RFP 2026-P11 Promotional Testing Services, Sheriff's Office

Hays County Purchasing Office is requesting proposals for promotional testing services for the Hays County Sheriff's Office, with proposals due March 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. The County encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), Section 3 residents, minority-owned businesses, small businesses, and women-owned businesses, though no set-aside or preference program is mandated.

The scope encompasses development, validation, administration, and scoring of written examinations and assessment centers for promotional candidates across Jail Staff (Corporals, Sergeants, Lieutenants), Dispatch Staff (Emergency Communication Officer Leads and Managers), and Law Enforcement Staff (Corporals, Sergeants, Lieutenants). All testing will be administered at the Sheriff Allen Bridges Training Academy. The written examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions functioning as a hurdle requirement; Corporal and Lead positions require career portfolio and verbal presentation, while Manager, Sergeant, and Lieutenant positions require simulated scenario assessments. Services include job analysis, test bank development, promotional announcement preparation, examination administration, scoring, item analysis, and candidate feedback. The written examination is scheduled for no later than October 1, 2026, with promotional announcements required 90 and 30 days prior. Vendors must provide all-inclusive pricing covering meetings, progress reports, travel, mileage, per diem, communications, exam copies for the Civil Service Commission and Board of Examiners, and assessor compensation. The vendor must hold at least five years of experience in similar promotional testing services, maintain professional liability insurance, and provide three professional references.

The initial contract term is one year from award with four optional one-year renewals. The anticipated award date is April 2026. Questions are due in writing by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on March 11, 2026. Evaluation criteria are capacity and methodology (35 points), company experience (30 points), quality control and assurance approach (20 points), and proposed cost (15 points). Addendum 1, posted March 19, 2026, revised the fee schedule to require separate all-inclusive pricing for both County-administered and vendor-administered testing scenarios; vendors must acknowledge receipt with their proposal and submit exceptions simultaneously with the bid or they will not be considered.