MPA 368 OE Arbitration and Mediation

The State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases is conducting an Open Enrollment (OE) Master Price Agreement (MPA 368) to establish a qualified vendor list for arbitration and mediation labor management services across state agencies. This solicitation seeks experienced arbitrators and mediators who can provide professional dispute resolution services to various state entities, including state agencies, quasi-governmental organizations, municipalities, and legislative and judicial branches. Vendors must submit comprehensive proposals demonstrating their qualifications, expertise, and ability to provide labor management services through the Ocean State Procures eProcurement system. The contract period runs from February 14, 2020, through December 31, 2022, with the potential for one additional 12-month renewal based on vendor performance and funding availability. Proposal evaluations will be conducted on a pass/fail basis, with vendors required to meet specific criteria related to professional qualifications, insurance coverage, and service capabilities. Vendors can submit proposals at any time during the open enrollment period, with agencies issuing mini-bids and requesting quotes from the qualified vendor list when specific project needs arise. Each vendor must maintain specific insurance coverage, including $1 million liability insurance, workers compensation, and automobile liability insurance.

The solicitation has a strong focus on supporting minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, with a mandatory 10% participation requirement for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE). When agencies issue project-specific quotes, they must obtain at least one quote from a certified MBE/WBE/VBE vendor if such vendors are available on the qualified list. A 1% contract administrative fee will be assessed on all purchase orders issued under the MPA, effective January 1, 2020, to support the state's eProcurement system implementation. While no specific contract value is detailed, the open enrollment nature of the solicitation suggests flexibility in project scope and potential engagement. Previously qualified vendors on the existing MPA 368 are not required to reapply, indicating this is a refreshed vendor qualification process. The state reserves the right to review vendor qualifications continuously and remove vendors from the list at its discretion, ensuring ongoing quality and performance standards for the arbitration and mediation services.