2026–2029 HIV Care Network Trainings: Professional Skills, Applications and Topics

Columbus Public Health is seeking proposals for professional and interpersonal skills useful in social services work.

Providing services related to HIV can be stressful, fast paced, often underfunded, and often thankless. In coordinating both the Ryan White Part A and Ending the HIV Epidemic grants for Central Ohio, Columbus Public Health needs supportive trainings on topics, including motivational interviewing, ethics and boundaries, trauma-informed care, stages of change, and other related subjects. Specifically, Motivational Interviewing has two (2) sessions, both in-person, that equal one training. All of the others are only one (1) session, and can be completed virtually. These trainings are for professionals that are working at agencies funded by Columbus Public Health, or related to HIV services in Central Ohio.

Columbus Public Health intends to award one vendor.

Motivational Interviewing for Professionals (via two in-person sessions)

Objective: To strengthen professional's ability to support clients' recognition and initiation of personal growth. The vendor shall utilize traditional and non-traditional training and coaching methodology for two in-person workshops and interactive sessions. Vendor must reserve space necessary for all sessions. Each course should accommodate up to 30 professionals.

The Ethics of Risk Mitigation (up to two sessions; virtual possible)

Objective: To ensure that interventions and policies aiming to reduce the negative consequences of certain behaviors or circumstances (such as substance use, mental health challenges, medication non-adherence, sex work, nutritional practices, or others) are implemented in a morally justifiable and socially responsible way. Courses should be offered virtually in no more than one two-hour session times. The vendor should provide their own Zoom link.

Stages of Change/Stagewise (via in-person or virtual training)

Objectives: To understand the process of behavior change and support clients' personal growth. One or two "Stages of Change" courses offered in-person or virtually. Courses should consist of one session each. Evaluation of each session should also be provided to participants.

Resilience-Based Supervision (via in-person or virtual sessions)

Objective: To enhance the emotional resilience and wellbeing of support social service staff. Target Audience: Supervisors who oversee social services staff. One "Resilience-Based Supervision" course offered virtually, in-person, or hybrid.

Other Session Possibilities

Title 1: Vendor's choice. Objectives: Set by vendor; other topics related to professional or personal communication skills when working with clients/patients. If proposed, additional content should provide one or two sessions.

For each training: The vendor shall provide an outline of the course for planning and scheduling. Full training content will also be the vendor's responsibility, with any distributed pieces or creative assets also provided. CEs for Nursing and Social Work are required.

**All bids must be submitted electronically**; paper and/or email bids will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically through the City of Columbus Bonfire hub at https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/projects. Once the expiration date has passed, no proposal may be amended, unless amendment has been requested by the CITY.

**Total Available Funds for this Project:** Maximum funding $25,000/year, renewable for up to two additional years. This RFP covers a 3-year fiscal grant period dependent on multiple funding sources. While funding is anticipated to commence on or after December 7, 2026, actual contract start dates may vary. Annual contracts will be issued for each fiscal year cycle.

Scoring (max 100 points)

• Competency: max 20 points
• Past Performance: max 25 points
• Quality and Feasibility: max 40 points
• Cost and Price: max 15 points

**Required:** a City of Columbus Contract Compliance Number. Liability insurance of $1,000,000.00 each person and each accident for bodily injury and property damage is required, along with worker's compensation insurance.