Agency Health Department

Contractor Kinsale Communications, Inc.

SWIFT Contract Number 193011

Project Name Communications Services: MN’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Diabetes 2035

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: MDH required an expert consultant to provide communications services to assist with development, marketing and disseminate of Minnesota’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Diabetes 2035. This included messaging and methods to effectively engage stakeholders in development and implementation of Plan strategies.

Project Duration

Start Date Tue, 04/29/2921 - 00:00

Original end date Thu, 09/29/2022 - 00:00

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

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) 636

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $75000

Amendments $40000

Contract total $115000

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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) Contractor was uniquely prepared to support communications efforts for the MN’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Diabetes 2035, as a Minnesota-based communications expert with over 40 years of experience in communications, public policy, political and issue campaigns and media relations. Contractor provided distinct experience supporting public health chronic disease prevention initiatives and has worked with non-profits and federal and state governmental entities to develop long- and short-term communications strategies.

Evaluator Name Martha Roberts

Evaluator Email Address martha.roberts@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Kinsale Communications performed contract work in a timely manner, met deadlines, and worked quickly under pressure. Steve Kinsale responds promptly to email questions and requests for information and able to meet to talk one-to-one. He handled changes well and adapted to new steps required to address barriers and interruptions of COVID and impact on MDH staff, contractors, external partners.

Evaluate the contractor's quality Contractor performed outstanding work, as a skilled professional and writer with more than 40 years of experience in communications working with a wide variety of non-profit and governmental entities to develop communications strategies and outreach. This was key to developing the MN 2035 Plan and engaging Plan Leadership Team members and a broad range of partners. He worked with MDH staff to produce outstanding products (MN 2035 Plan document, content for MN 2035 Plan website, extensive marketing materials and a MN 2035 Plan release communications plan).

Evaluate the contractor's cost Contractor charged an hourly rate for consultation and work time. The rate was very reasonable for the level of expertise that Steve Kinsella provided. The rate for the graphic designer’s time and work to design the MN 2035 Plan was reasonable as well.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Outstanding expertise, knowledge, experience and quality of work! Steve was easy and enjoyable to work with; communicated well across multiple team members both internal and external to the MDH; provided excellent insights, ideas, and recommendations; and pulled together large amounts of information and input to draft and finalize the narrative of the MN 2035 Plan, website and dissemination plan and marketing tools.

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. Great contractor.

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