Specifications include, but are not limited to: Provide expert neutral mediation services for a set stipend, both before and after the Commission’s determination as to whether there is cause to believe unlawful discrimination or retaliation occurred, as defined in this Request for Proposal (RFP) document. This document provides instructions for submitting proposals, the procedure and criteria by which the awarded Bidder will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State of Maine (State) and the awarded Bidder. The Commission is the State agency that administers the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), and is also designated as the enforcement agency for the Maine Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (WPA). As a part of those responsibilities, the Commission conducts preliminary investigations of discrimination complaints to determine whether there is cause to believe that unlawful discrimination or retaliation occurred. Both before and after making such a finding, the Commission provides the parties with a complaint opportunity to resolve the matter by settlement agreement.
