Legal Hearing Examiners

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is seeking qualified attorneys to serve as Legal Hearing Examiners for state fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The solicitation requires licensed attorneys in good standing in Ohio to preside over administrative hearings involving provider certification, facility licensing, abuser registry placements, Medicaid overpayment disputes, and early intervention service complaints. Selected contractors will be responsible for conducting hearings either in-person or virtually and issuing Reports and Recommendations to the DODD Director within specified timeframes. The RFP was issued on April 17, 2025, with proposals due by May 15, 2025, and an anticipated contract award date of May 30, 2025. The evaluation process will score proposals based on technical competence (45 points), past performance (15 points), and proposal compliance (10 points), with a minimum score of 350 required for consideration. Contractors must also maintain strict ethical and confidentiality standards throughout the contract period, which will cover July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The solicitation includes potential preferences for Buy American, Buy Ohio, and Veteran-Friendly Enterprise classifications, which may provide competitive advantages during evaluation. Contractors must complete several mandatory forms, including the Contractor Certification Statements, which allow claims for preferences based on domestic sourcing, Ohio-based business status, and veteran ownership. The contract may require State Controlling Board approval if expenditures exceed $50,000. Bidders must disclose their principal business location, service performance locations, and data storage locations, and comply with executive orders prohibiting offshore services and purchasing from certain international entities. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the two-year contract duration suggests a significant procurement opportunity for qualified legal professionals capable of meeting the stringent administrative hearing requirements set forth by DODD.