The DOHA Center for ADR and Conflict Management (CADR) under the leadership of the Associate Director, DOHA, CADR, supports the DoD Office of General Counsel’s oversight and management of the DoD Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program as structured by DoDI 5145.05 (May 27, 2016)  - See  https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/514505p.pdf    In accordance with the DoDI, DOHA CADR facilitates expanded use of alternative means of dispute resolution and conflict management practices as an integral part of normal business practices within the DoD.  On a day to day basis, the DOHA Associate Director (CADR) functions as the DoD ADR-CM Liaison representing the OGC Deputy General Counsel (Legal Counsel) in ADR matters within the DoD and the Federal government, providing support to ADR-CM programs in the Military Departments and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”), and linking these programs in order to leverage their expertise across the Department.  DOHA CADR also acts as a clearinghouse for ADR information, facilitating and providing ADR education and awareness training within the DoD.   
 
DOHA CADR administers the DoD Roster of Neutrals, which provides collateral duty neutrals for Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) proceedings, primarily mediation of EEO disputes and facilitation of non-EEO workplace disputes. These services are available, without charge, to the Military Departments and the DoD Components and their employees. DoD Roster of Neutrals activities are handled through the DOHA CADR, by the Roster Manager.
 

To request mediation services from the DoD Roster, organizations must submit the following documents to the Center for ADR by e-mail to the Roster Manager: Request for Mediation and Agreement to Mediate in Good Faith signed by each of the parties involved in the session. The Agreement to Mediate in Good Faith should be signed by the DoD employee who will participate as a representative of the DoD organization, the employee who is challenging one or more management employment actions, and any other attendees, and returned to the Roster Manager prior to the mediation session.

To request workplace facilitation services, DoD organizations must submit the following documents: Request for Facilitated Communication Services and an Agreement to Participate in Good Faith signed by each participant in the facilitation.

If information provided in requests for neutral services is personal, proprietary or otherwise sensitive, such information will be protected in accordance with the DoD Privacy Act.

The DoD Roster of Neutrals is composed of DoD employees who have had at least 20 hours of approved professional training as an ADR neutral and agree to abide by established ethical standards.  DoD employees who want to participate as a Roster Neutral must submit to the DOHA Center for ADR (DOHA CADR) a Neutral Profile with its completed Certification & Endorsement page.  The neutral's supervisor must endorse this application, subject to the needs of the employing organization. DoD Roster neutrals must maintain ADR training or experience to remain active on the Roster.  Specifically, every two years after acceptance onto the DoD Roster of Neutrals, a neutral must provide the Roster Manager at DOHA CADR with evidence of attendance at 8 hours of refresher courses on ADR techniques and processes, and/or evidence that they have provided ADR neutral services (including co-mediation or co-facilitation) for at least one dispute.  Training or ADR experience outside the DoD will be examined and may potentially satisfy these requirements.

The majority of requests for neutral services are for mediators.  The DOHA CADR tries to utilize a co-mediator approach for the DoD Roster of Neutrals whenever the situation permits and the participants agree.  In some instances, a lead mediator with significant experience may be paired with a co-mediator who has little or no experience (but has been formally trained).  The lead mediator is provided with assistance of the co-mediator; the participants get the useful value of two neutral perspectives; the co-mediator gains experience; and over time, the DoD increases its qualified neutral resources.  To advance this goal, lead mediators will be required to submit to the DoD Roster of Neutrals, Roster Manager at DOHA CADR a Co-Mediator Evaluation Profile after each co-mediation.

Background information on applicants to the Roster or neutrals listed on the DoD Roster of Neutrals is kept on file at the DOHA CADR and may be disclosed to parties and their representatives, or to requesting agency officials and other agency or investigative personnel for purposes of official duties.

Request for Mediation                                     DoD NEUTRAL PROFILE/CERTIFICATION
                                                                         AND ENDORSEMENT FORM
Agreement to Mediate in Good Faith   
 
Mediation Participant’s                             
Feedback Form
 
Request for Facilitated                                      Co-Mediator Evaluation
Conversation Services
    
Agreement to Participate in
Facilitation in Good Faith