DVS Nurse call System

RFI NUMBER: SRC0000036297

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (“ODVS” or the “State”) is issuing the following Request for Information (RFI):

Request for Information

Emergency Nurse Call Solution

DATE ISSUED: January 12th, 2026

Information received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

This RFI consists of 8 sections totaling 5 consecutively numbered pages excluding the attachments and supplements. Please verify that you have a complete copy of all documents.

Section I-General Overview

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) / Ohio Veterans Home-Georgetown (OVH-Georgetown) is requesting information from qualified Respondents about innovative and effective Emergency Nurse Call Solutions for a long-term care environment. This initiative aims to replace an existing 168 bed Zettler based Tyco / Simplex-Grinnell emergency nurse call solution. The purpose of this RFI is to collect insights on best practices, emerging technologies, and supplier capabilities to guide potential future procurement efforts. This Request for Information (RFI) is designed to gather insights from qualified Respondents to support future contracting opportunities and improve resident safety at Ohio Veterans Home-Georgetown.

Section II-Process

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes, including the possibility of a future demonstration. Therefore, this non-binding RFI does not constitute a solicitation and will not result in the award of a contract, that will obligate ODVS to procure services from Respondents. Respondents to this RFI may be invited to present their solutions based upon the State’s review of the RFI responses, receiving a response to the RFI does not obligate ODVS to allow a Respondent to participate in the demonstration process. Respondents to this RFI will not be prohibited from submitting proposals to any future procurements related to this Project based solely on having responded to this RFI. ODVS will review responses received from this RFI to determine the feasibility of issuing a competitive solicitation for an emergency nurse call solution.

This is strictly an RFI, and in no way does this request bind ODVS to solicit offers or proposals in the future. However, in no way does submittal of information pursuant to this RFI give any respondent any advantage in any solicitation if ODVS elects to solicit offers/proposals in the future.

Section III–Objectives

The primary objective of this RFI to identify potential suppliers capable of delivering a comprehensive Emergency Nurse Call Solution for a long-term care environment at Ohio Veterans Home-Georgetown. The goal is to provide a turnkey solution to replace the existing Zettler based Tyco / Simplex-Grinnell emergency nurse call solution at Ohio Veterans Home-Georgetown. ODVS is seeking comprehensive and effective solutions to meet the needs of its stakeholders and enhance service delivery. Respondents to this RFI may be invited to present their solutions and demonstrate how their technologies and services can support and transform the following.

1. Centralized Alerting and Reporting

ODVS seeks to leverage innovative approaches to improve resident care through the use of metrics. Staff presence, emergency toilet events, bed call events, call cord out events, resident wait times, etc. should be tracked and recorded with granularity. Data from recorded events will be used for reporting and dashboard creation. Emergency alarming notifications must be centralized to each individual nursing unit with remote access to centralized reporting and dashboards.

2. Audio and Visual Displays

• Individual room visual presence indicators, emergency alarm indicators, etc. must be visible from hallway common areas

• Room alarms and notifications must be audible from nurse stations and hallway common areas

3. Technology Media

ODVS seeks a reliable hardwired emergency nurse call solution. Solution must be a completely hardwired solution or a hardwired / wireless hybrid solution. However, the solution cannot solely rely on wireless technology for delivery.

State of Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Through this RFI, ODVS aims to obtain information to address the following:

• Identify proven and scalable emergency nurse call solutions that are suitable for a long-term care environment

• Gain a deeper understanding of supplier capabilities, experience, and potential challenges in delivering a solution

• Explore value-added features and unique differentiators that improve resident care and staff oversight

• Gather insights into innovative solution models, industry best practices, and strategic partnerships

• Identify the most qualified and experienced providers of emergency nurse call solutions for potential future engagement

• Determine procurement approach to implementing an emergency nurse call solution

Section IV–Response Instructions and Requested Information

These instructions were designed to help ensure all responses are reviewed in a consistent manner. Therefore, responses should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided in this RFI. Respondents are to provide comprehensive responses with supporting materials electronically in PDF and Excel format to Ohio Buys Overview | State of Ohio Procurement by RFI response due date. Responses to questions must be concise up to a required 20-page limit with a font size 10 or greater. Responses that exceed the page limitation may not be reviewed by ODVS.

Each response must include the following sections:

A. Company Overview & Experience:

a. Brief overview of your company

b. Years in operation

c. Areas of expertise

d. Description of experience in delivering existing Emergency Nurse Call Solutions

e. Successful implementations

B. Solution Capabilities & Differentiators:

a. High-level description of your solution

b. Differentiators that make your solution better than the competition

c. Expected lifecycle

C. Value Proposition & Implementation:

a. Overview of the value based on the implementation of your solution

b. Including the implementation approach that has proven most successful

D. Cost Structure & Pricing Model:

a. General overview of licensing, support and maintenance

b. Subscription and Service-based options

State of Ohio Department of Veterans Services

It is not necessary to prepare responses using elaborate brochures and artwork, expensive paper and bindings, or other expensive visual presentation aids. Responses should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided in this RFI. ODVS is not responsible for and will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of information in response to this RFI.

Section V-Presentation

ODVS will review all responses to gain insights into market trends and viable solutions. Depending on the findings, ODVS may reach out for additional information in the form of a presentation to ODVS and any agents working behalf of ODVS. Respondents should provide the three most preferred time slots for providing a presentation and demonstration of your solution. The State does not guarantee that you will be scheduled for any of your selected time slots and reserves the right to determine time slots based on State availability and schedule. The State has sole discretion to determine which suppliers are provided an opportunity to present.

Based upon the completeness of the response, ODVS, at its sole discretion, may invite Respondents for a presentation and solution demonstration. Each presentation and demonstration will be scheduled for 90 minutes and should include the following:

• High-level overview of the RFI response that addresses items A –D above in section IV and the questions provided in the attachment

• High-level overview of the features and functions of the Emergency Nurse Call Solution

• Existing customer references for the solution similar in size, scope and complexity to ODVS

• A description of its experience and competency in the implementation, and support of their solution, including solution delivery method, training and knowledge transfer activities, support, operations and maintenance of the proposed solution, and if applicable, any additional vendors the Respondent partnered with to provide a complete solution.

• A discussion about the approach taken in previous implementations, challenges and risks encountered, and mitigating factors taken into consideration; and

• Opportunities for Questions and Answers.

Presentations are planned for the week of February 17th through February 19th. Respondents must indicate its three (3) most preferred time slots for a presentation and solution demonstration. Respondents are not guaranteed an opportunity to present and demo for the ODVS. The selection of the Respondents asked to present, and demo will be at the sole discretion of ODVS. The time slots for each business day are as follows:

Number Time Slot Company Name Preferred Time Slot 1 0900-1030

2 1100-1230

3 1315–1445

4 1515–1645

Section VI–Response Date

The due date for responses will be as defined by the published OhioBuys sourcing event. A Respondent’s RFI response shall be a public record and subject to production, disclosure, inspection, and copying consistent with Ohio Statutes. Any response content submitted to ODVS which is asserted to be exempted by law from disclosure as a public record shall be set forth on a page or pages separate from the rest of the reply, and clearly marked “exempt,” “confidential,” or “trade secret” (as applicable), with the statutory basis for such claim of exemption specifically identified in writing on each and every such page. Failure to segregate and so identify any such content shall constitute a waiver of any claimed exemption as applied to the portion of the response or other document in which the content is set forth.

ODVS encourages all respondents to provide an RFI response free of confidential information.

State of Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Section VII –Trade Secrets Prohibition / Public Information Disclaimer

Respondents are prohibited from including in the RFI any information that the respondent considers to be a “trade secret,” as that term is defined in Section 1333.61(D) of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). All information submitted in response to this RFI is public information under ORC 149.43, unless a statutory exception exists that exempts it from public release.

The ODVS shall consider all responses voluntarily submitted to be free of trade secrets, and such responses if opened by the ODVS will, in their entirety, be made a part of the public record, and shall become the property of the ODVS, pursuant to ORC 149.43.

A Respondent’s RFI response shall be a public record and subject to production, disclosure, inspection, and copying consistent with Ohio Statutes.

Any response content submitted to ODVS which is asserted to be exempted by law from disclosure as a public record shall be set forth on a page or pages separate from the rest of the reply, and clearly marked “exempt,” “confidential,” or “trade secret” (as applicable), with the statutory basis for such claim of exemption specifically identified in writing on each and every such page. Failure to segregate and so identify any such content shall constitute a waiver of any claimed exemption as applied to the portion of the response or other document in which the content is set forth.

ODJFS encourages all respondents to provide an RFI response free of confidential information.

Section VIII - Ohio Presence

For purposes of this RFI, ODVS is interested in hearing from Ohio companies or firms with an Ohio presence that provide Emergency Nurse Call Solutions. For Ohio presence, a firm must satisfy one of the two criteria below.

1. A supplier is an Ohio company if the company is headquartered in Ohio where services are produced/performed. Suppliers are to indicate the physical address of its Ohio headquarters and the total number of Ohio and Nationwide employees, respectively.

2. Or a supplier has significant economic presence within the state of Ohio when all three of the following criteria are met:

a) Supplier has paid the required taxes due the state of Ohio.

b) Supplier is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. Questions regarding registration should be directed to (614) 466-3910 or visit their web site at: http://sos.state.oh.us/

c) Sufficient supporting documentation must be provided to demonstrate meeting items a and b above.

State of Ohio Department of Veterans Services