Market-based Compensation Study

Location:	Kansas
Posted:	Feb 23, 2026
Due:	Mar 26, 2026
Agency:	Shawnee County
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	009-26
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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SHAWNEE COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

(RFP)

Quotation Number: 009-26

Date Issued:

02-23-2026

Closing Date:

03-26-2026, 2:00pm

Vendor Name: ______________________________

Address: ___________________________________

Phone Number:______________________________

THIS IS NOT AN ORDER

1. In communications, always refer to the above quotation number.

2. All prices and conditions must be shown. Additions or conditions not shown on this bid will not be

allowed.

3. Shawnee County reserve the right to accept or reject any part of, or all of, any bid or proposal.

4. All prices quoted are to be less Federal Excise Tax and Kansas Sales Tax.

5. Price quoted shall remain firm for ninety (90) days after bid closing date.

*SHAWNEE COUNTY HAS AN ELECTRONIC BID SYSTEM*

All vendors are required to create an online portal account (www.snco.gov/purchasing) in order to receive

or submit bid requests. All responses must be submitted through the bid portal

ITEM AND DESCRIPTION

Shawnee County is soliciting sealed bids from consulting firms to conduct a market-based

compensation study per the following minimum specifications.

INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT

Shawnee County is initiating the Request for Proposal (RFP) to elicit proposals from outside consulting

firms to conduct a market-based compensation study. The purpose of the study is to address current

compensation issues for non-union classified and unclassified employees.

Shawnee County is looking for a consulting firm to suggest, develop, and implement creative solutions that

meet our culture and desire suggestions and ideas that can be implemented and supported at all levels of the

organization.

Page 1 of 13

GENERAL INFORMATION

Shawnee County is located in northeast Kansas, with a population of 177,746 (2023). Its largest city,

Topeka, population 126,600 (2024) is also the capital of the State of Kansas. The ten largest employers in

Shawnee County (according to the CJOnline, November 2024) include:

State of Kansas

Stormont Vail

USD 501

Burlington Northern/Santa Fe

Goodyear Tire and Rubber

University of Kansas St. Francis

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Colmery-O’Neil Veterans Administration Medical Center

Resers

Target

Shawnee County is governed by a three member, elected Board of County Commissioners. Departments are

operated under the management of Elected and Appointed Officials and unclassified Department Heads.

Shawnee County employs approximately 1214 employees. These employees are divided into the following

Departments:

Audit Finance

Appraiser

Board of County Commissioners

County Clerk

County Counselor

Community Corrections

Corrections

Court Administration

District Attorney

Elections

Emergency Management

Facilities Management

Health Agency

Human Resources

Information Technology

Motor Vehicle

Land Use and Development

Parks & Recreation

Public Works

Solid Waste

Sheriff

Treasurer

Weed

Page 2 of 13

Approximately 619 of Shawnee County’s permanent employees are represented by four different labor

unions: 1) The Fraternal Order of Police; 2) Teamsters; 3) Communication Workers of America; and 4)

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Shawnee County currently has 278

permanent unique job titles; however, not all of these job titles are currently filled or active. Furthermore,

the approximately 619 permanent employees who are represented by the four labor unions listed work in

only 61 job titles. The compensation study will focus on classified and unclassified positions not covered by

bargaining units.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. Study Shawnee County’s current pay plans for classified and unclassified County positions. This

includes a study of base pay for all classified and unclassified positions and recommendations for

how to equitably consider additional pay received by County positions.

2. Conduct an external competitive market study for all current classified and unclassified County

positions to measure County pay versus market rates for each position. Prepare cost proposals and

alternatives for establishing market pay rates for each position within three years following

completion of the study.

3. Meet with the Commission and Department Heads a minimum of three times (together or separately)

for full communication of process, progress and implementation and serve as employee contact-point

up through plan adoption which may include attendance at Department Head meetings, Commission

meetings and employee meetings or other forms of interactive/print communication as deemed

necessary.

4. Provide training to Department Heads and Director of Administrative Services in plan

implementation and maintenance as needed up to and throughout implementation.

5. Provide final products to the Director of Administrative Services in print and electronic format

including worksheets.

ADDITIONAL/OPTIONAL SERVICES

Please provide separate pricing on the following:

A. Inclusion of proposal to convert sick/vacation to paid time off (PTO).

ONGOING MAINTENANCE

Provide information and approximate pricing regarding ongoing maintenance services you may offer to

include but not limited to: recommended future market studies, reclassification requests, and placement of

newly created positions.

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PROPOSAL EVALUATION

Evaluation of the proposals will include, but not be limited to, the following criteria:

1. Cost of services

2. Methodology to be used for the Compensation Study

3. Projected Completion date of the Project

4. Experience providing similar services and References

Selection of a proposal will be based on an evaluation of the total package of services offered by the

Proposer as determined by the County. Selected Proposers may be asked to provide a presentation to explain

their proposals during the evaluation process. The County may elect to waive minor technicalities and

further may elect to accept or reject any or all proposals received.

RFP QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted through the Shawnee County Online Bid Portal. The

last day to submit questions: 03/26/2026 by 5:00 pm (local time). Questions submitted after this deadline

will not be answered.

RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

Responses should assume that the county has had no previous knowledge of their products, services or

capabilities. Emphasis should be placed on a clear complete presentation of factual information. They

should include the following:

Cover Letter: Cover Letter stating that the vendor formally submits their proposal for consideration

in the selection process for this RFP. The letter shall briefly state the Proposer’s understanding of the

work to be done, the commitment to perform and work within the time period, a statement of why the

firm believes itself to be best qualified to perform the services and a statement that the proposal is a

firm and irrevocable offer for ninety (90) days from the date of the Proposal opening.

Background: Provide a description of your company’s qualifications, credentials, experience and

resources as they relate to consultation in the areas of job classification and compensation.

Staff Information: Provide resume information of all staff who will be assigned to the study.

Methodology: Provide an overall description of the methodology you intend to use in conducting the

study. Responders who do not provide a detailed description of the methodology to be used will not

be selected.

o Provide proposed methods for informing and educating affected employees regarding the

study for dispelling any concerns they may have regarding the study throughout the process.

o Provide proposed involvement of County staff or Department Heads in the process.

Timeframe: Include a timeframe including the time you will be able to start the project considering

the firm’s other current business obligations.

o Include an explanation whether the project can be completed by December 31, 2026 with

implementation by the pay period including July 1, 2027. If the project cannot be completed

by December 31, 2026, then please provide your anticipated project completion date.

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Signed bid form

Attachment 1 which includes:

o Pricing schedules

o References, four (4) that demonstrate experience with-in the last 10 years on similar projects

for Counties or Municipalities.

o Contact Information

o Exceptions to terms and conditions, if any exist

PLEASE SUBMIT ATTACHMENT 1 AS THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR BID

BID RESPONSE

Document Information: The bid portal will only allow one PDF document uploaded for a response. It is

your responsibility to make sure the uploaded file is the correct, complete and contains all required

information and signatures. The document file name should only contain spaces and letters or numbers,

please do not use special characters or dashes. The file can be changed until the bid close time.

Closing Date: Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CDT on the scheduled closing date. The online bid

portal will not accept any new bids after this time.

Signature of Bids: Each bid must show in the space provided the complete business or mailing address of

the bidder and must be signed by him/her with his/her usual signature.

Withdrawal of Bids: Bids already submitted may be withdrawn on the Electronic Bid System or upon

proper identification of bidder and provided request is received prior to time of closing. Negligence on the

part of the bidder in preparing the bid confers no right for the withdrawal after the time set for closing of

bids.

Submitting Multiple Bids: The online bid portal will only allow one file to be uploaded per bid, per

company. If you are submitting multiple bids, please complete the Multiple Bids Cover Page and attach as

the first page of your bid upload. The document can be found under Purchasing in the bid portal.

for us to record you as an attendee. If you are not marked as attended, the system will not allow you to

upload a bid response. To receive automatic updates on RFP subscribe to the bid types. If a RFP has a

mandatory pre bid meeting it will be clearly marked on the RFP and in the bid portal.

Please Submit Your Bids Early: In case you have problems getting your bid to upload and need assistance,

we suggest you submit before 1:30 pm. Please contact us at once if you have issues uploading. Our system

will not allow any bids to be uploaded after 2:00 pm. If your pricing changes, you can replace your bid in

the system any time before the 2:00 closing.

Bid Openings: All bids submitted before the specified bid closing time shall be opened and properly

recorded on the bid tabulation sheet. Subsequent to the bid opening, all bids shall be thoroughly evaluated

and a determination made as to their compliance with applicable specifications. The appropriate County

department head shall make this determination. Upon completion of the above determination, an analysis of

all bids submitted shall be prepared and formally presented to the Board of County Commissioners for

acceptance and approval of the lowest and/or best bid. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the

right to accept or reject any and/or all bids and to waive any irregularities or informalities therein.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Request	Department	Description	Due Date
009-26	Human Resources	Market-based Compensation Study	3/26/2026 2:00 PM

Market-based Compensation Study

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See also