Ohio Gambling Prevalence Survey for DBH

MISSION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES The mission of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is to provide statewide leadership of a high-quality mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system that is effective and valued by all Ohioans. DBH strives to be a national leader in implementing a comprehensive, accessible, and quality-focused system of addiction and mental health care and wellness for all Ohio citizens. PURPOSE The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to (develop and conduct the next iteration of the Ohio Gambling Survey, which will field and develop a data package showing the prevalence of gambling behaviors of Ohioans BACKGROUND The original Ohio Problem Gambling Survey took place in 2012, with additional surveys taking place in 2017 and 2022. This will be the fourth iteration of the survey, and the first-time sports betting will be included. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES 1. Development and methodology: A preferred survey study design/data collection methodology is not required as part of this contract. Contractors should propose a survey design and associated methodology that ensures that the resulting data is fit-for-purpose, and which maximizes data quality while also being cost effective. Review of the survey instrument for the 2027 Ohio Gambling Survey to identify question wording issues or issues that could contribute measurement error to the survey data. The contractor will undertake the following activities: i) Program the survey (if phone or web-based), ii) translate the survey instrument into Spanish, iii) collect data using best practices for proposed data collection modalities, iv) recruit a sample utilizing the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) methodology/best practices, v) construct and maintain a dataset/database, vi) create a codebook, and vii) write a detailed methodology report. The contractor will make recommendations for weighing methodologies based on the needs of the survey, specifying any differences between region-specific sampling and generalizability into state sample analysis. The contractor shall identify statistically significant risk factors, high-risk profiles, and priority populations associated with problem gambling behaviors, with special call out for sports betting, to inform prevention, workforce, and policy development. The contractor will calculate sample-based weights to ensure that survey data are generalizable to the sampling scenarios outlined in section 2 (Implementation below). The contractor shall ensure that the survey design and weighted strategy allow for cross-tabulation of results by age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, Appalachian/rural/urban status, veteran status, and gambling modality (e.g., sports betting, online, casino Implementation: The contractor will develop or purchase a sampling frame appropriate for the proposed methodology that will enable generalization of survey results using a multi-stage cluster sample with probability sampling in each cluster for adults 18 and older. The contractor must develop and estimate costs for three sampling scenarios, two of which will be chosen depending on the final budget: 1) sampling plan for statewide estimates with a margin of error of +3% or lower and sufficient statistical power to conduct subgroup analyses by age, gender, race.), 2) sampling plan for Ohio’s 51 county ADAMHS Boards with acceptable margin of errors (+3% or lower) using the full questionnaire, and 3) sampling plan for Ohio’s 51 county ADAMHS Boards with acceptable margin of errors (+3% or lower) using an abbreviated questionnaire of the draft instrument for the 2027 Ohio Problem Gambling Survey. Statistical power should be sufficient to detect large to small to medium effects. The contractor shall design the sampling approach to ensure sufficient representation of young adults, males, and other populations identified as at increased risk for gambling harm The survey implementation plan will include field methods appropriate to the proposed survey methodology and data collection modalities. If telephone survey methods are proposed, the plan must include landlines and cell phones, text based, and other innovative approaches, especially to reach young adults, as determined applicable for a stratified random area probability sample of state of Ohio adults. The contractor will employ techniques to exclude people who have ported their phone numbers out of state and to avoid duplicate survey completions. The contractor will complete survey data collection based upon sample frame agreed upon by the contractor and DBH. The contractor will provide biweekly fieldwork reports that include key sample dispositions and running response rates and will join project review calls/meetings as requested by DBH. Data collection will be completed by March 31, 2027, or by another time agreed upon by DBH and the contractor. The contractor will clean a copy of the raw dataset by imputing missing values, designing an exclusion process to remove ineligible or incomplete cases, and creating a weighting variable. Deliver to DBH Final formatted and/or programmed survey instruments in English and Spanish, including codebooks. Biweekly fieldwork status reports including number of surveys completed, key sample dispositions, and running response rates. Raw data from total completed surveys in an DBH SPSS format, pre-programed with specifications for all labels, values, missing values, and measures. Second, clean SPSS dataset with missing value replacement (ex. age, race, gender) that considers best techniques considering sampling strategy. Dataset should include a weighting variable(s). Dataset should only include eligible cases. A technical report detailing the sampling methodology, field procedures and follow-up efforts, methodology to replace missing values, weighting methodology, exclusion criteria and data cleaning procedure, challenges that occurred during the field period, and response rates for geographic clusters calculated in accordance with AAPOR or CASRO guidelines. Support materials for the survey, including (as appropriate for the methodology), advance letters, reminder postcards, language used by callers for the introduction to the survey prior to beginning the survey. All programming code used for missing value replacement and weighting. Standardized 2–3 page data briefs for each of Ohio’s ADAMH board regions suitable for local planning. Executive summary written for non-technical audiences Slide deck suitable for presentation to partners and stakeholders Data tables in Excel format for ease of use by DBH and partners Final report and Data-to-Practice Translation Brief that includes: Messaging recommendations Prevention strategy recommendations Workforce and policy implications Final presentation to DBH leadership Presentation to boards and other partners Consultation sessions on “how to use the data” Documentation sufficient for DBH to replicate the survey instrument and methodology in future years for trend comparison. DBH shall retain ownership of the survey instrument, raw dataset, weighted dataset, codebook, programming syntax, and all analytic outputs for future use and replication. The contractor shall provide optional funding proposals for: Youth or college student oversampling Additional focus on sports betting behaviors, and A follow-up survey to be conducted within 5 years using the same instrument.
PART FOUR: EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS Evaluation Process OhioMHAS’s evaluation process of responses submitted to this request may consist of up to four distinct phases: OhioMHAS’s initial review of all proposals for timely submission; An evaluation committee review of the proposals for defects and scoring; OhioMHAS’s request for more information (clarifications, interviews, presentations, and/or demonstrations); and, Negotiations or best offer requests. At its sole discretion, OhioMHAS will determine whether phases three and/or four are necessary under this RFP, reserving for itself the ability to eliminate or add phases three or four at any time during the evaluation process. OhioMHAS may add or remove sub-phases to phases 2 through 4 at any time if MHAS believes doing so will improve the evaluation process. Proposal Evaluation Criteria In the proposal evaluation phase, OhioMHAS staff or reviewers selected by OhioMHAS (the committee) will rate the proposals submitted in response to this RFP based on the following criteria and weight assigned to each criterion.
Project administration or planning
Items I1_1 | Required Item | Ohio Gambling Prevalence Survey Project Cost
Inquiries Inquiry 91989 | The RFP references the 2027 OGS instrument and has instrument review as a task. In addition, one of the possible tasks is to field either the full instrument or an abridged version. Is a draft instrument available? | Answer: No. The instrument will be devleoped by the selected vendor. | Answered: 7/9/2026 Inquiry 91992 | The RFP references 51 ADAMHS boards. Is that number still correct given that Huron merged with Seneca, Sandusky, Wyandot, and Ottawa as of 7/1/26? | Answer: There are now 50 ADAMH boards. | Answered: 7/9/2026 Inquiry 92005 | Reference Page 30, Affirmation Action Program. We understand that the State of Ohio has eliminated requirements that state contractors maintain written affirmative action programs. Will the Affirmative Action clause be removed from the RFP? | Answer: The Affirmative Action will not be required for a submitted bid proposal. | Answered: 7/9/2026 Inquiry 92200 | Location-Page 3, IV. Scope of Work and Deliverables. Question-The RPF states "A preferred survey study design/data collection methodology is not required as part of this contract", but page 4 specifies "a multi-stage cluster sample". Should we assume there is no preferred methodology as stated on page 3? | Answer: Yes, DBH does not require a specific survey methodology. The reference to multi-stage cluster sample reflects one acceptable approach. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92203 | Location-Page 13, Evaluation Criteria. Question-The Sampling Plan & Representativeness criterion mentions "hard to reach populations". Nowhere else in the RFP is there mention of "hard to reach populations". Can DBH provide more information on this group? | Answer: Offers should identify populations that may require targeted recruitment strategies to ensure adequate representation, based on their proposed methodology and expertise. This may include but not limited to young adults, rural residents, veterans, underserved populations or other groups identified at being at elevated risk or traditionally underrepresented in survey research. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92206 | Location-Page 3, 3. Deliver to DBH. Question-Should the Contractor assume that the "Final presentation to DBH leadership" and "Presentation to boards and other partners" deliverables will require in-person attendance or can the Contractor attend remotely? | Answer: DBH anticipates that presentations may be conducted either virtually or in person. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92209 | Location-Page 9, B. Cost Proposal. Question-Data Security & Storage is mentioned only in the Cost Proposal. Can DBH provide details on what this item includes? | Answer: Offerors should include all activities necessary to securely store, protect, back up, manage, and transfer project data throughout the contract period while maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state data security standards. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92212 | Location-Page 5, IV. Scope of Work and Deliverables. Question-The Contractor is required to provide an optional funding proposal for "youth or college student oversampling". Can DBH provide more details on the parameters for "youth"? Are these participants under the age of 18? | Answer: For purposes of the optional funding proposal, “youth” refers to individuals under the age of 18. College student oversampling is a separate component and may include students 18 years of age or older. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92215 | Can DBH provide a copy of the methodology report for the 2022 survey? | Answer: Ohio Gambling Survey 2022 and 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey Highlights 10.18.23 v2 (2).pdf | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92218 | Can DBH confirm the total funding available for this award? | Answer: Anticipated award amount is $1,000,000.00. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92221 | The 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey study materials indicate that a listing of all known adult residents in each of the 50 behavioral health boards was used to randomly select individuals to complete the survey. Is there a current list of adult residents in Ohio that could be made available to the Contractor as the sample for the 2027 survey? | Answer: No, as stated in the RFP, the contractor is responsible for developing or procuring an appropriate sampling frame that supports the proposed methodology and satisfies the survey requirements. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92224 | Location-Page 4, 5, IV. Scope of Work and Deliverables. Question-"Sports betting" is mentioned in the Development and Methodology section with regard to problem gambling behaviors in the questionnaire as well as in the cross-tabulation of results. However on page 5, "additional focus on sports betting behaviors" is listed as one of the optional funding proposals. Can DBH please clarify that sports betting is required in the full questionnaire and that the optional funding proposal for sports betting refers to additional modules on sports betting? | Answer: Yes. The base survey should include measurement of sports betting behaviors as described in the RFP. The optional funding proposal is intended for enhanced or expanded activities specifically focused on sports betting beyond the required survey components. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92227 | What contract type will DBH use for this award? Will DBH award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) or Time and Materials (T&M) contract? | Answer: This contract will be deliverable based and payments will be made once the deliverables are met. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92230 | Page 2, Implementation. The RFP asks contractors to develop sampling plans for Ohio’s 50 ADAMHS Boards with “acceptable margin of errors (+/-3% or lower)” and also states that “statistical power should be sufficient to detect large to small to medium effects.” Our understanding is that the 2022 survey collected approximately 14,000 completed surveys. Can DBH please confirm whether that is correct? If so, our interpretation of the desired precision levels in the RFP suggests that the current study could require a sample size substantially larger than the 2022 study. Is that DBH’s intent? The RFP includes desired margins of error (+/- 3%) as well as a broad reference to detecting effect-size differences. These two precision goals may lead to different sample size requirements. Does DBH want contractors to prioritize one of these goals when developing the sampling plan and cost estimate? | Answer: 1. Offerors may recommend a different sample size if supported by their proposed methodology and statistical rationale.2. DBH expects offerors to propose a statistically sound sample plan that demonstrates how the proposed design will achieve reliable and representative results while remaining feasible and cost-effective. | Answered: 7/14/2026 Inquiry 92521 | The response to inquiry ID 92218 notes that the anticipated award amount is $1,000,000. Should that anticipated amount be interpreted as a contract/budget cap? The response to inquiry ID 91989 notes that the selected vendor will develop the instrument for the 2027 Ohio Gambling Survey. What level of involvement would DBH and partners like to have in the development process? | Answer: 1. This is they budgetted amount for this project and is considered not to exceed this amount.2. DBH anticipates a collaborative instrument process. DBH and any designated partners will provide subject matter expertise, review and approved proposed revisions, and ensure the instrument aligns with the project's objectives, data needs, and continuity with previous Ohio Gambling Surveys where appropriate. Final approval of the survey instrument will rest with DBH. | Answered: 7/20/2026