| (a) The contractor and the agency may agree to mediate the
dispute at any time before the 270th day after the agency receives the contractor's
notice of claim, or before the expiration of any extension to which the parties
have agreed pursuant to §1.369 of this title (relating to Timetable).
(b) A contractor and the agency may mediate the dispute even
after the case has been referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings
(SOAH) for a contested case. SOAH may also refer a contested case for mediation
pursuant to its own rules and guidelines, irrespective of whether the parties
have previously attempted mediation.
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