Where an exclusive representative and an agency are unable to resolve disputes that arise under this part, they may request assistance from the Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) Program or the Office of Case Intake and Publication (CIP), which will refer requests to the CADR Program. Upon request, as resources permit, and as agreed upon by the parties, CADR representatives will attempt to assist the parties to resolve these disputes. Parties seeking information or assistance under this part may call the CADR Office at (771) 444-5802 or the Office of CIP at (771) 444-5805, or write those offices at 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20424-0001. A brief summary of CADR activities is available on the internet at www.flra.gov.

(a) General. An exclusive representative may file a petition for review after receiving a written allegation concerning the duty to bargain from the agency. An exclusive representative also may file a petition for review if it requests in writing that the agency provide it with a written allegation concerning the duty to bargain and the agency does not respond to the request within ten (10) days.

(b) Agency allegation in response to request. The agency has an obligation to respond within ten (10) days to a written request by the exclusive representative for a written allegation concerning the duty to bargain. The agency's allegation in response to the exclusive representative's request must be in writing and must be served in accord with § 2424.2(g).

(c) Unrequested agency allegation. If an agency provides an exclusive representative with an unrequested written allegation concerning the duty to bargain, then the exclusive representative may either file a petition for review under this part, or continue to bargain and subsequently request in writing a written allegation concerning the duty to bargain, if necessary. If the exclusive representative chooses to file a petition for review based on an unrequested written allegation concerning the duty to bargain, then the time limit in § 2424.21(a)(1) applies.