Centralized Problem Gambling Campaign and Access Portal for DBH

Background
The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is committed to providing statewide leadership in mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. The agency aims to be a national leader in implementing a comprehensive, accessible, and quality-focused system for all Ohio citizens. This solicitation seeks proposals to rebrand and redesign Ohio’s problem gambling public awareness messaging and develop a centralized access portal for resources related to prevention, treatment, recovery, and workforce development.

Work Details
The contractor will design, implement, and evaluate a statewide problem gambling awareness campaign and centralized access portal over a 12-month period. The work will be phased as follows:

- **Phase 1**: Develop a project management plan including timeline, staff structure, governance workflow, risk mitigation plan, media plan; conduct audience analysis; establish a behavioral strategy framework; create a community engagement plan with at least six statewide events.

- **Phase 2**: Develop brand elements including campaign name, visual identity, brand standards guide.

- **Phase 3**: Develop the centralized access portal ensuring WCAG 2.1 AA compliance with features like a searchable provider directory and helpline integration.

- **Phase 4**: Create a comprehensive media plan covering various platforms with budget allocation strategies targeting priority populations; produce creative assets including TV spots and digital campaigns.

- **Phase 5**: Execute community engagement with at least 15 events focusing on branded activation and promoting the helpline and portal.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a period of 12 months starting from July 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed statewide across Ohio.

Bidder Requirements
Proposals must demonstrate at least five years of experience in public health campaigns. Additionally, bidders should have completed two statewide or multi-regional campaigns in the past five years. They must also have managed at least $1 million in annual paid media placements within the last three years. Experience designing public-facing digital portals that meet accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) is required. Finally, organizational capacity including dedicated project management is essential.