Agency Education Department

Contractor CN Resource, LLC

SWIFT Contract Number 229920

Project Name Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Reviews

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding and regulatory oversight to state agencies that administer the School Nutrition Programs. Pursuant to 7 CFR 225.7, MDE is required to complete reviews of sponsors participating in the SFSP. On March 17, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed into law the MN Free School Meal Program bill, which provides free school breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota students at participating schools. The bill updates Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.111 and takes effect July 1, 2023. The short turnaround time for implementation of the MN Free School Meal Program requires that staff normally assigned to complete SFSP reviews will be working on implementation of the MN Free School Meal Program.

Project Duration

Start Date Tue, 06/06/2023 - 00:00

Original end date Sat, 09/30/2023 - 00:00

Actual end date Sat, 09/30/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $229125

Amendments $0

Contract total $229125

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? federal

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) CN Resources is the only provider of this service to state agencies across the country. Administrative reviews are normally conducted by the state agency administering the programs. Because these reviews are specific to the USDA nutrition programs being reviewed, and state agencies typically conduct their own reviews, there is limited need for the service resulting in a single company that offers the service. Because extensive knowledge of the federal regulations is required to monitor for compliance and provide technical assistance during a review, it was not feasible for a contractor, who had not already conducted the reviews, to train themselves to do the work by June 2023.

Evaluator Name Nicole Barron

Evaluator Email Address nicole.barron@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The contractor completed reviews in a timely manner and all reviews were completed by the contracted end date.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of the work was excellent.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The cost of the contract was reasonable and fair.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The overall performance was excellent.

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