The purpose of this RFP is to inform the private sector of a potential business opportunity to act as “Outside Hearing Officers” or Arbitrators to hold Administrative Hearings pertaining to all aspects of various Health Department programs overseen by the Rockland County Department of Health. Rockland County intends for this Request for Proposal to result in a Qualified Suppliers List for additional Hearing Officers to be selected for the services described.
The Outside Hearing Officer will be responsible for conducting the evidentiary hearings and producing written findings of fact and conclusions of law. The hearings will be recorded.
Serve as an Outside Hearing Officer in administrative hearings to determine the rights of the aggrieved by an action taken by the County of Rockland Department of Health or its agents;
Cooperate with County of Rockland Department of Health personnel to schedule and conduct proceedings in a timely manner.
Communicate with parties in a manner that avoids ex parte communication, such as ensuring that anything provided to the hearing officer in writing by one party at any time during the hearing process is copied to the other party and not discussing hearing issues with one party when the other party is not present;
Documenting the outcome of any hearing in writing to both parties within pre-determined scheduled;
Gather and review any and all information presented at hearings; create an administrative record, and apply the relevant rule, regulation or law to that information;
Request, receive and review additional information, if needed;
Participate in any special meetings called by agency staff to plan and evaluate hearing activities and participate in agency-approved training in the process required by County of Rockland Department of Health authorized representatives;
Draft a written decision documenting the determination of the case within a reasonable amount of time as agreed upon commensurate with the complexity of the case, based on reasonable findings;
Submit the recommendation of decision to County of Rockland Department of Health within the applicable timeframe;
If permitted under the applicable rule and re-directed by County of Rockland Department of Health, conduct subsequent related hearings according to such directions, and again timely submit a written record of the decision; and
Any legal work that may be assigned within the scope of this contract may not be further assigned, delegated, or subcontracted by the firm, organization or individual without prior approval by the authorized County representative.
