01 Enhanced Driving and Ancillary Services SOW_Final_12_12_23.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

OVR ENHANCED DRIVING AND ANCILLARY SERVICES

6100059505

A. CONTRACT OVERVIEW. The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), on behalf of Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) and the Bureau of Blind and Visual Services (BBVS) is issuing this Invitation for Bids (IFB) to procure professional, on-demand Enhanced Driving and Ancillary Services. DLI is seeking qualified transportation suppliers with the relevant experience, background, licensure, certifications, and ability to provide the required business transportation services. DLI requirements must be met and in compliance with all local, state, and Federal laws and regulations.

Employee(s)/passenger(s) may be blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities which preclude their ability to drive themselves while traveling on Commonwealth business. Suppliers are sought for the 21 total BBVS and BVRS OVR District offices located throughout the Commonwealth.

Designated District office personnel will coordinate driver services weekly (or as needed) for those OVR staff with approval to utilize driver services and supports.

Generally, services will be expected to originate from the assigned headquarters or BVRS/BBVS OVR District office of the employee to a location for the performance of Commonwealth business. Exception would be when the OVR employee’s residence is closer to the assigned work destination than at the home/headquarters office. Suppliers will be asked to drop off the employee at a location and return at the scheduled pick-up time to provide transportation services (see wait time requirements).

Ambulatory transports would include transporting personnel with disabilities who are physically unable to safely operate a motor vehicle, may have the capacity to walk, and do not require the transport of a wheelchair or a motorized scooter.

Non-Ambulatory or wheelchair transports would include transporting personnel with disabilities who are physically unable to safely operate a motor vehicle and require the assistance of a lift or other mechanical mechanism to ensure safe transport of the person and their wheelchair or motorized scooter. Transport vehicle(s) must be equipped with a wheelchair ramp and/or lift and tie-downs when required by the individual.

B. METHOD OF AWARD (MULTIPLE AWARD). This procurement is being reserved for those self-certified as DGS Small Businesses. Bidders must attach their Small Business Certificate to their procurement to be deemed eligible.

Bidders who are interested in participating in this program may find more information about the Small Business Contracting program and how to self-certify at www.dgs.pa.gov/bdisbo.

Suppliers awarded a contract under this solicitation shall maintain their DGS Self Certified Small Business Certificate during the initial term of the contract and any renewal(s). Failure to maintain Small Business Certification may result in termination. The Commonwealth reserves the right to request DGS Small Business Certificates to verify renewal.

The Awarded Supplier(s) shall provide all facilities, labor, materials, services, skills, supervision, and necessary equipment to manage and conduct provision of services under this contract this Contract. These services will be provided as an independent contractor, not as an employee of the Commonwealth. The Awarded Supplier(s) shall render services in accordance with the policies, procedures, and standards of the Commonwealth.

An award will be issued to all responsive and responsible bidders that meet all the eligibility requirements set forth in this IFB. There is no guarantee that the award of a Contract will result in the assignment of work. No work may be performed without the issuance of a purchase order.

Interested bidders who are insured by the OVR employee will submit their bid as required by this solicitation. Bidders awarded a contract as a result of this solicitation are Contractors of the Commonwealth, not of the individual employee. Contractors may be requested to drive other employees.

C. BID SUBMISSION. Bidders must submit all required documentation for each Non-Ambulatory and/or Ambulatory transport services. Bids must be electronically received through the PA Supplier Portal, www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us.

D. PRICING. The Price Rate Sheet, Attachment A, defines the hourly rate for each type of active transport. Reimbursement of both Active Driving and Wait time will be in accordance with either Non-Ambulatory or Ambulatory transport. (Example – Ambulatory Driving Rate and Wait Time(s) associated will equal $35.00/hour.)

Contractors are guaranteed reimbursement a minimum of two (2) hours per day for services provided - one (1) hour for the initial transport pick up and one hour at the end of the day to the employee’s destination. The guaranteed minimum only applies to local trips where there is no wait time or overnight travel. *If only one-way (1) transport service is needed on a given day (the initial pick-up transport or an end of the day final transport), then the contractor is guaranteed a minimum of one hour reimbursement for that day.

If driving services exceed two (2) hours in one day’s assignments, then the contractor shall be reimbursed for actual service hours.

Bidders will specify areas where services can be provided. Outlined pricing per the Price Rate Sheet will be held for the initial terms and any renewals of this contract and will not be negotiable.

Hourly charges will begin at the location where and when the passenger is picked up, whether from the assigned headquarters or home, whichever is closest, and ends when the passenger is dropped off at the approved work destination.

Travel must be the most direct and cost-effective route for each assignment. DLI may audit miles submitted, or request route information, to ensure the supplier is meeting this requirement. If the driver leaves the drop off location, time spent leaving or returning to the passenger drop off location is not eligible for hourly reimbursement. Lunch break is not paid. Meals are only reimbursable for overnight assignment in accordance with the Commonwealth’s travel policy.

Suppliers will be paid the established rate during wait periods, IF the OVR staff requests the driver wait at the drop off location for the duration of the scheduled appointment in accordance with OVR written procedures. Wait time payment requests must be reviewed and approved by the staff member’s supervisor prior to transport. If the driver leaves the drop off location for more than 30 minutes, OVR will not make a payment for wait time and the driver should not anticipate reimbursement for the time or travel between transports that are not part of the prior approved Commonwealth business trip.

Mileage reimbursement will be provided at the established GSA rate. These rates often fluctuate, and purchase orders will indicate a maximum rate. No driver will be reimbursed above the established rate for the date the transport occurred.

E. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. Suppliers interested in submitting a bid to become an Awarded Supplier must meet all the eligibility requirements as set forth below. Eligibility requirements are applicable unless otherwise indicated. Failure to meet all the following eligibility requirements may result in bid rejection.

Prior to an award of services, Bidders must provide a copy of each type of documentation for their business, all applicable personnel and transport vehicles:

1. Current, DGS Small Business Certification - Verification (pa.gov);

2. Current, state-issued driver’s license;

3. Current, state-issued registration and inspection for each transport vehicle;

4. Current vehicle(s) insurance certificate(s), which covers all transport staff and transport vehicles used for non-emergency transport services. Pennsylvania state minimum coverage is required and must include passenger insurance. A copy of the certificate should include the following information:

a. Carrier (name and address),

b. Type of Insurance,

c. Amount of Coverage: The minimum amount of coverage to be carried is $100,000 per person and $300,000 aggregated and $50,000 property damage. Such policies shall be occurrence rather than claims-made policies and shall not contain any endorsements or any other form designated to limit and restrict any action by the Commonwealth, as an additional insured, against the insurance coverage in regard to work performed for the Commonwealth,

d. Period covered by insurance, and

e. Emergency Roadside Assistance coverage for all transport vehicles such as AAA or equivalent.

5. Cellular phone contact information for all Supplier transport staff (Attachment D).

6. Provide three (3) years driving history issued by the state of residence for all transport staff (PennDOT - Request for Driver Information (state.pa.us)). Fees for obtaining driver’s history is the responsibility of the bidder. Transport driving staff assigned shall be a minimum of 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license.

7. Transport staff will be deemed ineligible if any of the following violations are indicated on their three (3) year driving record:

a. driving under the influence (DUI),

b. driving while intoxicated (DWI),

c. greater than one (1) “at fault” accident(s),

d. a license suspension or revocation,

e. greater than two (2) moving violations, and

f. greater than one (1) excessive speed violation.

8. Provide a typewritten document outlining all personnel providing services and where each driver will be physically located during the term of the contract. Bidders must indicate the location of the business office. Driving assignments will be determined by the referring District Office.

9. Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS may be an independent system, cellular telephone application or vehicle installed product. The GPS will be used for mapping and direction purposes only.

10. Vehicles used for Ambulatory transportation services shall have less than 250,000 miles, four (4) doors, minimum four (4) seat belts, including that for the driver, shall not be a stretch limousine or non-Express Drive rental vehicle, not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or any other equivalent classification and have a valid Pennsylvania Department of transportation vehicle inspection(s) windshield sticker.

F. ANCILLARY SERVICES/ ADDITIONAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENT. Under this agreement and at the request of OVR personnel, Suppliers shall provide assistive, ancillary services. These services may involve entering the residence of the BBVS or BVRS customer or a public location.

OVR personnel may require assistance with scribe work, reading, sighted guide, safety surveys, placing tactile (bump) dots on appliances as direction by the staff, assisting with documents requiring signature, and any other tasks that need completed visually.

The Supplier will not receive any assignments until the following has been met:

Prior to issuance of an active purchase order, the contractor will provide evidence of additional insurance certificate(s), such as liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, or other insurance, which covers the transport staff in the provision of support services outside of operation of the transport vehicle. Such insurance is intended to protect the transport staff, provider, OVR, OVR employee and OVR customer(s) against loss or risk associated the performance of these additional support services by the Supplier transport staff in connection with the provision of services under the purchase order.

Public liability and property damage insurance to protect the Commonwealth, the Contractor, and any and all subcontractors from claim for damages for personal injury (including bodily injury), sickness or disease, accidental death and damage to property, including loss of use resulting from any property damage, which may arise from the activities performed under this contract or the failure to perform under this contract whether such performance or nonperformance be by the contractor, by any subcontractor, or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by either. The limits of such insurance shall be in an amount not less than $500,000 each person and $2,000,000 each occurrence, personal injury and property damage combined. Such policies shall be occurrence rather than claims-made policies and shall name the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an additional insured. The insurance shall not contain any endorsements, or any other form designated to limit or restrict any action by the Commonwealth, as an additional insured, against the insurance coverage in regard to work performed for the Commonwealth.

Prior to commencement of the work under the contract and during the term of the contract, the Contractor shall provide the Department with current certificates of insurance. These certificates shall contain a provision that the coverages afforded under the policies will not be cancelled or changed until at least thirty (30) days' written notice has been given to the Department.

1. The copy of the certificate(s) should include the following information:

2. Carrier (name and address),

3. Type of Insurance,

4. Amount of Coverage, and

5. Period covered by insurance.

G. BADGING/BACKGROUND CHECKS. Awarded Supplier(s), at their expense, must arrange for annual Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) background checks for all transport staff. Background checks are only to be conducted via the Request for Criminal History Record Check form and procedure found at:

http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/lib/psp/sp4-164.pdf.

Background checks for all transport driving staff must be conducted prior to initial transport of any passenger under the contract. In addition, drivers assigned to transport OVR employees will be required to obtain a Commonwealth Contractor photo identification badge (badge) to wear when on assignments. Drivers who previously acquired a CHRIA check may use it if it is no more than six months old, to obtain a contractor badge. Work shall not be assigned work to drivers who have not acquired their badge. All drivers must comply with requirements of Capitol Police Security Administration Photo Identification and Access Badges, Policy and Procedures for Contracted Personnel, Attachment C.

The OVR District Office will assist suppliers with scheduling appointments at the closest Capitol Police Security Administration Office. The Capitol Police Security Administration Offices are in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Reading, Philadelphia, and Scranton. The Commonwealth shall reimburse the contractor for expenses to acquire and maintain badging. The supplier may invoice time and travel expenses incurred to acquire the badge, i.e., mileage and parking. Payments to acquire the badge will only be accepted via check or money order. To receive reimbursement for the badge and associated costs, the contractor shall provide a copy of the money order receipt or cancelled check to the OVR District Office. Replacement badges are non-reimbursable and shall be at the expense of the Supplier. A copy of the current CHRIA check must accompany payment to receive the Contractor badge.

Badges do not give the driver access to Commonwealth owned or leased offices. This badge identifies the driver as a contractor of the Commonwealth and is valid for one year. Wearing this badge off duty is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to contract cancellation. Upon termination of the awarded contract, Suppliers are required to return all badges to the Commonwealth. Final invoicing shall be held to contractors who do not return their badge.

Drivers transporting staff who accept assignments that result entering a public school or performing ancillary services with school-aged minors will be required to obtain a PA Child Abuse History Certification. Child Abuse History Certification forms and procedures are found at PA Child Abuse History Certification.

H. TASKS. Transport personnel will:

1. Abide by all local, state, and Federal traffic rules, statues, and laws.

2. Maintain clean, reliable transport vehicle(s), suitable for business travel. If applicable, and if personal protective equipment (PPE) is opted, transport drivers are responsible for supplying their own items.

3. Perform a pre-trip inspection of the transport vehicle(s). Inspection will include checking all lights, turn signals, fluid levels, and tire pressure.

4. Ensure that the transport vehicle doors remain locked when the vehicle is in motion.

5. Ensure that all transport vehicles are equipped with operational seatbelts and always worn by all passengers when the vehicle is in motion.

6. Demonstrate the ability to use or follow mapping directions, including GPS technology.

7. Abide by both Commonwealth Management Directive 505.7 - https://www.oa.pa.gov/Policies/md/Documents/505_7.pdf and Amended and Commonwealth Management Directive 505.25 - https://www.oa.pa.gov/Policies/md/Documents/505_25.pdf

8. Not participate in activities that distracts them from driving.

9. Transport any passenger experiencing a medical emergency while being transported to the nearest hospital, or medical facility, and/or contact 911, as required. The Awarded Supplier must notify the OVR District Office with whom they serve within thirty (30) minutes of such an incident. If the driver cannot communicate within the required time, the driver will notify the OVR District Office as soon as conditions permit.

10. Assist all passengers in entering or exiting the transport vehicle, as necessary.

11. Provide support to passengers at the location of work, as needed, by assisting with set up of work materials, read written documents during a meeting, and assist with the movement of work materials to and from the vehicle.

12. Notify the Commonwealth of any criminal prosecutions commenced against itself or its personnel within one (1) business day of charges being filed.

13. Provide evidence of a valid driver’s license to DLI issuing office for all transport staff hired after the contract is awarded, prior to the driver’s first assignment. A driver will not be permitted to provide services until the documentation is supplied and reviewed.

I. STAFF REQUIREMENTS. Transport Staff shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Upon contract award, Contractors and their employed personnel will complete an OVR-142, Supplier Confidentiality form (Attachment B).

2. Suppliers shall carry their state issued driver’s license at all times.

3. Demonstrate the ability to lift and carry up to fifty pounds,

4. Possess the ability to read, speak, comprehend, and communicate in English fluently,

5. Transport passengers with physical disabilities in a vehicle adapted for those needs per the Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations, http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_regulations.html

6. Ensure that transport personnel have been trained to use non-Ambulatory vehicle/equipment when required to assist disabled passenger/claimant(s),

7. Allow service animals in the vehicle, as required.

8. Demonstrate compliance with current CDC recommended protocols for communicable diseases, as needed, and provide for their own personal protective equipment (PPE) for their use, if required.

J. PICK-UP AND TRANSPORTATION/COVERAGE AREA. The Commonwealth’s requirements transportation may include intrastate and interstate travel. Requested travel will originate from the alternate headquarters, District office or driver location but may extend to surrounding counties and regions, depending on OVR’s operational needs.

K. WAIT TIMES. All wait times (dead miles) will be pre-approved by the District Administrator or management designee prior to transport assignment. The OVR personnel staff transported may not approve wait periods.

1. For singular or when multiple transportation assignments are required, the Supplier shall be reimbursed accordingly at the applicable Active Driving rate up to 90 minutes. If any appointment is anticipated to exceed 90 minutes, the OVR personnel staff will request approval from his or her supervisor to pay for a longer wait period. To be reimbursed for wait periods, the Supplier transport personnel must remain on site. The Supplier transport personnel will not be reimbursed for wait time if he or she leaves the work site for more than 30 minutes. The Commonwealth reserves the right to review and/or reject any wait time reimbursement requests.

2. For assignments scheduled for one (1) location for an entire business day and within 25 miles of the driver’s primary residence or assigned headquarter’ s location, the driver will leave and return no less 30 minutes prior to the staff’s last appointment for pick up and to return the employee to the OVR DO or the employee's residence whichever is logistically cost effective. The driver will not be compensated for any time away from the assignment site.

L. SAFETY. All drivers are expected to always utilize safety standards. If the Supplier personnel or OVR staff feels that the assignment is unsafe, they have the option to determine whether the employee will proceed to the next assignment, return to headquarters, or call 911.

If the employee feels unsafe and the Supplier personnel is not on site, the employee should proceed to an administration or security office to be safe. The employee will use his or her cell phone or local land line and call to notify his or her supervisor and the Supplier personnel of the safety concern and request services. The Supplier shall be reimbursed for transportation costs and driving rate to return to the worksite.

M. PURCHASE ORDERS. Contract award is not a guarantee of work assignments. The Commonwealth will issue blanket purchase orders to the vendor. No work can be performed without the issuance of a purchase order. All quantities identified on the purchase order are estimated and may be increased or decreased.

N. HOURS OF OPERATION. Suppliers must provide services between the hours of 7 am EST to 6 pm ET, Monday through Friday. However, business needs may warrant extended hours beyond 6 pm ET. Overnight stays may be required, per District Office designee approval.

If a transport results in the need for an overnight stay to accommodate the OVR staff member's service provision, the following must be considered:

1. Driver secures a separate room DLI will reimburse the driver for transportation to the lodging facility, mileage, and lodging expenses, consistent with the Commonwealth’s travel policies. Drivers will be paid for 1.5 hours after check-in to the overnight accommodations. Drivers will not be paid for waiting periods for overnight stays after the initial 1.5 hours. Billable service resumes when the driver begins transporting the passenger the next day to his or her destination. Drivers may also be required to wait for the employee during his or her driving assignment; wait times will be approved prior to travel.

2. Driver lodges with the employee If the driver stays in the same lodging quarters i.e., hotel room as the OVR employee, mileage will be reimbursed as a travel expense to the OVR employee through the Bureau of Comptroller Payroll Operations (BCPO) Travel Division. Lodging expenses including transportation time to the lodging facility and meals ae non-reimbursable to the driver. Billable services resumes when the driver begins transporting the OVR employee from the lodging facility to his or her work destination.

O. TRANSPORT DUTIES.

a. The assigned transportation staff for the Awarded Supplier will arrive at the pick- up location no later than (15) minutes before the scheduled time. Additional lead time might be required for pick-up(s) within major metropolitan locations (i.e., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh).

b. The assigned transportation staff of the Awarded Supplier will transport and wait for the passenger in accordance with the terms of this IFB. The assigned transportation staff will only pick-up, drop off, and return the passenger to the pre-designated location(s) as directed by District Office designee. Except for emergencies, under no circumstances can the Awarded Supplier make any additional stops without the prior approval of the requesting office.

c. Services are to be provided with no charges to the passenger. The solicitation or acceptance of tips or any other type of gratuity is strictly prohibited.

d. In the event of an accident during an assignment, the Awarded Supplier must notify the referring OVR District Office within one (1) hour from the time of the accident.

OVR may request the awarded supplier to provide service to more than one passenger commuting to the same destination. In this event, the awarded supplier will only be paid a rate based on the trip distance, not the number of individuals included.

P. CANCELLATION, LATE ARRIVAL OR NO SHOW.

a. In the event of a cancellation originating from OVR, and if notice is provided to the transport staff less than three (3) hours prior to pick up time, the Awarded Supplier will be compensated for one (1) hour of pay.

b. Should the Awarded Supplier not provide timely transport to the scheduled appointment, and the appointment is cancelled, it may result in a performance entry. Instances of cancelled appointments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and upon determination the Awarded Supplier’s hourly rate for that trip may be reduced by 50%. Repeated offenses greater than five (5) per year could result in a Contractor Responsibility Program (CRP) performance entry.

c. In the event of a cancellation originating from the Awarded Supplier, notice of a need to cancel the transport will be provided no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to pick up time and no compensation will be provided to the supplier. Should emergency situations arise requiring cancellation less than twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled pick-up, the supplier will notify the OVR District Office staff and immediately. Repeat offenses could result in a Contractor Responsibility Program (CRP) performance entry.

Q. PERSONNEL. Awarded Supplier(s) are expected to utilize standards of professionalism in all aspects of the performance of the contract. All personnel must be fully qualified for the performance of the task to which they are assigned. In the event of recurring and/or un-resolved personnel performance issue(s), the Commonwealth has the right to request that such personnel be replaced.

Notice of personnel changes (additions, deletions and/or changes in local, state, or federal licenses/certifications, insurances) must be communicated to the L&I Contracting Officer within two (2) business days. In the case of deletions, the normal workload must be handled on a timely basis until replacements are hired and/or assigned to the project.

R. SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS. The Commonwealth has developed a set of minimum Service Level Agreements (SLA), defined in the table below, which the Awarded Supplier(s) are expected to meet, or exceed. The SLA’s may be reviewed by the DLI Contracting Officer to identify any issues requiring immediate attention.

Performance Metric Performance Target

of Review Liquidated Damages

number of trips

no-shows/ total number of trips

The Awarded Supplier(s) will be allowed a thirty (30) day grace period during the implementation phase of the contract to “ramp up” services, without scoring on the performance metrics contained in the table set forth above. The tracking of the above performance metrics shall be completed by the passenger and provided to the District Office designee for unsatisfactory performance in any given month. District Offices shall then send these metrics to the DLI Contracting Officer to ensure SLAs are met.

If the Awarded Supplier(s) does not meet the agreed Performance Targets, the following actions will be taken: (1) a discussion will take place between the Awarded Suppliers’ representatives and DLI Contracting Officer; (2) the Awarded Supplier(s) will be required to develop a corrective action plan to improve their performance; (3) the Awarded supplier shall submit the corrective action plan to OVR within five (5) business days of the request to correct the issues within thirty (30) days of the date the corrective action plan is approved. If the corrective actions are not completed, the L&I Contracting Officer will notify the Awarded Supplier(s). Failure to attain these standards may be cause for cancellation of the contract.

S. REIMBURSEMENTS. Mileage, Subsistence and Lodging will be reimbursed at the current rate as per Management Directive 230.10. Commonwealth Travel Procedures Manual, Parking and tolls will be reimbursed at actual cost(s) based on the submission of appropriate receipt(s). http://www.oa.pa.gov/Policies/md/Documents/230_10.pdf.

The supplier will not be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for any driving services requested by the staff that are of personal nature such as medical appointments, transporting family members or any other non-work-related engagement.

The OVR employee may request the supplier to provide personal driving services. If the supplier agrees, the employee will reimburse the driver a mutually agreeable cost. The supplier reserves the right to refuse personal driving services requested by the OVR employee.

The Commonwealth will reimburse transportation expenses to drive the employee’s primary worksite. Work shall begin when the employee is enroute to the assigned work area or first appointment.

The Commonwealth will not reimburse for services (including travel) for Suppliers providing services to those OVR personnel related (i.e. spouse, family member or other individual) that reside in the same (employee’s primary residence) when transporting the employee to their assigned headquarters. Reimbursable work begins when the employee and driver are enroute to the first appointment or daily assigned work area such a school, public library, PA CareerLink ®, or other public location.

The vendor may bill in quarterly increments.

T. BILLING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Awarded Supplier(s) shall submit itemized invoices via the Expense Log (Attachment D) bi-weekly to a predetermined OVR resource account for services provided to passengers. The expense log shall list invoice date, PO number, supplier name and number, passenger’s name, and the date(s) of service. The Expense Log must include a breakdown of charges, a detailed report of the services provided and include any necessary receipts, for which reimbursement is being requested. See section on Reimbursements for further details. Awarded Supplier(s) may be required to produce records that disclose the extent and nature of the services provided.

Upon request, the supplier must also produce monthly reports, to support performance as related to the SLA’s outlined in Section M.

Payment status may be researched at https://www.bpp.ob.pa.gov, PA Office of Budget Business Partner Portal.

Invoice concerns may be addressed to the attention of Rebecca Gardner/Contract Monitor via email regardner@pa.gov.

U. APPLICABLE LAW. The Awarded Supplier(s) must demonstrate knowledge and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. In any event where the Awarded Supplier(s) creates a scenario where the Commonwealth is found to be out of compliance with federal, state, and local standards, laws and regulations, the Awarded Supplier(s) will be liable and responsible for any damages (administrative, operational, monetary) suffered by using agency. All non-compliance issues and service deficiencies must be addressed, in writing, to the DLI Contracting Officer, to include a proposed solution, within forty-eight (48) hours of supplier’s receipt of notification and the approved resolution must be in place within five (5) business days thereafter.

V. ENDORSEMENTS. Awarded Supplier(s) shall not advertise or publicize in any way a written or verbal endorsement that their equipment and/or services are being used by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without the written approval of the Commonwealth.

W. SUBCONTRACTING. The DLI reserves the right to reject or approve any subcontractors. Subcontracting with non-profit subcontractors is allowable.

X. COMMONWEALTH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE. Commonwealth recognized or observed holidays include the following:

a. New Year's Day

b. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

c. Presidents' Day

d. Memorial Day

e. Juneteenth

f. Independence Day

g. Labor Day

h. Columbus Day

i. Veterans Day

j. Thanksgiving Day

k. Day After Thanksgiving

l. Christmas Day

Y. OPTION TO ADD/REMOVE SUPPLIERS. The addition and/or deletion of any Supplier(s) during the term of this Contract will be at the sole discretion of DLI. DLI reserves the right to issue a supplementary bid on a quarterly basis, or as required, to add suppliers during the term of the contract. Receiving a Contract is not a guarantee of work. No work may be performed without the issuance of a Purchase Order.