Item Description:
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Neg Agmt PR00008901 with NextStage to provide data processing related to small business grant administration, 11/1/26-12/31/27, NTE $20,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate Agreement PR00008901 with NextStage, Inc. for professional services and processing of data related to small business grant administration during the period November 17, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $20,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Executive Director be authorized to sign the agreement and related documents on behalf of the Authority; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Resolution 26-HCHRA-0008 (adopted March 10, 2026) authorized small business recovery funding in response to the economic impacts and hardships caused by recent federal immigration enforcement actions. At the end of the application period, the HCHRA received over 1,600 submissions, approximately 1,175 completed applications and approximately 500 incomplete applications. Ultimately, 82 grants totaling $493,127 were provided to eligible local small businesses with brick-and-mortar establishments.
Program administration required extensive due diligence by both Hennepin County staff and the county’s third-party grant administrator, NextStage beyond what was originally anticipated or typically required by a grant administrator. Many significant data requests related to the program have necessitated additional professional services and data processing by NextStage.
Agreement PR00008901 provides for reimbursement of these services based on established hourly rates.
Board approval is required because the cumulative value of contracts with NextStage has exceeded $100,000 within the past year.
Current request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate Agreement PR00008901 with NextStage, Inc. for data management services, during the period November 17, 2026 through December 31, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $20,000.
This request funds services that are: core services
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval