UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO PROFILE
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada’s technology hub, has become a leading comprehensive university with more than 36,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Consistently ranked Canada’s most innovative university, Waterloo is home to advanced research and teaching in science and engineering, mathematics and computer science, health, environment, arts and social sciences. From quantum computing and nanotechnology to clinical psychology and health sciences research, Waterloo brings ideas and brilliant minds together, inspiring innovations with real impact today and in the future.
As home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, Waterloo embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research, and commercialization. With campuses and education centres on four continents, and academic partnerships spanning the globe, Waterloo is shaping the future of the planet.
Find out more about the University of Waterloo at https://uwaterloo.ca/about/who-we-are/waterloo-facts.
RFP BACKGROUND
There are three main employee groups within Waterloo: Faculty, Staff, some of whom are represented by the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA), and, members of CUPE Local 793. The Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC) oversees the management of compensation arrangements for Staff members, regardless of their membership in the UWSA. For details about the UWSA, please refer to the website: https://uwaterloo.ca/staff-association/.
The PACSC membership includes the following representation:
- Four members appointed by the Provost, from names submitted by the UWSA
- The Executive Director, Human Resources
- The Vice-President, Administration & Finance
- The Associate Vice-President, International
- The Associate Provost, Human Resources (Chair)
The Board of Governors-approved staff salary agreement for the term May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2021 was assembled by the PACSC. During the three year term of the agreement, the normal merit program applies and merit funds are distributed based on Staff members’ performance and pay position in the salary range. The agreement included a provision which committed the University of Waterloo to undertake a full and comprehensive review of the Performance Appraisal System through the formation of a Working Group (the ‘Working Group’).
Assistance from a consulting person/firm (‘consultant’), with proven experience leading organizations through such an initiative, is required to enable efficiency, thoroughness, and an optimal outcome. A consultant that can deliver credible and objective perspective and guidance, informed through visibility to other organizations’ successes/opportunities as well as best practices and trends in performance appraisal systems, will assist the University of Waterloo with meeting this objective.
The RFP document includes a summary of current arrangements for regular and ongoing Staff members, concerns with the current process, a broad list of requirements (i.e. general principles versus specifics, in order to leverage external expertise in defining the scope of the review), and the selection criteria and corresponding weighting regarding how Respondents to this RFP will be ranked.
Based on the evaluation of Proposals submitted (Stage 1), and presentations by short-listed Respondents (Stage 2), the Working Group will then develop a recommendation and present it to the PACSC for review and its subsequent approval by the Vice-President, Academic & Provost.
The total budget for this project is less than $100,000 CAD (HST extra).
Questions regarding this Request for Proposal may be submitted via email to the RFP Contact Person as follows:
Christine Wagner, Senior Buyer - Procurement and Contract Services
200 University Avenue West
University of Waterloo, East Campus 2
Waterloo ON N2L 5Z5
Email: cpwagner@uwaterloo.ca or, procure@uwaterloo.ca
