INTRODUCTION
The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary (CCSJBE) is requesting proposals from experienced organizations/firms or individuals with a proven and successful track record to perform a benchmarking analysis of CCSJBE Staff salaries.
A scope of work and a list of requested services are included to assist interested organizations/firms/individual with experiences in the area of compensation, hereinafter called “the Contractor”, in the development of a proposal for compensation analysis, specifically salary benchmarking. The Contractor should not be limited by this general scope of work but must address all of the solutions and work products called for in this Request for Proposal (RFP). Failure to submit information in accordance with the requirements and procedures established in this document may be cause for disqualification.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Section 320 of the U.S. Clean Water Act created the National Estuary Program (NEP). According to the law’s model, it allows the governors of coastal states with estuaries to submit these bodies of water to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The objective is that they reach the category of national importance, and can receive federal funds directed to research, draft and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive plan for estuarine management and conservation. On April 20, 1993, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed the official designation of the San Juan Bay Estuary system as one of national importance to the United States. Then, in 1994, the San Juan Bay Estuary Program was launched. The San Juan Bay Estuary is the only tropical estuary system within the NEP outside the continental United States. CCSJBE also has gained access to subventions related to Clean Waters State Revolving Funds Construction Grant Programs for storm and wastewater management systems. The CCSJBE operates as a nonprofit organization that works to protect this ecosystem and its watershed. The watershed extends throughout the San Juan metropolitan region and its eight municipalities, Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo, Loíza, San Juan, Toa Baja and Trujillo Alto. The CCSJBE coordinates and ensures the implementation of restoration, enhancement and conservation actions established in the Compressive Conservation and Management and Plan.
SCOPE OF WORK AND REQUESTED SERVICES
The Compensation Specialist will evaluate the CCSJBE current compensation practices and provide an analysis that will support the CCSJBE Board of Directors determine staffing needs, design and adjust salary structures and compensation packages based on job function and performance levels. The ideal Contractor will be able to demonstrate her/his expertise and that of her/his team in compensation administration policies and practices.
The proposal to be submitted shall include a detailed work plan for providing the following services:
- Conduct position evaluations based on job functions/job descriptions (Job Matching);
- Assess the budgetary impact of compensation decision and providing oversight of compliance with regulations and labor law;
- Provide guidance on designing and adjusting salary structures and compensation packages based on performance metrics;
- Research and analyze competitive compensation practices in the job market.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
A project proposal is required to address the following items in a concise and yet complete manner to offer all the necessary information for the evaluation of your proposal:
- Project objectives and goals.
- Proposed detailed methodology.
- Identification of all tasks to be completed by subcontractors and a detailed budget.
- A list of any special skills, innovative concepts for projects and/or any cost control methods proposed for this project.
- Projects must include a reporting plan including a final document.
- If more than one individual will be involved, a description of the organization of your project team, including information of the individuals that will perform each role and their level of experience and education should be provided. The person who will be responsible for the completion of the project needs to be clearly identified.
- Copy of the Department of State certification to do business in Puerto Rico (if applicable)
- A certification of compliance with all federal and state laws to conduct business in Puerto Rico shall be included in your proposal (if applicable)
At a minimum, the person leading the effort shall comply with the following requirements:
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree required (Masters’ degree preferred) in Business Administration, Human Resources, psychology, or any related field.
EXPERIENCE
- At 5 years of experience directly related to the requested services.
- Experience working with nonprofits related to the requested services.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (including team members, if applicable)
- Ability to work with limited supervision.
- Analytical skills to understand and apply research and statistics in report writing and decision-making.
- Organizational skills to meet deadlines.
- Relevant computer skills and experience with specific software and web-based systems as necessary, such as those used for personnel management, report writing, project management
- Knowledge of labor laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other federal and local laws regulating employee compensation and privacy standards.
OTHER GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTING
Proposals shall include a complete Statement of Qualifications; Experience of the potential Contractor in similar work, facilities, senior personnel qualifications, number and qualification of junior personnel (if applicable)
A list of comparable projects that demonstrates the experience of the potential Contractor in similar work.
Key Staff Résumé and Professional Information/Accreditations/Certifications
Detailed budget for materials, expenses and other items
Detailed project plan that includes the detailed time regarding reports, milestones and/or specific activities, and start date of availability
Other issues or information relevant to your proposal.
Other documents such as brochures, graphs, posters or visual materials are encouraged.
Proposals will be evaluated by an advisory committee who will make the final decision.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For a proposal to be considered for evaluation, potential Contractors must follow the specifications below:
Send the proposal by email to: [email protected]
Potential Contractors must submit their proposal no later than 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 4, 2022. Late proposals, proposals delivered by mail or other means will not be accepted. No exceptions will be granted regardless of reason or circumstance.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this RFP may result in disqualification.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Qualified potential Contractors will be short-listed and the final selection will be made by an AdHoc Board Committee. The criteria that will be used to evaluate the Proposals will be:
- The professional quality of the Project Proposal: comprehensiveness, conciseness, clarity, and thoroughness of presentation and the firm’s understanding of the services required by the Program. (20%)
- The individual or firm’s experience and history of performance on similar projects, regarding such factors as quality of work, cost control, and ability to meet schedule. (20%)
- Adequacy of technical staff, as demonstrated by experience, education, and potential project role. (15%)
- The organization and time frame of the project requirements. (15%)
- Proposed costs/budget. (30%)
- CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Program anticipates that the process for nominating and selecting a vendor, and awarding the contract, will be according to the following tentative schedule:
- RFP Release: March 31, 2022
- Proposal Due Date: April 4, 2022
- Selection: April 5, 2022
- SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Reservations
This RFP does not commit the CCSJBE to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a Proposal pursuant to this RFP, or to procure or contract for work.
Public Records
All Proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the Program and public records, and as such may be subject to public review.
Right to Cancel
The CCSJBE, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel this RFP for any or no reason, in part or in its entirety, including but not limited to: selection schedule, submittal date, and submittal requirements. If the CCSJBE cancels or revises the RFP, all potential Contractors will be notified in writing by the CCSJBE.
Additional Information
The CCSJBE reserves the right to request additional information and/or clarifications from any or all potential Contractors to this RFP.
Public Information
Selection announcements, contract awards, and all data provided by the Program shall be protected from public disclosure. Consultants desiring to release information to the public must receive prior written approval from the CCSJBE. The CCSJBE, at its sole discretion, shall determine the release and disclosure of information related to this RFP and any final work products as a result of this.
THE SAN JUAN BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM
The San Juan Bay Estuary Program (Estuario) is a 501(c)3 corporation, part of the National Estuary Program (NEP), created under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and managed nationally by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Its mission is to improve the water quality of the San Juan Bay Estuary. Per Section 320 of the CWA, each of the 28 entities affiliated to the NEP must submit to EPA Administrator a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to guide the restoration efforts of the most critical coastal ecosystems for the economy of the Nation. The primary responsibility of each organization under the NEP is to coordinate and measure the plan’s implementation in partnership with the community, state, local, and federal governments and the Academia.
The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE (CCSJBE) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. CCSJBE encourages and promotes its contractors to take affirmative steps to do the same when subcontracting.
