Standards_of_Conduct.doc

Standards of Conduct

General. The contractor (i.e., POV, PSC) shall maintain satisfactory standards of competency, conduct, cleanliness, appropriate dress and integrity. The Contractor shall adhere to standards of conduct that reflect credit on themselves and the United States Government. Except as noted, the Contracting Officer reserves the right to immediately “Terminate the Contract for Default” for failure to comply with the standards of conduct delineated herein and as follows

(a) Use of Government Furnished Equipment (“GFE”) and misappropriation of Government Furnished Materials (“GFM”). The Contractor shall restrict their use of Government Furnished Equipment (e.g., computers, telephones, video equipment, copying or fax machines, or the internet) and Government Furnished Materials (e.g., paper, ink, pens, replenish- able office supplies) to the performance of the work prescribed herein. Contractor use of GFE or GFM for personal or other reasons may result in immediate “Termination for Default” as noted previously.

(b) Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct. Disruptive activities which interfere with the normal and efficient broadcast operations and disorderly conduct including but not limited to: (1) use of abusive or offensive language, (2) quarreling, (3) carrying of weapons, (4) intimidation by words and/or actions, (5) sexual harassment, or (6) offensive physical contact do not contribute to the accomplishment of the objective of the contract and shall not be tolerated or condoned. The Government/Agency has exclusive discretion in the determination as to what behavior is disorderly or disruptive to normal broadcast operations.

(c) Intoxicants and Narcotics. The contractor shall not possess, sell, consume, or be under the influence of intoxicants such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or other controlled substances (i.e., narcotics) while on government leased, rented or owned premises, or while performing the work prescribed herein.

(d) Job Competency. Acceptance of a Delivery or Task Order serves as the Contractor’s confirmation that they are fully qualified to perform the work. Failure to possess the requisite skills (e.g., inadequate proficiency in the language or culture) may be deemed as evidence of misrepresentation and grounds for immediate Termination for Default as noted previously.

(e) Accurate Invoicing. The Contractor shall submit invoices that properly reflect the work performed. Submittal of an invoice that does not accurately reflect or otherwise misrepresents the work performed, may be considered fraud subjecting the Contractor to immediate “Termination for Cause.”

(f) Misrepresentation of Contractual Relationship/Conflict of Interest. The Contractor shall not take any actions, produce any documentation, or disseminate any information via any medium which misrepresents the character of the independent contractual relationship created by this Contract or which conflicts with the mission and goals of the Government/Agency, including but not limited to: (1) creation of business cards, letterheads, or promotional materials utilizing government logos or other identifiable markings; (2) creation of a web site or internet blog containing Government/Agency logos, symbols, or other identifiable markings, or purporting to represent the Government/Agency (3) attempting to enter into agreements with third parities purporting to have contractual or other authority to legally bind the Government/Agency. A violation of this paragraph may subject the Contractor to an immediate “Termination for Cause.”

(g) Criminal or other Legal Actions. Nothing in this section is in lieu of any legal actions that may be taken by or on behalf of the government in the protection of its rights, property or interest. In certain circumstances the Contractor may be subject to criminal actions as allowed by law. Criminal charges may be pursued for the following actions, including but not limited to: falsification or unlawful concealment, removal, mutilation, or destruction of any official documents, electronic files, or records; or concealment of material facts by willful omission from official documents, electronic files, or hard copy records; unauthorized use of Government property, theft, vandalism, or immoral conduct; unethical or improper use of official authority or credentials; security violations; organizing or participating in gambling in any form in the work place and/or utilizing GFE or GFM for such purposes; and unlawful possession of weapons.