Immigration & Naturalization Service, Procurement Division, 425 I St., NW, Room 2208, Washington, DC 20536

R -- MEDIATION SERVICE SOL EEO-R-00001 DUE 030499 POC Victoria Short, Contract Specialist 202/514-1959, Betty Johnson, Contracting Officer, 202/514-3766 This notice constitutes a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a technically qualified mediator. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures(SAP). BACKGROUND: Immigration and Nationalization Service(INS) is seeking to establish Blanket Purchase Agreements with numerous qualified mediators to serve in the INS' Equal Employment Opportunity(EEO) Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, pilot project for the El Paso Sector beginning March 1999. TASK: The mediator shall conduct the mediation in accordance with the INS EEO Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) Program procedures. Mediation procedures will be provided prior to award. Each mediator will be allotted up to 16 hours per mediation. If, after 16 hours, a mediator feels as though more time is necessary for a given mediation, he or she must contact the designated ADR Coordinator for consultation over and approval of any additional hours needed prior to beginning the mediation services. Each mediator will be allowed to bill INS for travel expenses(if applicable). The hours of "actual mediation" will extend from the pre-scheduled start time and date to the official conclusion of mediation. Each mediator must coordinate the pre-scheduled start time and date of all mediations with the ADR Coordinator. If for whatever reason the start of a given mediation must be amended or otherwise altered from the ore-determined schedule, each mediator must consult with the ADR Coordinator. QUALIFICATION REQUIRED: The contractor must meet the following requirements: 1. Experience in mediation; 2. Geographical proximity to the El Paso Sector. INS will accept mediators representing the full spectrum of mediation styles and theories. However, the mediators background training must meet certain qualifications. DELIVERABLES: The "official conclusion" of mediation will be documented in the way of a standard form. This form will be filled out and signed by the given mediator and countersigned by the parties to the mediation. The form must then be submitted to the ADR Coordinator. If resolution is achieved in a given mediation, a mediator shall brief the ADR Coordinator on the proposed resolution, prepare a settlement agreement, and coordinate the signing of the agreement with the participating parties. If no resolution is achieved, the mediator is to notify the ADR Coordinator and terminate the mediation process. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIAL: The Government will provide a room for the periods of mediation. BASIS FOR AWARD: The Government will award Blanket Purchase Agreements to a maximum of 16 responsible offerors whose proposal, conforming to the RFQ, will be of the best price to the Government. Award will be based on hourly rate. All responsible sources must submit written responses containing the hourly rate and background experience in conducting mediations to establish their capability to meet requirement. Quotes are due no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, March 04, 1999. Questions and concerns regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing to Immigration & Naturalization Service, ATTN: Victoria Short, Room 2208 Procurement Division, 425 Eye Street, NW Washington DC 20536 or via fax to Victoria Short, Contract Specialist at (202)616-7876(fax). This notice constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Facsimile proposals will be accepted. Posted 02/26/99 (W-SN302750). (0057)

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