AI Enabled Statewide Navigator for Ohio Veterans and the Military Connected Community

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) is requesting information from qualified Respondents regarding innovative, AI‑enabled solutions capable of powering a Statewide Navigator/Portal that delivers personalized customer journeys for Ohio’s veterans, service members, families, caregivers, and other military‑connected populations. This Navigator will function as the State’s digital front door—a unified point of entry that intelligently guides users to federal, state, county, nonprofit, educational, and employment resources based on their unique backgrounds, needs, and eligibility.The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) is requesting information from qualified Respondents regarding innovative, AI‑enabled solutions capable of powering a Statewide Navigator/Portal that delivers personalized customer journeys for Ohio’s veterans, service members, families, caregivers, and other military‑connected populations. This Navigator will function as the State’s digital front door—a unified point of entry that intelligently guides users to federal, state, county, nonprofit, educational, and employment resources based on their unique backgrounds, needs, and eligibility.
Responses to this request for information should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided in the Scope of Work under the document tab. Respondents are to provide comprehensive responses with supporting materials electronically in PDF and Excel format within Ohio Buys by RFI Closing date. Responses to this inquiry must be concise up to a required 20-page limit with a font size 10 or greater. ODVS will review all responses to gain insights into market trends and viable solutions. Depending on the findings, ODVS may reach out for additional information. Respondents to this RFI may be invited to present their solutions and demonstrate their technologies and services.Please refer to Scope of Work and Statewide Navigator FAQ sheet in the document tab. FAQ sheet is intended to address the vast majority of questions vendors typically raise during an RFI. If additional clarification is needed, ODVS will provide further guidance during vendor demonstrations or scheduled meetings with selected respondents.
Data management and query software
Inquiries Inquiry 92309 | Section II reference: Section II states that ODVS will review responses to determine the feasibility of issuing a competitive solicitation for an “emergency nurse call solution.” Please confirm that this is an inadvertent copy-and-paste error and that the intended reference is the AI-Enabled Statewide Navigator for Ohio Veterans and the Military Connected Community. | Answer: This was a copy & paste error. | Answered: 7/15/2026 Inquiry 92404 | For the demonstration period. Are all respondents able to request a demo with ODVS or will the evaluation team be extending the invites based on successful evaluation criteria? How it reads currently is respondents can request a demo with ODVS, just looking for clarification here. | Answer: Per the Scope of work----Respondents to this RFI may be invited to present their solutions based upon the State’s review of the RFI responses, receiving a response to the RFI does not obligate ODVS to allow a Respondent to participate in the demonstration process. | Answered: 7/16/2026 Inquiry 92829 | What level of pricing detail does ODVS consider useful when user volumes, integrations, data readiness, hosting requirements, security controls, and operating responsibilities have not yet been defined? May a firm respond only regarding the portions of the initiative within its expertise rather than presenting itself as capable of delivering the full statewide platform? | Answer: What level of pricing detail does ODVS consider useful when user volumes, integrations, data readiness, hosting requirements, security controls, and operating responsibilities have not yet been defined? Answer: High-level pricing structures (tiers, licensing models, cost drivers, optional services) are sufficient. May a firm respond only regarding the portions of the initiative within its expertise rather than presenting itself as capable of delivering the full statewide platform? Answer: Yes. Firms may respond only to their areas of expertise. Full end‑to‑end delivery is not required at the RFI stage. | Answered: 7/22/2026 Inquiry 92836 | At the RFI stage, is ODVS seeking a high-level market perspective and capability overview, or does it expect detailed workflows, customer journeys, architecture, data models, governance controls, and implementation plans? | Answer: 1. At the RFI stage, is ODVS seeking a high-level market perspective and capability overview, or does it expect detailed workflows, customer journeys, architecture, data models, governance controls, and implementation plans? Answer: The RFI seeks high‑level capability overviews, market insights, and potential architectural approaches. Detailed workflows, customer journeys, data models, governance controls, or implementation plans are not required, though vendors may include them if desired. | Answered: 7/22/2026 Inquiry 92875 | Our Team is reviewing ODVS’s RFI for the AI Enabled Statewide Navigator for Ohio Veterans and the Military Connected Community, SRC0000040307, and we are interested in providing a thoughtful response. Given the breadth of the requested solution, including the front-end Navigator, resource intelligence model, integrations, analytics, and evidence environment, would ODVS consider a two-week extension to the response deadline? Additional time would allow us to better coordinate with potential platform partners and provide ODVS with a more complete and useful response. Please let us know if an extension is possible or if ODVS intends to hold the current deadline. | Answer: The Ohio Department of Veterans Services will be extending the RFI with another round with the ending date being August 25th. A copy of all inquiries and answers from round 1 will be included in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92936 | Does ODVS anticipate a separately funded discovery and solution-definition phase before full implementation? Does ODVS envision one prime-led team for the full scope, or could separate suppliers be awarded distinct workstreams? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first round questions with a FAQs in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92940 | 1.How many and which systems will this integrate2.Who is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystem3.How many concurrent users4.What kind of latency on data freshness, etc. | Answer: 1.How many and which systems will this integrate | Answered: 2.Who is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystem Inquiry 1.How many and which systems will this integrate Inquiry 2.Who is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystem Inquiry 3.How many concurrent users Inquiry 4.What kind of latency on data freshness, etc. Inquiry 92944 | How many and which systems will this integrateWho is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystemHow many concurrent usersWhat kind of latency on data freshness, etc. | Answer: How many and which systems will this integrate | Answered: Who is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystem Inquiry How many and which systems will this integrate Inquiry Who is users, and how will they log in/access with current ecosystem Inquiry How many concurrent users Inquiry What kind of latency on data freshness, etc. Inquiry 92949 | Does the state plan on taking ownership of the application post deployment and handoff, or should we include CBTS AMS ( application management service) to the proposal for continued maintance and management of the application after deployment & handoff? Is there a preferred web framework for applications - React, vue.js, angular? | Answer: Does the state plan on taking ownership of the application post deployment and handoff, or should we include CBTS AMS ( application management service) to the proposal for continued maintance and management of the application after deployment & handoff? | Answered: Is there a preferred web framework for applications - React, vue.js, angular? Inquiry Does the state plan on taking ownership of the application post deployment and handoff, or should we include CBTS AMS ( application management service) to the proposal for continued maintance and management of the application after deployment & handoff? Inquiry Is there a preferred web framework for applications - React, vue.js, angular? Inquiry 92955 | Hosting & Data ResidencyAre there specific hosting or security requirements the solution must meet (e.g., State of Ohio data center, Azure or AWS GovCloud, FedRAMP, or state IT standards)?AI Data HandlingAre there restrictions on sending user data, including PII or sensitive topics such as mental health, to commercial LLM providers, or is a state-hosted / private model required?Identity & AuthenticationShould the Navigator support anonymous use, authenticated accounts, or both? Is there a preferred identity provider (OH|ID, Login.gov, ID.me)?Current SystemsWhat platforms does ODVS use today for veteran-facing services and resource management, and should the Navigator integrate with or replace any of them?Programming LanguageDoes the State have a preferred language for application development (Java, .NET, Python), or an enterprise architecture standard the solution must conform to?Web FrameworkIs there a preferred front-end framework for web applications (React, Vue.js, Angular), or established UI / accessibility standards we should build to?County / CVSO IntegrationDo the 88 County Veterans Service Offices have digital systems or APIs available for integration, or is that data currently maintained manually?Resource Data & OwnershipDoes ODVS have an existing inventory of the military-connected ecosystem to seed the database, and who owns ongoing content curation and validation after launch?Post-Deployment Ownership & SupportDoes the State intend to take full ownership and maintenance of the application after deployment and handoff, or should the proposal include ongoing application management and support (e.g., CBTS AMS) for continued maintenance, monitoring, and enhancements post-handoff?Crisis HandlingDoes ODVS have existing crisis protocols or partners (988 / Veterans Crisis Line) the Navigator should route to, and are there requirements for how crisis situations are surfaced?Budget & TimelineIs there an established budget range and funding source, and what is the anticipated timeline to solicitation and go-live? | Answer: Hosting & Data Residency | Answered: Are there specific hosting or security requirements the solution must meet (e.g., State of Ohio data center, Azure or AWS GovCloud, FedRAMP, or state IT standards)? Inquiry Hosting & Data Residency | Are there specific hosting or security requirements the solution must meet (e.g., State of Ohio data center, Azure or AWS GovCloud, FedRAMP, or state IT standards)? Inquiry AI Data Handling | Are there restrictions on sending user data, including PII or sensitive topics such as mental health, to commercial LLM providers, or is a state-hosted / private model required? Inquiry Identity & Authentication | Should the Navigator support anonymous use, authenticated accounts, or both? Is there a preferred identity provider (OH|ID, Login.gov, ID.me)? Inquiry Current Systems | What platforms does ODVS use today for veteran-facing services and resource management, and should the Navigator integrate with or replace any of them? Inquiry Programming Language | Does the State have a preferred language for application development (Java, .NET, Python), or an enterprise architecture standard the solution must conform to? Inquiry Web Framework | Is there a preferred front-end framework for web applications (React, Vue.js, Angular), or established UI / accessibility standards we should build to? Inquiry County / CVSO Integration | Do the 88 County Veterans Service Offices have digital systems or APIs available for integration, or is that data currently maintained manually? Inquiry Resource Data & Ownership | Does ODVS have an existing inventory of the military-connected ecosystem to seed the database, and who owns ongoing content curation and validation after launch? Inquiry Post-Deployment Ownership & Support | Does the State intend to take full ownership and maintenance of the application after deployment and handoff, or should the proposal include ongoing application management and support (e.g., CBTS AMS) for continued maintenance, monitoring, and enhancements post-handoff? Inquiry Crisis Handling | Does ODVS have existing crisis protocols or partners (988 / Veterans Crisis Line) the Navigator should route to, and are there requirements for how crisis situations are surfaced? Inquiry Budget & Timeline | Is there an established budget range and funding source, and what is the anticipated timeline to solicitation and go-live? Inquiry 92959 | Are there specific hosting or security requirements the solution must meet (e.g., State of Ohio data center, Azure or AWS GovCloud, FedRAMP, or state IT standards such as IT-17)? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first-round questions with a FAQs sheet in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92963 | Are there restrictions on sending user data, including PII or sensitive topics such as mental health, to commercial LLM providers, or is a state-hosted / private model required? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first-round questions with a FAQs sheet in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92967 | Should the Navigator support anonymous use, authenticated accounts, or both? Is there a preferred identity provider (SSO through OH|ID, Login.gov, ID.me)? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first-round questions with a FAQs sheet in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92971 | What platforms does ODVS use today for veteran-facing services and resource management, and should the Navigator integrate with or replace any of them? Are there other state systems ODVS uses that need to integrate, e.g. Salesforce or ServiceNow? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first-round questions with a FAQs sheet in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026 Inquiry 92975 | Does the State have a preferred language for application development (Java, .NET, Python), or an enterprise architecture standard the solution must conform to? | Answer: Due to the high volume of inquiries the Department of Veterans Service will be issuing a second round with attached document answering the first-round questions with a FAQs sheet in the document tab. | Answered: 7/23/2026