Part C of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) and New York State Public Health Law (NYSPHHL) mandate the availability of mediation services for the Early Intervention Program (EIP). Mediation services for the resolution of disputes regarding eligibility determination or early intervention service delivery must be available from Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) upon the written request of the parent and/or EIO and upon agreement between the parent and the EIO to participate in mediation.

The New York State Early Intervention Program is seeking submission from not-for-profit organizations to administer the provision of early intervention mediation services provided by the CDRCs in all 62 counties in New York State for a period of five (5) years.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Eligible Bidders must be a not-for-profit entity.
• Eligible Bidders must have a professional relationship with, and be currently authorized by, the statewide system of Community Dispute Resolution Centers to act on their behalf. Eligible Bidders must maintain such relationship and authorization for the duration for the contract period.

Deliverables:

Contractor activities include the following:

• Serve as the main contact for the CDRCs, which provide the EIP mediation services,
• Facilitate the EIP mediation services provided by the CDRCs,
• Provide Technical Assistance regarding EIP information, to the CDRCs,
• Ensure that the CDRCs meet all EIP mediation requirements, including documentation requirements, and
• Facilitate a minimum of one Information Session for CDRCs/stakeholders per calendar year.

Funding for this project is contingent on the availability of State funds and the number of eligible applicants that respond to the advertisement. Available funding to support this initiative will be limited to the amount(s) appropriate in the enacted State Fiscal Year budgets for this purpose. This advertisement is not a guarantee or promise of funding.

Questions:

There will be an opportunity available for submission of written questions and requests for clarification regarding this procurement. Any questions and requests for clarification must be submitted via email to EIMediationSOI@health.ny.gov and include “Questions EI Mediation Services” in the subject line no later than 12/30/2022 at 5:00 pm ET. Answers will be posted in the Contract Reporter under the tab “Documents” for this announcement on or about 1/6/2023.

Submissions:

Interested organizations must respond to this advertisement with a cover letter stating the organization’s name, address, primary contact name and phone number. Organizations must demonstrate their ability to meet the minimum qualifications listed in the section above. Bidders should describe their organizations plan to meet each deliverable described above. Applicants must submit Document 1 – Application Form with the cover letter.

Interested organizations must email their response to EIMediationSOI@health.ny.gov no later than 1/23/2023 at 4:00 pm ET

Method of Award:

The Department will review submissions and ensure that they meet all the Minimum Qualifications. Responses from qualified bidders will be evaluated based upon their written response to the deliverables.