City_of_Bridgeport_Contractor_Agreement.docx

AGREEMENT

[INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR]

THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into this ______ day of _______________, 2024, by and between the CITY OF BRIDGEPORT (the “City), a municipal corporation existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “City”), acting herein by _______________, its ________, and [INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR] (the “Contractor”), a ____ organized and existing under the laws of the State of __________, having a principal place of business located at __________________________, acting herein by [ENTITY’S OFFICER], its [ENTITY’S OFFICER’S TITLE], duly authorized.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the City is in need of ________________ services (the “Services”); and accordingly, the City issued a Request for Proposals dated ____________ #__________________ (hereinafter referred to as “RFP Solicitation”) copies of which are attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement as Exhibit 1; and

WHEREAS, in response to the City’s RFP Solicitation, the Contractor submitted a Proposal dated _____________ and received on ______________, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement as Exhibit 2; and

WHEREAS, the City desires to retain the services of the Contractor based on the Contractor’s representations in its Proposal that it is qualified and capable of performing the needed Services in a professional and timely manner and in accordance with the goals and requirements of the City;

WHEREAS, Contractor has agreed to perform the Services described herein for the compensation and in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

1. ENGAGEMENT OF CONTRACTOR

A. The Parties hereby agree that the Contractor shall be available to the City throughout the term of this Agreement, in accordance with the terms and conditions and for the consideration set forth herein.

B. The person in charge of administering this Agreement on behalf of the City shall be [COB Representative], [COB Representative’s Title] or such other person as the City may designate in writing (the “Director.”)

C. The person responsible for the Services to be performed by the Contractor hereunder shall be [ENTITY’S OFFICER], its [ENTITY’S OFFICER’S TITLE].

D. The Parties understand and agree that the Contractor is engaged only for the purposes and to the limited extent set forth in this Agreement. The Contractor’s relationship to the City and any of its agencies shall, during the term of this Agreement, be that of an independent contractor. Neither the Contractor, nor any of its agents, employees or personnel shall be considered, under the provisions of this Agreement or for any purposes hereunder, as having an “employee” status or as being entitled to participate in any benefits accrued by or given to City employees, including, but not limited to, vacation, sick time, holiday, health insurance, Workers’ Compensation coverage and pension. The Contractor hereby expressly waives any clam to such benefits.

2. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED

A. The Parties are entering into this Agreement for the purpose of retaining the Contractor to provide the Services detailed and delineated in the RFP Solicitation. Throughout the term hereof, the Contractor shall be available at the request of the City to perform the services required by the City pursuant to this Agreement in a professional and skillful manner in compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, requirements and standards of practice and care, and the specifications defined by the Director. Such Services may be amended or modified at the discretion of the City, as circumstances require.

B. In providing the Services, the Contractor warrants and represents as follows:

i. that it has, and has exercised, the required corporate power and authority and has complied with all applicable legal requirements necessary to adopt, execute and deliver this Agreement and to assume the responsibilities and obligations created hereunder; and

ii. that this Agreement is duly executed and delivered by an authorized corporate representative, in accordance with such representative’s powers to bind the Contractor hereunder, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, conditions and provisions; and

iii. that it is a legally existing limited liability company existing under the laws of its state of organization, that it is registered and in good standing with the State of Connecticut Secretary of State, and that it has not previously filed, nor is presently contemplating filing, nor has received notice of a petition of, nor contemplates receiving notice of a petition of, bankruptcy, liquidation, receivership or any other action for the protection of creditors or debtors; and

iv. that it has the financial resources to perform this Agreement and that it is not the subject of any litigation or action, pending or threatened, regarding this Agreement or which, if resulting in an adverse decision, would affect its ability to perform its duties under this Agreement; and

v. that it has the requisite skill, expertise, judgment, knowledge, experience and financial resources to perform this Agreement as required under its terms and that it is not the subject of any litigation or action, pending or threatened, regarding this Agreement or which, if resulting in an adverse decision, would affect its ability to perform its duties under this Agreement; and

vi. that it has a sufficient number of experienced and properly licensed personnel available to perform the requested Services on behalf of the City, as may be needed from time to time throughout the term of this Agreement; and

vii. that it will be available to meet with the Director or his representatives and with members of the ________________ department of the City as appropriate; and with other entities as directed by the City, with regard to the services performed hereunder.

C. The City may, from time to time, request changes in the scope of Services the Contractor is required to perform hereunder. Such changes, including any increase or decrease in the amount of the Contractor's compensation, which are mutually agreed upon by and between the City and the Contractor, shall be valid only when incorporated in written amendments signed by both parties to this Agreement.

D. The Contractor shall retain in its possession all documents related to the performance of its services hereunder, for a period of five (5) years following the completion of such Services, unless notified in writing by the City of the need to extend the retention period.

3. TIME PROVISIONS:

The term of this Agreement shall be ______ Years/Days/Months commencing on the date this Agreement is fully executed by the Parties and expiring ______ years therefrom. (“Initial Term”). The City shall have ______ options to extend the Initial Term of this Agreement (each, an “Option”) for consecutive periods of ______ year each (the Option Term and Initial Term collectively referred to herein as the “Term”) upon the same terms and conditions as the Initial Term except the pricing structure shall adjust as shown herein in Section 4. Each Option may be exercised unilaterally by the City by sending written notice to Contractor at any time prior to the conclusion of the Initial Terms or, Extension Term, as applicable.

4. COMPENSATION:

A. Compensation. The City shall compensate the Contractor for the satisfactory completion of the Services and all of the Contractor's duties, obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement, subject to additions and deductions as herein provided, the total annual sum of the base Proposal not to exceed _________ DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($____.00),:

i. Alternates.

a. Alternate 1 shall be compensated at an amount not to exceed _________ DOLLARS AND 00/100 CENTS ($____.00), for the Term of the Agreement and any extension thereto.

b. Alternate 2 shall be compensated at an amount not to exceed:

ii. Unauthorized Charges. Payment shall constitute full compensation for all labor, equipment, incidentals, materials, and disposal of unsuitable material in a legal manner, to complete and establish the work specified. Compensation provided under this Agreement constitutes full and complete payment for all costs assumed by the Contractor in performing this Agreement. No direct costs shall be reimbursed by the City without specific, prior written approval signed by the Director.

B. Payments. Payment of the Compensation set forth herein shall be made to the Consultant as follows:

i. Progress Payments. Payment of the Compensation set forth in this Agreement shall be made monthly for the Services completed during the prior month showing the value of the Services rendered by the Contractor.

ii. Schedule of Values. Prior to commencing the Work, the Contractor shall submit to the City a detailed Schedule of Values showing the breakdown of the total contract price into its various parts for approval. The City may modify the Schedule of Values or may require additional information or a more detailed breakdown of costs, subject to their final approval. All Applications for Payments will thereafter be submitted according to the approved payment Schedule.

iii. Requisitions for Payment. Payments to the Contractor under this Agreement shall be made by the City on approval of payment requisitions certified by the Contractor upon the satisfactory completion of any Services ordered by the City. Each requisition shall be in a form acceptable to the City shall set forth the hours of work performed, the Services completed and any other information that may be required by the City.

iv. Acceptance of Payment. The acceptance by the Contractor, its heirs or assigns, of any payment made on the basis of a requisition submitted under this Agreement, or of any final payment due on termination of this Agreement shall constitute a full and complete release of the City from any and all claims, demands and causes of action whatsoever which the Contractor, its heirs or assigns have or may have against the City under the provisions of this Agreement.

C. Non-appropriation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be deemed binding only to the extent that funds are available to and appropriated by the City for payment in accordance with the terms hereof. No liability on account of this Agreement shall be incurred by the City beyond the funding available or appropriated, the City will immediately notify the necessary funding is not available or appropriated, the City will immediately notify the Contractor and the Parties will discuss and agree upon a modified Scope of Services.

5. TERMINATION

A. The City may at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, terminate this Agreement by written notice specifying the termination date, which shall be not less than fifteen (15) days from the date such notice is given. Except as otherwise provided herein, in the event of such termination, the Contractor's Services shall be paid for in such amount as shall compensate the Contractor for the Services satisfactorily completed prior to termination. Such amount shall be fixed by the City after consultation with the Contractor, and shall be subject to audit by the City’s Comptroller. Termination under this section shall not give rise to any claim against the City for damages or for compensation in addition to that provided hereunder.

B. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure the professional Services of the Contractor, including the Contractor's personnel and equipment. Failure of the Contractor for any reason to make such personnel and equipment reasonably available to the City to the extent required by the City in order to perform the Services required in a professional manner shall be cause for termination of this Agreement.

6. DEFAULT

A. The following shall constitute an Event of Default:

i. The City reasonably believes Contractor will be unable to perform this Agreement fully and satisfactorily within the time fixed for performance; or

ii. The City reasonably believes a meritorious claim exists or will exist against the Contractor or the City arising out of the negligent, willful or wanton acts, errors or omissions of the Contractor, its agents, servants or employees, or

iii. the Contractor's breach of this Agreement;

B. Upon an Event of Default, the City may withhold payment of any amount otherwise due and payable to the Contractor hereunder after written notice to the Contractor with sufficient details of the alleged circumstance and accounting of the amount of payment withheld. Any amount so withheld may be retained by the City for such period as it may deem advisable to protect the City against any loss and may, after written notice to the Contractor, be applied in satisfaction of any claim herein described. This provision is intended solely for the benefit of the City, and no person shall have any right or claim against the City by reason of the City's failure or refusal to withhold monies. No interest shall be payable by the City on any amounts withheld under this provision. This provision is not intended to limit or in any way prejudice any other right of the City.

7. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY REQUIRMENTS:

A. The Contractor shall, at its sole cost, obtain and maintain throughout the effective period of this Agreement the insurance coverage specified by the Insurance Rider attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and shall keep all such insurance in continuous effect for two (2) years following the date the Director indicates the termination of the Contractor's responsibilities hereunder. All insurance shall be taken out and maintained at no cost or expense to the City and the Contractor shall be responsible for the full amount of any deductible. Each insurance policy shall be endorsed to name the City as an additional insured party on a primary and noncontributory basis.

Before commencing performance of any Services hereunder the Contractor shall furnish to the City a Certificate of Insurance and shall thereafter provide renewal certificates, as appropriate, evidencing such coverage written by a company or companies acceptable to the City. Such certificate and renewal certificates shall provide for a notice of cancellation, lapse or restrictive amendment by certified or registered mail at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date thereof. With the exception of the professional liability coverage, all required insurance shall not be issued on a per occurrence basis only.

The Contractor shall require each of its subcontractors, if any, to procure and maintain until the completion of that subcontractor's services, insurance of the types and in the amounts specified in Exhibit 3. The Contractor shall ensure that all its subcontractors comply with the insurance requirements contained herein relating to such subcontractors.

B. The Contractor shall indemnify, defend and save harmless the City, its officers, agents, servants and employees, from and against any and all claims, suits, proceedings, liabilities, judgments, losses, costs and damages, caused in whole or in part by the negligent, willful or wanton actions or omissions of the Contractor, its agents, servants, representatives, subcontractors, or employees in connection with the performance of this Agreement. The Contractor hereby assumes and agrees to pay for the defense of all such claims, damages, demands, suits and proceedings. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the expiration or early termination of this Agreement and shall not be limited by reason of any insurance coverage provided.

8. GUARANTEE: If applicable, In accordance with the RFP and Contractor’s Proposal, Contractor hereby affirms all ____________________ purchased from Contractor by the City shall be guaranteed for a period of ___ years.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS:

A. The City may at any time, and for any reason, direct the suspension of the Services contemplated under this Agreement for a period of time by written notice specifying the suspension date, which shall not be less than five (5) days from the date on which such notice is given. The Services shall be resumed on the dates specified in such direction, or upon such other date as the City may thereafter specify in writing. Any suspension of Services under this paragraph shall not give rise to any claim against the City.

B. Claims Against the City. The Contractor shall not assert any claim arising out of any act or omission by any agent, officer or employee of the City in the execution or performance of this Agreement against any such agent, officer or employee. Such claims may only be made against the City.

C. Conflicts of Interest. No member of the governing body of the City, and no other officer, employee, or agent of the City shall have any personal interest, direct or indirect, in this Agreement, except as permitted by the Code of Ethics of the City of Bridgeport; and the Contractor covenants that no person having such interest shall be employed in the performance of this Agreement

D. Ownership of Work Product. The products of the Services performed under this Agreement, including all materials prepared or document or information compiled hereunder, whether in draft or final format, and regardless of the method of storage or state of same, shall become and remain the property of the City and shall be forwarded to the City in hard copy and digital format. This shall include all partially completed Services, documents, memoranda, work product or other materials and reports in the event that the Agreement is terminated or Contractor is unable or unwilling to complete them for any reason. City shall be the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in any such work product, including all intellectual property rights therein.

E. Standard of Performance. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and codes of the State of Connecticut and the City of Bridgeport and shall conform its performance of the Services to generally prevailing standards of professional care, employed by professionals practicing in the same or similar circumstances and geographical area.

F. Non-Discrimination. During the performance of this Agreement, the Contractor agrees not to discriminate nor to permit any discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability, physical disability including, but not limited to blindness, unless it is proven that the disability or characteristic prevents proper performance of the work involved. The Contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability including, but not limited to blindness.

G. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (specifically including all schedules, addenda, riders and exhibits) incorporates all the understandings of the Parties hereto and supersedes any and all agreements reached by the Parties prior to the execution of this Agreement, whether oral or written.

H. Assignment. The City and the Contractor each binds itself and its successors and assigns to the other party and to its successors and assigns with respect to all covenants of this Agreement. The Contractor shall not assign or transfer any interest in this Agreement without the prior written approval of the City.

I. Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby if such provisions would then continue to conform to the requirements of applicable laws. The remaining provisions shall thereupon continue in full force and effect.

J. Modifications. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and executed by all parties to this Agreement.

K. Notices. All notices of any nature referred to in this Agreement shall be in writing and sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the respective addresses set forth below or to such other addresses as the respective parties hereto may designate in writing:

Notices shall be deemed to have been duly given, delivered or served either upon personal delivery or three (3) days following the date when they are sent by registered mail with proper postage.

L. Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, and any action at law in connection herewith shall be brought in the State of Connecticut, Judicial District of Bridgeport.

M. Headings. Headings are for reference purposes only and have no substantive effect.

N. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. None of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any person or entity other than the Parties hereto and their permitted successors or assigns.

O. Partial Waiver. The waiver of any provision in this Agreement in one instance shall not preclude enforcement thereof on future occasions.

10. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE

This Agreement may be executed and delivered via facsimile or electronic mail by either of the parties and the receiving party may rely on the receipt of such document so executed and delivered via facsimile or electronically as if the original had been received.

Dated at Bridgeport, Connecticut, the day and year first above written.

: CITY OF BRIDGEPORT

By:____________________________

[INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR]

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

By:__________________________