Agreement for Professional Consulting And

SAMPLE AGREEMENT ONLY - SCOPE, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING AND

SUPPORT SERVICES

THIS AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING AND SUPPORT SERVICES is made on the date countersigned by the City Controller, by and between the CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS (the "City"), a Texas Home Rule City of the State of Texas principally situated in Harris County, and VENDOR (the "Contractor"), an [STATE][ENTITY] business in Texas (collectively, “Parties”, or singly, “Party”).

I. PARTIES

A. Address

The initial addresses of the parties, which one party may change by giving written notice to the other party, are as follows:

City Contractor

The Parties agree as follows:

B. Table of Contents

This Agreement consists of the following sections:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

I. PARTIES 1

A. Address 1

B. Table of Contents 2

C. Parts Incorporated 4

D. Controlling Parts 4

E. Signatures 5

II. DEFINITIONS 6

III. DUTIES OF CONTRACTOR 7

A. Scope of Services 7

B. Coordinate Performance and Contractor’s Personnel 7

C. Reports 7

D. Schedule of Performance 8

E. Time Extensions 8

F. Additional Services and Authorization for Additional Services 8

G. Prompt Payment of Subcontractors 8

H. Personnel of Contractor 8

I. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION 9

J. INDEMNIFICATION – SUBCONTRACTOR’S INDEMNITY 10

K. INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES 10

L. Insurance 11

M. Warranties 12

N. Data Security and Liability for Loss or Corruption of Data 13

O. Confidentiality - Protection of City’s Interest 15

P. Use of Work Products and Ownership 15

Q. Licenses and Permits 17

R. Compliance with Laws 17

S. Compliance with Equal Opportunity Ordinance 17

T. Minority and Women Business Enterprises 17

U. Drug Abuse Detection and Deterrence 18

V. Environmental Laws 19

W. Conflicts of Interest 19

X. Pay or Play 19

IV. DUTIES OF CITY 20

A. Payment Terms 20

B. Expenses and Reimbursement 20

C. Taxes 20

D. Method of Payment 20

E. Limit of Appropriation 22

F. Suspension of Performance 23

G. Changes 23

H. Access to Site 24

I. Access to Data 25

J. Re-appropriation of Budget Items 25

K. Early Payment 25

V. TERM AND TERMINATION 25

A. Contract Term 25

B. Renewals 26

C. Termination for Convenience by City 26

D. Termination for Cause by City 26

E. Termination for Cause by Contractor 27

F. Effect of Termination 27

VI. MISCELLANEOUS 27

A. Independent Contractor 27

B. Force Majeure 28

C. Severability 29

D. Entire Agreement 29

E. Written Amendment 29

F. Applicable Laws 29

G. Notices 29

H. Captions 29

I. Non-Waiver 29

J. Inspections and Audits 30

K. Enforcement 30

L. Ambiguities 30

M. Survival 30

N. Publicity 30

O. Risk of Loss 30

P. Parties In Interest 31

Q. Successors and Assigns 31

R. Business Structure and Assignments 31

S. Dispute Resolution 31

T. Remedies Cumulative 31

U. CONTRACTOR DEBT 32

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A – Scope of Services

Exhibit B – Fee Schedule

Exhibit C – Service Level Agreement and Service Credits

Exhibit D – Drug Policy Compliance Agreement

Exhibit E – Certification of No Safety Impact Positions in Performance of a City Contract

Exhibit F – Drug Policy Compliance Declaration

C. Parts Incorporated

The above described exhibits are incorporated into this Agreement.

D. Controlling Parts

If a conflict among the sections and exhibits arises, the Sections control over the Exhibits.

E. Signatures

The Parties have executed this Agreement in multiple copies, each of which is an original.

ATTEST/SEAL (if a corporation): VENDOR

WITNESS (if not a corporation):

By:______By:______

Name: Name:

Title: Title:

Tax ID:

ATTEST/SEAL: CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS

Signed by:

______

City Secretary Mayor

APPROVED: COUNTERSIGNED BY:

______

Director, ______City Controller

Department

______

Chief Procurement Officer

APPROVED AS TO FORM: DATE COUNTERSIGNED:

______

Assistant City Attorney II

L.D. File No. ______

II. DEFINITIONS

In addition to the words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, following terms, whether used in the singular or plural, have the meanings set out below:

A.  “Agreement” means this contract between the Parties, including all exhibits and any written amendments authorized by City Council and Contractor.

B.  “City” is defined in the preamble of this Agreement and includes its successors and assigns.

C.  “City Attorney” means the City Attorney of the City of Houston or the person he/she designates.

D.  “City Information” or “Information” is defined in Section III.O of this Agreement.

E.  “Chief Procurement Officer” (CPO) is the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Houston, as set forth in Chapter 15 of the Houston Code of Ordinances.

F.  “Contractor” is defined in the preamble of this Agreement and includes its successors and assigns.

G.  “Countersignature Date” means the date shown as the date countersigned on the signature page of this Agreement.

H.  “Credit” means the dollar amount Contractor is obligated to pay to City for defaults in Service Level and is further described in Exhibit “C” of this Agreement.

I.  “Director” means the Director of the Department of Houston Information Technology Services, or the person he or she designates.

J.  “Letter of Authorization” or “LOA” means the fully executed document the Director sends to Contractor authorizing certain services to be performed in accordance with this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references to LOA in this Agreement shall mean an LOA issued in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement.

K.  “Notice to Proceed” means a written communication from the Director that authorizes Contractor to begin performance of work.

L.  “Not to Exceed” or “NTE” means the maximum amount for which Contractor has agreed to provide services in connection with a Project or LOA.

M.  “Project” means the services to be performed as authorized by individual Letters of Authorization in accordance with this Agreement. The work described in each Letter of Authorization is an individual Project.

N.  “Reimbursable Expenses” means (i) upon prior written approval of the Director, the ordinary and reasonable costs of travel to and from the City of Houston by Contractor’s employees or subcontractors, not to exceed the amount established under the City’s then-current travel reimbursement policy for its employees, including automobile mileage reimbursement, common carrier coach or economy fares, ground transportation expenses, and, for overnight trips, the cost of lodging and meals if such travel is reasonably necessary to accomplish a task directly related to the Project, and reservations are made as far in advance as feasible; and (ii) sales tax related to Contractor’s services under this Agreement which it is legally required to pay.

O.  “Service Level” means the level of support in measurable terms and requirements and further described in Exhibit C of this Agreement that Contractor is providing to City under this Agreement or Project or LOA.

P.  “Works” means as defined in Section III.P of this Agreement.

III. DUTIES OF CONTRACTOR

A. Scope of Services

Contractor’s performance under this Agreement is divided into two categories of services: (1) “Basic Services” which are included in the Scope of Work and further described and set out in Exhibit “A” Sections I, II, III, IV, V, and VI; and (2) “Additional Services” as needed by City, as set out in Exhibit “A” Section VII. The Scope of Services also includes the matters set out in this section. In consideration of the payment specified in this Agreement, Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, and supervision necessary to perform the Basic Services, and if requested by the Director or her designee(s), the Additional Services.

B. Coordinate Performance and Contractor’s Personnel

Contractor shall coordinate its performance with the Director and other persons that the Director designates. Contractor shall promptly inform the Director and other person(s) of all significant events relating to the performance of this Agreement.

C. Reports

Contractor shall submit all reports and progress updates required by the Director and as specified under this Agreement.

D. Schedule of Performance

Contractor shall begin and complete its obligations in accordance with either (1) the Project Schedule contained in Exhibit “A” or (2) the detailed project schedule developed after the City and Contractor begins performance, whichever the Director specifies. Contractor shall perform its obligations under this Agreement diligently.

E. Time Extensions

If Contractor requests an extension of time to complete its performance, then the Director, in consultation with the CPO, may, in his or her sole discretion, extend the time so long as the extension does not exceed thirty days. The extension must be in writing but does not require amendment of this Agreement. Contractor is not entitled to damages for delay(s) regardless of the cause of the delay(s).

F. Additional Services and Authorization for Additional Services

If adequate funds are available under Section III.E. and if the Director provides Contractor with specific, written authorization, including but not limited to a LOA, Contractor shall perform the Additional Services set forth in Exhibit “A” Section VII. The City shall pay Contractor for the Additional Services at the prices set out in Exhibit “B” Table B-2 (Rate Card for Additional Services). The total charges for additions and deletions to this Agreement may not exceed 25% of the original contract amount unless the Additional Services are exempt from competitive bidding or proposal requirements set forth in Chapter 252 of the Local Government Code, or the City acquires the Additional Services from Contractor through competitive bids or proposals.

G. Prompt Payment of Subcontractors

In accordance with the Texas Prompt Payment Act, Contractor shall make timely payments to all persons and entities supplying labor, materials, or equipment for the performance of this Agreement. CONTRACTOR SHALL DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY THE CITY FROM ANY CLAIMS OR LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF CONTRACTOR’S FAILURE TO MAKE THESE PAYMENTS.

H. Personnel of Contractor

Contractor shall make citizen and City personnel satisfaction a priority in providing services under this Agreement. Contractor shall train its employees and personnel to be customer service-oriented and to positively and politely interact with citizens and City personnel when performing contract services. Contractor’s employees shall be clean, courteous, efficient, and neat in appearance and committed to offering the highest quality of service to the public. If, in the Director’s opinion, Contractor is not interacting in a positive and polite manner with citizens or City personnel, he or she shall direct Contractor to take all remedial steps to conform to these standards. Contractor shall replace any of its personnel or subcontractors assigned to a Project whose work product is deemed unsatisfactory by the Director.

I.  RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION

(1)  CONTRACTOR AGREES TO AND SHALL RELEASE THE CITY, ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY THE “CITY”) FROM ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY, DEATH, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH OR INCIDENTAL TO PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF THE INJURY, DEATH, DAMAGE, OR LOSS IS CAUSED BY THE CITY’S SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE AND/OR THE CITY’S STRICT PRODUCTS LIABILITY OR STRICT STATUTORY LIABILITY.

(2)  CONTRACTOR AGREES TO AND SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD THE CITY, ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY THE “CITY”) HARMLESS FOR ALL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, LIABILITIES, FINES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, COURT COSTS, AND ALL OTHER DEFENSE COSTS AND INTEREST) FOR INJURY, DEATH, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH OR INCIDENTAL TO PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE CAUSED BY:

(a) CONTRACTOR’S AND/OR ITS AGENTS’, EMPLOYEES’, OFFICERS’, DIRECTORS’,CONTRACTORS’,ORSUBCONTRACTORS’ (COLLECTIVELY IN NUMBERED PARAGRAPHS 1-3, "CONTRACTOR") ACTUAL OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL ACTS OR OMISSIONS;

(b) THE CITY’S AND CONTRACTOR’S ACTUAL OR ALLEGED CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER CONTRACTOR IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY OR NOT; AND

(c) THE CITY’S AND CONTRACTOR’S ACTUAL OR ALLEGED STRICT PRODUCTS LIABILITY OR STRICT STATUTORY LIABILITY, WHETHER CONTRACTOR IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY OR NOT.

CONTRACTOR SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD THE CITY HARMLESS DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR FOUR YEARS AFTER THE AGREEMENT TERMINATES. CONTRACTOR’S INDEMNIFICATION IS LIMITED TO $1,000,000 PER OCCURRENCE. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT INDEMNIFY THE CITY FOR THE CITY’S SOLE NEGLIGENCE.

(3)  CONTRACTOR AGREES TO AND SHALL RELEASE AND DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE CITY, ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY THE “CITY”) FROM ALL CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST THE CITY BY ANY PARTY, INCLUDING CONTRACTOR, ALLEGING THAT THE CITY'S USE OF ANY EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, PROCESS, OR DOCUMENTS CONTRACTOR FURNISHES DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT INFRINGES ON A PATENT, COPYRIGHT, OR TRADEMARK, OR MISAPPROPRIATES A TRADE SECRET. CONTRACTOR SHALL PAY ALL COSTS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES, COURT COSTS, AND ALL OTHER DEFENSE COSTS, AND INTEREST) AND DAMAGES AWARDED. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT SETTLE ANY CLAIM ON TERMS WHICH PREVENT THE CITY FROM USING THE EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, PROCESS, AND DOCUMENTS WITHOUT THE CITY’S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER BEING NOTIFIED OF THE CLAIM, CONTRACTOR SHALL, AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, EITHER (1) OBTAIN FOR THE CITY THE RIGHT TO CONTINUE USING THE EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, PROCESS, AND DOCUMENTS OR, (2) IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE, REPLACE OR MODIFY THEM WITH COMPATIBLE AND FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT PRODUCTS. IF NONE OF THESE ALTERNATIVES IS REASONABLY AVAILABLE, THE CITY MAY RETURN THE EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, OR DOCUMENTS, OR DISCONTINUE THE PROCESS, AND CONTRACTOR SHALL REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE

J. INDEMNIFICATION - SUBCONTRACTOR'S INDEMNITY

CONTRACTOR SHALL REQUIRE ALL OF ITS SUBCONTRACTORS (AND THEIR SUBCONTRACTORS) TO RELEASE AND INDEMNIFY THE CITY TO THE SAME EXTENT AND IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME FORM AS ITS RELEASE AND INDEMNITY TO THE CITY.

K. INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES

(1) Notice of Claims. If the City or Contractor receives notice of any claim or circumstances which could give rise to an indemnified loss, the receiving party shall give written notice to the other party within 30 days. The notice must include the following:

(a) a description of the indemnification event in reasonable detail,

(b) the basis on which indemnification may be due, and

(c) the anticipated amount of the indemnified loss.