Agency Health Department

Contractor Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy

SWIFT Contract Number 192835

Project Name ASPHN/FIG and SPAN

Project Number (if applicable) 93.421 and 93.439

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: This project is necessary to advance Farm-to-ECE activities in Minnesota. Farm-to-ECE is an evidence-based nutrition
intervention focused on increasing young children’s access to local foods, gardens, food and agriculture education and high quality ECE settings. Farm-to-ECE has many benefits, which can impact not only the children in an ECE setting but also the
ECE providers, children’s families, and community. These benefits include increased access to fresh local produce, local
economic development, advancing equity, understanding of farming and ecology, increased fruit and vegetable
consumption, experiential learning for children, long-term influence on children’s eating habits, and positive associations
with the outdoors.

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: $21200.00

Amendments $88862.00

Contract total $110062.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? ASPHN/FIG 93.421
SPAN 93.439

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) This work cannot be conducted by a state employee because there is not a state employee that has the
expertise in Farm-to-ECE or capacity that can perform these services due to COVID-19 reassignments. The
Healthy Systems Unit in the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives (OSHII), Community Health
Division has had a vacant child care specialist position and has not been to recruit due to the hiring freeze. In
addition, the Healthy Communities Unit in OSHII has a foods systems coordinator who attends the MN Farmto-
School Network, is at capacity with her work and will be going on maternity leave shortly. The Maternal and
Child Health Unit does not have the capacity. The Departments of Education and Agriculture have indicated as
well that they do not have the capacity to take on these activities.

Evaluator Name Cherylee Sherry

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

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness IATP completed most of their deliverables according to the schedule described in the contract.

Evaluate the contractor's quality IATP is an international agency working to create food and agriculture systems that are just. IATP has leadership skills and excellent knowledge about creating and sustaining Farm to ECE services statewide. ATP has deep agricultural knowledge and many authentic relationships with local providers that assisted in meeting our mutual goals.

Evaluate the contractor's cost IATP's cost of providing the service for MDH was reasonable and below market rate.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance MDH has been collaborating with IATP for a few years. Their overall performance is rated as very good. Our only minor recommendation is to schedule more “project monitoring meetings” with them about their deliverables.

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