02 Terms and Conditions.pdf

PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION

1. PURPOSE.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Commonwealth) is issuing this Invitation for Bids (IFB) to meet the needs of the Department of General Services to satisfy a need for Catering Services.

2. TYPE OF CONTRACT.

Upon determination that the Contractor meets the ITQ requirements, the Commonwealth will issue a contract to the Contractor and it will contain the Contract Terms and Conditions as shown in Part V of this IFB. Upon receipt of a Purchase Order (PO) issued under this Contract, the Contractor agrees to furnish the requested services to the Commonwealth agency issuing the PO.

3. NO PRE-BID CONFERENCE.

There will be no pre-bid conference for this IFB. If there are any questions, please forward them to the Issuing Office prior to the bid opening date and time.

4. QUESTIONS.

All questions regarding the IFB must be submitted in writing to the email address of the Issuing Officer provided in the solicitation. All questions received will be answered, in writing, and such responses shall be posted to eMarketplace as an addendum to the IFB.

The Issuing Officer shall not be bound by any verbal information nor shall it be bound by any written information that is not either contained within the IFB or formally issued as an addendum by the Issuing Office. The Issuing Office does not consider questions to be a protest of the specifications or of the solicitation.

5. ADDENDA TO THE IFB.

If the Issuing Office deems it necessary to revise any part of this IFB, the Issuing Office will post an addendum to its website. It is the Bidder's responsibility to periodically check the website for any new information or addenda to the IFB.

6. BID PROTEST PROCEDURE.

The Bid Protest Procedure is on the DGS website at:

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dgs/documents/documents/procurement-forms/handbook/pt1/pt%20i%20ch%2058%20bid%20protests.pdf

14. REJECTION OF BIDS.

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dgs/documents/documents/ https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dgs/documents/documents/

The Issuing Office reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive technical defects or any informality in Bids, and to accept or reject any part of any Bid if the best interests of the Commonwealth are thereby served.

15. REPRESENTATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS.

By submitting its bid, each bidder understands, represents, and acknowledges that:

a. All of the Bidder’s information and representations in the bid are material and important, and the Issuing Office may rely upon the contents of the bid in awarding the contract(s). The Commonwealth shall treat any misstatement, omission or misrepresentation as fraudulent concealment of the true facts relating to the submission, punishable pursuant to 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904.

b. The Bidder has arrived at the price(s) and amounts in its bid independently and without consultation, communication, or agreement with any other bidder or potential bidder.

c. The Bidder has not disclosed the price(s), the amount of the bid, nor the approximate price(s) or amount(s) of its bid to any other firm or person who is an Bidder or potential bidder for this IFB.

d. The Bidder has not attempted, nor will it attempt, to induce any firm or person to refrain from submitting a bid on this contract, or to submit a bid higher than this bid, or to submit any intentionally high or noncompetitive bid or other form of complementary bid.

e. The Bidder makes its proposal in good faith and not pursuant to any agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any firm or person to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

f. To the best knowledge of the person signing the bid for the Bidder, the Bidder, its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, and employees are not currently under investigation by any governmental agency and have not in the last four years been convicted or found liable for any act prohibited by State or Federal law in any jurisdiction, involving conspiracy or collusion with respect to bidding or proposing on any public contract, except as the Bidder has disclosed in its bid.

g. To the best of the knowledge of the person signing the bid for the Bidder and except as the Bidder has otherwise disclosed in its bid, the Bidder has no outstanding, delinquent obligations to the Commonwealth including, but not limited to, any state tax liability not being contested on appeal or other obligation of the Bidder that is owed to the Commonwealth.

h. The Bidder is not currently under suspension or debarment by the Commonwealth, any other state or the federal government, and if the Bidder cannot so certify, then it shall submit along with its proposal a written explanation of why it cannot make such certification.

i. The Bidder has not made, under separate contract with the Issuing Office, any recommendations to the Issuing Office concerning the need for the services described in its bid or the specifications for the services described in the bid.

j. Each Bidder, by submitting its proposal, authorizes Commonwealth agencies to release to the Commonwealth information concerning the Bidder’s Pennsylvania taxes, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation liabilities.

k. Until the selected Bidder receives a fully executed and approved written contract from the Issuing Office, there is no legal and valid contract, in law or in equity, and the Bidder shall not begin to perform.

l. The Bidder is not currently engaged, and will not during the duration of the contract engage, in a boycott of a person or an entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction which the Commonwealth is not prohibited by Congressional statute from engaging in trade or commerce.

PART II - REQUIREMENTS

1. LOBBYING CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE.

With respect to an award of a federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding $100,000 or an award of a federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000 all recipients must certify that they will not use federal funds for lobbying and must disclose the use of non-federal funds for lobbying by filing required documentation. Bidders must complete and return the Lobbying Certification Form if required by the using agency and the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form. The completed and signed Lobbying Certification Form and the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Form should be submitted with any quote response if required by the using agency. Commonwealth agencies will not contract with outside firms or individuals to perform lobbying services, regardless of the source of funds.

2. IRAN FREE PROCUREMENT CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE.

Prior to entering a contract worth at least $1,000,000 or more with a Commonwealth entity, a bidder must: a) certify it is not on the current list of persons engaged in investment activities in Iran created by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (“DGS”) pursuant to Section 3503 of the Procurement Code and is eligible to contract with the Commonwealth under Sections 3501-3506 of the Procurement Code; or b) demonstrate it has received an exception from the certification requirement for that solicitation or contract pursuant to Section 3503(e).

All bidders must complete and return the Iran Free Procurement Certification form, which is attached hereto and made part of this IFB. The completed and signed Iran Free Procurement Certification form must be submitted with the Bid Response. See the following web page for current Iran Free Procurement list:

http://www.dgs.pa.gov/businesses/materials%20and%20services%20procurement/procur ement-resources/pages/default.aspx#.WDNfJJgo6Ht http://www.dgs.pa.gov/businesses/materials%20and%20services%20procurement/procurement-resources/pages/default.aspx#.WDNfJJgo6Ht http://www.dgs.pa.gov/businesses/materials%20and%20services%20procurement/procurement-resources/pages/default.aspx#.WDNfJJgo6Ht

PART III – SELECTION CRITERIA

1. MANDATORY RESPONSIVENESS REQUIREMENTS.

To be eligible for selection, a bid must be:

a. Timely received from a Bidder; and

b. Properly signed by the Bidder.

2. METHOD OF AWARD – ALL BIDDERS.

Award will be made to all responsive and responsible bidders.

3. AWARDS.

Unless all Bids are rejected, and except as otherwise provided by law, award will be made through the issuance of a contract/purchase order in accordance with the method of award.

Unless otherwise specified by the Issuing Office in the IFB form the Commonwealth reserves the right to award by item or on a total Bid basis, whichever is deemed more advantageous to the Commonwealth. In cases of discrepancies in prices, the unit price will be binding unless the unit price is obviously in error and the extended price is obviously correct, in which case the erroneous unit price will be corrected. As a condition for receipt of award of a contract/purchase order, the Bidder must be registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Vendor Master file. In order to register, bidders must visit the Pa Supplier Portal at https://www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us/ or call the Customer Support Center at 877-435-7363 or 717-346-2676.

4. TIE BIDS.

All tie bids will be broken by the Issuing Office.

5. PROMPT PAYMENT DISCOUNTS.

Prompt payment discounts will not be considered in making an award. If prompt payment discounts are offered by any Bidder, however, the Issuing Office will take advantage of such offer.

6. OPTION FOR SEPARATE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCEDURE.

The Commonwealth reserves the right to purchase products or services covered under this Contract through a separate competitive bidding procedure, whenever Commonwealth deems it in the best interest of the Commonwealth. The right will generally be exercised only when a specific need for a large quantity of the product or service exists or when the price offered is significantly lower than the Contract price.

https://www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us/

PART IV – STATEMENT OF WORK

1. STATEMENT OF WORK.

The Commonwealth is seeking bids to procure the services set forth in the attached document entitled "Statement of Work."

PART V – CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

The Contract with the awarded bidder (who shall become the "Contractor") shall include the following terms and conditions:

2. TERM OF CONTRACT – CONTRACT.

The initial term of the Contract shall be 05 year(s) and 00 month(s).

The term of the Contract shall commence on the Effective Date (as defined below) and shall end on the Expiration Date identified in the Contract, subject to the other provisions of the Contract.

The Effective Date shall be a) the Effective Date printed on the Contract after the Contract has been fully executed by the Commonwealth (signed and approved as required by the Commonwealth contracting procedures) or b) the "Valid from" date printed on the Contract, whichever is later.

3. EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM.

The Commonwealth reserves the right, upon notice to the Contractor, to extend any single the term of the Contract for up to three (3) months upon the same terms and conditions.

4. SIGNATURES – CONTRACT.

The Contract shall not be a legally binding contract until the fully-executed Contract has been sent to the Contractor. No Commonwealth employee has the authority to verbally direct the commencement of any work or delivery of any supply under this Contract prior to the Effective Date. The Contractor hereby waives any claim or cause of action for any service or work performed prior to the Effective Date.

The Contract may be electronically signed by the Commonwealth. The electronically-printed name of the Purchasing Agent represents the signature of that individual who has the authority, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to bind the Commonwealth to the terms of the Contract. If the Contract output form does not have "Fully Executed" at the top of the first page and does not have the name of the Purchasing Agent printed in the appropriate box, the Contract has not been fully executed.

The fully-executed Contract may be sent to the Contractor electronically or through facsimile equipment. The electronic transmission of the Contract shall require acknowledgement of receipt of the transmission by the Contractor. Receipt of the electronic or facsimile transmission of the Contract shall constitute receipt of the fully-executed Contract.

a. The Commonwealth and the Contractor specifically agree as follows:

i. No handwritten signature shall be required in order for the Contract to be legally enforceable.

ii. The parties agree that no writing shall be required in order to make the Contract legally binding, notwithstanding contrary requirements in any law.

The parties hereby agree not to contest the validity or enforceability of a genuine Contract or acknowledgement issued electronically under the provisions of a statute of frauds or any other applicable law relating to whether certain agreements be in writing and signed by the party bound thereby. Any genuine Contract or acknowledgement issued electronically, if introduced as evidence on paper in any judicial, arbitration, mediation, or administrative proceedings, will be admissible as between the parties to the same extent and under the same conditions as other business records originated and maintained in documentary form. Neither party shall contest the admissibility of copies of a genuine Contract or acknowledgements under either the business records exception to the hearsay rule or the best evidence rule on the basis that the Contract or acknowledgement were not in writing or signed by the parties. A Contract or acknowledgment shall be deemed to be genuine for all purposes if it is transmitted to the location designated for such documents.

iii. Each party will immediately take steps to verify any document that appears to be obviously garbled in transmission or improperly formatted to include re-transmission of any such document if necessary.

5. DEFINITIONS.

Capitalized terms used in these Commonwealth standard terms and conditions that are not otherwise defined in these provisions have the meanings specified in the contract to which it is attached.

6. PURCHASE ORDERS.

Commonwealth agencies may issue Purchase Orders against the Contract. These orders constitute the Contractor's authority to make delivery. All Purchase Orders received by the Contractor up to and including the expiration date of the Contract are acceptable and must be performed in accordance with the Contract. Each Purchase Order will be deemed to incorporate the terms and conditions set forth in the Contract.

Purchase Orders may be electronically signed by the Agency. The electronically-printed name of the purchaser represents the signature of that individual who has the authority, on behalf of the Commonwealth, to authorize the Contractor to proceed.

Purchase Orders may be issued electronically or through facsimile equipment. The electronic transmission of a purchase order shall require acknowledgement of receipt of the transmission by the Contractor. Receipt of the electronic or facsimile transmission of the Purchase Order shall constitute receipt of an order. Orders received by the Contractor after 4:00 p.m. will be considered received the following business day.

a. No handwritten signature shall be required in order for the Contract or Purchase

Order to be legally enforceable.

b. The parties agree that no writing shall be required in order to make the Purchase

Order legally binding. The parties hereby agree not to contest the validity or enforceability of a Purchase Order or acknowledgement issued electronically under the provisions of a statute of frauds or any other applicable law relating to whether certain agreements be in writing and signed by the party bound thereby. Any Purchase Order or acknowledgement issued electronically, if introduced as evidence on paper in any judicial, arbitration, mediation, or administrative proceedings, will be admissible as between the parties to the same extent and under the same conditions as other business records originated and maintained in documentary form. Neither party shall contest the admissibility of copies of Purchase Orders or acknowledgements under either the business records exception to the hearsay rule or the best evidence rule on the basis that the Purchase Order or acknowledgement were not in writing or signed by the parties. A Purchase Order or acknowledgment shall be deemed to be genuine for all purposes if it is transmitted to the location designated for such documents.

c. Each party will immediately take steps to verify any document that appears to be obviously garbled in transmission or improperly formatted to include re-transmission of any such document if necessary.

Purchase Orders under ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in total amount may also be made in person or by telephone using a Commonwealth Purchasing Card. When an order is placed by telephone, the Commonwealth agency shall provide the agency name, employee name, credit card number, and expiration date of the card. Contractors agree to accept payment through the use of the Commonwealth Purchasing Card.

7. INDEPENDENT PRIME CONTRACTOR.

In performing its obligations under the Contract, the Contractor will act as an independent contractor and not as an employee or agent of the Commonwealth. The Contractor will be responsible for all services in this Contract whether or not Contractor provides them directly. Further, the Contractor is the sole point of contact with regard to all contractual matters, including payment of any and all charges resulting from the Contract.

8. DELIVERY OF SERVICES.

The Contractor shall proceed with all due diligence in the performance of the services with qualified personnel, in accordance with the completion criteria set forth in the

9. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES.

It shall be understood and agreed that any quantities listed in the Contract are estimated only and may be increased or decreased in accordance with the actual requirements of the Commonwealth and that the Commonwealth in accepting any bid or portion thereof, contracts only and agrees to purchase only the materials and services in such quantities as represent the actual requirements of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth reserves the right to purchase materials and services covered under the Contract through a separate competitive procurement procedure, whenever Commonwealth deems it to be in its best interest.

10. WARRANTY.

The Contractor warrants that all items furnished and all services performed by the Contractor, its agents and subcontractors shall be free and clear of any defects in workmanship or materials. Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, all items are warranted for a period of one year following delivery by the Contractor and acceptance by the Commonwealth. The Contractor shall repair, replace or otherwise correct any problem with the delivered item. When an item is replaced, it shall be replaced with an item of equivalent or superior quality without any additional cost to the Commonwealth.

11. PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND TRADE SECRET PROTECTION.

The Contractor warrants that it is the sole owner or author of, or has entered into a suitable legal agreement concerning either: a) the design of any product or process provided or used in the performance of the Contract which is covered by a patent, copyright, or trademark registration or other right duly authorized by state or federal law or b) any copyrighted matter in any report, document or other material provided to the Commonwealth under the contract.

The Contractor shall defend any suit or proceeding brought against the Commonwealth on account of any alleged patent, copyright or trademark infringement in the United States of any of the products provided or used in the performance of the Contract.

This is upon condition that the Commonwealth shall provide prompt notification in writing of such suit or proceeding; full right, authorization and opportunity to conduct the defense thereof; and full information and all reasonable cooperation for the defense of same.

As principles of governmental or public law are involved, the Commonwealth may participate in or choose to conduct, in its sole discretion, the defense of any such action.

If information and assistance are furnished by the Commonwealth at the Contractor's written request, it shall be at the Contractor's expense, but the responsibility for such expense shall be only that within the Contractor's written authorization.

The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Commonwealth harmless from all damages, costs, and expenses, including attorney's fees that the Contractor or the Commonwealth may pay or incur by reason of any infringement or violation of the rights occurring to any holder of copyright, trademark, or patent interests and rights in any products provided or used in the performance of the Contract.

If any of the products provided by the Contractor in such suit or proceeding are held to constitute infringement and the use is enjoined, the Contractor shall, at its own expense and at its option, either procure the right to continue use of such infringement products, replace them with non-infringement equal performance products or modify them so that they are no longer infringing.

If the Contractor is unable to do any of the preceding, the Contractor agrees to remove all the equipment or software which are obtained contemporaneously with the infringing product, or, at the option of the Commonwealth, only those items of equipment or software which are held to be infringing, and to pay the Commonwealth: 1) any amounts paid by the Commonwealth towards the purchase of the product, less straight line depreciation; 2) any license fee paid by the Commonwealth for the use of any software, less an amount for the period of usage; and 3) the pro rata portion of any maintenance fee representing the time remaining in any period of maintenance paid for. The obligations of the Contractor under this paragraph continue without time limit. No costs or expenses shall be incurred for the account of the Contractor without its written consent.

12. OWNERSHIP RIGHTS.

The Commonwealth shall have unrestricted authority to reproduce, distribute, and use any submitted report, data, or material, and any software or modifications and any associated documentation that is designed or developed and delivered to the Commonwealth as part of the performance of the Contract.

13. ACCEPTANCE.

No item(s) received by the Commonwealth shall be deemed accepted until the Commonwealth has had a reasonable opportunity to inspect the item(s). Any item(s) which is discovered to be defective or fails to conform to the specifications may be rejected upon initial inspection or at any later time if the defects contained in the item(s) or the noncompliance with the specifications were not reasonably ascertainable upon the initial inspection. It shall thereupon become the duty of the Contractor to remove rejected item(s) from the premises without expense to the Commonwealth within fifteen (15) days after notification. Rejected item(s) left longer than fifteen (15) days will be regarded as abandoned, and the Commonwealth shall have the right to dispose of them as its own property and shall retain that portion of the proceeds of any sale which represents the

Commonwealth's costs and expenses in regard to the storage and sale of the item(s). Upon notice of rejection, the Contractor shall immediately replace all such rejected item(s) with others conforming to the specifications and which are not defective. If the Contractor fails, neglects or refuses to do so, the Commonwealth shall then have the right to procure a corresponding quantity of such item(s), and deduct from any monies due or that may thereafter become due to the Contractor, the difference between the price stated in the Contract and the cost thereof to the Commonwealth.

14. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and local ordinances in the performance of the Contract

15. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

In the performance of the Contract, the Contractor shall minimize pollution and shall strictly comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to: the Clean Streams Law Act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394), as amended 35 P.S. Section 691.601 et seq.; the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act, Act of July 7, 1980 (P.L. 380, No. 97), as amended, 35 P.S. Section 6018.101 et seq. ; and the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act, Act of November 26, 1978 (P.L. 1375, No. 325), as amended , 32 P.S. Section 693.1.

16. POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED CONTENT.

Except as specifically waived by the Department of General Services in writing, any products which are provided to the Commonwealth as a part of the performance of the Contract must meet the minimum percentage levels for total recycled content as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency in its Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, which can be found at https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program.

17. RECYCLED CONTENT ENFORCEMENT.

The Contractor may be required, after delivery of the Contract item(s), to provide the Commonwealth with documentary evidence that the item(s) was in fact produced with the required minimum percentage of post-consumer and recovered material content.

18. COMPENSATION.

The Contractor shall be required to furnish the awarded item(s) at the price(s) quoted in the Purchase Order. All item(s) shall be delivered within the time period(s) specified in the Purchase Order. The Contractor shall be compensated only for item(s) that are delivered and accepted by the Commonwealth.

19. COMPENSATION/EXPENSES.

https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program

The Contractor shall be required to perform the specified services at the price(s) quoted in the Contract. All services shall be performed within the time period(s) specified in the Contract. The Contractor shall be compensated only for work performed to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth. The Contractor shall not be allowed or paid travel or per diem expenses except as specifically set forth in the Contract.

20. BILLING REQUIREMENTS.

a. Unless the Contractor has been authorized by the Commonwealth for Evaluated Receipt Settlement or Vendor Self-Invoicing, the Contractor shall include in all of its invoices the following minimum information:

i. Vendor name and “Remit to” address, including SAP Vendor number;

ii. Bank routing information, if ACH;

iii. SAP Purchase Order number;

iv. Delivery Address, including name of Commonwealth agency;

v. Description of the supplies/services delivered in accordance with SAP

Purchase Order (include Purchase Order line number if possible);

vi. Quantity provided;

vii. Unit price;

viii. Price extension;

ix. Total price; and

x. Delivery date of supplies or services.

b. If an invoice does not contain the minimum information set forth in this paragraph, the Commonwealth may return the invoice as improper. If the Commonwealth returns an invoice as improper, the time for processing a payment will be suspended until the Commonwealth receives a correct invoice. The Contractor may not receive payment until the Commonwealth has received a correct invoice.

c. Contractors are required to establish separate billing accounts with each using agency and invoice them directly. Each invoice shall be itemized with adequate detail and match the line item on the Purchase Order. In no instance shall any payment be made for services to the Contractor that are not in accordance with the prices on the Purchase Order, the Contract, updated price lists or any discounts negotiated by the purchasing agency

21. PAYMENT.

a. The Commonwealth shall put forth reasonable efforts to make payment by the required payment date. The required payment date is: (a) the date on which payment is due under the terms of the Contract; (b) thirty (30) days after a proper invoice actually is received at the "Bill To" address if a date on which payment is due is not specified in the Contract (a "proper" invoice is not received until the Commonwealth accepts the service as satisfactorily performed); or (c) the payment date specified on the invoice if later than the dates established by (a) and (b) above.

Payment may be delayed if the payment amount on an invoice is not based upon the price(s) as stated in the Contract. If any payment is not made within fifteen (15) days after the required payment date, the Commonwealth may pay interest as determined by the Secretary of Budget in accordance with Act No. 266 of 1982 and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Payment should not be construed by the Contractor as acceptance of the service performed by the Contractor. The Commonwealth reserves the right to conduct further testing and inspection after payment, but within a reasonable time after performance, and to reject the service if such post payment testing or inspection discloses a defect or a failure to meet specifications. The Contractor agrees that the Commonwealth may set off the amount of any state tax liability or other obligation of the Contractor or its subsidiaries to the Commonwealth against any payments due the Contractor under any contract with the Commonwealth.

b. The Commonwealth shall have the option of using the Commonwealth purchasing card to make purchases under the Contract or Purchase Order. The Commonwealth's purchasing card is similar to a credit card in that there will be a small fee which the Contractor will be required to pay and the Contractor will receive payment directly from the card issuer rather than the Commonwealth. Any and all fees related to this type of payment are the responsibility of the Contractor.

In no case will the Commonwealth allow increases in prices to offset credit card fees paid by the Contractor or any other charges incurred by the Contractor, unless specifically stated in the terms of the Contract or Purchase Order.

22. AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACH) PAYMENTS.

a. Payment Method. The Commonwealth shall make contract payments through the Automated Clearing House (ACH). Within 10 days of award of the contract or purchase order, the Contractor must submit or must have submitted its ACH information within its user profile in the Commonwealth's procurement system

(SRM).

b. Unique Identifier. The Contractor must submit a unique invoice number with each invoice submitted. The Commonwealth shall list the Contractor’s unique invoice number on its ACH remittance advice to enable the Contractor to properly apply the state agency’s payment to the invoice submitted.

c. ACH Information in SRM. The Contractor shall ensure that the ACH information contained in SRM is accurate and complete. The Contractor’s failure to maintain accurate and complete information may result in delays in payments.

23. TAXES.

The Commonwealth is exempt from all excise taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and has accordingly registered with the Internal Revenue Service to make tax free purchases under Registration No. 23-23740001-K. With the exception of purchases of the following items, no exemption certificates are required and none will be issued: undyed diesel fuel, tires, trucks, gas guzzler emergency vehicles, and sports fishing equipment. The Commonwealth is also exempt from Pennsylvania state sales tax, local sales tax, public transportation assistance taxes and fees and vehicle rental tax. The Department of Revenue regulations provide that exemption certificates are not required for sales made to governmental entities and none will be issued. Nothing in this paragraph is meant to exempt a construction contractor from the payment of any of these taxes or fees which are required to be paid with respect to the purchase, use, rental, or lease of tangible personal property or taxable services used or transferred in connection with the performance of a construction contract.

24. ASSIGNMENT OF ANTITRUST CLAIMS.

The Contractor and the Commonwealth recognize that in actual economic practice, overcharges by the Contractor's suppliers resulting from violations of state or federal antitrust laws are in fact borne by the Commonwealth. As part of the consideration for the award of the Contract, and intending to be legally bound, the Contractor assigns to the Commonwealth all right, title and interest in and to any claims the Contractor now has, or may acquire, under state or federal antitrust laws relating to the products and services which are the subject of this Contract.

25. INDEMNIFICATION.

a. Contractor Obligations. The Contractor shall indemnify the Commonwealth against all third-party claims, suits, demands, losses, damages, costs, and expenses, including without limitation, litigation expenses, attorneys' fees, and liabilities, arising out of or in connection with any activities performed by the Contractor or its employees and agents that are related to this contract, as determined by the Commonwealth in its sole discretion.

b. Commonwealth Attorneys Act. The Commonwealth shall provide the Contractor with prompt notice of any claim or suit of which it learns. Pursuant to the Commonwealth Attorneys Act (71 P.S. Section 732-101, et seq.), the Office of Attorney General (OAG) has the sole authority to represent the Commonwealth in actions brought against the Commonwealth. The OAG may, however, in its sole discretion and under any terms as it deems appropriate, delegate its right of defense.

If OAG delegates the defense to the Contractor, the Commonwealth will cooperate with all reasonable requests of Contractor made in the defense of such suits.

c. Settlement. Notwithstanding the above, neither party may enter into a settlement of any claim or suit without the other party's written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld. The Commonwealth may, in its sole discretion, allow the Contractor to control the defense and any related settlement negotiations.

26. AUDIT PROVISIONS.

The Commonwealth shall have the right, at reasonable times and at a site designated by the Commonwealth, to audit the books, documents and records of the Contractor to the extent that the books, documents and records relate to costs or pricing data for the Contract. The Contractor agrees to maintain records which will support the prices charged and costs incurred for the Contract. The Contractor shall preserve books, documents, and records that relate to costs or pricing data for the Contract for a period of three (3) years from date of final payment. The Contractor shall give full and free access to all records to the Commonwealth and/or their authorized representatives.

27. DEFAULT.

a. The Commonwealth may, subject to the provisions set forth in the Notice of Delays and Force Majeure clauses, and in addition to its other rights under the Contract, declare the Contractor in default by written notice thereof to the Contractor, and terminate (as provided in the Termination clause) the whole or any part of this Contract for any of the following reasons:

i. Failure to begin work within the time specified in the Contract or Purchase

Order or as otherwise specified;

ii. Failure to perform the work with sufficient labor, equipment, or material to ensure the completion of the specified work in accordance with the Contract or Purchase Order terms;

iii. Unsatisfactory performance of the work;

iv. Failure to deliver the awarded item(s) within the time specified in the

Contract or Purchase Order or as otherwise specified;

v. Improper delivery;

vi. Failure to provide an item(s) which is in conformance with the specifications referenced in the Contract or Purchase Order;

vii. Delivery of a defective item;

viii. Failure or refusal to remove material, or remove and replace any work rejected as defective or unsatisfactory;

ix. Discontinuance of work without approval;

x. Failure to resume work, which has been discontinued, within a reasonable time after notice to do so;

xi. Insolvency or bankruptcy;

xii. Assignment made for the benefit of creditors;

xiii. Failure or refusal within 10 days after written notice by the Contracting Officer, to make payment or show cause why payment should not be made, of any amounts due for materials furnished, labor supplied or performed, for equipment rentals, or for utility services rendered;

xiv. Failure to protect, repair or make good any damage or injury to property;

xv. Breach of any provision of the Contract;

xvi. Failure to comply with representations made in the Contractor’s bid/proposal; or

xvii. Failure to comply with applicable industry standards, customs and practice.

b. In the event that the Commonwealth terminates this Contract or any Purchase Order in whole or in part as provided in Subparagraph a. above, the Commonwealth may procure, upon such terms and in such manner as it determines, items similar or identical to those so terminated, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Commonwealth for any reasonable excess costs for such similar or identical items included within the terminated part of the Contract or Purchase Order.

c. If the Contract or a Purchase Order is terminated as provided in Subparagraph a.

above, the Commonwealth, in addition to any other rights provided in this paragraph, may require the Contractor to transfer title and deliver immediately to the Commonwealth in the manner and to the extent directed by the Contracting Officer, such partially completed items, including, where applicable, reports, working papers and other documentation, as the Contractor has specifically produced or specifically acquired for the performance of such part of the Contract or Purchase Order as has been terminated. Except as provided below, payment for completed work accepted by the Commonwealth shall be at the Contract price.

Except as provided below, payment for partially completed items including, where applicable, reports and working papers, delivered to and accepted by the Commonwealth shall be in an amount agreed upon by the Contractor and Contracting Officer. The Commonwealth may withhold from amounts otherwise due the Contractor for such completed or partially completed works, such sum as the Contracting Officer determines to be necessary to protect the Commonwealth against loss.

d. The rights and remedies of the Commonwealth provided in this paragraph shall not be exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under this Contract.

e. The Commonwealth's failure to exercise any rights or remedies provided in this paragraph shall not be construed to be a waiver by the Commonwealth of its rights and remedies in regard to the event of default or any succeeding event of default.

f. Following exhaustion of the Contractor's administrative remedies as set forth in the

Contract Controversies Provision of the Contract, the Contractor's exclusive remedy shall be to seek damages in the Board of Claims.

28. FORCE MAJEURE.

a. Neither party will incur any liability to the other if its performance of any obligation under this Contract is prevented or delayed by causes beyond its control and without the fault or negligence of either party. Causes beyond a party's control may include, but aren't limited to, acts of God or war, changes in controlling law, regulations, orders or the requirements of any governmental entity, severe weather conditions, civil disorders, natural disasters, fire, epidemics and quarantines, general strikes throughout the trade, and freight embargoes.

b. The Contractor shall notify the Commonwealth orally within five (5) days and in writing within ten (10) days of the date on which the Contractor becomes aware, or should have reasonably become aware, that such cause would prevent or delay its performance. Such notification shall (i) describe fully such cause(s) and its effect on performance, (ii) state whether performance under the contract is prevented or delayed and (iii) if performance is delayed, state a reasonable estimate of the duration of the delay. The Contractor shall have the burden of proving that such cause(s) delayed or prevented its performance despite its diligent efforts to perform and shall produce such supporting documentation as the Commonwealth may reasonably request. After receipt of such notification, the Commonwealth may elect to cancel the Contract, cancel the Purchase Order, or to extend the time for performance as reasonably necessary to compensate for the Contractor's delay.

c. In the event of a declared emergency by competent governmental authorities, the

Commonwealth by notice to the Contractor, may suspend all or a portion of the Contract or Purchase Order.

29. TERMINATION.

The Commonwealth has the right to terminate this Contract or any Purchase Order for any of the following reasons. Termination shall be effective upon written notice to the Contractor.

a. TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE: The Commonwealth shall have the right to terminate the Contract or a Purchase Order for its convenience if the Commonwealth determines termination to be in its best interest. The Contractor shall be paid for work satisfactorily completed prior to the effective date of the termination, but in no event shall the Contractor be entitled to recover loss of profits.

b. NON-APPROPRIATION: The Commonwealth's obligation to make payments during any Commonwealth fiscal year succeeding the current fiscal year shall be subject to availability and appropriation of funds. When funds (state and/or federal) are not appropriated or otherwise made available to support continuation of performance in a subsequent fiscal year period, the Commonwealth shall have the right to terminate the Contract or a Purchase Order. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for the reasonable value of any nonrecurring costs incurred but not amortized in the price of the supplies or services delivered under the Contract.

Such reimbursement shall not include loss of profit, loss of use of money, or administrative or overhead costs. The reimbursement amount may be paid from any appropriations available for that purpose.

c. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE: The Commonwealth shall have the right to terminate the Contract or a Purchase Order for Contractor default under the Default Clause upon written notice to the Contractor. The Commonwealth shall also have the right, upon written notice to the Contractor, to terminate the Contract or Purchase Order for other cause as specified in the Contract or by law. If it is later determined that the Commonwealth erred in terminating the Contract or a Purchase Order for cause, then, at the Commonwealth's discretion, the Contract or Purchase Order shall be deemed to have been terminated for convenience under the Subparagraph a.

30. CONTRACT CONTROVERSIES.

a. In the event of a controversy or claim arising from the Contract, the Contractor must, within six months after the cause of action accrues, file a written claim with the contracting officer for a determination. The claim shall state all grounds upon which the Contractor asserts a controversy exists. If the Contractor fails to file a claim or files an untimely claim, the Contractor is deemed to have waived its right to assert a claim in any forum. At the time the claim is filed, or within sixty (60) days thereafter, either party may request mediation through the Commonwealth Office of General Counsel Dispute Resolution Program.

b. If the Contractor or the Contracting Officer requests mediation, and the other party agrees, the Contracting Officer shall promptly make arrangements for mediation.

Mediation shall be scheduled so as to not delay the issuance of the final determination beyond the required 120 days after receipt of the claim if mediation is unsuccessful. If mediation is not agreed to or if resolution is not reached through mediation, the Contracting Officer shall review timely-filed claims and issue a final determination, in writing, regarding the claim. The final determination shall be issued within 120 days of the receipt of the claim, unless extended by consent of the Contracting Officer and the Contractor. The Contracting Officer shall send his/her written determination to the Contractor. If the Contracting Officer fails to issue a final determination within the 120 days (unless extended by consent of the parties), the claim shall be deemed denied. The Contracting Officer’s determination shall be the final order of the purchasing agency.

c. Within fifteen (15) days of the mailing date of the determination denying a claim or within 135 days of filing a claim if, no extension is agreed to by the parties, whichever occurs first, the Contractor may file a statement of claim with the Commonwealth Board of Claims. Pending a final judicial resolution of a controversy or claim, the Contractor shall proceed diligently with the performance of the Contract in a manner consistent with the determination of the contracting officer and the Commonwealth shall compensate the Contractor pursuant to the terms of the Contract.

31. ASSIGNABILITY AND SUBCONTRACTING.

a. Subject to the terms and conditions of this paragraph, this Contract shall be binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

b. The Contractor shall not subcontract with any person or entity to perform all or any part of the work to be performed under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer, which consent may be withheld at the sole and absolute discretion of the Contracting Officer.

c. The Contractor may not assign, in whole or in part, this Contract or its rights, duties, obligations, or responsibilities hereunder without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer, which consent may be withheld at the sole and absolute discretion of the Contracting Officer.

d. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contractor may, without the consent of the

Contracting Officer, assign its rights to payment to be received under the Contract, provided that the Contractor provides written notice of such assignment to the Contracting Officer together with a written acknowledgement from the assignee that any such payments are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Contract.

e. For the purposes of this Contract, the term “assign” shall include, but shall not be limited to, the sale, gift, assignment, pledge, or other transfer of any ownership interest in the Contractor provided, however, that the term shall not apply to the sale or other transfer of stock of a publicly traded company.

f. Any assignment consented to by the Contracting Officer shall be evidenced by a written assignment agreement executed by the Contractor and its assignee in which the assignee agrees to be legally bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Contract and to assume the duties, obligations, and responsibilities being assigned.

g. A change of name by the Contractor, following which the Contractor’s federal identification number remains unchanged, is not considered to be an assignment.

The Contractor shall give the Commonwealth written notice of any such change of name.

32. OTHER CONTRACTORS.

The Commonwealth may undertake or award other contracts for additional or related work, and the Contractor shall fully cooperate with other contractors and Commonwealth employees, and coordinate its work with such additional work as may be required. The Contractor shall not commit or permit any act that will interfere with the performance of work by any other contractor or by Commonwealth employees. This paragraph shall be included in the Contracts of all contractors with which this Contractor will be required to cooperate. The Commonwealth shall equitably enforce this paragraph as to all contractors to prevent the imposition of unreasonable burdens on any contractor.

33. NONDISCRIMINATION/SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

a. Representations. The Contractor represents that it is presently in compliance with and will remain in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies relating to nondiscrimination and sexual harassment for the term of the contract. The Contractor shall, upon request and within the time periods requested by the Commonwealth, furnish all necessary employment documents and records, including EEO-1 reports, and permit access to its books, records, and accounts by the Commonwealth for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with provisions of this Nondiscrimination/Sexual Harassment Clause.

b. Nondiscrimination/Sexual Harassment Obligations. The Contractor shall not:

i. in any manner discriminate in the hiring of any employee(s) for the manufacture of supplies, performance of work, or any other activity required under this contract or any subcontract, by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRA”) and applicable federal laws, against any citizen of this Commonwealth who is qualified and available to perform the work to which the employment relates.

ii. in any manner discriminate by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of the PHRA and applicable federal laws, against or intimidate any employee involved in the manufacture of supplies, the performance of work, or any other activity required under this contract.

iii. in any manner discriminate by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of the PHRA and applicable federal laws, in the provision of services under this contract.

iv. in any manner discriminate by reason of race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or in violation of PHRA and applicable federal laws, against any subcontractor or supplier who is qualified to perform the work to which this contract relates.

v. in any manner discriminate against…