What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe Town of Hartford requires a qualified consultant to perform a comprehensive compensation study, review job descriptions and classifications, and recommend updates to the municipal pay grid. The selected vendor will evaluate actual duties, supervisory responsibilities, and qualifications, while assessing total compensation against an approved comparison market to resolve internal equity issues and support recruitment, retention, and FY28 budget planning. Eligibility is restricted to onshore United States organizations. Proposers must submit six sealed copies by December 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST, labeled "Proposal for Compensation Study," or submit digitally via email or online. The Town evaluates proposals based on understanding of the work, relevant experience, maintenance tools, schedule feasibility, and total cost and value.
Scope of work
- Confirm study goals, schedule, and positions with Human Resources Director and Town Manager
- Review job descriptions, org charts, pay grids, compensation policies, and collective bargaining provisions
- Evaluate actual duties and revise job descriptions for included classifications where needed
- Recommend appropriate classifications, titles, pay grades, and identify overtime exemption status issues
- Conduct market and total compensation review using approved comparison employers
- Analyze internal equity, pay compression, pay inversion, and inconsistent placement
- Recommend an updated pay grid with defined grades, steps, and employee placement worksheets
- Provide immediate and phased implementation options with annualized and first fiscal year cost models
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Consultant's understanding of the work | Not specified |
| Relevant experience and references | Not specified |
| Soundness of the proposed methods | Not specified |
| Practicality of the recommendations and ongoing maintenance tools | Not specified |
| Ability to meet the schedule | Not specified |
| Total cost and value | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Experience with municipal compensation
- Experience with union and non-union workforces
- Experience with Vermont and New Hampshire labor markets
Documents to include with your response
- Cover letter identifying firm, primary contact, and person authorized to negotiate
- Qualifications of the firm, proposed project manager, and assigned staff
- Three similar projects completed within the past three years with references
- Proposed methodology for job evaluation, market comparison, benefits, and equity review
- Work plan, milestones, completion date, and Town staff responsibilities
- Lump sum cost proposal covering full scope with task breakdown and milestone rates
- Listing of subcontractors, conflicts of interest, exceptions, assumptions, and restrictions
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy envelope or box
- Instructions
- Submit six (6) copies to Halie Manley, Human Resources Director and Executive Assistant to the Town Manager, Town of Hartford, 171 Bridge Street, White River Junction, VT 05001. Write on the outside: 'Proposal for Compensation Study' and the name of the entity proposing.