Telemedicine_Services_FA_ProForma.pdf

10.31.24 FA

CONTRACT

BETWEEN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE,

DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITY AND AGING

AND

CONTRACTOR NAME

This Contract, by and between the State of Tennessee, Department of Disability and Aging (“State”) and Contractor Legal Entity Name (“Contractor”), is for the provision of Telemedicine Services, as further defined in the "SCOPE." State and Contractor may be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the “Parties” to this Contract.

The Contractor is a/an Individual, For-Profit Corporation, Non-Profit Corporation, Special Purpose Corporation Or Association, Partnership, Joint Venture, Or Limited Liability Company.

Contractor Place of Incorporation or Organization: Location Contractor Edison Registration ID # Number

A. SCOPE:

A.1. The Contractor shall provide all goods or services and deliverables as required, described, and detailed below and shall meet all service and delivery timelines as specified by this Contract.

A.2. Definitions. For purposes of this Contract, definitions shall be as follows and as outlined in the Contract:

a. “TN START AST” – Means The Tennessee START Assessment and Stabilization Teams, a statewide resource for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have complex behavioral and/or mental health needs provided by the Department of Disability and Aging and the National Center for START Services.

b. “Evidence-Based Medicine” - Means the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.

The practice of evidence based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research

c. “TN START Therapeutic Resource and Respite Homes” – Means two (2), four (4) person homes in a community-based, voluntary short-term therapeutic setting for people who experience the need for an out of home placement for stabilization but do not require in-patient hospitalization.

A.3. The Contractor shall provide for emergency or after-hours telemedicine services, and shall be available to answer medical questions or perform medical evaluations via videoconferencing twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. The Contractor's medical evaluation shall include an evaluation, video-assisted examination when indicated, treatment plan, and discussion with the patient or caregiver.

A.4. The Contractor shall provide primary care telemedicine services via videoconferencing for patients in need of medical attention at the Harold Jordan Center Facility.

A.5. The Contractor shall provide telemedicine admission medical assessment and clearance to be conducted no later than the first business day after admission for two (2), four (4) person TN START Therapeutic Resource and Respite Homes.

A.6. The Contractor shall provide follow-up consultations, as needed, during the hours of coverage by the Contractor. The Contractor shall ensure that follow-up consultations are initiated by either the Contractor's practitioner or the State official in charge of the sites listed in Attachment B.

A.7. The Contractor shall have the Contractor's practitioner communicate with either the emergency department staff or hospital staff in order to streamline treatment if a treatment plan involves transferring during the hours of coverage by the Contractor. The decision regarding which facility will receive the patient shall only be made by the emergency department staff.

A.8. The Contractor shall document the answer/result of a question or medical evaluation in the site's electronic record or provide a copy of the documentation through secure fax, secure email, or through access to the Contractor's proprietary database.

A.9. The Contractor shall share the results of a medical evaluation or the answer to a question with the patient's primary care physician or, when requested, with the patient's specialist by the process mutually agreed upon with State officials in charge as listed in Attachment B.

A.10. The Contractor shall provide an interpreter or arrange for any necessary communication assistance, when necessary.

A.11. The Contractor shall render services to forty (40) sites, which are listed in Attachment B.

A.12. The Contractor shall provide an overview of the program and services to the State official in charge of each of the sites listed in Attachment B.

A.13. The Contractor shall utilize Evidence-Based Medicine in the care and treatment of individuals.

A.14. The Contractor shall provide data documenting the services to the State officials in charge of the sites listed in Attachment B.

A.15. The Contractor shall provide monthly reports on a timely basis to the State, as mutually agreed upon between the Contractor and the State officials in charge of the sites listed in Attachment B. At a minimum, the Contractor shall ensure that the monthly reports include the following:

a. number of calls by hour, day, week and month;

b. diagnosis;

c. outcome; and

d. monthly summary.

A.16. The Contractor shall provide maintenance and repair of connection issues with Contractor's platform within seventy-two (72) hours of initial notification from the State.

A.17. The Contractor shall limit resources to US-Based (onshore) resources only.

A.17. Warranty. Contractor represents and warrants that the term of the warranty (“Warranty Period”) shall be the greater of the Term of this Contract or any other warranty generally offered by Contractor, its suppliers, or manufacturers to customers of its goods or services. The goods or services provided under this Contract shall conform to the terms and conditions of this Contract throughout the Warranty Period. Any nonconformance of the goods or services to the terms and conditions of this Contract shall constitute a “Defect” and shall be considered “Defective.” If Contractor receives notice of a Defect during the Warranty Period, then Contractor shall correct the Defect, at no additional charge.

Contractor represents and warrants that the State is authorized to possess and use all equipment, materials, software, and deliverables provided under this Contract.

Contractor represents and warrants that all goods or services provided under this Contract shall be provided in a timely and professional manner, by qualified and skilled individuals, and in conformity with standards generally accepted in Contractor’s industry.

If Contractor fails to provide the goods or services as warranted, then Contractor will re-provide the goods or services at no additional charge. If Contractor is unable or unwilling to re-provide the goods or services as warranted, then the State shall be entitled to recover the fees paid to Contractor for the Defective goods or services. Any exercise of the State’s rights under this Section shall not prejudice the State’s rights to seek any other remedies available under this Contract or applicable law.

A.18. Inspection and Acceptance. The State shall have the right to inspect all goods or services provided by Contractor under this Contract. If, upon inspection, the State determines that the goods or services are Defective, the State shall notify Contractor, and Contractor shall re-deliver the goods or provide the services at no additional cost to the State. If after a period of thirty (30) days following delivery of goods or performance of services the State does not provide a notice of any Defects, the goods or services shall be deemed to have been accepted by the State.

B. TERM OF CONTRACT:

B.1. This Contract shall be effective for the period beginning on April 11, 2025 (“Effective Date”) and ending on April 10, 2028, (“Term”). The State shall have no obligation for goods delivered or services provided by the Contractor prior to the Effective Date.

B.2. Renewal Options. This Contract may be renewed upon satisfactory completion of the Term. The

State reserves the right to execute up to two (2) renewal options under the same terms and conditions for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months each by the State, at the State's sole option. In no event, however, shall the maximum Term, including all renewals or extensions, exceed a total of sixty (60) months.

C. PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

C.1. Maximum Liability. In no event shall the maximum liability of the State under this Contract exceed Written Dollar Amount ($Number) (“Maximum Liability”). This Contract does not grant the Contractor any exclusive rights. The State does not guarantee that it will buy any minimum quantity of goods or services under this Contract. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Contract, the Contractor will only be paid for goods or services provided under this Contract after a purchase order is issued to Contractor by the State or as otherwise specified by this Contract.

C.2. Compensation Firm. The payment methodology in Section C.3. of this Contract shall constitute the entire compensation due the Contractor for all goods or services provided under this Contract regardless of the difficulty, materials or equipment required. The payment methodology includes all applicable taxes, fees, overhead, and all other direct and indirect costs incurred or to be incurred by the Contractor.

C.3. Payment Methodology. The Contractor shall be compensated based on the payment methodology for goods or services authorized by the State in a total amount as set forth in Section C.1.

a. The Contractor’s compensation shall be contingent upon the satisfactory provision of goods or services as set forth in Section A.

b. The Contractor shall be compensated based upon the following payment methodology:

Goods or Services Description Amount (per compensable increment)

Unlimited telemedicine services for up to 230 people, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. This applies to the state-run ICF homes, the TN Strong Homes, and the TN START Therapeutic Resource and Respite Homes as indicated in Attachment B.

$ / per person per month

Primary care services at the Harold Jordan Center, not to exceed 10 hours per month

$ / per hour, not to exceed 10 hours per month

Admission medical assessment and clearance for two (2), four

(4) person TN START Therapeutic Respite and Resource Homes

$ / per month

Telemedicine services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for HCBS waiver members with unlimited encounters per month

$ / per person per month

Equipment/Connection Costs (breakdown as indicated below) Tablet purchase/lease.

Tablet & diagnostic equipment (stethoscope, BP machine, pulse oximeter) purchase/lease.

Cellular Service diagnostic equipment only (as above) purchase /lease

Delivery/Setup fee (optional)

Tablet - purchase $ / per unit

Tablet - lease $ / per unit / per month

Tablet & diagnostic equipment - purchase $ / per unit

Tablet & diagnostic equipment- lease $ / per unit / per month

Cellular service diagnostic equipment only - purchase $ / per unit

Cellular service diagnostic equipment only - lease $ / per unit / per month

Delivery/Setup fee (optional) $ / per unit

C.4. Travel Compensation. The Contractor shall not be compensated or reimbursed for travel time, travel expenses, meals, or lodging.

C.5. Invoice Requirements. The Contractor shall invoice the State only for goods delivered and accepted by the State or services satisfactorily provided at the amounts stipulated in Section C.3., above. Contractor shall submit invoices and necessary supporting documentation, no more frequently than once a month, and no later than thirty (30) days after goods or services have been provided to the following address:

Department of Disability and Aging Fiscal Services

UBS Building, 8th Floor 315 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243

DDA.Invoicing@tn.gov (preferred)

a. Each invoice, on Contractor’s letterhead, shall clearly and accurately detail all of the following information (calculations must be extended and totaled correctly):

(1) Invoice number (assigned by the Contractor);

(2) Invoice date;

(3) Contract number (assigned by the State);

(4) Customer account name: Department of Disability and Aging;

(5) Customer account number (assigned by the Contractor to the above-referenced

Customer);

(6) Contractor name;

(7) Contractor Tennessee Edison registration ID number;

(8) Contractor contact for invoice questions (name, phone, or email);

(9) Contractor remittance address;

(10) Description of delivered goods or services provided and invoiced, including identifying information as applicable;

(11) Number of delivered or completed units, increments, hours, or days as applicable, of each good or service invoiced;

(12) Applicable payment methodology (as stipulated in Section C.3.) of each good or service invoiced;

(13) Amount due for each compensable unit of good or service; and

(14) Total amount due for the invoice period.

b. Contractor’s invoices shall:

(1) Only include charges for goods delivered or services provided as described in

Section A and in accordance with payment terms and conditions set forth in Section C;

(2) Only be submitted for goods delivered or services completed and shall not include any charge for future goods to be delivered or services to be performed;

(3) Not include Contractor’s taxes, which includes without limitation Contractor’s sales and use tax, excise taxes, franchise taxes, real or personal property taxes, or income taxes; and

(4) Include shipping or delivery charges only as authorized in this Contract.

c. The timeframe for payment (or any discounts) begins only when the State is in receipt of an invoice that meets the minimum requirements of this Section C.5.

C.6. Payment of Invoice. A payment by the State shall not prejudice the State's right to object to or question any payment, invoice, or other matter. A payment by the State shall not be construed as acceptance of goods delivered, any part of the services provided, or as approval of any amount invoiced.

C.7. Invoice Reductions. The Contractor's invoice shall be subject to reduction for amounts included in any invoice or payment that is determined by the State, on the basis of audits conducted in accordance with the terms of this Contract, to not constitute proper compensation for goods delivered or services provided.

C.8. Deductions. The State reserves the right to deduct from amounts, which are or shall become due and payable to the Contractor under this or any contract between the Contractor and the State of Tennessee, any amounts that are or shall become due and payable to the State of Tennessee by the Contractor.

C.9. Prerequisite Documentation. The Contractor shall not invoice the State under this Contract until the State has received the following, properly completed documentation.

mailto:DDA.Invoicing@tn.gov

a. The Contractor shall complete, sign, and present to the State the "Authorization Agreement for Automatic Deposit Form" provided by the State. By doing so, the Contractor acknowledges and agrees that, once this form is received by the State, payments to the Contractor, under this or any other contract the Contractor has with the State of Tennessee, may be made by ACH; and

b. The Contractor shall complete, sign, and return to the State the State-provided W-9 form.

The taxpayer identification number on the W-9 form must be the same as the Contractor's Federal Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number referenced in the Contractor’s Edison registration information.

D. MANDATORY TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

D.1. Required Approvals. The State is not bound by this Contract until it is duly approved by the

Parties and all appropriate State officials in accordance with applicable Tennessee laws and regulations. Depending upon the specifics of this Contract, this may include approvals by the Commissioner of Finance and Administration, the Commissioner of Human Resources, the Comptroller of the Treasury, and the Chief Procurement Officer. Approvals shall be evidenced by a signature or electronic approval.

D.2. Communications and Contacts. All instructions, notices, consents, demands, or other communications required or contemplated by this Contract shall be in writing and shall be made by certified, first class mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, by overnight courier service with an asset tracking system, or by email or facsimile transmission with recipient confirmation. All communications, regardless of method of transmission, shall be addressed to the respective Party at the appropriate mailing address, facsimile number, or email address as stated below or any other address provided in writing by a Party.

The State:

Bruce E. Davis, Ph.D.

Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Services

Department of Disability and Aging 315 Deaderick Street UBS Tower, 8th Floor Nashville, TN 37243

Bruce.Davis@tn.gov Telephone # (615) 852-1194

The Contractor:

Contractor Contact Name & Title Contractor Name Address Email Address Telephone # Number FAX # Number

All instructions, notices, consents, demands, or other communications shall be considered effective upon receipt or recipient confirmation as may be required.

D.3. Modification and Amendment. This Contract may be modified only by a written amendment signed by all Parties and approved by all applicable State officials.

D.4. Subject to Funds Availability. The Contract is subject to the appropriation and availability of State or federal funds. In the event that the funds are not appropriated or are otherwise unavailable, the State reserves the right to terminate this Contract upon written notice to the Contractor. The State’s exercise of its right to terminate this Contract shall not constitute a breach of Contract by the State. Upon receipt of the written notice, the Contractor shall cease all work associated with the Contract. If the State terminates this Contract due to lack of funds availability, the Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for all conforming goods requested and accepted by the State and for all satisfactory and authorized services completed as of the termination date. Should the State exercise its right to terminate this Contract due to unavailability of funds, the Contractor shall have no right to recover from the State any actual, general, special, incidental, consequential, or any other damages of any description or amount.

D.5. Termination for Convenience. The State may terminate this Contract for convenience without cause and for any reason. The State shall give the Contractor at least thirty (30) days written notice before the termination date. The Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for all conforming goods delivered and accepted by the State or for satisfactory, authorized services completed as of the termination date. In no event shall the State be liable to the Contractor for compensation for any goods neither requested nor accepted by the State or for any services neither requested by the State nor satisfactorily performed by the Contractor. In no event shall the State’s exercise of its right to terminate this Contract for convenience relieve the Contractor of any liability to the State for any damages or claims arising under this Contract.

D.6. Termination for Cause. If the Contractor fails to properly perform its obligations under this

Contract in a timely or proper manner, or if the Contractor materially violates any terms of this Contract (“Breach Condition”),the State shall have the right to immediately terminate the Contract and withhold payments in excess of compensation for completed services or provided goods.

Notwithstanding the above, the Contractor shall not be relieved of liability to the State for damages sustained by virtue of any Breach Condition and the State may seek other remedies allowed at law or in equity for breach of this Contract.

D.7. Assignment and Subcontracting. The Contractor shall not assign this Contract or enter into a subcontract for any of the goods or services provided under this Contract without the prior written approval of the State. Notwithstanding any use of the approved subcontractors, the Contractor shall be the prime contractor and responsible for compliance with all terms and conditions of this Contract. The State reserves the right to request additional information or impose additional terms and conditions before approving an assignment of this Contract in whole or in part or the use of subcontractors in fulfilling the Contractor’s obligations under this Contract.

D.8. Conflicts of Interest. The Contractor warrants that no part of the Contractor’s compensation shall be paid directly or indirectly to an employee or official of the State of Tennessee as wages, compensation, or gifts in exchange for acting as an officer, agent, employee, subcontractor, or consultant to the Contractor in connection with any work contemplated or performed under this Contract.

The Contractor acknowledges, understands, and agrees that this Contract shall be null and void if the Contractor is, or within the past six (6) months has been, an employee of the State of Tennessee or if the Contractor is an entity in which a controlling interest is held by an individual who is, or within the past six (6) months has been, an employee of the State of Tennessee.

D.9. Nondiscrimination. The Contractor hereby agrees, warrants, and assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of this Contract or in the employment practices of the Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by federal or state law. The Contractor shall, upon request, show proof of nondiscrimination and shall post in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

D.10. Prohibition of Illegal Immigrants. The requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-3-309 addressing the use of illegal immigrants in the performance of any contract to supply goods or services to the state of Tennessee, shall be a material provision of this Contract, a breach of which shall be grounds for monetary and other penalties, up to and including termination of this Contract.

a. The Contractor agrees that the Contractor shall not knowingly utilize the services of an illegal immigrant in the performance of this Contract and shall not knowingly utilize the services of any subcontractor who will utilize the services of an illegal immigrant in the performance of this Contract. The Contractor shall reaffirm this attestation by submitting to the State a completed Attestation (accessible through the Edison Supplier Portal) and included at Attachment A, semi-annually during the Term. If the Contractor is a party to more than one contract with the State, the Contractor may submit one attestation that applies to all contracts with the State. All Contractor attestations shall be maintained by the Contractor and made available to State officials upon request.

b. Prior to the use of any subcontractor in the performance of this Contract, and semi-annually thereafter, during the Term, the Contractor shall obtain and retain a current, written attestation that the subcontractor shall not knowingly utilize the services of an illegal immigrant to perform work under this Contract and shall not knowingly utilize the services of any subcontractor who will utilize the services of an illegal immigrant to perform work under this Contract. Attestations obtained from subcontractors shall be maintained by the Contractor and made available to State officials upon request.

c. The Contractor shall maintain records for all personnel used in the performance of this

Contract. Contractor’s records shall be subject to review and random inspection at any reasonable time upon reasonable notice by the State.

d. The Contractor understands and agrees that failure to comply with this section will be subject to the sanctions of Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-3-309 for acts or omissions occurring after its effective date.

e. For purposes of this Contract, "illegal immigrant" shall be defined as any person who is not: (i) a United States citizen; (ii) a Lawful Permanent Resident; (iii) a person whose physical presence in the United States is authorized; (iv) allowed by the federal Department of Homeland Security and who, under federal immigration laws or regulations, is authorized to be employed in the U.S.; or (v) is otherwise authorized to provide services under the Contract.

D.11. Records. The Contractor shall maintain documentation for all charges under this Contract. The books, records, and documents of the Contractor, for work performed or money received under this Contract, shall be maintained for a period of five (5) full years from the date of the final payment and shall be subject to audit at any reasonable time and upon reasonable notice by the State, the Comptroller of the Treasury, or their duly appointed representatives. The financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

D.12. Monitoring. The Contractor’s activities conducted and records maintained pursuant to this

Contract shall be subject to monitoring and evaluation by the State, the Comptroller of the Treasury, or their duly appointed representatives.

D.13. Progress Reports. The Contractor shall submit brief, periodic, progress reports to the State as requested.

D.14. Strict Performance. Failure by any Party to this Contract to require, in any one or more cases, the strict performance of any of the terms, covenants, conditions, or provisions of this Contract shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any term, covenant, condition, or provision. No term or condition of this Contract shall be held to be waived, modified, or deleted except by a written amendment signed by the Parties.

D.15. Independent Contractor. The Parties shall not act as employees, partners, joint venturers, or associates of one another. The Parties are independent contracting entities. Nothing in this Contract shall be construed to create an employer/employee relationship or to allow either Party to exercise control or direction over the manner or method by which the other transacts its business affairs or provides its usual services. The employees or agents of one Party are not employees or agents of the other Party.

D.16 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Contractor agrees that it will be responsible for compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) with respect to itself and its employees, including any obligation to report health insurance coverage, provide health insurance coverage, or pay any financial assessment, tax, or penalty for not providing health insurance. The Contractor shall indemnify the State and hold it harmless from any costs to the State arising from Contractor’s failure to fulfill its PPACA responsibilities for itself or its employees.

D.17. Limitation of State’s Liability. The State shall have no liability except as specifically provided in this Contract. In no event will the State be liable to the Contractor or any other party for any lost revenues, lost profits, loss of business, decrease in the value of any securities or cash position, time, goodwill, or any indirect, special, incidental, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages of any nature, whether based on warranty, contract, statute, regulation, tort (including but not limited to negligence), or any other legal theory that may arise under this Contract or otherwise.

The State’s total liability under this Contract (including any exhibits, schedules, amendments or other attachments to the Contract) or otherwise shall under no circumstances exceed the Maximum Liability. This limitation of liability is cumulative and not per incident.

D.18. Limitation of Contractor’s Liability. In accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-3-701, the

Contractor’s liability for all claims arising under this Contract shall be limited to an amount equal to two (2) times the Maximum Liability amount detailed in Section C.1. and as may be amended, PROVIDED THAT in no event shall this Section limit the liability of the Contractor for: (i) intellectual property or any Contractor indemnity obligations for infringement for third-party intellectual property rights; (ii) any claims covered by any specific provision in the Contract providing for liquidated damages; or (iii) any claims for intentional torts, criminal acts, fraudulent conduct, or acts or omissions that result in personal injuries or death. For clarity, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Section, Contractor’s indemnification obligations and other remedies available under this Contract are subject to the limitations on liability set forth in this Section.

D.19. Hold Harmless. The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the State of Tennessee as well as its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, and causes of action which may arise, accrue, or result to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity which may be injured or damaged as a result of acts, omissions, or negligence on the part of the Contractor, its employees, or any person acting for or on its or their behalf relating to this Contract. The Contractor further agrees it shall be liable for the reasonable cost of attorneys’ fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses for the State to enforce the terms of this Contract.

In the event of any suit or claim, the Parties shall give each other immediate notice and provide all necessary assistance to respond. The failure of the State to give notice shall only relieve the Contractor of its obligations under this Section to the extent that the Contractor can demonstrate actual prejudice arising from the failure to give notice. This Section shall not grant the Contractor, through its attorneys, the right to represent the State in any legal matter, as the right to represent the State is governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-6-106.

D.20. HIPAA Compliance. As applicable, the State and Contractor shall comply with obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act and any other relevant laws and regulations regarding privacy (collectively the “Privacy Rules”). The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Contract.

a. Contractor warrants to the State that it is familiar with the requirements of the Privacy

Rules, and will comply with all applicable requirements in the course of this Contract.

b. Contractor warrants that it will cooperate with the State, including cooperation and coordination with State privacy officials and other compliance officers required by the

Privacy Rules, in the course of performance of the Contract so that both parties will be in compliance with the Privacy Rules.

c. The State and the Contractor will sign documents, including but not limited to business associate agreements, as required by the Privacy Rules and that are reasonably necessary to keep the State and Contractor in compliance with the Privacy Rules. This provision shall not apply if information received or delivered by the parties under this Contract is NOT “protected health information” as defined by the Privacy Rules, or if the Privacy Rules permit the parties to receive or deliver the information without entering into a business associate agreement or signing another document.

d. The Contractor will indemnify the State and hold it harmless for any violation by the

Contractor or its subcontractors of the Privacy Rules. This includes the costs of responding to a breach of protected health information, the costs of responding to a government enforcement action related to the breach, and any fines, penalties, or damages paid by the State because of the violation.

D.21. Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. Subject to statutory exceptions contained in Tenn.

Code Ann. §§ 8-36-801, et seq., the law governing the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (“TCRS”), provides that if a retired member of TCRS, or of any superseded system administered by TCRS, or of any local retirement fund established under Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 8- 35-101, et seq., accepts State employment, the member's retirement allowance is suspended during the period of the employment. Accordingly and notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, the Contractor agrees that if it is later determined that the true nature of the working relationship between the Contractor and the State under this Contract is that of “employee/employer” and not that of an independent contractor, the Contractor, if a retired member of TCRS, may be required to repay to TCRS the amount of retirement benefits the Contractor received from TCRS during the Term.

D.22. Tennessee Department of Revenue Registration. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable registration requirements contained in Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 67-6-601 – 608. Compliance with applicable registration requirements is a material requirement of this Contract.

D.23. Debarment and Suspension. The Contractor certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it, its current and future principals, its current and future subcontractors and their principals:

a. are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any federal or state department or agency;

b. have not within a three (3) year period preceding this Contract been convicted of, or had a civil judgment rendered against them from commission of fraud, or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, state, or local) transaction or grant under a public transaction; violation of federal or state antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification, or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;

c. are not presently indicted or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity

(federal, state, or local) with commission of any of the offenses detailed in section b. of this certification; and

d. have not within a three (3) year period preceding this Contract had one or more public transactions (federal, state, or local) terminated for cause or default.

The Contractor shall provide immediate written notice to the State if at any time it learns that there was an earlier failure to disclose information or that due to changed circumstances, its principals or the principals of its subcontractors are excluded, disqualified, or presently fall under any of the prohibitions of sections a-d.

D.24. Force Majeure. “Force Majeure Event” means fire, flood, earthquake, elements of nature or acts of God, wars, riots, civil disorders, rebellions or revolutions, acts of terrorism or any other similar cause beyond the reasonable control of the Party except to the extent that the non-performing Party is at fault in failing to prevent or causing the default or delay, and provided that the default or delay cannot reasonably be circumvented by the non-performing Party through the use of alternate sources, workaround plans or other means. A strike, lockout or labor dispute shall not excuse either Party from its obligations under this Contract. Except as set forth in this Section, any failure or delay by a Party in the performance of its obligations under this Contract arising from a Force Majeure Event is not a default under this Contract or grounds for termination. The non-performing Party will be excused from performing those obligations directly affected by the Force Majeure Event, and only for as long as the Force Majeure Event continues, provided that the Party continues to use diligent, good faith efforts to resume performance without delay. The occurrence of a Force Majeure Event affecting Contractor’s representatives, suppliers, subcontractors, customers or business apart from this Contract is not a Force Majeure Event under this Contract. Contractor will promptly notify the State of any delay caused by a Force Majeure Event (to be confirmed in a written notice to the State within one (1) day of the inception of the delay) that a Force Majeure Event has occurred, and will describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Force Majeure Event. If any Force Majeure Event results in a delay in Contractor’s performance longer than forty-eight (48) hours, the State may, upon notice to Contractor: (a) cease payment of the fees for the affected obligations until Contractor resumes performance of the affected obligations; or (b) immediately terminate this Contract or any purchase order, in whole or in part, without further payment except for fees then due and payable. Contractor will not increase its charges under this Contract or charge the State any fees other than those provided for in this Contract as the result of a Force Majeure Event.

D.25. State and Federal Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all State and federal laws and regulations applicable to Contractor in the Contractor’s performance of this Contract.

D.26. Governing Law. This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its conflict or choice of law rules. The Tennessee Claims Commission or the state or federal courts in Tennessee shall be the venue for all claims, disputes, or disagreements arising under this Contract. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that any rights, claims, or remedies against the State of Tennessee or its employees arising under this Contract shall be subject to and limited to those rights and remedies available under Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 9-8-101 - 408.

D.27. Entire Agreement. This Contract is complete and contains the entire understanding between the

Parties relating to its subject matter, including all the terms and conditions of the Parties’ agreement. This Contract supersedes any and all prior understandings, representations, negotiations, and agreements between the Parties, whether written or oral.

D.28. Severability. If any terms and conditions of this Contract are held to be invalid or unenforceable as a matter of law, the other terms and conditions of this Contract shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect. The terms and conditions of this Contract are severable.

D.29. Headings. Section headings of this Contract are for reference purposes only and shall not be construed as part of this Contract.

D.30. Incorporation of Additional Documents. Each of the following documents is included as a part of this Contract by reference. In the event of a discrepancy or ambiguity regarding the Contractor’s duties, responsibilities, and performance under this Contract, these items shall govern in order of precedence below:

a. any amendment to this Contract, with the latter in time controlling over any earlier amendments;

b. this Contract with any attachments or exhibits (excluding the items listed at subsections

c. through f., below), which includes Attachment A & B;

c. any clarifications of or addenda to the Contractor’s proposal seeking this Contract;

d. the State solicitation, as may be amended, requesting responses in competition for this Contract;

e. any technical specifications provided to proposers during the procurement process to award this Contract; and

f. the Contractor’s response seeking this Contract.

D.31. Iran Divestment Act. The requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-12-101, et seq., addressing contracting with persons as defined at Tenn. Code Ann. §12-12-103(5) that engage in investment activities in Iran, shall be a material provision of this Contract. The Contractor certifies, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that it is not on the list created pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-12-106.

D.32. Insurance. Contractor shall maintain insurance coverage as specified in this Section. The State reserves the right to amend or require additional insurance coverage, coverage amounts, and endorsements required under this Contract. Contractor’s failure to maintain or submit evidence of insurance coverage, as required, is a material breach of this Contract. If Contractor loses insurance coverage, fails to renew coverage, or for any reason becomes uninsured during the Term, Contractor shall immediately notify the State. All insurance companies providing coverage must be: (a) acceptable to the State; (b) authorized by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (“TDCI”); and (c) rated A- / VII or better by A.M. Best. All coverage must be on a primary basis and noncontributory with any other insurance or self-insurance carried by the State.

Contractor agrees to name the State as an additional insured on any insurance policy with the exception of workers’ compensation (employer liability) and professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance. All policies must contain an endorsement for a waiver of subrogation in favor of the State. Any deductible or self insured retention (“SIR”) over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) must be approved by the State. The deductible or SIR and any premiums are the Contractor’s sole responsibility. The Contractor agrees that the insurance requirements specified in this Section do not reduce any liability the Contractor has assumed under this Contract including any indemnification or hold harmless requirements.

To achieve the required coverage amounts, a combination of an otherwise deficient specific policy and an umbrella policy with an aggregate meeting or exceeding the required coverage amounts is acceptable. For example: If the required policy limit under this Contract is for two million dollars ($2,000,000) in coverage, acceptable coverage would include a specific policy covering one million dollars ($1,000,000) combined with an umbrella policy for an additional one million dollars ($1,000,000). If the deficient underlying policy is for a coverage area without aggregate limits (generally Automobile Liability and Employers’ Liability Accident), Contractor shall provide a copy of the umbrella insurance policy documents to ensure that no aggregate limit applies to the umbrella policy for that coverage area. In the event that an umbrella policy is being provided to achieve any required coverage amounts, the umbrella policy shall be accompanied by an endorsement at least as broad as the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (also known as “ISO”) “Noncontributory—Other Insurance Condition” endorsement or shall be written on a policy form that addresses both the primary and noncontributory basis of the umbrella policy if the State is otherwise named as an additional insured.

Contractor shall provide the State a certificate of insurance (“COI”) evidencing the coverages and amounts specified in this Section. The COI must be on a form approved by the TDCI (standard ACORD form preferred). The COI must list each insurer’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number and be signed by an authorized representative of the insurer. The COI must list the State of Tennessee – CPO Risk Manager, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 3rd floor Central Procurement Office, Nashville, TN 37243 as the certificate holder. Contractor shall provide the COI ten (10) business days prior to the Effective Date and again thirty (30) calendar days before renewal or replacement of coverage. Contractor shall provide the State evidence that all subcontractors maintain the required insurance or that subcontractors are included under the Contractor’s policy. At any time, the State may require Contractor to provide a valid COI.

The Parties agree that failure to provide evidence of insurance coverage as required is a material breach of this Contract. If Contractor self-insures, then a COI will not be required to prove coverage. Instead Contractor shall provide a certificate of self-insurance or a letter, on Contractor’s letterhead, detailing its coverage, policy amounts, and proof of funds to reasonably cover such expenses. The State reserves the right to require complete copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.

The State agrees that it shall give written notice to the Contractor as soon as practicable after the State becomes aware of any claim asserted or made against the State, but in no event later than thirty (30) calendar days after the State becomes aware of such claim. The failure of the State to give notice shall only relieve the Contractor of its obligations under this Section to the extent that the Contractor can demonstrate actual prejudice arising from the failure to give notice. This Section shall not grant the Contractor or its insurer, through its attorneys, the right to represent the State in any legal matter, as the right to represent the State is governed by Tenn. Code Ann.

§ 8-6-106.

The insurance obligations under this Contract shall be: (1)—all the insurance coverage and policy limits carried by the Contractor; or (2)—the minimum insurance coverage requirements and policy limits shown in this Contract; whichever is greater. Any insurance proceeds in excess of or broader than the minimum required coverage and minimum required policy limits, which are applicable to a given loss, shall be available to the State. No representation is made that the minimum insurance requirements of the Contract are sufficient to cover the obligations of the Contractor arising under this Contract. The Contractor shall obtain and maintain, at a minimum, the following insurance coverages and policy limits.

a. Commercial General Liability (“CGL”) Insurance

1) The Contractor shall maintain CGL, which shall be written on an ISO Form CG 00 01 occurrence form (or a substitute form providing equivalent coverage) and shall cover liability arising from property damage, premises and operations products and completed operations, bodily injury, personal and advertising injury, and liability assumed under an insured contract (including the tort liability of another assumed in a business contract).

The Contractor shall maintain single limits not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this policy or location of occurrence or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.

b. Workers’ Compensation and Employer Liability Insurance

1) For Contractors statutorily required to carry workers’ compensation and employer liability insurance, the Contractor shall maintain:

i. Workers’ compensation in an amount not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) including employer liability of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per accident for bodily injury by accident, one million dollars ($1,000,000) policy limit by disease, and one million dollars ($1,000,000) per employee for bodily injury by disease.

2) If the Contractor certifies that it is exempt from the requirements of Tenn. Code

Ann. §§ 50-6-101 – 103, then the Contractor shall furnish written proof of such exemption for one or more of the following reasons:

i. The Contractor employs fewer than five (5) employees;

ii. The Contractor is a sole proprietor;

iii. The Contractor is in the construction business or trades with no employees;

iv. The Contractor is in the coal mining industry with no employees;

v. The Contractor is a state or local government; or

vi. The Contractor self-insures its workers’ compensation and is in compliance with the TDCI rules and Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-6-405.

c. Automobile Liability Insurance

1) The Contractor shall maintain automobile liability insurance which shall cover liability arising out of any automobile (including owned, leased, hired, and non-owned automobiles).

2) The Contractor shall maintain bodily injury/property damage with a limit not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence or combined single limit.

d. Professional Liability Insurance

i. Professional liability insurance shall be written on an occurrence basis or on a claims-made basis. If this coverage is written on a claims-made basis, then:

1. The retroactive date must be shown, and must be on or before the earlier of the Effective Date of the Contract or the beginning of Contract work or provision of goods and services;

2. Insurance must be maintained and evidence of insurance must be provided for at least five (5) full years from the date of the final Contract payment; and

3. If coverage is canceled or non-renewed, and not replaced with another claims-made policy form with a retroactive date on or prior to the Contract Effective Date, the Contractor must purchase “extended reporting” or “tail coverage” for a minimum of five (5) full years from the date of the final Contract payment.

ii. Any professional liability insurance policy shall have a limit not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per claim and two million dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate; and

iii. If the Contract involves the provision of services by medical professionals, a policy limit not less than three million ($3,000,000) per claim and three million dollars ($3,000,000) in the aggregate for medical malpractice insurance.

D.33. Major Procurement Contract Sales and Use Tax. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-39-102 and to the extent applicable, the Contractor and the Contractor’s subcontractors shall remit sales and use taxes on the sales of goods or services that are made by the Contractor or the Contractor’s subcontractors and that are subject to tax.

D.34. Confidentiality of Records. Strict standards of confidentiality of records and information shall be maintained in accordance with applicable state and federal law. All material and information, regardless of form, medium or method of communication, provided to the Contractor by the State or acquired by the Contractor on behalf of the State that is regarded as…