SECTION 51.209. Conduct of Negotiation

(a) Negotiation is a consensual bargaining process in which the parties attempt to resolve a claim and counterclaim. A negotiation under this subchapter may be conducted by any method, technique, or procedure authorized under the contract or agreed upon by the parties, including, without limitation, negotiation in person, by telephone, by correspondence, by video conference, or by any other method that permits the parties to identify their respective positions, discuss their respective differences, confer with their respective advisers, exchange offers of settlement, and settle.

(b) The parties may conduct negotiations with the assistance of one or more neutral third parties. If the parties choose to mediate their dispute, the mediation shall be conducted in accordance with this subchapter. Parties may choose an assisted negotiation process other than mediation, including without limitation, processes such as those described in §51.224 of this title (relating to Assisted Negotiation Processes) and §51.225 of this title (relating to Alternative Dispute Resolution).

(c) To facilitate the meaningful evaluation and negotiation of the claim(s) and any counterclaim(s), the parties may exchange relevant documents that support their respective claims, defenses, counterclaims or positions.

(d) Material submitted pursuant to this subsection and claimed to be confidential by the contractor shall be handled pursuant to the requirements of Government Code, Chapter 552.

Source Note: The provisions of this §51.209 adopted to be effective January 30, 2001, 26 TexReg 979