Ohio Department of Health-59715-Rural Health Transformation Program- Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways Upskilling and Retention RFP

Location: Ohio
Posted: Jan 20, 2026
Due: Mar 10, 2026
Agency: State Government of Ohio
Type of Government: State & Local
Category:
  • Q - Medical Services
  • R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
  • U - Education and Training Services
Solicitation No: SRC0000036107
Publication URL: To access bid details, please log in.
Solicitation ID: SRC0000036107
Solicitation Name: Ohio Department of Health-59715-Rural Health Transformation Program- Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways Upskilling and Retention RFP
Original Begin Date: 1/2/2026 12:00:00 AM
Begin Date: 1/20/2026 12:00:00 AM
End Date: 3/10/2026 3:00:00 PM
Inquiry End Date: 2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM
Commodity: Public health administration
MBE Set Aside: MBE Set Aside
Agency: DOH-Dept of Health
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
SRC0000036107
Solicitation Name
Ohio Department of Health-59715-Rural Health Transformation Program- Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways Upskilling and Retention RFP
RFx Type
Request For Proposal (RFP) (Double Envelope)
Lot #
1
Solicitation Status
Open for Bidding
Round #
2
MBE Set Aside
Begin Date
1/20/2026 12:00:00 AM (ET)
Amendment?
End Date
3/10/2026 3:00:00 PM (ET)
Inquiry End Date
2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM
Summary
Ohio recognizes the need to develop long-lasting pipelines that engage students at the earliest stages of career planning to educate them about the numerous opportunities that exist in healthcare. This is vitally important in rural areas where the need for workforce is great and we have the opportunity to create pathways for Ohio’s students in K-12 education settings to explore rural health careers, initiate learning in high school, continue training close to home (in technical/trade schools, community colleges, or universities with significant rural engagement), and secure careers in health provider settings within the rural communities that are most familiar to them. Our activities in this initiative will place high priority on integrating pipelines, recruitment and retention activities for 5-year work commitments, and upskilling and workforce development in RHTP sites. Projects will be implemented in partnership with academic institutions, other training facilities, and professional and paraprofessional associations to: 
  
  1. In conjunction with the ODH and other state agencies, identify and prioritize rural healthcare workforce needs in Ohio’s 73 identified rural counties.
  2. Coordinate workforce pipeline activities between high schools, universities, community colleges, career technical schools, and healthcare employers. Activities include career awareness/exploration, pathways education awareness, and career awareness programs in K-12 education, secondary education programs, rural work-based learning/apprenticeships, career placement agreements with employers, and coordinating all Federal and State workforce development and financial resources. This could also include a multi-state approach for educational and healthcare systems that transcend state lines. A focus is placed on placements in RHTP facilities and partner programs funded through Ohio’s RHTP
  3. Provide rural recruitment and retention incentives and 6-month housing stipends for those who relocate to serve in rural communities for a minimum of 5-year commitments. This project will support filling workforce needs for various healthcare capacities, e.g., MD/DO, nurses, pharmacists, therapy providers, dietitians, behavioral health, oral health, optometry, audiology, Community Healthcare Workers (CHW)/navigators, etc. This could also include a multi-state approach for educational and healthcare systems that transcend state lines.
  4. Identify and promote continuing education opportunities for Ohio’s healthcare workforce .
  5. Collaborate with ODH, other state agencies, and vendors who are operationalizing RHT initiatives to support the workforce needs of those projects . 


  
Predecessor Contract
Process

Round 2 being posted to to provide clarity to potential bidders, revise the RFP document, and include additional attachments.


Offerors will need to review the attached RFP DOH59715-RHT-Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways Upskilling and Retention RFP for #SRC0000036107. Each Offeror must submit a technical proposal and cost proposal as part of its total proposal before the closing date and time, which is 03/10/2026 at 3 PM .

All tabs on the Excel cost form must be complete. .

.

Please carefully review the technical evaluation criteria as shown in the RFP to understand the weight of each section once scored .

.

Compliance with the Contractor and Candidate Experience and Expertise requirements set forth in the RFP is mandatory and will be assessed on a yes/no basis.

OHIOBUYS TRAINING MATERIALS

OhioBuys training materials can be located at this site: https://procure.ohio.gov/bidders-and-suppliers/resources/bidder-and-supplier-training/04-ob-training

Technical Support: 1-877-644-6771

To participate or submit an inquiry for this solicitation, you need to be registered in the OhioBuys Supplier Portal. Suppliers are not required at this time to be registered in OAKS. If you need to seek technical support, clearly specify that you need access to an active OhioBuys solicitation.

New bidders should register and access OhioBuys prior to a bid’s due date. Registering an OhioBuys account for your organization will ensure your company has access to, is familiar with, and is readily prepared to bid within OhioBuys when the time comes. To begin this process, navigate to https://ohiobuys.ohio.gov/ and click OhioBuys Log In. If you do not currently have an OH|ID, click Create Account; otherwise, enter your login credentials and click Log In. An OH|ID is a secure, single sign-on that provides users access to online services for multiple State of Ohio systems. A valid OH|ID is required for each OhioBuys user.

Ship To
Contracting Entity
DOH-Dept of Health
1 Record(s)
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Solicitation Documents
Keywords
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Title Type Att. Validity End Date Validity End Date
DOH59715 County Map Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
DOH 59715 Bidders Conference Updated Slides Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
DOH59715 RFP Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
DOH Terms & Conditions Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
DOH59715 Cost Form Public Solicitation Documents (Approved)
5 Record(s)

Attachment Preview

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
DOH59715
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is soliciting proposals for professional services.
1. PROJECT INFORMATION:
1.1. Project Title: Ohio Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways, Upskilling, and Retention
1.2. Solicitation Posting Date:
Round 1: 01/02/2026
Round 2: 01/20/2026
1.3. Bidder Conference: 01/13/2026 at 1:30 PM
• Microsoft Teams: DOH59715 Bidders Conference | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
o Meeting ID: 255 668 435 833 06
o Passcode: Um7t4Af2
1.4. Inquiry Start Date:
Round 1: 01/02/2026
Round 2: 01/20/2026
1.5. Inquiry End Date: 02/27/2026 at 3:00 PM. All questions must be submitted via Ohio Buys.
Questions received after this date will not receive a response.
1.6. Solicitation End Date: 03/10/2026 at 3:00 PM. All required application components must be
received by 03/10/2026 at 3:00 PM. Applications must be submitted via Ohio Buys. Each
application component must be clearly labeled.
1.7. Project Background: The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was authorized by the
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71403 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers state to
strengthen rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by
transforming the current system. Five key strategic goals of the program are:
o
Make Rural America healthy again
o
Sustainable access
o
Workforce development
o
Innovative Care
o
Technology Innovation
Ohio’s plan aligns with federal priorities to improve the health of rural residents through
sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech advancement.
RFP Solicitation Request Rev. 6.2025
Page 1 of 9
DOH59715
1.8. Project Objective: Ohio recognizes the need for developing long-lasting pipelines that engage
students at the earliest stages of career planning to educate them about the numerous
opportunities that exist in healthcare. This is vitally important in rural areas where the need for
workforce is great and we have the opportunity to create pathways for Ohio’s students, in K-12
education settings to explore rural health careers, initiate learning in high school, continue
training close to home (in technical/trade schools, community colleges, or universities with
significant rural engagement), and secure careers in health provider settings in the rural
communities that are most familiar to them. Our activities in this initiative will place high priority
on integrating pipelines, recruitment and retention activities for 5-year work commitments, and
upskilling and workforce development in RHTP sites. Projects will be implemented in partnership
with academic institutions and other training facilities, professional and paraprofessional
associations to:
(1) In conjunction with the ODH and other state agencies, identify and prioritize rural
healthcare workforce needs in Ohio’s identified 73 rural counties.
(2) Coordinate workforce pipeline activities between high schools, universities,
community colleges, career technical schools, and healthcare employers. Activities
include career awareness/exploration, pathways education awareness and career
awareness programs in K-12 education, secondary education programs, rural work-
based learning/apprenticeships, career placement agreements with employers, and
coordinating all Federal and State workforce development and financial resources.
This could also include a multi-state approach for educational and healthcare systems
that transcend state lines. A focus is placed on placements in RHTP facilities and
partner programs funded through Ohio’s RHTP.
(3) Provide rural recruitment and retention incentives and 6-month housing stipends for
those who relocate to serve in rural communities for 5-year commitments (minimum).
This project will support filling workforce needs for a variety of healthcare capacities,
e.g. MD/DO, nurses, pharmacists, therapy providers, dietitians, behavioral health, oral
health, optometry, audiology, Community Healthcare Workers (CHW)/navigators, etc.
This could also include a multi-state approach for educational and healthcare systems
that transcend state lines.
RFP Solicitation Request Rev. 6.2025
Page 2 of 9
DOH59715
(4) Identify and promote continuing education opportunities for Ohio’s healthcare
workforce.
(5) Collaborate with ODH, other state agencies, and vendors who are operationalizing
RHT initiatives to support workforce needs of those projects.
1.9. Projected Estimated Budget: $10,000,000.00, Not to Exceed for the project period (see 1.11).
1.10 Project Award: One (1) Award.
1.11 Project Period: Estimated start date 05/01/2026 through 06/30/2027.
ODH reserves the right to execute multiple agreements with awarded provider to fulfill the
entire project period, subject to and contingent on the discretionary decision of the Ohio
General Assembly to appropriate funds (if needed) for the biennium, satisfactory performance
of the awarded providers and the needs of the Ohio Department of Health
1.12. Agreement Term: 05/01/2026-06/30/2027 with up to four (4) years of additional Renewal Terms
may not exceed after 06/30/2031.
1.13 Renewal Terms: 24-month optional renewal periods dependent upon the receipt and approval
of funds to ODH for this project, this agreement may be renewed into two (2) 24-month terms.
• Renewal Optional Year 1: 07/01/2027-06/30/2029.
• Renewal Optional Year 2: 07/01/2029 – 06/30/2031
At the sole option of ODH, ODH may extend this Contract past the initial Agreement Term for a
period of ninety (90) days. Renewal terms may be exercised by mutual agreement between the
Contractor and ODH. The cumulative time of all mutual renewals may not exceed four (4)
additional years and are subject to and are contingent upon the discretionary decision of the Ohio
General Assembly to appropriate funds for this project in each new biennium. If any renewal is
exercised, a new contract will be issued at the beginning of the new biennium. ODH may evaluate
whether a renewal is appropriate considering the satisfactory performance of the Contractor and
the future and continuing needs of ODH’s Programs.
2. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: Offeror(s) must meet the following mandatory requirements to be
considered for evaluation.
2.1. Contractor Experience Requirement:
RFP Solicitation Request Rev. 6.2025
Page 3 of 9
DOH59715
2.1.1. Offeror(s) must have proven experience in rural health initiatives that include but are not
limited to the following:
• A minimum of 3 years of experience managing or implementing workforce
development or healthcare access programs in rural or underserved communities.
• Successful collaboration with educational and healthcare institutions.
• Evidence of partnerships with K-12, community colleges, universities, and
healthcare providers.
• Program management and reporting capacity.
2.1.2 Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects which can include but is not limited
to:
• Tracking deliverables
• Managing budgets
• Submitting timely reports to funding agencies.
• Experience with Federal or State-Funded Programs.
• Familiarity with compliance, reporting, and performance requirements associated
with federally or state-funded healthcare or workforce development initiatives.
• Overall general experience and ability to work in the State of Ohio.
2.2. Candidate Expertise Requirement:
2.2.1. Offeror(s) must have Key personnel proposed by the contractor who meet the following
qualifications:
• Project Manager / Program Director
o Minimum of 5 years of experience in public health, workforce
development, and/or healthcare program administration.
o Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-sector initiatives and
stakeholder engagement.
• Training and Curriculum Specialists
o Background in education, instructional design, or healthcare training.
o Experience developing and delivering training for healthcare
professionals, including CHWs and pharmacists.
• Workforce Development Coordinators
RFP Solicitation Request Rev. 6.2025
Page 4 of 9
DOH59715
o Experience coordinating career pathways, apprenticeships, or job
placement programs.
o Familiarity with rural workforce challenges and solutions.
• Data and Evaluation Specialists
o Proficiency in program evaluation, data collection, and performance
measurement.
o Ability to analyze outcomes and support continuous improvement.
3. Contractor Experience Preference: Offeror(s) with the following preferred experience specific to the
state of Ohio will be given additional consideration per the technical evaluation criteria as listed in
section 6 below:
3.1. Offeror(s) shows proven experience in rural health initiatives within the State of Ohio that
include but are not limited to the following:
• A minimum of 3 years of experience managing or implementing workforce
development or healthcare access programs in rural or underserved communities
in Ohio.
• Successful collaboration with educational and healthcare institutions in Ohio.
• Evidence of partnerships with K-12, community colleges, universities, and
healthcare providers in Ohio.
• Program management and reporting capacity within the state of Ohio.
4. Notice of Award Requirements: Must be able to comply with all Federal and State requirements; meet
deliverables related to the scope of work. Please refer to Appendix A below.
5. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES:
5.1. Scope of Work: The selected contractor(s) shall be responsible for the following activities:
SCOPE OF WORK
Workforce Pipeline Coordination
5.1.1
Develop and implement a statewide strategy to coordinate workforce pipeline activities among
high schools, career technical schools, community colleges, universities, and healthcare
employers.
5.1.2 Deliver career awareness and exploration programs targeting rural high school students.
RFP Solicitation Request Rev. 6.2025
Page 5 of 9
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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