Connecting Loved Ones Sooner Than Expected (CLOSE)

The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking to implement the Connecting Loved Ones Sooner than Expected (CLOSE) program to facilitate transportation for family, parents, and guardians visiting youth in its correctional and private facilities. Recognizing that transportation can be a significant barrier to maintaining family connections, the program aims to provide free, reliable transportation services every Saturday and Sunday, as well as during scheduled special events during the week. The transportation requests include monthly arrangements from various cities across Ohio to each facility, emphasizing the department’s commitment to fostering family engagement and support for youth in custody. The contract solicitation, identified as SRC0000016536, was posted on April 19, 2024, with a response deadline of May 9, 2024, and is managed under the State of Ohio’s SLED organization, with further details accessible via the Ohio Buys procurement portal. In addition to the transportation services, the contract process incorporates mandatory Affirmation and Disclosure Forms, revised in March 2022, which require contractors to affirm their understanding of Ohio’s executive orders related to offshore services, data location restrictions, and prohibitions on purchasing from Russian entities. Contractors must disclose all locations where services will be performed and where state data will be stored, including subcontractor locations, and agree to notify the state of any changes. These forms also affirm the contractor’s understanding that the state retains the right to terminate contracts if services are performed outside the United States without a proper waiver. This comprehensive documentation ensures compliance with state policies and safeguards data security, reinforcing the state’s commitment to lawful and secure contractual arrangements.