Sec. 23.601. - Office of Ombudsman functions.

There is created as a function in the Office of Administrative Services to be known as the Office of Ombudsman. The Office of Ombudsman shall act as a trusted intermediary to promote contractual fairness, neutrality, and administrative accountability and transparency through impartial investigations and mediation of complaints. The office shall offer assistance in the resolution of problems associated with post award contractual compliance issues, including but not limited to issues of payment and performance. The office shall have the following additional duties: (a) Manage multifaceted complex contract disputes involving contractors, subcontractors, and vendors; (b) Analyze complaints, manages cases and determines recommendations; (c) Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns and develop an understanding of their respective need and interests; (d) Utilize mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives and to guide parties toward mutual agreement; (e) Work with the Office of General Counsel to prepare settlement agreements or prepare for court proceedings; (f) Work with the Procurement Division to ensure that procurement processes and systems are followed; (g) Research, investigate complaints, write recommendations and reports for monitored contracts; (h) Compose, review and revise policies and procedures with regard to the office activities; (i) Partner with using agencies to assist in resolving contractual disputes; and (j) Assist the Equal Business Opportunity Office - Business Compliance in the resolution of disputes between City vendors regarding issues of payment, performance and overall contract compliance. (Ord. 2024-175-E , § 2)