The State was frustrated with the lack of responsiveness and support from August Ash during the last contract amendment for Transition Services they were to provide to the new awarded vendor.
Overall, the system worked for everyone and served the purpose of creating streamline certification portal for small businesses in MN. Early in the project there was a security issue affecting non-public data that was a concern for other government partners and MNIT, but this was corrected. The State was frustrated with the lack of responsiveness and support from August Ash during the last contract amendment for Transition Services they were to provide to the new awarded vendor.

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.): There was a data privacy breach of program applicants' non-public data. The State met with August Ash to define and put in place a detailed process that August Ash agreed to follow.

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied