FY26 RFQ Higher Education Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Analysis

The Ohio Department of Higher Education is issuing a competitive solicitation to secure qualified vendors capable of providing immediate, in-depth financial analysis and modeling services to Central State University to support its Financial Recovery Plan. The scope emphasizes real-time cash-flow forecasting, validation of revenue and expenditure assumptions, enrollment trend monitoring, and assessment of federal legislative impacts, with weekly reporting and meetings with ODHE staff. The contract, valued between 500,000 and 1.5 million dollars, is designated as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) set-aside, requiring vendors to demonstrate expertise in higher education finance, accounting, and budgeting, with the ability to commence work immediately upon award. The procurement process relies on a qualifications-based evaluation, emphasizing the respondent’s experience, team structure, past performance, implementation approach, and cost effectiveness. No federal FAR clauses or specific contract type designations are referenced; instead, the contract is governed by Ohio statutes, including requirements for compliance with applicable laws, conflict disclosures, and confidentiality regarding trade secrets. The submission must be a single PDF proposal, limited to 20 pages for responses plus a two-page budget narrative and spreadsheet, due via OhioBuys by October 10, 2025. The process mandates registration in OhioPays for payment processing, with no explicit shipping, packaging, or inspection requirements, as the work is professional services. The Ohio Department of Higher Education retains broad discretion in evaluation and award, with final decisions resting with the Chancellor.