DBH - Ohio Youth Suicide Prevention Messaging & Outreach Campaign

In an MBE set-aside solicitation, only those bidders/suppliers with an active MBE certification at the time the solicitation closes can submit a response

SRC0000036045

1/8/2026 2:00:00 PM

I. MISSION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The mission of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is to provide statewide leadership of a high-quality mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system that is effective and valued by all Ohioans. DBH strives to be a national leader in implementing a comprehensive, accessible, and quality-focused system of addiction and mental health care and wellness for all Ohio citizens.

II. PURPOSE

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to plan, design, develop, pilot, and implement a statewide youth suicide prevention messaging and outreach campaign. The campaign will amplify youth voice, incorporate perspectives of suicide loss survivors, and deliver evidence-informed content that strengthens protective factors, increases help-seeking behaviors, and supports early intervention among youth. Required activities include community engagement, youth and loss survivor collaboration, content development, testing, distribution planning, evaluation, and the creation and management of the campaign’s digital ecosystem, including a standalone campaign website and campaign-branded social media channels. All messaging must align with DBH priorities, including clear connections to 988 and Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS).

I II. BACKGROUND

Youth suicide continues to be a significant public health concern in Ohio, with elevated rates of suicide deaths and self-harm behaviors in several high-need and high-prevalence counties. There is a need for modernized, culturally responsive, and youth-centered messaging that resonates with diverse communities across the state.

Ohio’s youth, families, caregivers, and prevention partners have expressed a need for updated public content that is relatable, accessible, and grounded in real experiences. Youth leaders, suicide loss survivors, and credible messengers such as athletes have demonstrated strong potential to reduce stigma and normalize conversations around mental health.

DBH seeks a Contractor with expertise in suicide prevention, youth engagement, creative strategy, and behavior-change communication to develop a cohesive statewide campaign that elevates youth voice and expands access to accurate, hopeful, and actionable information.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLE S

The Contractor shall complete all work and deliverables outlined in Goal Areas 1through 5.

Goal 1: Establish a coordinated engagement process to ensure youth, loss survivors, and community partners inform campaign development.
Goal 2: Develop, test, and refine campaign messages and materials that promote youth suicide prevention, protective factors, and help-seeking behaviors.
Goal 3: Support statewide reach by preparing for implementation with local partners.
Goal 4: Design, develop, host, and maintain the campaign’s full digital ecosystem, including the standalone campaign website, campaign-branded social media channels, and the online hosting of all campaign materials.
Goal 5: Assess campaign effectiveness and support ongoing refinement.
V. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTOR

Contractors must possess the personnel, technical capabilities, and operational infrastructure required to complete every component of the Scope of Work. Applicants unable to demonstrate the capacity to fulfill all required objectives will not be eligible for award. Contractor shall not be subject to an “unresolved” finding for recovery under Section 9.24 of Ohio Revised Code.

PART FOUR: EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. Evaluation Process

DBH's evaluation process of responses submitted to this request may consist of up to four distinct phases:

1. DBH’s initial review of all proposals for timely submission;
2. An evaluation committee review of the proposals for defects and scoring;
3. DBH’s request for more information (clarifications, interviews, presentations, and/or demonstrations); and,
4. Negotiations or best offer requests.

At its sole discretion, DBH will determine whether phases three and/or four are necessary under this RFP, reserving for itself the ability to eliminate or add phases three or four at any time during the evaluation process. DBH may add or remove sub-phases to phases 2 through 4 at any time if DBHbelieves doing so will improve the evaluation process.

1. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

In the proposal evaluation phase, OhioMHAS staff or reviewers selected by DBH (the committee) will rate the proposals submitted in response to this RFP based on the following criteria and weight assigned to each criterion.