Dispute System Design

The Center develops ADR policy within DOT, and helps organizations design and implement specific ADR mechanisms that meet the organization's particular needs.

Disputes in the Department arise in a variety of areas and contexts. For example, acquisition-related disputes typically take the form of bid protests brought by parties who are seeking awards of government contracts, or contract disputes arising during or in connection with contract performance. Disputes in the workplace may be between or among employees and between employees and their managers. The civil enforcement disputes that arise at DOT are as varied as the enforcement roles of the different modal administrations of the Department itself. Disputes arise under environmental laws and with regard to environmental issues in many contexts. Environmental laws covering emissions and discharges to the air and water, protecting endangered and threatened species, and cleanup of contaminated sites all pose the possibility of disputes among the parties seeking access to or protecting these resources.

If your organization has identified a particular area where disputes occur and you are interested in addressing these disputes in a way that can potentially save time and money and result in a better outcome, the Center will work with you to set up an ADR program that meets your needs. The Center will help you choose which type of ADR process will work best, help identify skilled ADR service providers, and determine what types of training and marketing are necessary. In many instances, the Center may actually provide the services and training.

The Center has successfully helped many DOT agencies design and implement ADR programs including FMCSA, FTA and IG.