RFP: Systems Division and Information Security Classification and Compensation

The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (“LACERA”) administers a defined benefit retirement plan and Other Post-Employment Benefit Program. LACERA is requesting a statement of work from vendors with substantial and relevant experience performing organizational studies, classification studies, and compensation studies.  LACERA seeks consulting services for a comprehensive organizational, classification, and compensation study for its Systems Division (Systems) and Information Security Team (InfoSec).

Key Milestones are:

• Organizational Structure Review
• Classification Study
• Compensation Study
• Findings and Recommendations

Scope of WorkA. Organizational Structure Review

LACERA is seeking assistance in the analysis of its organizational structure and design to optimize IT resources, improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, ensure adaptability to technological changes and compliance requirements, and support the development of career paths and succession plans.

1. Evaluate the current organizational structure of Systems and InfoSec, including current classifications, functions, and staffing levels.
2. Provide a detailed report on the current structure and recommendations related to improvement opportunities, increased effectiveness of the operations, modifications to processes or changes in job design and structure, and alternative options.
3. Provide a proposed organizational chart and organizational model of the ideal structure with specific roles, span of control, and processes, and at which level they should be executed.
4. Provide strategies for creating opportunities and succession planning.
5. Develop an implementation plan.

B. Classification Study

1. Review and update the classification plan for twenty-one (21) classifications, sixty-five (65) budgeted positions. Class specs can be searched at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacera/classspecs
   1. Assistant Data Systems Analyst (0 Budgeted)
   2. Assistant Information Systems Manager (0 Budgeted)
   3. Chief, Information Technology (UC) (1 Budgeted)
   4. Data Systems Analyst I (6 Budgeted)
   5. Data Systems Analyst II (11 Budgeted)
   6. Data Systems Coordinator (16 Budgeted)
   7. Data Systems Supervisor I (0 Budgeted)
   8. Data Systems Supervisor II (2 Budgeted)
   9. EDP Principal Programmer Analyst (2 Budgeted)
   10. EDP Programmer Analyst (0 Budgeted)
   11. EDP Senior Programmer Analyst (1 Budgeted)
   12. Information Security Officer (1 Budgeted)
   13. Information Systems Manager (0 Budgeted)
   14. Information Systems Manager I (0 Budgeted)
   15. Information Technology Manager I (5 Budgeted)
   16. Information Technology Manager II (4 Budgeted)
   17. Information Technology Specialist I (8 Budgeted)
   18. Information Technology Specialist II (7 Budgeted)
   19. Programming Systems Specialist (0 Budgeted)
   20. Retirement Systems Specialist (1 Budgeted)
   21. Senior Systems Aid (0 Budgeted)
   22. Systems Aid (0 Budgeted)
2. Review background materials including existing classifications, organizational charts, budgets, salary resolutions and schedules, Civil Service Rules, LACERA Personnel Handbook, and related information.
3. Conduct orientation and briefing session(s) with staff members, and LACERA Management.
4. Develop a comprehensive questionnaire to be completed by all studied positions.
5. Conduct interviews with all staff members requiring additional clarification of information provided and appropriate management personnel to validate the information.
6. Allocate all staff members included within the scope of the study to an appropriate job title, job classification and exempt/non-exempt designation pursuant to the FLSA.
7. Review existing class specifications for possible matches. Update current class specifications or develop new class specifications in accordance with LACERA guidelines to reflect current duties and requirements of the positions, including physical requirements and essential job functions, as needed.
8. Prepare revised or new class specifications recommended for implementation, as needed.
9. The class specifications shall include the following items:
   1. Definition of the job classification;
   2. Classification Standards delineating each job level including:
      1. Primary function or purpose;
      2. Level of responsibility;
      3. Reporting relationships;
      4. Supervision exercised and received;
      5. Differentiation between similar classifications;
      6. Knowledge, skills and abilities; and
      7. Working environment and/or conditions.
   3. Example of Duties;
   4. Minimum Requirements (Education and Experience);
   5. Working environment and/or conditions;
   6. Licenses, certifications, driving requirements and physical requirements in compliance with the ADA; and
   7. Appropriate exempt and non-exempt designation under the FLSA.
10. The consultant will coordinate the presentation styles of the project team to ensure a unified philosophy, standardization, and alignment with LACERA classifications.
11. Present draft class specifications to management for review and approval.
12. Present the final classification and listing showing the recommended allocation of each position.
13. The classification plan shall include an introductory section that describes class concepts and provides information about distinctions of various levels within a class series and other pertinent information.
14. Provide appropriate implementation and maintenance manuals.

C. Compensation Study

1. Identify private survey and public labor market data, including classifications that most closely match LACERA. This will include an explanation of the specific methodology used to identify the survey agencies.
2. Meet with LACERA to finalize the list of comparable agencies data to be used in the survey.
3. Conduct a comprehensive compensation survey using comparable agencies, using not only job titles, but duties and responsibilities based upon the class specifications from LACERA. Provide comprehensive data sheets for each classification surveyed listing comparable agencies, comparable titles, salaries, and market median, midpoint, and 75th percentile.
4. Complete an internal base salary relationship analysis, including the development of appropriate internal relationship guidelines for positions.
5. Develop external competitive and internal equitable salary recommendations for each classification included within the study to ensure competitive recruitments.
6. Allocate to a salary range each classification which reflects the results of the market survey and the analysis of the internal relationships.
7. Present draft results of the survey to management in a group meeting.
8. Assist in the development of a strategy for implementing the compensation recommendations and plan.

D. Findings and Recommendations

1. Consultant to prepare written reports of recommendations, including discussion of methods, techniques and data used to develop the Organizational Structure, Classification, and Compensation Plans.
2. Consultant to prepare written reports of recommendations, including discussion of methods, techniques and data used.
3. Consultant to provide draft of full reports for LACERA review prior to finalizing.
4. Consultant to provide instructional information to allow LACERA staff members to conduct individual salary audits and adjustments consistent with study methods until the next formal study is conducted.
5. Consultant to attend meetings, if requested, throughout the process with LACERA Staff to explain methodology, survey results and recommendations. The Consultant should budget for two Board meetings, one Union meeting, and seven meetings with LACERA staff members, not including one kick-off meeting with staff members for the Classification and Compensation study.

Solicitation Registration Procedures – LACERA Vendor Gateway PortalAccessing the Vendor Gateway Portal

1. Go to the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal by clicking on the following link: https://lacera.cobblestone.software/gateway/SolicitationPublicSearch.aspx.

Account Registration

1. Create an account by providing the company information and user details. Complete the account verification process as instructed.

Accessing the Solicitation

1. Look for the login information confirmation email from Contract Insight Alerts and proceed to sign in to the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal using the provided credentials
2. Navigate to the ‘Solicitations’ tab and select ‘Search All Solicitations’.
3. Locate the specific solicitation by clicking on the View link associated with Secure Access Service Edge

Responding to the Solicitation

1. On the left-hand side, find the ‘Page Actions’ section and select ‘Register as Respondent’.
2. Click the ‘Refresh’ button located above the ‘Register as Respondent’ option to ensure the page is up to date.
3. Scroll down to the ‘Response Status’ section at the bottom of the page. Change the response status to ‘Interested in Responding’ to indicate the intention to bid.
4. Click the ‘Submit’ button to save the response. Then, refresh the page by clicking on ‘Refresh’ on the left-hand side above ‘Page Actions’.
5. If the response status has changed, navigate back to the ‘Response Status’ section on the Opportunity Details page and make any required adjustments.

Additional Information

1. Access all registered solicitations by selecting the ‘My Dashboard’ tab after logging in.
2. Download all necessary solicitation documents from the ‘Public Files’ section located within the Opportunity Details page.

Submission Requirements

Minimum Qualifications submission: Ensure the completed proposal is uploaded to the ‘My Files’ section of the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal by 5:00 PM PST, March 03, 2026. Proposals received after the designated deadline will not be considered.

Please note: Email, mailed, or faxed submissions will not be accepted unless specified otherwise.

If the proposal requires any confidential information to be exempt from public disclosure, upload an additional electronic copy marked “CONFIDENTIAL”. The redacted copy should exclude all material from the proposal that is believed in good faith to be exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov. Code Sections 7920.000, et. Seq.) (described in solicitation). Redactions should appear as blacked out material or blank page(s) with the word “CONFIDENTIAL” or “PROPRIETARY” inserted.

If LACERA receives a request pursuant to the Act for materials that a Respondent has marked “CONFIDENTIAL” or “PROPRIETARY,” and if LACERA agrees that the material requested is not subject to disclosure under the Act, LACERA will deny disclosure of those materials. LACERA will not be held liable, however, for inadvertent disclosure of such materials, data, and information or for disclosure of such materials if deemed appropriate in LACERA’s sole discretion. LACERA retains the right to disclose all information provided by a Respondent and will make its own independent determinations as to what materials are subject to production under the Act without regard to redactions or markings.

Questions Related to This Solicitation

Please submit all questions, inquiries, and requests for additional information regarding this solicitation through the ‘My Questions/Answers’ section of the Opportunity Details page n the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal. Ensure the submissions are made no later than 5:00 PM PST, February 20, 2026.

All Questions received, along with their corresponding responses, will be posted in the ‘Questions & Answers’ section of the Opportunity Details page in the LACERA Vendor Gateway Portal on or about 5:00 PM PST, March 06, 2026.

Tentative Timetable

Bid release date

January 26, 2026

Written questions from Respondents due date

February 20, 2026

LACERA’s response to Respondents’ questions

March 06, 2026

RFP Proposals due date

March 27, 2026

Finalist Interviews (as needed)

April 2026

Selection Notification (estimate)

April 2026

Commencement of work

Upon Contract execution

RFP Materials