Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent

Location:	Ohio
Posted:	Feb 12, 2026
Due:	Mar 3, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Ohio
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	SRC0000036960
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Solicitation ID:	SRC0000036960
Solicitation Name:	Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent
Original Begin Date:	2/12/2026 1:25:46 PM
Begin Date:	2/12/2026 1:25:46 PM
End Date:	3/3/2026 1:00:00 PM
Inquiry End Date:	2/24/2026 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

SRC0000036960

Solicitation Name

Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent

RFx Type

Request For Proposal (RFP) (Double Envelope)

Lot #

Solicitation Status

Open for Bidding

Round #

MBE Set Aside

Begin Date

2/12/2026 1:25:46 PM (ET)

Amendment?

End Date

3/3/2026 1:00:00 PM (ET)

Inquiry End Date

2/24/2026 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

This is a repost to extend the closing date for original soliciation SRC0000036791. Ohiobuys has scheduled maintenance during original closing date. Answers to original inquiries can found on the original solicitation.
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

Reset

Title	Type	Att.	Validity End Date	Validity End Date
RFP - Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent	Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)	SRC0000036791 - Chatbot - Taxation.pdf
Supplement A	Public Evaluations Documents (Approved)	Supplement_A_-_State_IT_Policy_Standard_and_Service_Requirements_20240710__1_.docx
Data Security and Privacy Terms	Public Evaluations Documents (Approved)	Data_Security_and_Privacy_Terms_v1.1__1_.docx
Standard Terms and Conditions	Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)	Standard_T_C_3-31-25 (1).pdf

4 Record(s)

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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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Chatbot AI Powered - Taxation External Facing Intelligent Agent

Attachment Preview

See also