Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent

Location: Ohio
Posted: Feb 10, 2026
Due: Feb 27, 2026
Agency: State Government of Ohio
Type of Government: State & Local
Category:
  • A - Research and development
Solicitation No: SRC0000036791
Publication URL: To access bid details, please log in.
Solicitation ID: SRC0000036791
Solicitation Name: Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent
Original Begin Date: 2/10/2026 9:00:00 AM
Begin Date: 2/10/2026 9:00:00 AM
End Date: 2/27/2026 1:00:00 PM
Inquiry End Date: 2/23/2026 1:00:00 PM
Commodity: Software
MBE Set Aside: MBE Set Aside
Agency: TAX150200 FISCAL SERVICES-BUDGET&FISCAL TAXBDF
Solicitation Status: Open for Bidding
Solicitation Type: Request For Proposal (RFP) (Double Envelope)

Solicitation General Information
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
Solicitation ID
SRC0000036791
Solicitation Name
Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent
RFx Type
Request For Proposal (RFP) (Double Envelope)
Lot #
1
Solicitation Status
Open for Bidding
Round #
1
MBE Set Aside
Begin Date
2/10/2026 9:00:00 AM (ET)
Amendment?
End Date
2/27/2026 1:00:00 PM (ET)
Inquiry End Date
2/23/2026 1:00:00 PM
Summary

Implementation of an AI powered chatbot to improve taxpayer's experience on tax.ohio.gov. Services will include providing a Natural Language powered Intelligent Agent for taxpayers (individuals and businesses), Enabling secure controls, improving customer experience, and Supporting integration with internal systems through APIs.

Predecessor Contract
Process

Offerors will need to review the attached RFP TAX #SRC0000036791. Each Offeror must submit a technical proposal and cost proposal as part of its total Proposal before the Proposal due date. Further, the Offeror must title the electronic files with “TAX RFP #SRC0000036791 - Technical Proposal” and "TAX RFP #SRC0000036791 - Cost Proposal” as appropriate.

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Ship To
Contracting Entity
TAX150200 FISCAL SERVICES-BUDGET&FISCAL TAXBDF
1 Record(s)
0 Record(s)
Solicitation Documents
Keywords
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Title Type Att. Validity End Date Validity End Date
RFP - Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
Supplement A Public Evaluations Documents (Approved)
Data Security and Privacy Terms Public Evaluations Documents (Approved)
Standard Terms and Conditions Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
4 Record(s)

Attachment Preview

Table of Contents
Overview......................................................................................................................................... 4
Background Information............................................................................................................ 4
Project Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 4
Calendar of Events ......................................................................................................................... 5
Submission ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Special Provisions .......................................................................................................................... 7
Offeror Requirements .................................................................................................................... 8
Scope of Work................................................................................................................................. 9
Deliverables .................................................................................................................................. 11
Suggested Timeline...................................................................................................................... 11
Acceptance Criteria ...................................................................................................................... 11
Scoring Overview ......................................................................................................................... 12
Evaluations Criterion.................................................................................................................... 12
Evaluation Scoring ................................................................................................................... 12
Technical Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 14
Budget........................................................................................................................................... 15
Cost Proposal Points: ............................................................................................................... 15
Final Score ................................................................................................................................ 15
Preferences ................................................................................................................................... 15
Invoicing ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Awarding the Contract ................................................................................................................. 17
Contract .................................................................................................................................... 17
Term of Contract....................................................................................................................... 17
General Terms and Conditions .................................................................................................... 18
Subcontracting ......................................................................................................................... 18
Insurance .................................................................................................................................. 18
Key Employees ......................................................................................................................... 18
Tax Compliance ........................................................................................................................ 18
2 | Jan-26
Background Checks.................................................................................................................. 19
Confidentiality.......................................................................................................................... 19
Confidentiality Agreements ..................................................................................................... 21
Appendix 1 .................................................................................................................................... 22
Executive Order 2019-12D........................................................................................................ 22
Appendix 2 .................................................................................................................................... 23
Offeror Certification Form........................................................................................................ 23
Appendix 3 .................................................................................................................................... 26
Affirmation and Disclosure Form............................................................................................. 26
3 | Jan-26
Overview
Background Information
The Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) is committed to continuously improving its digital
services to better support taxpayers and enhance service delivery. The current website serves
as a primary channel for providing information and access to services for both individual and
business taxpayers; however, it does not currently include an AI-powered chatbot or
intelligent virtual assistance capability. As a result, users may experience challenges in quickly
locating relevant information or obtaining timely assistance. This Request for Proposal (RFP)
is issued to identify a qualified vendor to design and implement an AI chatbot solution that
will be seamlessly integrated with the current website to modernize digital services, optimize
the taxpayer experience, and align with the organization’s goals for secure, efficient, and user-
focused engagement.
Project Objectives
The implementation of the new solution will deliver an AI chatbot powered by Natural
Language Processing, serving as an intelligent agent for both individual and business
taxpayers. The solution will enable secure controls to ensure data protection, privacy, and
regulatory compliance. It will improve the taxpayer experience through intuitive, responsive,
and user-friendly interactions, while supporting seamless integration with internal systems to
ensure consistent, efficient, and effective service delivery.
4 | Jan-26
Calendar of Events
The schedule for the RFP process and the Project is given below. Ohio Department of Taxation
may change this schedule at any time. If Ohio Department of Taxation changes the schedule
before the Proposal due date, it will do so through an announcement on Ohio|Buys Public
Portal. The announcement will be followed by an amendment to this RFP, also available
through the Ohio|Buys Public Portal. After the Proposal due date and before the award of the
Contract, Ohio Department of Taxation will make schedule changes through the RFP
amendment process. Additionally, Ohio Department of Taxation will make changes in the
Work schedule after the Contract award through the change order provisions in the General
Terms and Conditions Attachment to this RFP. It is each prospective offeror’s responsibility to
check the Ohio|Buys Public Portal question and answer area for this RFP for current
information regarding this RFP and its Calendar of Events through award of the Contract.
Firm Dates
RFP Issued: Feb 10th, 2026
Proposal Due Date: Feb 27th, 2026
Estimated Dates
Award Date: March 20th, 2026
Project Work Begins: May 1st, 2026
5 | Jan-26
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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