Memorandum for All Secretarial Officers
From:  Hazel R. O'Leary
Subject:  Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution

I have recently approved the establishment of an Office of Dispute Resolution which will be headed by a Dispute Resolution Specialist within the Office of General Counsel.  The Office will be responsible for the Department's compliance with the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act and will provide coordinated support and oversight of the Department's alternative dispute resolution activities.  These activities include informal, non adversarial means of resolving conflicts, including conciliation, facilitation, mediation, fact-finding, mini-trials, arbitration and negotiated rule making.

The Office will also encourage greater use of dispute resolution techniques for conflicts involving the Department by identifying opportunities for dispute resolution techniques, overseeing training of relevant Departmental personnel, and providing necessary resources, such as outside neutrals. Some areas to be targeted include litigation brought by third parties against the Department or its contractors, disputes between the Department and its contractors, disputes concerning employee relations, and Department's defense nuclear facilities.

The ensure that this new Office identifies all areas in which dispute resolution techniques could be helpful and to assist the Department in establishing and carrying out its alternative dispute resolution policies, I am establishing an Alternative Dispute Resolution Steering Committee to advise the Dispute Resolution Specialist on the particular needs of each program office and to set priorities and policies for the program. Accordingly, I ask that you designate a representative from your office to serve on this Steering Committee.  Please forward your nomination to Robert Nordhaus by December 22, 1994.

Your ongoing cooperation in this important effort is greatly appreciated.