RFP #24-018: New York State Special Education Dispute Resolution Center

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is seeking a single contractor to establish and operate a Statewide Special Education Dispute Resolution Center. The contractor will provide technical assistance, professional‑development training, a public‑facing website, centralized intake and case‑management services, and reimbursement of mediation administrative costs to 20 Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs). The effort includes data collection, reporting, and coordination with NYSED stakeholders over a five‑year period. • Design, develop, and maintain a Section 508‑compliant website and a centralized intake system (phone/email) with 24‑hour response and one‑week scheduling. • Deliver extensive virtual professional‑development: four 2‑day trainings for new mediators, one all‑day training for all mediators, quarterly webinars, stakeholder half‑day sessions, and an annual statewide forum. • Manage a $1 M mediation‑reimbursement fund, process quarterly vouchers, collect and report mediation data, and conduct annual needs‑assessments. • Produce curriculum and multimedia materials (slide decks, handouts, up to 15 minutes of video per year) and provide ongoing technical assistance to CDRCs and other NYSED partners. • Coordinate bi‑monthly NYSED meetings, quarterly newsletters/round‑tables, and annual conference participation (up to one national conference per year).