(a) The contractor and Commission may agree to mediate the dispute at any time before the 270th day after the Commission receives a notice of claim of breach of contract, or before the expiration of any extension agreed to by the parties in writing.
(b) A contractor and the Commission may mediate the dispute even after the case has been referred to SOAH for a contested case. SOAH may also refer a contested case for mediation pursuant to its own rules and guidelines, whether or not the parties have previously attempted mediation.

Source Note: The provisions of this §20.51 adopted to be effective February 12, 2004, 29 TexReg 1196