Arbitration/Mediation Services Request for Letters of Interest and Qualifications

TO: Arbitrators and Mediators

Brunswick Housing Authority is soliciting Letters of Interest and Qualifications from attorneys and other qualified persons in connection with providing arbitration and/or mediation services on an as needed basis, to and among Brunswick Housing Authority and other parties, in connection with disputes which may arise between Brunswick Housing Authority and such other parties from time to time. Such disputes are often time sensitive, and therefore, the services may be needed on an expedited basis.

Brunswick Housing Authority may select more than one person to provide arbitration and/or mediation services. The arbitrator(s) and/or mediator(s) will be selected based on their education, experience, expertise and rates. Entering into an agreement for services will be required for a minimum of one year with a three year option to renew based on provided rates. Brunswick Housing Authority will reserve the right to terminate any agreement at any time, with or without cause. In addition, there is no assurance that selection of arbitrator(s) and/or mediator(s) will result in any minimum amount of work.

Any person interested in serving as arbitrator and/or mediator must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in providing arbitration and/or mediation services in connection with Public Housing/multi-family property management and/or design and construction of large, complex facilities and structures, and may not be involved in any actual or potential conflicts of interest with, or adversarial litigation against, any of the parties involved in a particular arbitration or mediation.

Anyone deciding to submit a response to this Request for Letter of Interest and Qualifications should provide, at a minimum, the following information:

(a) Your name, resume, Georgia Bar number (if a Georgia Bar member), and a detailed description of the relevant experience and expertise in HUD subsidized housing and/or multi- family housing management and construction arbitration and/or mediation.

(b) Availability to provide services on an expedited basis, if needed.

(c) Without breaching client confidentiality, a description of any existing, potential or probable conflicts of interest which exist or which may arise during the contract term.

(d) A list of references that may be contacted (with a minimum of four (4) references).

(e) A description of your rates and fees for arbitration and/or mediation services. Rates and fees must be inclusive of three year option for the BHA to renew agreement. If option to renew is exercised by the BHA, no rate/fee review will be requested or honored.

(f) Any other information you believe to be relevant to the selection of an arbitrator and/or mediator. A Letter of Interest and Qualifications should not be a lengthy response, but should contain sufficient information to evaluate the proposal. Please provide five (5) copies of your response. Interviews may or may not be scheduled. In addition, the Parties may request more information and the Parties reserve the right to reject any and all Letters of Interest and Qualifications.

Letters of Interest and Qualifications, with the above-referenced information, should be submitted to The Brunswick Housing Authority, Angela Strickland, no later than May 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted to the attention of Tess Cobb, Director of Asset Management, and clearly marked “Arbitration Services RFQ”.

Evaluation Factors

Selection of a successful Offeror will be the sole discretion of the BHA. An evaluation committee of BHA staff and management will be established to review Offeror responses to this RFQ. Qualifications will be evaluated using the following evaluation criteria. Offerors will be selected based on the highest cumulative score, as provided below. The Authority, however, reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive any formality or informality in proposals received for any reason whatsoever. The Authority further retains the ability to make a selection based on the best interest of the Authority, as established by the evaluation committee, Executive Director and the Board of Directors.

Evaluation Criteria

 Resume, Georgia Bar number (if a Georgia Bar member), and relevant experience and expertise in HUD subsidized housing and/or multi- family housing management and construction arbitration and/or mediation 20 max points

 Availability to provide services on an expedited basis 20 max points

 References 25 max points

 Rates and Fees 35 max points