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.

Background

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.

Project Details

• Department: General Services Agency-Procurement
• Department Head: Detra Dillon (Purchasing Administrator)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-07-13T23:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z
• Pre-Proposal Meeting: 2026-07-10T17:00:00.000Z — https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/268827172579256?p=7nKVIgne8y2MezpUna

Evaluation Criteria

• A1. Completeness of Response (1 pts) —

  Responses to this solicitation must be complete.  Responses must address all the requirements identified within this solicitation and all related documents, including any Addenda. Failure to meet the Bidder Minimum Qualifications may also be considered an incomplete response and may result in the disqualification of the Bidder.

• A2. Debarment and Suspension (1 pts) —

  Bidders, its principal, and named subcontractors are not identified on the list of Federally debarred, suspended, or other excluded parties located at www.sam.gov/SAM.

• Cost (100 pts) —

  The points for Cost will be computed by dividing the amount of the lowest responsive and responsible bid received by each Bidder’s total proposed cost.

  Cost evaluation points may be adjusted by considering:

  1. Reasonableness (i.e., how well does the proposed pricing accurately reflect the Bidder’s effort to meet requirements and objectives?).
  2. Realism (i.e., is the proposed cost appropriate to the nature of the products and/or services to be provided?); and
  3. Affordability (i.e., the ability of the County to finance CUPA consultation services).

  Consideration of price in terms of overall affordability may be controlling in circumstances where two or more proposals are otherwise adjudged to be equal, or when a superior proposal is at a price that the County cannot afford.

• C. Program Financial Aspects (125 pts) —

  Proposals will be evaluated considering:

  1. To what extent does the Bidder present a reasonable and well-supported budget that adequately allocates resources to direct ADR services, outreach, training, administration, and program evaluation?

  2. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate compliance with the requirement that at least 51% of contract expenditure will be dedicated to ADR services?

  3. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate financial sustainability through identified funding sources and diversified revenue streams?

  4. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate sound financial management practices, internal controls, and fiscal oversight processes?

  5.  To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate the ability to effectively leverage County funding to maximize program services while complying with applicable funding requirements?

• D. Program Description: (125 pts) —

  An evaluation will be made based on review of:

  1. Description of programs to be provided.

  2. Description of how program meets Alameda County’s priorities for funding.

  3. Ability to serve the target geographic area & population.

  4. Program Impact.

  5. Client Follow-Up.

  6. Recruiting and Training of Staff and Volunteers.

  7. Program Evaluation.

  8. Program Outreach.

  9. To what extent does the Bidder propose an ADR program that effectively meets the needs of Alameda County residents and supports the goals of the Dispute Resolution Programs Act?

  10. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate effective processes for intake, referrals, service delivery, follow-up, and customer feedback?

  11. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate an effective strategy for publicizing ADR services and reaching underserved and culturally diverse communities?

  12.  To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate the ability to recruit, train, supervise, and support culturally competent staff and volunteers?

  13. To what extent does the Bidder demonstrate effective methods for monitoring performance, evaluating outcomes, and continuously improving program quality and impact?

• E. Relevant Experience: (125 pts) —

  Proposals will be evaluated, including considering the RFP specifications and the questions below:

  1. To what extent does the bidder demonstrate relevant experience administering and operating ADR programs similar in scope and complexity to those required under this RFP?

  2. To what extent does the bidder demonstrate successful experience resolving disputes through mediation, conciliation, facilitation, or other ADR methods?

  3. To what extent does the bidder demonstrate experience collaborating with courts, County agencies, community organizations, and referral partners to support ADR services?

  4. To what extent does the bidder demonstrate experience serving culturally diverse, underserved, or vulnerable populations?

  5. To what extent does the bidder demonstrate experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting program performance data and using that information to improve program outcomes?

• F. References (75 pts) —

  (See Exhibit A – Bid Response Packet)

• Small Local Emerging Business Preference (ADMIN SCORING) (4 pts) —

  Points equaling 5% of the Bidder’s total score for the above Evaluation Criteria will be added.  This will be the Bidder’s final score for purposes of award evaluation.

• Local Preference (ADMIN SCORING) (5 pts) —

  Points equaling 5% of the Bidder’s total score for the above Evaluation Criteria will be added.  This will be the Bidder’s final score for purposes of award evaluation.

Submission Requirements

• Submit Bid Response and Budget Forms (required) —

  Please confirm that both your Exhibit A Responses and the Budget Forms have been uploaded here.

   

• Submit Bid Response (required) —

  Please confirm that your response has been uploaded here.

• Has your response addressed all the requirements identified within the solicitation and all related documents, including any addenda? Failure to meet the Bidder Minimum Qualifications may also be considered an incomplete response and may result in the disqualification of your bid. (required)
• Your company, its principal, and named subcontractors are not identified on the list of Federally debarred, suspended, or other excluded parties located at www.sam.gov/SAM. (required)
• I certify that I have read, understood and agree to the terms in this solicitation, and that I am authorized to submit this response on behalf of my company. (required)
• Pricing (required) —
  • Choose Option 1 when you have set line items, for example:
    • This is a quote for goods or commodities.
    • This is a public works bid, with a pricing table that can be uploaded into OpenGov Procurement from an Excel spreadsheet.
    • Seeking services for hourly rate schedules.
  • Choose Option 2 when you need vendors to provide you with the line items. 
• Evaluation Committee? (required) —

  Will there be an evaluation committee to review the proposals and score them based on weights and multiple criteria?

• Procurement and/or Project Contact (required) —

  Select the information you would like display.