7360023269AppendixB.pdf

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide)

APPENDIX B

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL PAGE

1. Ethics Compliance 1

2. Definitions 1

BID SUBMISSION

3. International Bidding 2

4. Bid Opening 2

5. Late Bids 2

6. Confidential/Trade Secret Materials 3

7. [Reserved] 3

8. Taxes 3

9. Expenses Prior to Contract Execution 3

10. [Reserved] 3

11. [Reserved] 3

12. Products Manufactured in Public Institutions 3

13. Pricing 3

14. Site Inspection 4

15. Purchasing Card 4

BID EVALUATION

16. Bid Evaluation 4

17. [Reserved] 4

18. [Reserved] 4

19. [Reserved] 4

20. Debriefings 4

21. Contract Publicity 4

TERMS & CONDITIONS

22. [Reserved] 4

23. Contract Term – Extension 4

24. Official Use Only/No Personal Use 4

25. Participation in Centralized Contracts 4

26. Modification of Contract Terms 5

27. Scope Changes 5

28. Estimated/Specific Quantity Contracts 5

29. Emergency Contracts 5

30. Purchase Orders 5

31. Product Delivery 6

32. Weekend and Holiday Deliveries 6

33. [Reserved] 6

TERMS & CONDITIONS (CONT.) PAGE

34. [Reserved] 6

35. [Reserved] 6

36. [Reserved] 6

37. [Reserved] 6

38. [Reserved] 6

39. Employees, Subcontractors and Agents 6

40. Assignment 6

41. Subcontractors and Suppliers 6

42. Suspension of Work 6

43. Termination 6

44. Savings/Force Majeure 7

45. Contract Invoicing 8

46. Default - Authorized User 8

47. Prompt Payments 8

48. Remedies for Breach 8

49. Assignment of Claim 9

50. [Reserved] 9

51. Independent Contractor 9

52. Security 9

53. Cooperation with Third Parties 9

54. Warranties 9

55. Legal Compliance 10

56. Indemnification 10

57. Indemnification Relating to Infringement 11

58. Limitation of Liability 11

59. Dispute Resolution Procedures 11

To the extent the scope of the Solicitation or Contract includes the sale, development, maintenance, or use of information technology Products such as software, computer components, systems, or networks for the processing, and distribution, or storage, or storage of data, the following clauses shall govern, as applicable.

60. [Reserved] 11

61. Product Acceptance 11

62. [Reserved] 12

63. [Reserved] 12

64. Ownership/Title to Project Deliverables 12

65. [Reserved] 13

66. [Reserved] 13

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS APPENDIX B

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 1

GENERAL

1. ETHICS COMPLIANCE All Bidders/Contractors and their employees must comply with the requirements of Sections 73 and 74 of the Public Officers Law, other State codes, rules, regulations and executive orders establishing ethical standards for the conduct of business with New York State. In signing the Bid, Bidder certifies full compliance with those provisions for any present or future dealings, transactions, sales, contracts, services, offers, relationships, etc., involving New York State and/or its employees. Failure to comply with those provisions may result in disqualification from the bidding process, termination of contract, and/or other civil or criminal proceedings as required by law.

2. DEFINITIONS Terms used herein shall have the following meanings:

a. AUTHORIZED USER Authorized User shall have the meaning set forth in State Finance Law Section 163(1)(k) and includes, but is not limited to, New York State Agencies, political subdivisions, local governments, public authorities, public school and fire districts, public and nonprofit libraries, and certain other nonpublic/nonprofit organizations.

b. BID A response to the Solicitation submitted by a Bidder to provide Products.

c. BIDDER Any person or entity who submits a response to the Solicitation. At the time that a Bidder executes a Contract with the State, the Bidder shall become a “Contractor.” See also “Contractor.”

d. BID SPECIFICATIONS A written description drafted by OGS or an Authorized User setting forth the specific terms of the intended procurement, which may include: physical or functional characteristics, the nature of a Product, any description of the work to be performed, Products to be provided, the necessary qualifications of the Bidder, the capacity and capability of the Bidder to successfully carry out the proposed Contract, or the process for achieving specific results and/or anticipated outcomes or any other requirement necessary to perform work. Where this Appendix B is incorporated in negotiated Contracts that have not been competitively solicited, the term “Bid Specifications” shall be deemed to refer to the terms and conditions set forth in the negotiated Contract and associated documentation.

e. COMMISSIONER The Commissioner of OGS or his or her designee, or, in the case of Bid Specifications issued by an Authorized User, the head of such Authorized User or his or her authorized representative.

f. CONTRACT The writings that contain the agreement of the Commissioner and the Contractor setting forth the total legal obligation between the parties as determined by applicable rules of law, and which most typically include the following classifications of public procurements:

1. [Reserved]

2. Centralized Contracts Single- or multiple-award Contracts where the written description for a Product or general scope of work is described and defined by OGS to meet the needs of Authorized Users. Centralized Contracts may be awarded through multiple awards or through adoption of another jurisdiction’s contract or on a sole source, single source, emergency, or competitive basis. Once established, procurements may be made from the selected Contractors without further competition or Mini-Bid unless otherwise required by the Contract.

3. Back-Drop Contracts Multiple-award Centralized

Contracts where OGS provides a written description for a Product or general scope of work to meet the needs of Authorized Users. Bids may be submitted either at a date and time certain or may be accepted on a continuous or periodic recruitment basis, as set forth in the Solicitation.

Selection of a Contractor from among Back-Drop contract holders for an actual Product, project or particular scope of work may be subsequently made as set forth in the Contract.

4. [Reserved]

5. [Reserved] g CONTRACT AWARD NOTIFICATION An announcement to Authorized Users that a Contract has been established.

h. CONTRACTOR Any successful Bidder to whom a Contract has been awarded by the Commissioner.

i. DOCUMENTATION The complete set of manuals (e.g., user, installation, instruction or diagnostic manuals) in either hard or electronic copy, that are necessary to enable an Authorized User to properly test, install, operate and enjoy full use of the Product.

j. ENTERPRISE The total business operations in the United States of an Authorized User without regard to geographic location where such operations are performed or the entity actually performing such operations on behalf of the Authorized User.

k. ENTERPRISE LICENSE A license grant of unlimited rights to deploy, access, use and execute Product anywhere within the Enterprise up to the maximum capacity stated on the Purchase Order or in the Contract.

l. ERROR CORRECTIONS Machine executable software code furnished by Contractor which corrects the Product so as to conform to the applicable warranties, performance standards and/or obligations of the Contractor.

m. GROUP A classification of a Product that is designated by OGS.

n. INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) A type of Solicitation that is most typically used for procurements where requirements can be stated and award will be made based on lowest price to the responsive and responsible Bidder or Bidders.

o. LICENSED SOFTWARE Software transferred upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Contract. “Licensed Software” includes Error Corrections, upgrades, or enhancements, and any deliverables due under a technical support/maintenance or service contract (e.g., Patches, programs, code or data conversion, or custom programming).

p. LICENSEE An Authorized User who acquires Product from Contractor by issuing a Purchase Order in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract; provided that, for purposes of compliance with an individual license, the term “Licensee” shall be deemed to refer separately to the individual Authorized User who took receipt of and who is executing the Product, and who shall be solely responsible for performance and liabilities incurred. In the case of acquisitions by State Agencies, the Licensee shall be the State of New York.

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 2

q. LICENSE EFFECTIVE DATE The date Product is delivered to an Authorized User. Where a License involves Licensee’s right to copy a previously licensed and delivered master copy of a program, the License Effective Date for additional copies shall be deemed to be the date on which the Purchase Order is executed.

r. LICENSOR A Contractor who transfers rights in proprietary Product to Authorized Users in accordance with the rights and obligations specified in the Contract.

s. MINI-BID A document used by an Authorized User containing transaction-specific requirements soliciting responses from Contractors previously qualified under a Centralized Contract for such Products.

t. OGS The New York State Office of General Services.

u. PATCH Software designed to update, fix, or improve the Product or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, including hot fixes, to improve usability or performance.

v. PRODUCTS Items or deliverables under any Solicitation or Contract and may include commodities, services and/or technology.

w. PURCHASE ORDER The Authorized User’s fiscal form or format that is used when making a purchase (e.g., formal written Purchase Order, Purchasing Card, electronic Purchase Order, or other authorized instrument).

x. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) A type of Solicitation that is used for procurements where factors in addition to cost are considered and weighted in awarding the contract and where the award will be made based on “best value,” as defined by the State Finance Law, to one or more responsive and responsible Bidders.

y. REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) A procurement method that can be used in situations such as discretionary, sole source, single source, or emergency purchases and certain Centralized Contracts.

z. RESPONSIBLE BIDDER A Bidder that is determined to have financial and organizational capacity, legal authority, satisfactory previous performance, skill, judgment and integrity, and that is found to be competent, reliable and experienced, as determined by the Commissioner. For purposes of being deemed responsible, a Bidder must also be determined to be in compliance with Sections 139-j and 139-k of the State Finance Law relative to restrictions on contacts during the procurement process and disclosure of contacts and prior findings of non-responsibility under these statutes.

aa. RESPONSIVE BIDDER A Bidder meeting the specifications or requirements prescribed in the Solicitation, as determined by the OGS Commissioner.

bb. [RESERVED]

cc. SITE The location (street address) where Product will be delivered or executed.

dd. [RESERVED]

ee. SOLICITATION Writings by the State setting forth the scope, terms, conditions and technical specifications for a procurement of Product. The procurement may be undertaken on a competitive or non-competitive basis. Such writings typically include, but are not limited to: Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotations (RFQ), Request for Proposals (RFP), addenda or amendments thereto, and terms and conditions that are incorporated by reference, including but not limited to Appendix A (Standard Clauses for NYS Contracts), Appendix B (General Specifications), and identified attachments.

Where the procurement is undertaken on a non-competitive basis, the term “Solicitation” shall be deemed to refer to all the terms and conditions identified by the State.

ff. SOURCE CODE The programming statements or instructions written and expressed in any language understandable by a human being skilled in the art which are translated by a language compiler to produce executable machine object code.

gg. STATE State of New York.

hh. STATE AGENCY OR AGENCIES The State of New York, acting by or through one or more departments, boards, commissions, offices or institutions of the State of New York.

ii. SUBCONTRACTOR Any individual or legal entity (including but not limited to sole proprietor, partnership, limited liability company, firm or corporation) who has entered into a contract, express or implied, for the performance of a portion of a Contract with a Contractor.

jj. TERMS OF LICENSE The terms and conditions set forth in the Contract that are in effect and applicable to a Purchase Order at the time of order placement.

kk. THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE Any software that is developed independently of Contractor and which may be governed by a separate license.

ll. VIRUS Any computer code, whether or not written or conceived by Contractor, that disrupts, disables, harms, or otherwise impedes in any manner the operation of the Product, or any other associated software, firmware, hardware, or computer system (such as local area or wide-area networks), including aesthetic disruptions or distortions, but does not include security keys or other such devices installed by Product manufacturer. Virus shall also include any malware, adware, or other computer code, whether or not written or conceived by Contractor, that allows data or metrics to be copied, redirected, or modified without the express consent of the Authorized User.

BID SUBMISSION

3. INTERNATIONAL BIDDING All Bids, including all information and Product required by the Solicitation or provided as explanation thereof, shall be submitted in English. All prices shall be expressed, and all payments shall be made, in United States Dollars (US$). Any Bids submitted which do not meet the above criteria will be rejected.

4. BID OPENING Bids may, as applicable, be opened publicly.

The Commissioner reserves the right at any time to postpone or cancel a scheduled Bid opening.

5. LATE BIDS Bids must be received at the location designated in the Solicitation at or before the date and time established in the Solicitation for the Bid opening or receipt of Bids.

Any Bid received at the designated location after the established time will be considered a Late Bid. A Late Bid may be rejected and disqualified from award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Late Bid

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 3 may be accepted in the Commissioner’s sole discretion where (i) no timely Bids meeting the requirements of the Solicitation are received,

(ii) in the case of a multiple award, an insufficient number of timely Bids are received to satisfy the multiple award, or (iii) the Bidder has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the Late Bid was caused solely by factors outside the control of the Bidder.

However, in no event shall the Commissioner be under any obligation to accept a Late Bid.

The basis for any determination to accept a Late Bid shall be documented in the procurement record.

6. CONFIDENTIAL/TRADE SECRET MATERIALS

a. BIDDER/CONTRACTOR Confidential, trade secret or proprietary materials as defined by the laws of the State of New York must be clearly marked and identified as such upon submission by the Bidder/Contractor. Marking the Bid as “confidential” or “proprietary” on its face or in the document header or footer shall not be considered by the Commissioner or Authorized User to be sufficient without specific justification as to why disclosure of particular information in the Bid would cause substantial injury to the competitive position of the Bidder/Contractor. Bidders/Contractors intending to seek an exemption from disclosure of these materials under the Freedom of Information Law must request the exemption in writing, setting forth the reasons for the claimed exemption. The Commissioner’s or Authorized User’s receipt/acceptance of the claimed materials does not constitute a determination on the exemption request, which determination will be made in accordance with statutory procedures.

Properly identified information that has been designated confidential, trade secret, or proprietary by the Bidder/Contractor will not be disclosed except as may be required by the Freedom of Information Law or other applicable State and federal laws.

b. COMMISSIONER OR AUTHORIZED USER Contractor warrants, covenants and represents that any confidential information obtained by Contractor, its agents, Subcontractors, officers, distributors, resellers or employees in the course of performing its obligations, including without limitation, security procedures, business operations information, or commercial proprietary information in the possession of the State or any Authorized User hereunder or received from another third party, will not be divulged to any third parties without the written consent of the Commissioner or Authorized User.

Contractor shall not be required to keep confidential any such material that is publicly available through no fault of Contractor, independently developed by Contractor without reliance on confidential information of the Authorized User, or otherwise obtained under the Freedom of Information Law or other applicable New York State laws and regulations. This warranty shall survive termination of this Contract.

Contractor further agrees to take commercially reasonable steps to inform its agents, Subcontractors, officers, distributors, resellers or employees of the obligations arising under this clause to ensure such confidentiality.

7. [RESERVED]

8. TAXES

a. Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation, Bid Specifications or Contract, the quoted Bid price includes all taxes applicable to the transaction.

b. Purchases made by the State of New York and certain non-State Authorized Users are exempt from New York State and local sales taxes and, with certain exceptions, federal excise taxes. To satisfy the requirements of the New York State sales tax exemption, either the Purchase Order issued by a State Agency or the invoice forwarded to authorize payment for such purchases will be sufficient evidence that the sale by the Contractor was made to the State, an exempt organization under Section 1116(a)(1) of the Tax Law. Non-State Authorized Users must offer their own proof of exemption upon request. No person, firm or corporation is, however, exempt from paying the State Truck Mileage and Unemployment Insurance or Federal Social Security taxes, which remain the sole responsibility of the Bidder/Contractor.

c. Purchases by Authorized Users other than the State of New York may be subject to certain taxes which were not included in the Bid price, and in those instances the tax should be computed based on the Contract price and added to the invoice submitted to such entity for payment.

9. EXPENSES PRIOR TO CONTRACT EXECUTION The Commissioner and any Authorized Users are not liable for any costs incurred by a Bidder or Contractor in the preparation and production of a Bid, Mini-Bid, cost proposal revision, or for any work performed prior to Contract execution.

10. [RESERVED]

11. [RESERVED]

12. PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED IN PUBLIC

INSTITUTIONS Bids offering Products that are manufactured or produced in public institutions will be rejected.

13. PRICING

a. Unit Pricing If required by the Solicitation, the Bidder should insert the price per unit specified and the price extensions in decimals, not to exceed four places, for each item unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation. In the event of a discrepancy between the unit price and the extension, the unit price shall govern unless, in the sole judgment of the Commissioner, such unit pricing is obviously erroneous.

b. Net Pricing Unless otherwise required by the Solicitation, prices shall be net, including transportation, customs, tariff, delivery and other charges fully prepaid by the Contractor to the destination indicated in the Solicitation or Purchase Order.

c. “No Charge” Bid When Bids are requested on a number of Products as a Group or lot, a Bidder desiring to Bid “no charge” on a Product in the Group or lot must clearly indicate such. Otherwise, such Bid may be considered incomplete and be rejected, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the Commissioner.

d. Educational Pricing All Products to be supplied for educational purposes that are subject to educational discounts shall be identified in the Bid and such discounts shall be made available to qualifying institutions.

e. Third Party Financing If Product acquisitions are financed through any third party financing, Contractor may be required as a condition of Contract award to agree to the terms and conditions of a “Consent & Acknowledgment Agreement” in a form acceptable to the Commissioner.

f. Specific price decreases:

(i) GSA Changes: Where net pricing under the Contract is based on an approved GSA schedule, price decreases shall take effect automatically during the Contract term and apply to

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 4

Purchase Orders submitted on or after the date the approved GSA schedule pricing decreases during the Contract term; or

(ii) Commercial Price List Reductions: Where net pricing under the Contract is based on a discount from Contractor’s list prices, price decreases shall take effect automatically during the Contract term and apply to Purchase Orders submitted on or after the date Contractor lowers its pricing on its commercial price lists during the Contract term; or

(iii) Special Offers/Promotions Generally: Where Contractor generally offers more advantageous special price promotions or special discount pricing to other customers during the Contract term for a similar quantity, and the maximum price or discount associated with such offer or promotion is better than the discount or net pricing otherwise available under this Contract, such better price or discount shall apply for similar quantity transactions under this Contract for the life of such general offer or promotion;

and

(iv) Special Offers/Promotions to Authorized Users:

Contractor may offer Authorized Users, under either this Contract or any other contracting vehicle, competitive pricing which is lower than the net pricing set forth herein at any time during the Contract term and such lower pricing shall not be applied as a global price reduction under the Contract pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (iii).

Unless otherwise specified in the Solicitation, Contractor may offer lower prices or better terms (see Modification of Contract Terms) on any specific Purchase Order from any Authorized User without being in conflict with, or having any obligation to comply on a global basis with, the terms of this clause.

g. Cost Proposal Revisions A Contractor may be solicited prior to Contract award to propose the best possible offer for the Product being bid on, in accordance with State Finance Law Section 163(9)(c).

A cost proposal revision must be a lower price than the initial price.

14. SITE INSPECTION Where a Site inspection is required, Bidder shall be required to inspect the Site, including environmental or other conditions, for pre-existing deficiencies that may affect the installed Product or that may affect Bidder’s ability to properly deliver, install or otherwise provide the required Product. All inquiries regarding such conditions shall be made in writing. Bidder shall be deemed to have knowledge of any deficiencies or conditions that such inspection or inquiry might have disclosed. Bidder must provide a detailed explanation with its Bid if additional work is required under this clause in order to properly provide the required Product.

15. PURCHASING CARD The State’s Purchasing Card program is designed to be an efficient and cost effective way to expedite purchases. The Purchasing Card (also referred to as the Procurement Card) is a credit card that enables Authorized Users to make authorized purchases directly from a Contractor without processing formal Purchase Orders. Purchasing Cards are issued to selected employees who are authorized to make purchases for the Authorized User. Cardholders can make purchases directly from any Contractor that accepts the Purchasing Card.

BID EVALUATION

16. BID EVALUATION The Commissioner reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Bids, or separable portions of Bids, and waive technicalities, irregularities, and omissions if the Commissioner determines the best interests of the State will be served. The Commissioner, in his or her sole discretion, may accept or reject illegible, incomplete or vague Bids, and the Commissioner’s decision shall be final. A conditional or revocable Bid which clearly communicates the terms or limitations of acceptance may be considered, and Contract award may be made in compliance with the Bidder’s conditional or revocable terms in the Bid.

17. [RESERVED]

18. [RESERVED]

19. [RESERVED]

20. DEBRIEFINGS Pursuant to Section 163(9)(c) of the State Finance Law, any unsuccessful Bidder may request a debriefing regarding the reasons that the Bid submitted by the Bidder was not selected for award. Requests for a debriefing must be made within 15 calendar days of notification by OGS that the Bid submitted by the Bidder was not selected for award. Requests should be submitted in writing to a designated contact identified in the Solicitation.

21. CONTRACT PUBLICITY Any Contractor press or media releases, advertisements, or promotional literature, regardless of the medium, referring to an awarded Contract must be reviewed and approved by the Commissioner prior to issuance. In addition, Contractor shall not use, for any purpose, the New York State of Opportunity registered trademark or the New York State coat of arms without prior written approval from the State.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

22. [RESERVED]

23. CONTRACT TERM - EXTENSION In addition to any stated extension periods in the Contract, any Contract or portion thereof awarded by the Commissioner may be extended by mutual agreement of the Commissioner and the Contractor for an additional period of up to one year. Such extension for up to an additional one-year period may be exercised on a month-to-month basis or in other stated periods of time.

24. OFFICIAL USE ONLY/NO PERSONAL USE The Contract is only for official use by Authorized Users. Use of the Contract for personal or private purposes is strictly prohibited.

25. PARTICIPATION IN CENTRALIZED CONTRACTS

a. State Agencies All State Agencies may utilize and purchase under any Centralized Contract let by the Commissioner, unless the Solicitation limits purchases to specific State Agencies.

b. Non-State Agency Authorized Users Authorized Users other than State Agencies are permitted to make purchases through Centralized Contracts where permitted by law, the Contract or the Commissioner.

c. Voluntary Extension Purchase Orders issued against a Centralized Contract by any Authorized User not provided for in the Contract shall be honored by the Contractor at its discretion and only with the approval of the OGS Commissioner and any other approvals required by law.

d. Responsibility for Performance Participation in Centralized Contracts by Authorized Users is permitted upon the following

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 5 conditions: (i) the responsibility with regard to performance of any contractual obligation, covenant, condition or term thereunder by any Authorized User other than State Agencies shall be borne and is expressly assumed by such Authorized User and not by the State; (ii) a breach of the Contract by any particular Authorized User shall neither constitute nor be deemed a breach of the Contract as a whole which shall remain in full force and effect, and shall not affect the validity of the Contract nor the obligations of the Contractor thereunder respecting non-breaching Authorized Users, whether State or otherwise; (iii) for a breach by an Authorized User other than a State Agency, the State specifically and expressly disclaims any and all liability for such breach; and (iv) each non-State Agency Authorized User and Contractor guarantees to hold the State, its officers, agents and employees harmless from any liability that may be or is imposed by the non-State Agency Authorized User’s or Contractor’s failure to perform in accordance with its obligations under the Contract.

e. Contract Migration Authorized Users holding individual Contracts with a Contractor at the time that Contractor is awarded a Centralized Contract for the same Products shall be permitted to migrate to that Centralized Contract effective with its commencement date. Such migration shall not operate to diminish, alter or eliminate any right that the Authorized User otherwise had under the terms and conditions of their individual Contract.

26. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT TERMS The terms and conditions set forth in the Contract shall govern all transactions by Authorized Users under this Contract. The Contract may only be modified or amended upon mutual written agreement of the Commissioner and Contractor.

The Contractor may, however, offer any Authorized User more advantageous pricing, payment, or other terms and conditions than those set forth in the Contract. In such event, a copy of such terms shall be furnished to the Authorized User and Commissioner by the Contractor at the time of such offer.

Other than where such terms are more advantageous for the Authorized User than those set forth in the Contract, no alteration or modification of the terms of the Contract, including substitution of Product, shall be valid or binding against an Authorized User unless authorized by the Commissioner or specified in the Contract Award Notification. No such alteration or modification shall be made by unilaterally affixing such terms to Product upon delivery (including, but not limited to, attachment or inclusion of standard pre-printed order forms, product literature, “shrink wrap” terms accompanying software upon delivery, or other documents) or by incorporating such terms onto order forms, Purchase Orders or other documents forwarded by the Contractor for payment, notwithstanding Authorized User’s subsequent acceptance of Product, or that Authorized User has subsequently processed such document for approval or payment.

27. SCOPE CHANGES The Commissioner reserves the right to require, by written order, changes to the scope of the Contract, provided that such changes do not materially alter the general scope of the Contract. If any such change causes an increase or decrease in the cost of, or the time required for, performance of any part of the work under the Contract, whether or not changed by the order, the Commissioner shall, upon notice from Contractor as hereafter stated, make an equitable adjustment in the Contract price, the delivery schedule or both and shall modify the Contract. The Contractor must assert its right to an adjustment under this clause within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written order. However, if the Commissioner decides that the facts justify it, the Commissioner may provide an adjustment without receipt of a notice from Contractor. In the event of a dispute between the Contractor and the Commissioner, such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the OGS Dispute Resolution Procedures; provided, however, that nothing in this clause shall excuse the Contractor from proceeding with the Contract as changed.

28. ESTIMATED/SPECIFIC QUANTITY CONTRACTS

Estimated quantity contracts, also referred to as indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts, are expressly agreed and understood to be made for only the quantities, if any, actually ordered during the Contract term. No guarantee of any quantity is implied or given.

With respect to any specific quantity stated in the Contract, the Commissioner reserves the right after award to order up to 20% more or less (rounded to the next highest whole number) than the specific quantities called for in the Contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commissioner may purchase greater or lesser percentages of Contract quantities should the Commissioner and Contractor so agree.

Such agreement may include an equitable price adjustment.

29. EMERGENCY CONTRACTS In the event that a disaster emergency is declared by Executive Order under Section 28 of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, or the Commissioner determines pursuant to his or her authority under Section 163(10)(b) of the State Finance Law that an emergency exists requiring the prompt and immediate delivery of Product, the Commissioner reserves the right to obtain such Product from any source, including but not limited to this Contract, as the Commissioner in his or her sole discretion determines will meet the needs of such emergency. Contractor shall not be entitled to any claim for lost profits for Product procured from other sources pursuant to this clause. The reasons underlying the finding that an emergency exists shall be included in the procurement record.

30. PURCHASE ORDERS Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Commissioner, no Product is to be delivered or furnished by Contractor until transmittal of an official Purchase Order from the Authorized User. Unless terminated or cancelled pursuant to the authority vested in the Commissioner, Purchase Orders shall be effective and binding upon the Contractor (i) in the case of formal written Purchase Orders, when placed in the mail prior to the termination of the Contract and addressed to the Contractor at the address for receipt of orders set forth in the Contract or in the Contract Award Notification or (ii) in the case of electronic Purchase Orders or Purchasing Card purchases, when electronically transmitted to the Contractor prior to the termination of the Contract.

All Purchase Orders issued pursuant to a Contract let by the Commissioner must be identified with the appropriate Contract number and, if necessary, required State approvals. As deemed necessary, the Authorized User may confirm pricing and other Product information with the Contractor prior to placement of the Purchase Order. The State reserves the right to require any other information from the Contractor which the State deems necessary in order to complete any Purchase Order placed under the Contract. Unless otherwise specified, all Purchase Orders against Centralized Contracts will be placed by Authorized Users directly with the Contractor and any discrepancy between the terms stated on the Contractor’s order form, confirmation or acknowledgment, and the Contract terms shall be resolved in favor of the terms most favorable to the Authorized User. Should an Authorized User add written terms and conditions to the Purchase Order that conflict with the terms and conditions of the Contract, the Contractor has the option of rejecting the Purchase Order within five business days of its receipt but shall first attempt to negotiate the additional written terms and conditions in good faith with the Authorized User, or fulfill the Purchase Order. Notwithstanding

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 6 the above, the Authorized User reserves the right to dispute any discrepancies arising from the presentation of additional terms and conditions with the Contractor.

31. PRODUCT DELIVERY Delivery must be made as ordered to the address specified on the Purchase Order and in accordance with the terms of the Contract. Delivery shall be made within 30 calendar days after receipt of a Purchase Order by the Contractor, unless otherwise agreed to by the Authorized User and the Contractor. The decision of the Commissioner as to compliance with delivery terms shall be final.

The burden of proof for delay in receipt of a Purchase Order shall rest with the Contractor. In all instances of a potential or actual delay in delivery, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Commissioner and the Authorized User, and confirm in writing the explanation of the delay, and take appropriate action to avoid any subsequent late deliveries. Any extension of time for delivery must be requested in writing by the Contractor and approved in writing by the Authorized User. If compliance with the delivery time schedule is a material term of the Contract, failure to meet such delivery time schedule may be grounds for cancellation of the order or, in the Commissioner’s discretion, the Contract.

32. WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY DELIVERIES Unless otherwise specified in the Contract or by an Authorized User, deliveries will be scheduled for ordinary business hours, Monday through Friday (excluding legal holidays observed by the State of New York).

Deliveries may be scheduled by mutual agreement for Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays observed by the State of New York where the Product is for daily consumption, an emergency exists, the delivery is a replacement, delivery is late, or other reasonable circumstance in which event the convenience of the Authorized User shall govern.

33. [RESERVED]

34. [RESERVED]

35. [RESERVED]

36. [RESERVED]

37. [RESERVED]

38. [RESERVED]

39. EMPLOYEES, SUBCONTRACTORS AND AGENTS All employees, Subcontractors, or agents of the Contractor performing work under the Contract must be trained staff or technicians who meet or exceed the professional, technical, and training qualifications set forth in the Contract or the Purchase Order, and must comply with all security and administrative requirements of the Authorized User that are communicated to the Contractor. The Commissioner and the Authorized User reserve the right to conduct a security background check or otherwise approve any employee, Subcontractor, or agent furnished by Contractor and to refuse access to or require replacement of any personnel for cause based on professional, technical or training qualifications, quality of work or change in security status or non-compliance with Authorized User’s security or other requirements. Such approval shall not relieve the Contractor of the obligation to perform all work in compliance with the Contract or the Purchase Order. The Commissioner and the Authorized User reserve the right to reject and/or bar from any facility for cause any employee, Subcontractor, or agent of the Contractor.

40. ASSIGNMENT In accordance with Section 138 of the State Finance Law, the Contractor shall not assign, transfer, convey, sublet, or otherwise dispose of the Contract or its right, title or interest therein, or its power to execute such Contract to any other person, company, firm or corporation in performance of the Contract without the prior written consent of the Commissioner or Authorized User (as applicable); provided, however, any consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, delayed or denied. The Commissioner may waive the requirement that such consent be obtained in advance where the Contractor verifies that the assignment, transfer, conveyance, sublease, or other disposition is due to, but not necessarily limited to, a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Contractor’s business entity or enterprise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the State shall not hinder, prevent or affect assignment of money by a Contractor for the benefit of its creditors. Prior to a consent to assignment of monies becoming effective, the Contractor shall file a written notice of such monies assignments with the State Comptroller. Prior to a consent to assignment of a Contract, or portion thereof, becoming effective, the Contractor shall submit the request for assignment to the Commissioner and seek written agreement from the Commissioner which will be filed with the State Comptroller. Commissioner shall use reasonable efforts to promptly respond to any request by Contractor for an assignment, provided that Contractor supplies sufficient information about the party to whom the Contractor proposes to assign the Contract.

Upon notice to the Contractor, the Contract may be assigned without the consent of the Contractor to another State Agency or subdivision of the State pursuant to a governmental reorganization or assignment of functions under which the functions are transferred to a successor Agency or to another Agency that assumes OGS responsibilities for the Contract.

41. SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS The Commissioner reserves the right to reject any proposed Subcontractor or supplier for bona fide business reasons, including, but not limited to: the company failed to solicit New York State certified minority- and women-owned business enterprises as required in prior OGS Contracts; the fact that such Subcontractor or supplier is on the New York State Department of Labor’s list of companies with which New York State cannot do business; the Commissioner’s determination that the company is not qualified or is not responsible; or the fact that the company has previously provided unsatisfactory work or services.

42. SUSPENSION OF WORK The Commissioner, in his or her sole discretion, reserves the right to suspend any or all activities under the Contract, at any time, in the best interests of the Authorized User.

In the event of such suspension, the Contractor will be given a formal written notice outlining the particulars of such suspension. Examples of the reason for such suspension include, but are not limited to, a budget freeze or reduction in State spending, declaration of emergency, contract compliance issues or other circumstances. Upon issuance of such notice, the Contractor is not to accept any Purchase Orders, and shall comply with the suspension order. Activity may resume at such time as the Commissioner issues a formal written notice authorizing a resumption of performance under the Contract.

An Authorized User may issue a formal written notice for the suspension of work for which it has engaged the Contractor for reasons specified in the above paragraph. The written notice shall set forth the reason for such suspension and a copy of the written notice shall be provided to the Commissioner.

43. TERMINATION

a. For Cause For a material breach that remains uncured for more than 30 calendar days or other longer period as specified by written notice

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 7 to the Contractor, the Contract or Purchase Order may be terminated by the Commissioner or Authorized User respectively. Neither the State nor an Authorized User shall be liable for any of Contractor’s costs arising from the failure to perform or the termination, including without limitation costs incurred after the date of termination. Such termination shall be upon written notice to the Contractor. In such event, the Commissioner or Authorized User may complete the contractual requirements in any manner it may deem advisable and pursue available legal or equitable remedies for breach.

b. For Convenience This Contract may be terminated at any time by the Commissioner for convenience upon 60 calendar days or other longer period as specified by written notice, without penalty or other early termination charges due. Such termination of the Contract shall not affect any project or Purchase Order that has been issued under the Contract prior to the date of such termination. If the Contract is terminated pursuant to this subdivision, the Authorized User shall remain liable for all accrued but unpaid charges incurred through the date of the termination. Contractor shall use due diligence and fulfill any outstanding Purchase Orders.

c. For Violation of Sections 139-j and 139-k of the State Finance Law The Commissioner reserves the right to terminate the Contract in the event it is found that the certification filed by the Bidder in accordance with Section 139-k of the State Finance Law was intentionally false or intentionally incomplete. Upon such finding, the Commissioner may exercise his or her termination right by providing written notification to the Contractor in accordance with the written notification terms of the Contract.

d. For Violation of Section 5-a of the New York State Tax Law The Commissioner reserves the right to terminate the Contract in the event it is found that the certification filed by the Contractor in accordance with Section 5-a of the Tax Law is not timely filed during the term of the Contract or the certification furnished was intentionally false or intentionally incomplete. Upon such finding, the Commissioner may exercise his or her termination right by providing written notification to the Contractor in accordance with the written notification terms of the Contract.

e. For Non-Responsibility The Bidder agrees that if it is found by the State that the Bidder’s responses to the Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire were intentionally false or intentionally incomplete, on such finding, the Commissioner may terminate the Contract.

Upon written notice to the Contractor, and a reasonable opportunity to be heard with appropriate OGS officials or staff, the Contract may be terminated by the Commissioner at the Contractor’s expense where the Contractor is determined by the Commissioner to be non-responsible.

In such event, the Commissioner may complete the contractual requirements in any manner he or she may deem advisable and pursue available legal or equitable remedies for breach.

In no case shall such termination of the Contract by the State be deemed a breach thereof, nor shall the State be liable for any damages for lost profits or otherwise, which may be sustained by the Contractor as a result of such termination.

f. Upon Conviction of Certain Crimes The Commissioner reserves the right to terminate the Contract in the event it is found that a member, partner, director or officer of Contractor is convicted of one or more of the following: Bribery Involving Public Servants and Related Offenses as defined in Article 200 of the New York State Penal Law; Corrupting the Government as defined in Article 496 of the New York State Penal Law; or Defrauding the Government as defined in Section 195.20 of the New York State Penal Law.

44. SAVINGS/FORCE MAJEURE A force majeure occurrence is an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled and is not due to the negligence or willful misconduct of the affected party. Force majeure includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, acts of war, acts of public enemies, terrorism, strikes, fires, explosions, actions of the elements, floods, or other similar causes beyond the control of the Contractor or the Commissioner in the performance of the Contract where non-performance, by exercise of reasonable diligence, cannot be prevented.

The affected party shall provide the other party with written notice of any force majeure occurrence as soon as the delay is known and provide the other party with a written contingency plan to address the force majeure occurrence, including, but not limited to, specificity on quantities of materials, tooling, people, and other resources that will need to be redirected to another facility and the process of redirecting them. Furthermore, the affected party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to resume proper performance within an appropriate period of time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the force majeure condition continues beyond 30 days, the parties to the Contract shall jointly decide on an appropriate course of action that will permit fulfillment of the parties’ objectives under the Contract.

The Contractor agrees that in the event of a delay or failure of performance by the Contractor under the Contract due to a force majeure occurrence:

a. The Commissioner may purchase from other sources (without recourse to and by the Contractor for the costs and expenses thereof) to replace all or part of the Products which are the subject of the delay, which purchases may be deducted from the Contract quantities without penalty or liability to the State, or

b. The Contractor will provide Authorized Users with access to Products first in order to fulfill orders placed before the force majeure event occurred. The Commissioner agrees that Authorized Users shall accept allocated performance or deliveries during the occurrence of the force majeure event.

Neither the Contractor nor the Commissioner shall be liable to the other for any delay in or failure of performance under the Contract due to a force majeure occurrence. Any such delay in or failure of performance shall not constitute default or give rise to any liability for damages. The existence of such causes of such delay or failure shall extend the period for performance to such extent as determined by the Contractor and the Commissioner to be necessary to enable complete performance by the Contractor if reasonable diligence is exercised after the cause of delay or failure has been removed.

Notwithstanding the above, at the discretion of the Commissioner where the delay or failure will significantly impair the value of the Contract to the State or to Authorized Users, the Commissioner may terminate the Contract or the portion thereof which is subject to delays, and thereby discharge any unexecuted portion of the Contract or the relative part thereof.

In addition, the Commissioner reserves the right, in his or her sole discretion, to make an equitable adjustment in the Contract terms and/or pricing should extreme and unforeseen volatility in the marketplace affect pricing or the availability of supply. “Extreme and unforeseen volatility in the marketplace” is defined as market circumstances which meet the following criteria: (i) the volatility is due to causes outside the control of Contractor; (ii) the volatility

AUGUST 2023 23269 Project Based Information Technology Consulting Services (Statewide) 8 affects the marketplace or industry, not just the particular Contract source of supply; (iii) the effect on pricing or availability of supply is substantial; and (iv) the volatility so affects…