Ohio Dept of Health-DOH56628- Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection-SFY 26 - Lead Investigation Lab Testing RFP

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is seeking a laboratory to provide environmental lead sample analysis for the Public Health Lead Investigation (PHLI) Program through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on April 3, 2025. The contract will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, with an optional 24-month renewal period through June 30, 2029. The selected laboratory must be an ODH-approved environmental lead laboratory accredited by the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) and capable of analyzing dust wipe, soil, paint chip, water, and non-property samples for lead content. Key deliverables include providing analytical results through a secure web-based portal, submitting monthly invoices, offering pre-paid standard overnight shipping for ten or more samples, and maintaining specific reporting limits for lead in various sample types. The proposal will be evaluated on a 750-point scale, with 500 points for the technical proposal, 200 points for the cost proposal, and 50 points for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation. Prospective vendors must submit questions by May 8, 2025, with final proposals due by May 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on contractor capacity, minimum qualifications, service experience, project references, staffing plan, and work plan.

The RFP includes specific provisions for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation, with scoring points ranging from 0 to 50 based on the percentage of work set aside for Ohio-certified MBE contractors. Additionally, the solicitation introduces a Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) program that provides preference to businesses meeting specific veteran ownership or employment criteria. Contractors are required to develop an MBE contractor plan, with potential financial penalties for failing to meet committed MBE participation levels. The estimated budget for this project is not to exceed $65,000.00, with the laboratory required to demonstrate proficiency in environmental lead testing, provide weekend analysis capabilities, and have the capacity to handle the described sample volume. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the laboratory must integrate with the existing PHLI Program protocols and comply with federal and state lead hazard investigation standards. The contract offers flexibility with two primary contract periods (SFY 2026 and SFY 2027) and two optional renewal years (SFY 2028 and SFY 2029), providing potential long-term engagement for the selected laboratory.