BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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, Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs, 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 Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs 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

PROJECT INFORMATION

The available funding for this program during the Initial Budget Period (hereinafter defined) commencing on or about April 1, 2024 and ending on or about March 31, 2025 is $195,000.

The New York State Unified Court System (“UCS”) is particularly interested in applications 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 grant funding. Any additional UCS CDRCP funding above the $40,000 per county served by the center must be matched on an equal basis (pro rata) by local revenue. Applicants must submit a program narrative and budget in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals (“RFP”).

Note: Throughout this RFP, the terms bidder, proposer, vendor and applicant are used interchangeably, as are RFP, bid and solicitation.

AWARD

A single contract (“Contract”) will be awarded to the successful bidder (“Awarded Contractor”) for an initial term of two (2) years commencing on or about April 1, 2024 and terminating on or about March 31, 2026 (“Initial Term”). UCS reserves the right to renew such Contract for up to three (3) additional one (1) year periods (each, a “Renewal Term”) upon the same terms and conditions, excluding pricing.

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 or a Renewal Term, on the same terms and conditions, including pricing, as the preceding term; provided, the maximum term of the awarded contract will be five (5) years. The Contract, renewals, 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

The Awarded Contractor will be required to report on the use of the awarded funds. The due dates, format and specific information to be contained in the reports will be determined by UCS.

Grant recipients must be able to comply with the terms of the UCS Financial Planning and Control Manual, Part IX, Chapter 2.000: Contracts with Not-For-Profit Providers, available at: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/admin/financialops/FPCM.shtml

PROJECT SERVICES

UCS seeks proposals for the performance of the services listed below (“Project Services”) in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, New York. The Awarded Contractor shall be required to provide the Project Services.

• Provide a wide range of free and low-cost dispute resolution services including mediation, arbitration, restorative practices, conflict coaching, and facilitation;
• Provide case intake, management, and domestic violence screening services that inform parties about services, prepare them to participate, and screen out inappropriate matters;
• Provide mediation services to city, town, village, and family courts;
• Conduct outreach to local communities and other referral sources;
• Collect data as well as analyze and report on case outcomes;
• Recruit, train, and manage a diverse roster of volunteers who act as the primary dispute resolution service providers; and
• Secure local matching revenue by engaging with local funders, county agencies, individuals, and businesses for grants, contracts, and fee-based services.