RFP_No._2024-Solicitation-00082_Management_Comp_Study.pdf

County of San Mateo

Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Management Compensation Study

Human Resources Department

RFP No. 2024-Solicitation-00082

Date issued: FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Questions due: March 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Proposal due: March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

RFP Contact: Lisa Yapching, Classification/Compensation Manager lyapching@smcgov.org

SMC 500 i February 26, 2024

Request for Proposals No. 2024-Solicitation-00082 for Management Compensation Study

Table of Contents:

Section Title Page I Introduction and Schedule 1 II Scope of Work 2 III Submission Requirements 4 IV Evaluation and Selection Criteria 7 V Instructions to Proposers 9 VI Terms and Conditions for Receipt of Proposals 10 VII Protest Procedures 13

Appendix:

A. Minimum Qualifications Checklist B. Tentative List of Classifications C. County Contract template D. Sample Salary Survey Spreadsheet E. Summary of County’s Compensation Philosophy

RFP (September 2023) 1 of 14 February 26, 2024

I. Introduction and Schedule

A. General

The County of San Mateo (the “County” or “SMC”) covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula. The region covers 744 mi2 and is home to nearly 800,000 residents and 20 incorporated cities. The County provides for the health and welfare of all people within its borders and serves as the local government for the unincorporated areas. Innovation thrives here in industries including bioscience, computer software, green technology, hospitality, financial management, health care, education, and transportation. The County prides itself on how that prosperity fosters its commitment to protecting and enhancing the health, safety, welfare and natural resources of the community.

The San Mateo County Human Resources Department is soliciting proposals from qualified firms or individuals to conduct a compensation study to be completed no later than September 30, 2024, of approximately 215 management and attorney classifications. The project will include (A) a base salary survey of up to eleven (11) comparable Bay Area public agencies in order to establish market data for each of these classifications; (B) analysis of the County’s salaries comparative to the market data obtained; (C) internal comparison of similar classifications and identification of potential salary compressions; (D) research into the management benefits offered by the comparable agencies and highlighting, if any management perks that are innovative and uncommon; (E) preparation and submission of a report of recommendations; and (F) perform additional research and follow-up in order to respond to department and/or employee feedback of the survey findings. The County currently has approximately 240 management and attorney classifications. In Appendix B is a tentative list of these classifications.

The Human Resources Department is issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2024-Solicitation-00082 for a Management Compensation Study. The agreement shall have a term of one (1) year. In addition, the County shall have one (1) option to extend the term for an additional period not to exceed six (6) months, which the County may exercise at its sole, absolute discretion. To exercise this option, the County shall provide written notice to the Contractor at least thirty days before the end of the agreement’s term.

The County’s standard contract template has been included as Appendix C to this solicitation. The awarded contractor will be expected to sign an agreement prepared by the County using this template.

Please ensure that your firm has completed legal review of these contract terms. If your firm wishes to request exceptions to these standard terms, submit a Contract Exceptions Request by the Deadline for Questions, Comments and Contract Exceptions listed in the Solicitation Schedule below. The County will consider Contract Exceptions Requests but reserves the right to reject requested modifications to its standard terms.

B. Solicitation Schedule

RFP Released February 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PST Deadline for Questions, Comments and Contract Exceptions March 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PST

Proposal Due Date and Time March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PST Interviews (tentative) Week of April 1, 2024 (Zoom) Anticipated Contract Award Date By April 26, 2024

RFP (September 2023) 2 of 14 February 26, 2024

II. Scope of Work

A. Introduction

San Mateo County is soliciting proposals from qualified firms or individuals to conduct a compensation study of approximately 215 management and attorney classifications. The County currently has approximately 240 management classifications. This count excludes classifications that (A) were created and/or underwent a salary review/adjustment in the last nine months, (B) are lower levels of a flexibly staffed classification series; and (C) are in roles unique only to the County.

Management classifications in San Mateo County are unrepresented, and their salaries governed through a Board of Supervisors resolution. As is the case with most public sector employers, retention of key talent, particularly in management positions, has become a growing concern. This, coupled with retirements in key segments of our workforce and reality of operating in an area with a significantly high cost-of-living, it is necessary to conduct a compensation review to ensure that we are maintaining a pay structure for our leadership roles that is competitive, both internally and externally. The last management compensation study was conducted in 2007. Since then, new classifications have been added, and the County compensation philosophy has changed. There have been salary reviews and adjustments of individual classifications but not a comprehensive study.

Secondly, it is the County’s pay philosophy to ensure salaries are aligned to external market and internal comparators; however, several years of adding new classifications and not having a formal salary review, it is possible that salary compression now exists between management classifications which can only be identified by conducting a thorough and comprehensive review of all salaries.

The Scope of Work detailed below is to be used as a general guide and is not intended to be a complete list of all work necessary to complete the project.

The following are work tasks assumed necessary to complete the compensation study. The project entails three parts, as outlined below. Proposing teams may suggest a modified scope as part of their proposal, but shall include at minimum:

Part I – Salary Survey and Analysis

• Conduct a kick-off meeting with the County’s RFP Committee to set parameters for the survey, including an agreement on which Bay Area public agencies to include in the survey, the number of which is not to exceed eleven (11).

• Using the agreed-to list of agencies, obtain comparable classifications for each of the County management and attorney classifications identified for the survey. For each comparable where there is a partial match only or no match, notes must be included explaining the essential differences, or reasons for ruling a no match.

• For each of the classifications surveyed, and in a format acceptable to the County, prepare a sheet identifying the (A) comparable classifications in the comparator agencies, (B) minimum and maximum salary ranges prorated to full-time (1.0) FTE, (C) any anticipated salary increases in the near future, and (D) comparison of the County’s salary against the market median. In Appendix D, a sample spreadsheet is provided.

• Identify salary compaction issues that should be considered utilizing the following methods and any other methods firm/individual deems appropriate to conduct a comprehensive analysis: (A) For each classification that is part of a flexibly staffed series, analyze salaries of the series. (B) Review obvious relationships between classifications. A summary of the County’s Compensation Philosophy is

RFP (September 2023) 3 of 14 February 26, 2024 included in Appendix E for reference, and an internal pay relationship guideline will be provided at the kick-off meeting.

• Prepare a summary report listing classifications that are being recommended for adjustment.

Part II – Management Benefits

• Obtain list and description of additional management perks, benefits and/or special compensation from each of the agencies surveyed that is above and beyond medical, insurance and pension benefits.

• Identify and highlight in the report any perk, benefit or special compensation that is innovative and unique and not yet offered by the County.

Part III – Report and Responses to Rebuttals

• Prepare a preliminary report of recommendations for Part I and II, and present executive summary to

County RFP Committee. Conduct additional research based on questions and concerns posed by the Committee.

• Finalize and submit a full Report of Recommendations that includes the survey sheets for each classification reviewed and the list of management benefits.

• After the final report is released to County employees and departments, conduct additional research, and respond to any rebuttals to the survey findings.

RFP (September 2023) 4 of 14 February 26, 2024

III. Submission Requirements

A. Submission Deadline

Proposals must be electronically received by 5:00 p.m. PST on March 15, 2024, via OpenGov (details below).

Allow sufficient time for the upload to complete by the Due Date and Time. Partial uploads will automatically terminate, and proposals will be rejected. The OpenGov submission time will be the official submission time. The County will not be responsible for and may not accept proposals that are late due to slow internet connections or for any other failure of the OpenGov system.

NOTE: The County does not maintain the OpenGov system and is not liable for site failures or technical problems. To resolve technical issues, contact OpenGov using the chat portal via link below or email Vendor Support at procurement-support@opengov.com

B. Pre-submission Registration

Organizations or individuals interested in responding to this solicitation must register online with the County of San Mateo at: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/smcgov

It is recommended that organizations complete this registration as soon as possible to allow enough time for it to be processed. Each registration is manually reviewed and approved by OpenGov, and this might take time. The County will not be responsible for and may not accept proposals that are late due to a failure to register in the OpenGov system.

C. Submission via OpenGov

1. Submission of Proposals:

1.1 Required Documents

Each of the following documents should be submitted as separate files following the instructions below:

Technical proposal Fee proposal

1.2 Electronic Submissions

Include the proposer’s name and the RFP title and number in each filename. Submit proposals via the OpenGov website, allowing sufficient time for the upload to complete by the Due Date and Time. As noted above, the OpenGov submission time will be the official submission time, and partial uploads will automatically terminate, and proposals will be rejected. Contact OpenGov with technical questions regarding the site.

1.3 Conflicts between Certain Requirements

Prior to the submission deadlines and solely relating to a determination of the timeliness of questions, comments, and proposal submissions, information displayed on the OpenGov mailto:procurement-support@opengov.com https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/smcgov

RFP (September 2023) 5 of 14 February 26, 2024 site will take precedence in the event of a discrepancy between that information and the information within the solicitation documents. For all other discrepancies, the information in the solicitation documents will take precedence.

1.4 Format

Documents should be created in the following format:

• Text should be Times New Roman (12-point minimum font size) and unjustified (i.e., with a ragged-right margin)

• Pages should have margins of at least one inch on all sides (excluding headers and footers)

• If the proposal is lengthy, a Table of Contents should be included.

• PDF format is preferred.

2. Errors in Proposals

The County will not be liable for any errors in proposals. Proposals may be rejected as unresponsive if they are late, incomplete, missing pages or information, or cannot be opened for any reason. The County may waive minor irregularities, but such waiver will not modify any remaining RFP requirements.

D. Technical Proposal (Maximum of 20 pages)

NOTE: Each one-sided letter-sized page is considered one page of content.

Pages that exceed the maximum page limit may not be reviewed or scored.

Proposers interested in responding to this RFP must submit the following information, in the order specified below:

1. Cover Letter (no more than 1 page)

Submit a letter of introduction and executive summary of the proposal. The letter must contain:

• Name, title and contact information (email, phone, and address) for representative of proposer that is responsible for communication related to this RFP.

• Name, title, contact information, and signature of person authorized to obligate firm to perform the commitment contained in the proposal.

Submission of the letter will constitute a representation by proposer that it is willing and able to perform the commitments contained in the proposal and has not violated the terms of this RFP.

2. Qualifications and Experience (no more than 10 pages)

• Provide a statement of your firm’s or, if submitting as an individual, your personal qualifications to provide the services requested by this RFP; and a description of the extent of experience/history providing the services requested by this RFP. Be specific about your experience in conducting wide scope compensation analysis of similar scope and volume.

RFP (September 2023) 6 of 14 February 26, 2024

• A brief description of not more than three (3) projects similar in size and scope conducted by the proposer, including the client, budget, schedule, and project summary. Descriptions should be limited to one (1) page for each project.

• List the name(s) of the personnel who will be assigned to this project including their professional background and qualifications for this project. If proposing as an individual, you may skip this section if your qualifications are already stated in your response to the first question.

3. Project Approach (up to 5 pages)

Describe your proposed approach to performing the Scope of Work, including the following:

3.1 Scope of Work tasks/milestones

3.2 Proposed schedule and ability to complete the project within the County’s required time frame.

4. Fee Proposal (up to 2 pages for each scenario below)

• Describe your costs. The County prefers a fixed cost proposal, however if you wish to make a time and materials cost proposal, you must identify a not-to exceed amount. Fee proposals should be projected for each of the scenarios below:

• Fee proposal for a survey that would include up to 11 comparator agencies and no more than 150 classifications.

• Fee proposal for a survey that would include up to 11 comparator agencies and no more than 215 classifications.

• List any additional services that you foresee may be necessary and list the proposed costs for such services.

The Fee Proposal should be submitted as a separate PDF file from the Technical Proposals detailed in Section III.C.1.1 – Required Documents.

The County reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer and to reject any proposals that are not responsive to this request.

NOTE: Exceptions, modifications, omissions, and deviations from the above may result in rejection of proposal as non-responsive.

RFP (September 2023) 7 of 14 February 26, 2024

IV. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

A. Minimum Qualifications (MQs)

Any proposal that does not demonstrate that the proposer meets these minimum requirements by the submission deadline may be determined to be non-responsive and not eligible for further consideration in the evaluation process.

Proposer is defined as the prime firm, organization, individual, or joint venture that is submitting a proposal for this RFP.

Proposers must meet the following Minimum Qualifications:

1. Proposer shall have at least four (4) years of experience within the last six (6) years immediately preceding the issuance of this RFP in providing classification and compensation study services, including base salary surveys.

2. Proposer shall have completed at least two (3) organization-wide compensation studies within the last six (6) years for at least three (3) public agencies, one (1) of which must have been in the State of California.

3. Project Leader and team shall have basic knowledge and technical training in compensation analysis.

4. Proposer shall have demonstrated knowledge of and experience conducting studies related to public sector compensation structures and limitations.

5. Proposers and subcontractors are registered and in good standing with sam.gov/SAM/

B. Selection Criteria

The proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee with relevant expertise. The County intends to evaluate the proposals in each of the category listed below using a rating scale of 1 to 7. Proposers with the highest scoring proposals may be interviewed by the committee to make the final selection.

The selection committee will only review and score the Technical Proposals. The Fee Proposal score will be calculated and added to the Technical Proposal score. The sum of these two scores will equal the final score.

1. Qualifications and Experience, including history of successfully performing similar services for a comparable public agency.

2. Methodology and Approach, including an understanding of the scope of the project as demonstrated by proposed approach to meeting the requirements of the study.

3. Team Qualifications, including having a dedicated team that has background and experience with public sector compensation.

4. Fee Proposals for each of the scenarios listed in Section III.D.4. The lowest cost proposal will receive the maximum number of points (7) for this category. All other proposals will be assigned points by dividing the amount of the lowest total fee proposed by the amount of their respective

RFP (September 2023) 8 of 14 February 26, 2024 total fee proposed and then multiplying the resulting number of the maximum number of points available to receive the proposer’s score.

For example, a total of 7 points are assigned to evaluate the fee proposal. Firm A offers the lowest fee proposal of $1000 and is scored 7 points for this category. Firm B is the next lowest fee proposal that offers $1200 and receives a score of 5.8 points ($1000 divided by $1200 multiplied by 7 points). Firm C has the highest fee proposal that offers $1500 and receives a score of 4.6 ($1000 divided by $1500 multiplied by 25 points).

5. Interview. Following the evaluation of the written proposals, the top three highest ranking proposers will be invited to an interview. The interview will consist of standard questions asked of each of these proposers. Proposers will be rated on the following:

a. Experience: Relevance of the team’s experience in conducting a similar compensation study as demonstrated by types and complexity of previous consulting projects.

Evidence of the expertise that the team brings to the project. Understanding of the structure and limitations of public sector compensation.

b. Communication: Quality of the written submission, and presentation during the interview.

c. Breadth: Degree to which the technical expertise is complete for the anticipated scope of work. Evidence that the team is structured for a comprehensive approach.

d. Management: Evidence that previous work was well managed, within budget, and on-time. Documentation of relevant problems and how they were resolved.

RFP (September 2023) 9 of 14 February 26, 2024

V. Instructions to Proposers

A. Communications

1.1 As of the issuance date of this RFP and continuing until it is canceled or an award is made, no proposer or person acting on behalf of a prospective proposer may discuss any matter relating to the RFP with any officer, agent, or employee of the County, other than through OpenGov, to the Authorized Contact Person, or as outlined in the evaluation or protest procedures.

1.2 Proposers (including any agent, owner, employee, board members, or other such affiliates) shall not offer any gift, favor, or other personal benefit to any County officer or employee during the procurement process for this agreement, including during the solicitation period and contract negotiations.

Violation of the foregoing prohibitions may result in a proposer being found non-responsible and barred from participating in this or future procurements.

B. Contract Award

1.1 Award Procedure

Contract negotiations are neither an offer nor guarantee that a contract will be executed. A contract award, if any is made, will be to the responsive, responsible proposer offering the overall best value to the County for the services and goods described in this solicitation, or as applicable, for a specific portion of the services and goods described. Any agreement reached will be memorialized in a formal agreement using the attached template, executed by the appropriate authority.

1.2 Notice of Intent to Award

If a decision is made to take steps to enter into an agreement with one or more proposers, the County will post a Notice of Intent to Award or otherwise notify the remaining proposers of their non-selection. Notice may instead be provided by including approval of the agreement as an item on an agenda for a meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

1.3 Commencement of Performance

After all parties have signed the agreement, the County will notify the contractor and performance may proceed. Prior to execution of the agreement by the County, no County employee may authorize work under the agreement. Any work performed prior to the full execution of the Agreement may not be compensated.

RFP (September 2023) 10 of 14 February 26, 2024

VI. Terms and Conditions for Receipt of Proposals

A. Errors, Omissions and Inquiries regarding the RFP

Proposers are responsible for reviewing all portions of this RFP. Proposers are to notify the department, in OpenGov, if the proposer discovers any ambiguity, discrepancy, omission, or apparent error in the RFP. Such notification should be made promptly after discovery, but in no event later than five business days prior to the deadline for receipt of proposals. Modifications and clarifications will be made by addenda as provided below.

Inquiries regarding the RFP should be lodged in OpenGov.

B. Objections to RFP Terms

Should a proposer object on any ground to any provision or legal requirement set forth in this RFP, the proposer must, not more than ten calendar days after the RFP is issued, provide written notice to the department, via OpenGov, setting forth with specific grounds for the objection.

C. Addenda

The County may cancel, revise, or reissue this RFP, in whole or in part, for any reason. Revisions will be posted as Addenda on OpenGov. No other revision of this RFP is valid. Proposers shall be responsible for ensuring that their proposals reflect any and all Addenda issued by the County prior to the proposal due date regardless of when a proposal is submitted. Therefore, the County recommends that proposers consult OpenGov frequently, including shortly before the proposal due date, to confirm that all Addenda have been downloaded.

D. Term of Proposal

Submission of a proposal signifies that the proposed services and prices are valid for the duration of the proposed agreement term and that the quoted prices are genuine and not the result of collusion or any other anti-competitive activity.

E. Revision or Withdrawal of Proposal

A proposer may revise a proposal on the proposer’s own initiative at any time before the deadline for submission of proposals. The proposer must submit the revised proposal in the same manner as the original on or before the proposal due date.

A proposer may withdraw a proposal at any time before the deadline for submission of proposals. After that time, whether or not a new RFP is issued for the same subject matter, withdrawal of a proposal may preclude the proposer from participating in the procurement as a proposer or subcontractor, except that an original equipment manufacturer may participate indirectly through a reseller.

F. Errors and Omissions in Proposal

The County will not be liable for any errors in proposals. Proposals may be rejected as unresponsive if they are incomplete, are missing pages or information, or cannot be opened for any reason. The County may waive minor irregularities, but such waiver will not modify any of the remaining RFP requirements.

G. No Commitment

RFP (September 2023) 11 of 14 February 26, 2024

Neither submission of a proposal nor the County’s receipt of proposal materials confers any right to the proposer nor any obligation on the County. This RFP does not commit the County to award a contract.

I. Financial Responsibility

The County shall have no financial responsibility for any costs incurred by a firm in responding to this RFP or participating in any presentations or negotiations.

J. Estimated Quantity

If the RFP results in an indefinite quantity or a requirements agreement, the goods and services actually requested by the County may be less than the maximum value of the agreement and there is no guarantee, either expressed or implied, as to the actual quantity of goods and services that will be authorized under the agreement.

K.

Record

1. General

1.1 All proposals, protests, and information submitted in response to this solicitation will become the property of the County and will be considered public records. As such, they may be subject to public review.

1.2 Any contract arising from this RFP will be a public record.

1.3 The County is not seeking proprietary information and will not assert any privileges that may exist on behalf of the proposer.

1.4 Submission of any materials in response to this RFP constitutes:

• Consent to the County’s release of such materials under the Public Records Act without notice to the person or entity submitting the materials; and

• Waiver of all claims against the County and/or its officers, agents, or employees that the County has violated a proposer's right to privacy, disclosed trade secrets, or caused any damage by allowing the proposal or materials to be inspected; and

• Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless the County for release of such information under the Public Records Act; and

• Acknowledgement that the County will not assert any privileges that may exist on behalf of the person or entity submitting the materials.

L. Reservations of Rights by the County

The issuance of this RFP does not constitute an agreement by the County that any contract will actually be entered into by the County. The County expressly reserves the right at any time to:

• Waive or correct any defect or informality in any response, proposal, or proposal procedure;

RFP (September 2023) 12 of 14 February 26, 2024

• Reject any or all proposals;

• Reissue an RFP;

• Prior to submission deadline for proposals, modify all or any portion of the selection procedures, including deadlines for accepting responses, the specifications or requirements for any materials, equipment or services to be provided under this RFP, or the requirements for contents or format of the proposals;

• Procure any materials, equipment or services specified in this RFP by any other means; or

• Determine that no project will be pursued.

M. No Waiver

No waiver by the County of any provision of this RFP shall be implied from any failure by the County to recognize or take action on account of any failure by a proposer to observe any provision of this RFP.

N. Cooperative Agreement (Piggyback)

This competitive solicitation is being conducted as a Cooperative Procurement. The services, terms and conditions of any agreement resulting from this solicitation may be used by other organizations as a Cooperative Agreement.

This provision in no way commits any affiliate to procure services from any awarded contractor, nor does it guarantee that any additional orders will result. At their discretion, and subject to their own procurement policies, interested organizations may make use of this competitive procurement and contract directly from the awarded contractor.

RFP (September 2023) 13 of 14 February 26, 2024

VIII. Protest Procedures

A. Protest of Non-Responsiveness Determination

Within five (5) working days of the County's issuance of a notice of non-responsiveness, any firm that has submitted a proposal and believes that the County has incorrectly determined that its proposal is non-responsive may submit a written notice of protest. Such notice of protest must be received by the County on or before the fifth working day following the County's issuance of the notice of non-responsiveness.

The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the proposer, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFP provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the County to determine the validity of the protest.

B. Protest of Contract Award

Within five (5) working days of the County's issuance of a notice of intent to award the contract, any firm that has submitted a responsive proposal and believes that the County has incorrectly selected another proposer for award may submit a written notice of protest. Such notice of protest must be received by the County on or before the fifth working day after the County's issuance of the notice of intent to award.

The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the proposer, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFP provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the County to determine the validity of the protest.

C. Delivery of Protests

All protests must be received by the due date. If a protest is mailed, the protestor bears the risk of non-delivery within the deadlines specified herein. Protests should be transmitted by a means that will objectively establish the date the County received the protest. Protests or notice of protests made orally (e.g., by telephone) will not be considered. Protests must be delivered to:

Lisa Yapching at lyapching@smcgov.org Subject: RFP Name and Number mailto:lyapching@smcgov.org

RFP (September 2023) Appendix A February 26, 2024

Appendix A – Minimum Qualifications Checklist

Complete this form and attach it to your firm’s Proposal

I, Insert Name, am a Insert Title at Insert Firm and am authorized to execute this Certification on its behalf.

Minimum Qualifications

Proposals will be accepted only from firms that meet the following required qualifications:

Please check box if your firm meets these qualifications:

Proposer has at least four (4) years of experience within the last six (6) years immediately preceding the issuance of this RFP in providing classification and compensation study services, including base salary surveys.

Proposer has completed at least three (3) organization-wide compensation studies within the last six (6) years for at least three (3) public agencies, one (1) of which must have been in the State of California.

Project Leader and team have basic knowledge and technical training in compensation analysis.

Proposer has demonstrated knowledge of and experience conducting studies related to public sector compensation structures and limitations.

Required Registration

Please check box to indicate your firm is registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).

Proposer is required to be in good standing with https://sam.gov/SAM/

Registered as (Insert Business Name) Unique Identity ID (Insert Business Number)

I certify that the foregoing information is true and correct as of the date of this Certificate.

Signature:______________________________

Date: Click or tap to enter a date.

https://sam.gov/SAM/

This provision in no way commits any affiliate to procure services from any awarded contractor, nor does it guarantee that any additional orders will result. At their discretion, and subject to their own procurement policies, interested organizations ...