City-Wide Classification and Compensation Study

The City of Barstow is soliciting proposals under RFP-2026-0002 for a comprehensive City-Wide Classification and Compensation Study. The project involves approximately 214 employees across 180 unique classifications and aims to ensure the city's classification system reflects current work assignments while maintaining internal equity, external competitiveness, and legal compliance. The scope of work includes a compensation analysis featuring market salary surveys and internal equity reviews, a high-level organizational review of reporting relationships and span of control, and the delivery of updated job descriptions in editable format. The selected consultant must ensure all findings comply with federal and California employment requirements, including FLSA exemption status, ADA essential-function requirements, and the Equal Pay Act. The project is anticipated to begin in November 2026, with a draft report due in Spring 2027 and a final report in Summer 2027, followed by six months of post-implementation support. Proposals are due by September 15, 2026, and will be evaluated based on project approach and methodology (30%), team qualifications (20%), California municipal experience (20%), references (10%), cost (15%), and value-added services (5%). The City will select the firm providing the best overall value, not necessarily the lowest cost. Consultants must provide a not-to-exceed fee proposal for the base scope and separate pricing for optional services such as meet and confer support, salary implementation planning, and compensation policy development. The successful bidder will be required to enter into the City's standard Professional Services Agreement and adhere to strict confidentiality and data security protocols regarding employee salary and personnel information.