Battalion Chief Testing

The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Management & Budget, in conjunction with the Department of Human Resources and Civil Service, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal #2024-RFP-047 to develop and administer a legally defensible promotional testing process for the rank of Battalion Chief within the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. The procurement seeks a qualified professional vendor to create a comprehensive assessment process that may include administrative, leadership, and functional exercises tailored to Battalion Chief candidate evaluation. Key deliverables include the development of examination materials, administration of the promotional process, and certification of eligible candidates based on established evaluation frameworks. The testing process must accommodate candidates who have served at least two years as a Fire Captain, with final ranking determined by combined scores from written examinations, oral examinations, and service credit points (up to 10 points for full years of service). The evaluation committee will assess proposals using a five-category points-based system: Firm's Qualifications (15 points), Project Team Qualifications (15 points), Project Approach and Plan (30 points), Cost Proposal (30 points), and MWDBE/VOSB Good Faith Effort (10 points). Critical timeline dates include a project release on March 28, 2024, a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on April 16, 2024, a questions submission deadline of April 26, 2024, and a final proposal response deadline of May 10, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

The City of Pittsburgh has established specific participation goals for disadvantaged enterprises, requiring bidders to demonstrate good faith efforts toward achieving 18% minority-owned business participation, 7% women-owned business participation, 5% veteran-owned small business involvement, and 3% LGBTQIA+ business participation. The contract is contingent upon City Council approval and compliance with all ethical and procedural requirements outlined in the city's code of conduct. Vendors must possess demonstrated expertise in developing legally defensible civil service examination processes and possess experience with fire service promotional testing. The contract term covers services to be performed during 2024, with medical examination requirements to be mandated prior to final appointment of successful candidates. No incumbent vendor or budget range was identified in the available documentation; however, contract award is subject to City Council authorization and adherence to applicable city procurement regulations.