OCA-DGCP-045 Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program, New York City

In 1981, the State of New York enacted Article 21-A of the Judiciary Law and created the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program (“CDRCP”). This initiative provides community-based forums for the resolution of civil and minor criminal disputes through dispute resolution processes other than litigation. Pursuant to this legislation, the New York State Unified Court System (“UCS”), Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution (the “Division”), contracts with and provides funding to not-for-profit centers that provide dispute resolution services. The Community Dispute Resolution Centers (“CDRCs” or “centers”) serve several vital functions. First, the centers empower clients to play a greater role in deciding the procedural and substantive outcomes of their disputes. Second, the centers help courts streamline their dockets by providing dispute resolution services to those people who are able and willing to resolve their conflict without the assistance of a Judge. Third, the centers collaborate with other human services organizations in their communities and connect clients with available services and resources. Finally, centers serve as promoters of peaceful communities and help individuals become more effective communicators and negotiators, not only through direct delivery of services, but also through ongoing training and community outreach efforts.

The ADR strongly encourages centers to utilize volunteers for two primary reasons: first, an active volunteer pool often infuses the center with a level of enthusiasm and diversity of life experience that is seldom attainable solely with paid staff; second, use of volunteers allows paid staff to focus on outreach and case development, volunteer recruitment and management, and ongoing program monitoring.

II. PROJECT INFORMATION 

UCS is issuing this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to solicit proposals from qualified applicants that use creative methods to leverage community resources to the maximum extent feasible to enhance services provided to disputants in the CDRCs.

Pursuant to Judiciary Law § 849-d (2), the UCS may award up to $40,000.00 per county served in unmatched CDRCP grant funding (“CDRCP Funds”). Any additional CDRCP Funds above the $40,000 per county served by the center must be matched on an equal basis (pro rata) by local revenue. A description of the services to be performed using CDRCP Funds (“CDRC Services”) is described below.

In addition to providing CDRCP Funds, the UCS will award additional funds that do not require a local match to administer a CDRC in one or more counties where there is available funding (“Court Project Funds”). The successful bidder(s) (“Awarded Contractor(s)”) shall use the Court Project Funds to provide dispute resolution services – including intake, screening, mediation, and dispositional reporting – for cases that the CDRC receives from the local court(s). Additionally, the Awarded Contractor(s) shall develop protocols in collaboration with the local court(s) that are consistent with the policies set forth in the Program Manual for the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program. A further description of the services to be performed using Court Project Funds (“Court Project Services”) is described below.

The amounts of available funding are detailed in Exhibit 10. Applicants must submit a program narrative and budget in accordance with the requirements set forth in this RFP.

The fiscal year 2025-2026 budget allocates $3,178,500 in the aggregate to continue the CDRCP, with maximum annual funding by county as specified in Exhibit 10.

III. AWARD

Term of Award

Up to five (5) contract(s) (“Contract”) will be awarded to Awarded Contractor(s) for an initial term of sixty (60) months (“Initial Term”). UCS shall not award more than one (1) Contract to serve each county. The Contract is expected to commence on or about July 1, 2025 and terminate on or about June 30, 2030. The initial budget period of the Contract will be for nine (9) months, from July 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The maximum available funding listed in Exhibit 10 will be prorated during the nine-month initial budget period, equating to 75% of the amounts articulated in Exhibit 10. 

UCS further reserves the right to extend the Contract for a period not to exceed six (6) months (“Extension Term”), upon written notification to Awarded Contractor prior to the expiration date of the Initial Term, on the same terms and conditions, including pricing on a prorated basis, as the preceding term. The Contract and extension thereof (collectively, “Contract Term”) are subject to the approval of the NYS Office of the Attorney General and the NYS Office of the State Comptroller.

Method of Award

Multiple awards will be made pursuant to this RFP. The Awarded Contractor(s) must: 1) meet the minimum qualifications outlined in Article IV below; 2) be a responsible bidder as determined in RFP OCA-DGCP-045 Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program, New York City In accordance with the criteria in Article X below; and 3) receive a score in excess of the minimum score, as determined by the selection criteria set forth herein.

Responsibility is determined in accordance with the criteria articulated in the paragraph contained in the Article X, General Specifications headed “Responsible Bidder.”

Proposals will be reviewed and rated by a team composed of qualified UCS staff. In the event of a tie score, the proposer with the higher cost score will prevail

IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Pursuant to Judiciary Law § 849-a (3), UCS may only consider proposals submitted by nonprofit organizations that are organized for the resolution of disputes or for religious, charitable or educational purposes. Proposers must have the capacity to operate within New York State.

Qualified applicants must have the capacity to provide Project Services (as set forth in Article V, Project Services below) to support the proposed Project Services.

The proposer must have at least three (3) years’ experience delivering community-based services and at least three (3) years' experience providing direct services using volunteers.