ODNR Location Data Analytics Platform

The contract involves procuring a Location Data Analytics (LDA) platform for the Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft to improve the accuracy of park attendance reporting through anonymized cell phone data, enabling statistically valid estimates and insights into visitor origins and post-park movements. The project aims to replace unreliable traditional counting methods with a data-driven solution that supports comprehensive analysis and reporting. The contract, issued by the Ohio DNRFRA Office of Budget and Finance, has an estimated value between $500,000 and $2,000,000, with a posted response deadline of December 16, 2025, and a performance period aligned with the state’s biennial funding cycle. Key contractual requirements emphasize strict adherence to data security, privacy, and confidentiality standards, referencing frameworks such as NIST 800-53 and ISO 27001, and mandates compliance with Ohio’s IT policies, including safeguarding of sensitive information like Federal Tax Information and Criminal Justice Information. The contractor must implement background checks, security clearances, and CJIS compliance for personnel with access to sensitive data, and must cooperate with audits and incident reporting protocols. Additionally, the contract incorporates affirmations regarding compliance with executive orders prohibiting offshore services and data outside the U.S., as well as restrictions on dealings with Russian entities. The contractual structure relies on a state-specific template with fill-in fields for scope, pricing, and signatures, and references standard Ohio terms covering legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations. Deliverables include a data platform supporting statistical reporting, with performance inspections conducted at the destination site, and payment processes governed by detailed invoicing and approval procedures. The solicitation emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation process prioritizing technical capacity and experience, balanced with cost considerations, and includes preferences for Ohio-based and American-made solutions. Overall, the contract mandates rigorous security, compliance, and performance standards to ensure reliable, secure, and lawful delivery of the analytics platform tailored to Ohio’s natural resource management needs.