ITO FIPS Yubico YubiKey

The Ohio state government's Information Technology (IT) department is seeking to procure 25 YubiKey 5 NFC hardware security tokens with FIPS 140-2 Certification, a specialized cybersecurity procurement targeting enhanced digital authentication and access control. This specific contract opportunity was posted on October 16, 2025, with proposal submissions due by October 30, 2025, indicating a relatively tight procurement timeline. The YubiKeys represent a specific hardware authentication device designed to provide multi-factor authentication and secure access to digital systems and networks. The procurement appears focused on improving the state's cybersecurity infrastructure by implementing robust physical authentication tokens that meet federal information processing standards. The evaluation criteria likely will include compliance with FIPS 140-2 certification, compatibility with existing state IT systems, device functionality, and overall security performance.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the provided contract opportunity, Ohio state procurement typically encourages participation from diverse vendors, potentially including small businesses, minority-owned enterprises, and veteran-owned businesses. The procurement does not specify an incumbent vendor or existing technology integration requirements. The total contract value appears relatively modest, estimated at approximately $2,500-$5,000 based on the procurement of 25 YubiKey devices, though precise budget allocations are not specified in the original posting. Potential vendors would need to demonstrate technical capability to provide FIPS 140-2 certified security tokens, understanding of state government cybersecurity requirements, and ability to deliver the specified quantity of devices within the designated procurement timeline.