Classification and Compensation Study

Hillsborough County, Florida is conducting a sole source procurement with Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP for a Classification and Compensation Study under Section 3-205(2)(g) of the County's Procurement Policy. The engagement entails comprehensive consultation and evaluation services for the County's compensation and job classification structures utilizing Baker Tilly's proprietary Systematic Analysis and Factor Evaluation (SAFE) methodology, a specialized job evaluation framework designed specifically for public-sector organizations. The study will encompass approximately 682 position titles representing 5,362 full-time employees and will be executed across five phases: project initiation and data collection, title review, market assessment benchmarking against 12 comparable peer organizations and private sector data, pay plan development with grade assignments, and project completion including staff training and County Commission presentation. Key objectives include ensuring internal equity, compliance with the Equal Pay Act, and creating fair, competitive, and defensible pay structures to support workforce recruitment and retention and enhance service delivery to the public. The project timeline spans approximately 5-6 months from March through December, with a fixed professional fee of $154,800 and estimated total cost of $238,400.27 over the two-year contract period when including ongoing support services and out-of-pocket expenses. The County has designated March 2, 2026 as the close date for challenges to this sole source procurement notice; absent any challenges, an award will likely be made after that date. Baker Tilly's project team comprises eight professionals led by Managing Director Jada Kent, with additional hourly rates ranging from $185 to $575 depending on staff level for work beyond the stated scope, and ongoing services available through either an ad hoc model at $250 per reclassification request or a prepaid model of $10,000 for two years.

This is a sole source procurement exempt from competitive bidding, meaning no set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types appear to apply, as the County has determined that Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP possesses unique expertise with proprietary methodologies making it the only qualified source for these specialized services. No incumbent vendors or alternative contractors are identified in this procurement, as Baker Tilly's exclusive right to provide the SAFE methodology framework justifies the noncompetitive classification. The engagement does not appear to require integration with existing infrastructure or technology beyond the County's standard data provision and project management responsibilities, which include establishing bi-weekly meetings, providing timely data in specified formats, and designating oversight personnel. The County reserves the right to extend the contract term beyond the initial two-year period, adjust the scope of services in response to changing conditions and updated requirements, and increase the award amount accordingly. The estimated contract value is $238,400.27 for the two-year engagement, with invoicing occurring based on outlined milestones and direct reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses estimated at $1,200-$1,600 per site visit.