NOI DDP Massachusetts Trial Court ODR Conciliation Training Revision.docx

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts Trial Court Office of Court Management

2 Center Plaza, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02108

Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to Accept a Best Value Offer

Title: DDP-NOI ON-LINE CONCILIATION 8 HOUR TRAINING PROGRAM REVISION FOR JUDGES

COMMBUYS Bid Number:

BD-27-1107-1107T-TRC01-133030

Issued: Thursday September 3rd 2026

Please Note: This is a single document associated with a complete Bid (also referred to as Solicitation) that can be found on www.COMMBUYS.com. All Bidders are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire Bid, which are all incorporated into the Bid. Bidders may also contact the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us or the COMMBUYS Helpline at 1-888-MA-STATE. The Helpline is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to Accept a Best Value Offer

The Massachusetts Trial Court (“MTC”) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announces its intent to Accept a Best Value Offer pursuant to the Commonwealth’s Due Diligence Posting policy, to contract for the following services with Mediation Works Inc. (MWI - “The Offeror”), pending the results of this Notice of Intent (“Notice”):

Description The Trial Court intends to enter into an agreement with Mediation Works Inc (“MWI”) to revise the current on-line conciliation training program created for volunteer attorneys into an on-line conciliation training program for judges in the District Court Department in Fiscal Year 2027.

Resulting from a Fiscal Year 2023 RFP contract, MWI created and delivered for the Trial Court an on-line conciliation training program for attorneys. In creating the on-line training program MWI reviewed the current training materials, revised the materials in collaboration with EOTC, digitized the revised training material into an on-line format, created interactive exercises and new training materials and created a website to host the training and related materials. MWI then delivered two annual trainings courses in FY24, FY25, and FY26.

The proposed revisions to the current on-line conciliation training will require a review of the current training curriculum, collaboration with EOTC to create revisions, addition of training materials, reformatting and updating the existing training materials, and updating the website to host the training and training material.

Specifically, the Power Point presentation and material will need to be modified to train judges in dispute resolution skills rather than attorneys. Updating the Power Point presentation and materials will require additional work of meeting with EOTC and it is estimated that up to eight (8) hours of additional work is necessary to modify the on-line training for judges. Otherwise, the presentation of the on-line training will remain the same.

The revised on-line training program will total eight (8) hours over two days and be delivered on-line via video conferencing twice in FY27. The format of the on-line training for judges will be the same as the prior training with multiple program facilitators, 2 roleplays exercises for each training and 4 coaches assigned to each roleplay group. The program is designed for a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 16 participants per session.

The dates for the two on-line training courses will be determined in conjunction with MWI. The ADR Coordinator for the Trial Court will attend and participate in the on-line training programs as the lead trainer.

MWI has offered to make revisions and deliver the new on-line training program for judges at a total cost of approximately $35,000. The cost includes pricing of approximately $1,000 per participant and approximately $3,100 for revising the training program. Pricing is based on a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 16 participants per training.

After reviewing all options, the Trial Court believes that engaging with MWI will provide the best value as it builds on an existing engagement that was competitively procured in FY2023.

Bid Posting BD-23-1107-1107T-TRC01-86492 On-Line Conciliation Training Program.

This posting is being issued by The Office of Court Management (“OCM”), which is the central administrative office for the Trial Court of the Judicial Branch of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Trial Court). This bid is issued under laws, rules, procedures, and practices applicable to the Judicial Branch of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Judicial Branch is not subject to 801 CMR 21.00 et seq. which governs the procurement process of the Executive Branch of the Massachusetts state government. Vendors responding to this bid should not assume that Judicial Branch procurement practices correspond directly to the procurement practices of other branches, agencies, departments, or divisions of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additional terms and conditions may be introduced at the vendor selection and contract negotiation phases.

The MTC is posting this Notice rather than conducting a full procurement because the MTC believes this opportunity represents best value to the Commonwealth and is utilizing this Due Diligence Posting to ensure that the process is open, fair and competitive.

Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this posting is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors. Any such vendors must:

· Submit documentation that they can provide a comparable or better offer

Response Requirement and Deadline All Interested Vendors and Offerors interested in responding to this Notice, regardless of prior communications with the Department, must submit a Response to this posting containing evidence of their qualification and interest. All required information must be submitted by Thursday September 17th 3:00PM EST as follows:

If, after the posting deadline has passed, interest is generated by this Notice, the Department will review all Responses and will determine whether they will:

(i) withdraw the notice and not accept the Offeror’s offer (and cancel the Notice of Intent), or

(ii) (ii) accept the offer from the Offeror

Additional Terms Required for Doing Business with the Commonwealth

Standard Contract Form Standard Contract Form Instructions Read and agree. Sign and submit original with wet signature upon Award, if any.

Quote Submission Method Online Quote Submission via COMMBUYS is required. All Interested Vendors and Offerors must submit Quotes online using tools available only to Sellers registered in COMMBUYS. COMMBUYS provides Seller registration functionality at no charge. To register, go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page. All Interested Vendors and Offerors who are awarded a contract resulting from this Notice, if any, will be required to maintain an active account during the duration of the Contract, by reviewing their registration information regularly and maintaining its accuracy.

COMMBUYS Quote Submission Training and Instructions The following resources are provided to assist Interested Vendors and Offerors in submitting Quotes:

· An online job aid on How to Create a Quote;

· Webcast video on How to Find Bids (Solicitations) and Submit Quotes (Responses) through COMMBUYS;

· Instructor-led trainings (ILT) and live webinar sessions on “How to Locate and Respond to Bids” may also be available. Check the OSD Training Courses schedule for Sellers/Business Entities for available locations, dates and times. Note that space is limited and pre-registration for trainings is required to attend. Follow instructions on the course schedule to register.

COMMBUYS Support Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

· Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

· Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

· Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Interested Vendors and Offerors are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled maintenance hours of which all users will be notified.

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