Ohio Student Eye Exam (OhioSEE) Program

The Ohio Department of Health, through its Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, is soliciting proposals for the Ohio Student Eye Exam (OhioSEE) Program under solicitation DOH56946. This program is designed to address critical gaps in children’s vision care by ensuring that kindergarten through third-grade students in Ohio who fail vision screenings receive timely and comprehensive eye exams. Data has shown that although approximately 10 percent of students are referred for further vision evaluation, only about 26 percent of them complete follow-up exams. Barriers such as lack of time, transportation, insurance, or available providers contribute to this gap. The OhioSEE Program seeks to eliminate these barriers by providing two service delivery models for schools to choose from: a Mobile Vision Van Program and a Roll-on/Roll-off model, both of which bring vision services directly to school sites. The purpose of this program is to provide comprehensive eye exams, prescriptions, and glasses to students with parental consent who lack access to a vision provider. The program places strong emphasis on addressing early literacy needs by supporting children during a period when clear vision is critical to reading development. Schools will continue to conduct screenings, and families may either complete referrals independently or opt into the OhioSEE program. For those who opt in, contracted vendors will provide direct services on school premises, ensuring exams and the delivery of prescription glasses within 45 days of testing. Funding for the program is set at a not-to-exceed budget of $4,250,000 for the initial project period, with awards determined based on the number of students served in selected regions and delivery models. The project period runs from November 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with optional renewals extending to June 30, 2029, contingent upon performance and the appropriation of funds by the Ohio General Assembly. ODH anticipates contracting with multiple providers to ensure regional coverage and may fund three to four mobile units per region. All equipment purchased under the grant remains the property of the Ohio Department of Health. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and certain other entities. Providers must meet specific licensure requirements, including having optometrists licensed by the Ohio State Vision Professionals Board or ophthalmologists licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board. They must also accept Medicaid/CHIP and private insurance, utilize ODH’s data collection tool, and carry sufficient liability insurance. Applications must demonstrate experience in healthcare or vision services, partnerships with schools, and logistical capacity for mobile health delivery. Applications are due by October 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. Eastern time, and must be submitted by email to Procurement@odh.ohio.gov with components clearly labeled as technical or cost proposals. A bidder’s conference will be held on September 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with preregistration required by September 15. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by September 26, 2025, also via email, with “DOH56946 OhioSEE Inquiry” in the subject line. Late inquiries will not be addressed. Proposals will be evaluated on technical merit, including alignment with objectives, staffing plans, project design, financial viability, sustainability, and compliance with reporting requirements. Scoring will be based on a maximum of 750 points: 500 for the technical proposal, 200 for the cost proposal, and 50 for minority business enterprise set-aside consideration. Contractors will be expected to participate in kick-off meetings, comply with HIPAA and FERPA, and report progress bi-monthly using ODH templates. Deliverables include startup and staffing within 30 to 60 days, service delivery throughout the contract term, and bi-annual progress reports. The OhioSEE program represents a statewide initiative to expand equitable access to vision care for young students, removing barriers that often prevent children from obtaining necessary eye exams and corrective eyewear. By partnering directly with schools and providers, ODH seeks to ensure that children’s vision needs are met in a timely, efficient, and coordinated manner, ultimately supporting educational success and health equity across Ohio.

Attend bidder conference, demonstrate compliance with HIPAA/FERPA, provide detailed staffing plan, evidence partnerships, and clear budget narrative