HCJFS uses public funding to buy goods and services needed for its operations and to meet the needs of their customers in the community. HCJFS customers include individuals and families receiving financial and food assistance, employment assistance, child support, and adult and child protective services. The public funds used come from multiple sources, such as federal grants; allocations from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture and Department of Labor; state programs and local tax levy dollars. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) provide oversight and set the expectations for HCJFS, including service and program requirements, and day-to-day business operations of the organization.

HCJFS must advertise for price quotes, proposals or bids from businesses to ensure: free and open competition, the most economic purchase arrangement, no geographic preference is given, and that costs or prices for the purchases are reasonable. Federal, state and local laws determine what method of procurement is to be used to purchase the variety of goods and services needed by HCJFS.

HCJFS posts any open Request for Quotes (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) through the web site. Details regarding provider/vendor requirements, a sample contract, and deadlines for submission are contained in each posting.

HCJFS also issues any open Invitation to Bid (ITB) through the Hamilton County Purchasing Department which posts the ITB.

Vendors who would like to deliver goods and services to Hamilton County should review the open and non-active notice postings to determine if HCJFS buys goods or services their organizations provide. Vendors interested in registering to receive quote and proposal notices may submit contact information via the Interested Vendor Notification Request to receive notices when HCJFS issues a request for their marketed good or service.