Firefighter Exam, Interview, and Job Analysis

The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is seeking proposals for a comprehensive firefighter assessment process through Request for Proposals (RFP) #274-526, targeting the preparation and delivery of a written exam, oral interview, and job analysis for entry-level firefighter recruitment. The procurement requires a vendor to develop and administer a virtual written exam capable of accommodating 500-1500 applicants, including practice sessions, test materials, scoring, validation, and detailed analysis. The oral interview component will involve structured interviews for up to 200 candidates, with the vendor responsible for training RFD staff on interview grading methodologies. Proposals are due on June 4, 2025, by 3:00 PM EST, with an initial contract term of three years beginning on the city's signature date. The evaluation criteria will comprehensively assess proposers based on corporate background, financial stability, project understanding, approach, team experience, and proposed cost. Vendors must submit detailed cost schedules with fully burdened hourly rates and provide pricing for different applicant volume ranges (500-1000 and 1001-1500 candidates).

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations, nor does it mention incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure requirements. While no specific budget range is stated, the RFP requires proposers to provide comprehensive cost breakdowns that include all associated expenses, overhead, and profit margins. The procurement appears open to qualified vendors with demonstrated expertise in developing and administering professional assessment tools for public safety recruitment. The project will support the Raleigh Fire Department's annual firefighter hiring process, with the initial implementation scheduled for the summer of 2025 and subsequent annual administrations anticipated throughout the three-year contract term. Potential respondents should carefully review the RFP documentation to ensure full compliance with the technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements for this critical public safety recruitment support contract.