RFP 902734 Alternative Dispute Resolution Services

It is the intent of these specifications, terms, and conditions to describe alternative dispute resolution services being requested by the County Administrator’s Office. Services to be provided by qualified private or public non-profit organizations to residents of the County of Alameda as defined by the Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986 (hereafter referred to as “Act”), California Business and Professions Code (B&PC) beginning with Section 465, and California Code of Regulation, Title 16, Chapter 36, beginning with Section 3600 (“Regulations”).

The County intends to award a three-year contract (with the option to renew for two-years) to a pool/multi-award of up to three Bidders selected as the most responsive and responsible Bidders whose responses conform to the RFP and meet the County’s requirements.

The Dispute Resolution Programs Act of 1986 (the Act) and its Regulations provide for the establishment, operation, and funding of local informal dispute resolution programs. The goal of the Act is the creation and maintenance of a statewide system of locally funded Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs, which offer an alternative to the court system with options such as mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. These alternatives, among other things, can assist in the resolution of disputes between neighbors, consumer-merchant disputes, and other kinds of disputes in which the parties have continuing relationships. A non-coercive dispute resolution forum in the community can also provide valuable prevention and early intervention problem-solving resource to the community. Programs funded will be operated under the provisions of the Act and its Regulations.

In August 1987, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved the County’s participation in the ADR Program and authorized an increase in court filing fees as provided for in the Act. Subsequently, proposals have been accepted and funded for each fiscal year since July 1, 1988.