RFP_8300_RGW3010_ADD_2_v1.pdf

This is a Solicitation Addendum issued by the City of Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement for RFP 8300 RGW3010, related to the Austin Fire Department's Fire Cadet hiring process development and implementation. The addendum extends the solicitation due date from May 19, 2026 to Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST. The City seeks a qualified contractor to design and administer a comprehensive Fire Cadet selection process that includes cognitive assessments and oral evaluations for traditional candidates and cognitive testing for lateral firefighter candidates. The anticipated application volume is approximately 1,398 applications for traditional hiring cycles with 667 candidates taking written exams, and 200-250 applications for lateral hiring cycles with approximately 100 taking written exams. The contract term is twenty-four months with options for two additional twenty-four-month extensions at the City's discretion, with the goal of conducting the first hiring process administration by March 2027. All other terms and conditions from the original solicitation remain unchanged, and offerors must return one signed copy of this addendum with their proposal prior to the closing date to avoid rejection.

Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: Concept and Strategy (30 points), Experience, Qualifications, and Personnel (30 points), Price (20 points), Local Business Preference (up to 10 points), and Small Business Preference (up to 10 points), with pricing evaluated competitively on a pro-rata basis. The contractor must demonstrate documented experience with municipal fire departments of at least 300 firefighters, applicant pools of 1,500 or greater, and proof of currently utilized hiring solutions active for at least one year. The pricing structure is milestone-based with compensation upon completion of each deliverable stage rather than lump-sum payment, and no specific budget ceiling or award value range is detailed. An incumbent contractor currently holds the contract, which expires in January 2027; this procurement is being conducted to avoid contractor transitions during an active hiring cycle. All offerors must provide mandatory certifications addressing suspension/debarment status, collusion prohibitions, conflicts of interest, and compliance with Texas state requirements including cybersecurity restrictions, LGBTQ+ conversion therapy prohibitions, and various boycott and energy company restrictions.