Purpose: The purpose of this Best-Value Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit competitive proposals from qualified vendors to modernize, digitize, and enhance the Virginia Health Careers Catalog. This initiative aims to transform the existing print-based catalog into an interactive, user-friendly digital platform that provides comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date information about health career pathways, training programs, and employment opportunities across Virginia. The project will prioritize intuitive navigation, mobile responsiveness, and integration with existing state workforce development systems to better serve students, educators, job seekers, and healthcare employers. Background: The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) is dedicated to strengthening Virginia’s healthcare workforce by aligning education, training, and employment resources with industry needs. The current Virginia Health Careers Catalog serves as a foundational resource for individuals exploring careers in healthcare, offering insights into professions, educational requirements, and local training programs. However, the catalog’s static, print-only format limits its reach, accessibility, and ability to reflect real-time updates in this rapidly evolving field. By transitioning to a dynamic digital platform, VHWDA seeks to expand access to health career education in rural communities and health professions shortage areas. Statement of Need: VHWDA requires a vendor with expertise in digital content management, user experience (UX) design, and web development to create a scalable, future-proof digital catalog. This digital platform aims to enhance accessibility to healthcare education opportunities and job options to all Virginians, and include features such as targeted filters, career comparison tools, and real time data integration from other state databases (such as current job posting, salary trends, and educational institution scholarships and special programs). We also hope the vendor can ensure sustainability through regular content updates that VHWDA can manage post-launch. The vendor should also integrate analytics to track user behavior and optimize content. The selected vendor will collaborate closely with VHWDA to migrate existing content, design a visually cohesive interface aligned with state branding guidelines, and provide training for long-term maintenance. This project aligns with Virginia’s broader goals to address healthcare workforce shortages and empower residents with actionable career information.
