Education Sensory Items - Title 1 - CO

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) in Ohio is soliciting bids to purchase a variety of sensory and fidget items intended for use as decompression tools within their behavioral health department at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. The procurement is set aside exclusively for vendors holding an active Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification at the time of bid closing, emphasizing socioeconomic inclusion. The contract aims to supply specific tactile items such as squish cubes, silicone magnets, gel fidgets, magnetic coils, atom-shaped balls, stretchy bracelets, calming strips, and sensory tubes, with quantities ranging from 75 to 500 units per item. Bidders must provide firm prices, guaranteed for 60 days, and delivery, setup, and warranty services are included as part of the award criteria. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder based on the total quote, with all items shipped directly to the specified facility address. The solicitation, posted on September 19, 2025, closes on October 6, 2025, with inquiries accepted until October 2, 2025. The evaluation process prioritizes the lowest total price, responsiveness to the solicitation requirements, and bidder responsibility, notably the active MBE certification. The contract does not specify detailed clauses, standard federal or state regulatory references, or particular packaging and marking standards; it primarily emphasizes delivery to the designated location and compliance with the set-aside eligibility. The procurement process is managed electronically through the Ohio Buys portal, with no explicit instructions on proposal formatting or submission media beyond the requirement for electronic submission. Overall, the contract emphasizes socioeconomic inclusion, fixed pricing, and direct delivery of sensory items to support youth mental health and stress management initiatives.