Judicial compensation study

The Kentucky Legislative Research Commission is requesting proposals for a judicial branch salary compensation study mandated by House Bill 503, with proposals due July 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET and written questions due July 10, 2026. This is a Personal Service Contract with no estimated contract value disclosed; vendors must estimate costs within their submissions.

The scope covers comprehensive evaluation of salaries and compensation for approximately 3,700 judicial branch personnel, including 412 elected justices, judges, and circuit court clerks across all 120 Kentucky counties. The study encompasses 234 to 304 distinct job titles and requires five primary objectives: developing a compensation philosophy, reviewing internal equity of existing compensation, conducting market analysis, providing guidance for compensation administration with recommended pay ranges, and providing cost analysis of recommended changes. The scope is limited to salary and cash compensation and excludes benefits benchmarking. Work is structured in two phases, with a draft report due June 1, 2027 and final report due June 30, 2027.

Respondents must demonstrate experience in public and private compensation data analysis, market analyses, pay range development, public sector human resources consulting, and public employee benchmarking, supported by three client references. The vendor must designate a project manager, conduct a kick-off meeting within five business days of award, provide monthly progress reports, and cooperate with monitoring and audit activities at no additional cost. All work products and reports become property of the Legislative Research Commission and may be reproduced without restriction.

Submissions must include a signed solicitation form, proposed technical and cost solutions, a transmittal letter, proof of Kentucky Secretary of State registration (if applicable), and required affidavits. Oral presentations may be required and will be accommodated virtually where appropriate, though legislative committee presentations are expected in-person. Online bidding is prohibited; responses must be submitted via email to Regina K Long at the Legislative Research Commission. No indirect costs shall be reimbursed. The contractor must maintain records for at least three years following contract completion.