On or about June 3, 1999, at an arbitration regarding another matter, Mr. McCann and Mr. Hurley discussed the possibility of using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to address Mr. Helmerick's EEO complaint. With Mr. Hurley's approval, Mr. McCann approached Mr. Helmerick and proposed that he consider using ADR to resolve his pending EEO complaint. Mr. McCann referred Mr. Helmerick to Mr. Jon Dreger as the point of contact for ADR processes at Rocky Flats Field Office. Mr. McCann sent Mr. Helmerick a letter dated June 8, 1999, confirming this conversation and requesting that he contact Mr. McCann as soon as possible if he was agreeable to using ADR.