JFS - OWD - IT Workforce Solutions

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

SRC0000035233

11/20/2025 3:00:00 PM

The primary objective of this RFI to identify potential suppliers capable of delivering a comprehensive IT Workforce Solutions. The goal is to overhaul and enhance the State’s existing workforce solutions (i.e., OhioMeansJobs and ARIES) to support and improve the quality of workforce and employment services provided to businesses, individuals, and the broader workforce community across the state.

ODJFS is seeking innovative and effective strategies to meet the evolving 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 workforce operations.

1. Labor Exchange Solution

The State seeks to leverage innovative approaches to improve and continue to provide a comprehensive Labor Exchange System to support the administration of various employment and training programs required by the Department of Labor (DOL). This system will replace the current OMJ platform. OWD administers multiple employment and training programs, including those funded under the Wagner-Peyser Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and other Title I programs. The current solution, OMJ, serves as an example of the desired functionality and capabilities. The new solution should integrate seamlessly with existing state systems and provide robust support for job matching, reporting, and compliance.

1. Case Management Solution

The State seeks to leverage innovative approaches to improve and provide a comprehensive Case Management System that supports workforce development professionals in administering and maintaining services for individuals across the State. This system will replace the current ARIES platform. The new solution should enable case managers to register participants, determine eligibility, enroll individuals in programs, and track progress and outcomes for WIOA Title I and Title III participants. It should also support robust data reporting and analysis, integrate seamlessly with other state systems, and ensure compliance with federal and state reporting requirements. The desired solution will enhance service delivery, streamline workflows, and improve data accuracy and accessibility for workforce professionals.

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

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 OhioBuys 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 the State.

Each response must include the following sections:

1. Company Overview & Experience

1. Brief overview of your company

1. Years in operation
2. Areas of expertise
3. Description of experience in delivering IT Workforce Solutions for public sector organizations.
4. Successful implementations

1. Solution Capabilities & Differentiators

1. High-level description of your solution
2. Differentiators that make your solution better than the competition.

1. Value Proposition & Implementation

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

1. Including the implementation approach that has proven most successful.

1. Cost Structure & Pricing Model

1. General insights into pricing models

1. Including licensing
2. Subscription, and
3. Service-based options.

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. ODJFS 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
ODJFS will review all responses to gain insights into market trends and viable solutions. Depending on the findings, ODJFS may reach out for additional information in the form of a presentation to ODJFS and any agents working behalf of ODJFS. 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, ODJFS, 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:

Presentations are planned for the week of December 15th through December 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 State.  The selection of the Respondents asked to present, and demo will be at the sole discretion of ODJFS.  The time slots for each business day are as follows:

Number	Time Slot	Company Name	Preferred Time Slot
1	9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
2	11:00 AM- 12:30 PM
3	1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
4	3:15 PM – 4:45 PM

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

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes, including the possibility of a future presentation. Therefore, this non-binding RFI does not constitute a solicitation and will not result in the award of a contract, that will obligate ODJFS 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.  A respondent’s submission of a response to the RFI does not obligate the State to allow a respondent to participate in the presentation 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. The State will review responses received from this RFI to determine the feasibility of issuing a competitive solicitation for an OWD IT Workforce Solutions.

This is strictly an RFI, and in no way does this request bind ODJFS 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 ODJFS elects to solicit offers/proposals in the future.