Agency Health Department

Contractor Renewing the Countryside

SWIFT Contract Number 192979

Project Name Farm to Early Care and Education and Physical Activity and Nutrition

Project Number (if applicable) 93.421 and 93.439

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Contract was to support promoting health throughout the lifespan, in accordance with our agency mission to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans, by providing direct technical assistance to grantees in a pilot grant program to assist childcare providers to implement farm to early care and education (ECE) activities onsite, supporting the Minnesota Farm to Early Care and Education Network in creating social media messages to engage diverse stakeholders.

Project Duration

Start Date Tue, 04/27/2021 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 12/31/2021 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 09/29/2023 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $14200.00

Amendments $20870.00

Contract total $35070.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? CDC 93.421 Farm to Early Care and Education
CDC 93.439 Physical Activity & Nutrition Program

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) Renewing the Countryside (RTC) is a leader in Farm-to-ECE work in Minnesota. RTC is the only organization that is
providing direct Farm-to-ECE technical assistance and training to ECE providers. RTC also has Farm-to-ECE trainings
available on the Department of Human Services Child Care training platform that have been approved for credit toward
the child care licensing.

Evaluator Name Cherylee Sherry

Evaluator Email Address cherylee.sherry@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness RTC completed their deliverables according to the schedule described in the contract. We appreciate their ability to close out activities in a timely way.

Evaluate the contractor's quality RTC is a regional, leading expert in the Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Education activities. RTC has deep agricultural knowledge and authentic relationships with local providers that assist in meeting our mutual goals.

Evaluate the contractor's cost RTC cost of providing the service for MDH was reasonable and a little under market rate.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance We have been contracting with RTC for a few years. Their overall performance is rated as very good. If funding is available, we would consider contracting with this agency again.

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.): No negative action was taken during the duration of the contract.

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied