Classification and Compensation Study

The Town of Hilton Head Island is soliciting sealed proposals through Request for Proposals (RFP) 2025-28 for a Classification and Compensation Study, with proposals due electronically by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on October 16, 2025, and a virtual public opening scheduled for 9:30 am Eastern Time on October 17, 2025. The procuring jurisdiction is the Town of Hilton Head Island in Barnwell County, South Carolina. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive review and update of the town's classification and compensation system, which has not been significantly revised since 2020, with the primary objectives of ensuring an equitable and current classification system aligned with town objectives, updating salary ranges to reflect competitive labor market conditions, exploring alternative pay scales for specific positions such as Uniformed Fire and Dispatchers, and developing tools to support ongoing system administration and sustainability. Key deliverables include a comprehensive written report, an updated classification structure and compensation plan, detailed job descriptions, a consistent classification framework with benchmark positions, external salary data analysis, recommended model pay structures with implementation options and cost estimates, and tailored presentations for the Senior Management Team. The anticipated contract term is one year from the date of execution, with potential for one additional year renewal to complete the contracted scope of work. Qualified providers must submit proposals detailing their approach, work plan, timeline, firm experience, key personnel qualifications, and client references, and must comply with the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act and provide documentation of work authorization for employees. Evaluation criteria include overall proposal understanding (35% weight), quality of work and experience (30%), fees (25%), and references (10%).

The Town of Hilton Head Island offers a local vendor preference that provides a 5% reduction in proposed price (up to $10,000) for evaluation purposes to vendors maintaining an office within the town's legal boundaries, having a majority of full-time employees and managers working from that location, and possessing a valid town business license for at least three consecutive years prior to application. Additionally, the Town provides extra consideration for disadvantaged business enterprises in the event of tied proposals. The local vendor preference does not apply to Requests for Qualifications for professional services, though this procurement is structured as an RFP rather than an RFQ. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing technology integration requirements are identified in the solicitation materials. The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any proposals, waive technicalities, and make contract awards subject to the availability of Town funds. While a specific budget or award value range is not explicitly stated in the available documentation, the study scope and anticipated one to two-year contract term suggest this represents a significant professional services engagement for the municipality.