Purchasing Terms and Conditions

1.0 DEFINITION OF BUYER

The City of Fort Worth, its officers, agents, servants, authorized employees, vendors and subvendors who act on behalf of various City departments, bodies or agencies.

2.0 DEFINITION OF SELLER

The consultant, contractor, supplier, vendor or other provider of goods and/or services, its officers, agents, servants, employees, vendors and subvendors who act on behalf of the entity under a contract with the City of Fort Worth.

3.0 PUBLIC INFORMATION

Any information submitted to the City of Fort Worth (the “City”) may be requested by a member of the public under the Texas Public Information Act. See Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. §§ 552.002, 552.128(c) (West Supp. 2006). If the City receives a request for a Seller’s proprietary information, the Seller listed in the request will be notified and given an opportunity to make arguments to the Texas Attorney General’s Office (the “AG”) regarding reasons the Seller believes that its information may not lawfully be released. If Seller does not make arguments or the AG rejects the arguments Seller makes, Seller’s information will be released without penalty to the City.

4.0 PROHIBITION AGAINST PERSONAL INTEREST IN CONTRACTS

No officer or employee of Buyer shall have a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with Buyer or be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in the sale to Buyer of any land, materials, supplies or services, except on behalf of Buyer as an officer or employee. Any willful violation of this section shall constitute malfeasance in office, and any officer or employee found guilty thereof shall thereby forfeit his office or position. Any violation of this section with the knowledge, expressed or implied, of the person or corporation contracting with the City Council shall render the contract invalid by the City Manager or the City Council. (Chapter XXVII, Section 16, City of Fort Worth Charter)

5.0 ORDERS 

5.1 No employees of the Buyer or its officers, agents, servants, vendors or subvendors who act on behalf of various City departments, bodies or agencies are authorized to place orders for goods and/or services without providing approved contract numbers, purchase order numbers, or release numbers issued by the Buyer. The only exceptions are Purchasing Card orders and emergencies pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 252.022(a)(1), (2), or (3). In the case of emergencies, the Buyer’s Purchasing Division will place such orders.

5.2 Acceptance of an order and delivery on the part of the Seller without an approved contract number, purchase order number, or release number issued by the Buyer may result in rejection of delivery, return of goods at the Seller’s cost and/or non-payment.

6.0 SELLER TO PACKAGE GOODS

Seller will package goods in accordance with good commercial practice. Each shipping container, shall be clearly and permanently marked as follows: (a) Seller's name and address: (b) Consignee's name, address and purchase order or purchase change order number; (c) Container number and total number of containers, e.g., box 1 of 4 boxes; and (d) Number of the container bearing the packing slip. Seller shall bear the cost of packaging unless otherwise provided. Goods shall be suitably packed to secure lowest transportation costs and to conform to requirements of common carriers and any applicable specifications. Buyer's count or weight shall be final and conclusive on shipments not accompanied by packing lists.

7.0 SHIPMENT UNDER RESERVATION PROHIBITED 

Seller is not authorized to ship the goods under reservation, and no tender of a bill of lading will operate as a tender of goods.

8.0 TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS

The title and risk of loss of the goods shall not pass to Buyer until Buyer actually receives and takes possession of the goods at the point or points of delivery after inspection and acceptance of the goods.

9.0 DELIVERY TERMS AND TRANSPORTATION CHARGES

Freight terms shall be F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid and Allowed, unless delivery terms are specified otherwise in Seller's bid. Buyer agrees to reimburse Seller for transportation costs in the amount specified in Seller's bid or actual costs, whichever is lower, if the quoted delivery terms do not include transportation costs; provided, Buyer shall have the right to designate what method of transportation shall be used to ship the goods.

10.0 PLACE OF DELIVERY

The place of delivery shall be set forth in the "Ship to" block of the purchase order, purchase change order, or release order.

11.0 RIGHT OF INSPECTION

Buyer shall have the right to inspect the goods upon delivery before accepting them. Seller shall be responsible for all charges for the return to Seller of any goods rejected as being nonconforming under the specifications.

12.0 INVOICES

12.1 Seller shall submit separate invoices in duplicate, on each purchase order or purchase change order after each delivery. Invoices shall indicate the purchase order or purchase change order number. Invoices shall be itemized and transportation charges, if any, shall be listed separately. A copy of the bill of lading and the freight waybill, when applicable, should be attached to the invoice. Seller shall mail or deliver invoices to Buyer’s Department and address as set forth in the block of the purchase order, purchase change order or release order entitled "Ship to." Payment shall not be made until the above instruments have been submitted after delivery and acceptance of the goods and/or services.

12.2 Seller shall not include Federal Excise, State or City Sales Tax in its invoices. The Buyer shall furnish a tax exemption certificate upon Seller’s request.

13.0 PRICE WARRANTY

13.1 The price to be paid by Buyer shall be that contained in Seller's bid which Seller warrants to be no higher than Seller's current prices on orders by others for products and services of the kind and specification covered by this agreement for similar quantities under like conditions and methods of purchase. In the event Seller breaches this warranty, the prices of the items shall be reduced to the prices contained in Seller’s bid, or in the alternative upon Buyer's option, Buyer shall have the right to cancel this contract without any liability to Seller for breach or for Seller's actual expense. Such remedies are in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedies which Buyer may have in law or equity.

13.2 Seller warrants that no person or selling agency has been employed or retained to solicit or secure this contract upon an agreement or understanding for commission, percentage, brokerage or contingent fee, excepting employees of an established commercial or selling agency that is maintained by Seller for the purpose of securing business. For breach or violation of this warranty, Buyer shall have the right, in addition to any other right or rights arising pursuant to said purchase(s), to cancel this contract without liability and to deduct from the contract price such commission percentage, brokerage or contingent fee, or otherwise to recover the full amount thereof.

14.0 PRODUCT WARRANTY

Seller shall not limit or exclude any express or implied warranties and any attempt to do so shall render this contract voidable at the option of Buyer. Seller warrants that the goods furnished will conform to Buyer's specifications, drawings and descriptions listed in the bid invitation, and the sample(s) furnished by Seller, if any. In the event of a conflict between Buyer's specifications, drawings, and descriptions, Buyer’s specifications shall govern.

15.0 SAFETY WARRANTY

Seller warrants that the product sold to Buyer shall conform to the standards promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, as amended. In the event the product does not conform to OSHA standards, Buyer may return the product for correction or replacement at Seller's expense. In the event Seller fails to make appropriate correction within a reasonable time, any correction made by Buyer will be at Seller's expense. Where no correction is or can be made, Seller shall refund all monies received for such goods within thirty (30) days after request is made by Buyer in writing and received by Seller. Notice is considered to have been received upon hand delivery, or otherwise in accordance with Section 29.0 of these terms and conditions. Failure to make such refund shall constitute breach and cause this contract to terminate immediately.

16.0 SOFTWARE LICENSE TO SELLER

If this purchase is for the license of software products and/or services, and unless otherwise agreed, Seller hereby grants to Buyer, a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, nontransferable, royalty free license to use the software. This software is ”proprietary” to Seller, and is licensed and provided to the Buyer for its sole use for purposes under this Agreement and any attached work orders or invoices. The City may not use or share this software without permission of the Seller; however Buyer may make copies of the software expressly for backup purposes.

17.0 WARRANTY AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Seller warrants that the goods or services do not infringe upon or violate any United States patent, copyright, or trade secret. Seller will defend at its expense any action against Buyer or Buyer as licensee to the extent that it is based on a claim that goods used or services provided used within the scope of the license hereunder infringe upon a United States patent, copyright or trade secret, and Seller will pay any and all costs and damages finally awarded against Buyer or Buyer as licensee in such actions which is attributable to such claim. Should the products or services become, or in Seller's opinion be likely to become, the subject of any claim of infringement, Seller shall either: (a) procure for Buyer the right to continue to use the goods or services; or (b) modify the goods or services to make them non-infringing, provided that such modification does not materially adversely affect Buyer’s authorized use; or (c) replace the goods or services with equally suitable, compatible, and functionally equivalent non-infringing goods or services at no additional cost to the Buyer; or (d) if none of the foregoing alternatives is reasonably available to Seller, terminate this agreement and refund to Buyer the payments actually made to Seller under this agreement.

18.0 OWNERSHIP OF WORK PRODUCT

Seller agrees that any and all analyses, evaluations, reports, memoranda, letters, ideas, processes, methods, programs, and manuals that were developed, prepared, conceived, made or suggested by the Seller for the City pursuant to a Work Order, including all such developments as are originated or conceived during the term of the Contract and that are completed or reduced to writing thereafter (the “Work Product”) and Seller acknowledges that such Work Product may be considered “work(s) made for hire” and will be and remain the exclusive property of the City. To the extent that the Work Product, under applicable law, may not be considered work(s) made for hire, Seller hereby agrees that this Agreement effectively transfers, grants, conveys, and assigns exclusively to Buyer, all rights, title and ownership interests, including copyright, which Seller may have in any Work Product or any tangible media embodying such Work Product, without the necessity of any further consideration, and Buyer shall be entitled to obtain and hold in its own name, all Intellectual Property rights in and to the Work Product. Seller for itself and on behalf of its vendors hereby waives any property interest in such Work Product.

19.0 NETWORK ACCESS

The City owns and operates a computing environment and network (collectively the "Network"). If Seller requires access, whether onsite or remote, to the City’s network to provide services hereunder, and the Seller is required to utilize the Internet, Intranet, email, City database, or other network application, Seller shall separately execute the City’s Network Access Agreement prior to providing such services. A copy of the City’s standard Network Access Agreement can be provided upon request.

20.0 CANCELLATION

Buyer shall have the right to cancel this contract immediately for default on all or any part of the undelivered portion of this order if Seller breaches any of the terms hereof, including warranties of Seller. Such right of cancellation is in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedies, which Buyer may have in law or equity.

21.0 TERMINATION

The performance of work or purchase of goods under this order may be terminated in whole or in part by Buyer, with or without cause, at any time upon the delivery to Seller of a written "Notice of Termination" specifying the extent to which performance of work or the goods to be purchased under the order is terminated and the date upon which such termination becomes effective. Such right of termination is in addition to and not in lieu of any other termination rights of Buyer as set forth herein.

22.0 ASSIGNMENT / DELEGATION

No interest, obligation or right of Seller, including the right to receive payment, under this contract shall be assigned or delegated to another entity without the express written consent of Buyer. Any attempted assignment or delegation of Seller shall be wholly void and totally ineffective for all purposes unless made in conformity with this paragraph. Prior to Buyer giving its consent, Seller agrees that Seller shall provide, at no additional cost to Buyer, all documents, as determined by Buyer, that are reasonable and necessary to verify Seller’s legal status and transfer of rights, interests, or obligations to another entity. The documents that may be requested include, but are not limited to, Articles of Incorporation and related amendments, Certificate of Merger, IRS Form W-9 to verify tax identification number, etc. Buyer reserves the right to withhold all payments to any entity other than Seller, if Seller is not in compliance with this provision. If Seller fails to provide necessary information in accordance with this section, Buyer shall not be liable for any penalties, fees or interest resulting therefrom.

23.0 WAIVER 

No claim or right arising out of a breach of this contract can be discharged in whole or in part by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless the waiver or renunciation is supported by consideration in writing and is signed by the aggrieved party.

24.0 MODIFICATIONS

This contract can be modified or rescinded only by a written agreement signed by both parties.

25.0 THE AGREEMENT 

In the absence of an otherwise negotiated contract, or unless stated otherwise, the Agreement between Buyer and Seller shall consist of these Standard Terms and Conditions together with any applicable bid documents published by the Buyer and Seller’s Response to such bid (the “contract documents”). This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended also as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of their agreement. No course of prior dealings between the parties and no usage of trade shall be relevant to supplement or explain any term used in this Agreement. Acceptance of or acquiescence in a course of performance under this Agreement shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this Agreement even though the accepting or acquiescing party has knowledge of the performance and opportunity for objection. Whenever a term defined by the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is used in this Agreement, the definition contained in the UCC shall control. In the event of a conflict between the contract documents, the order of precedence shall be these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Buyer’s published bid documents and the Seller’s response. If Buyer and Seller have otherwise negotiated a contract, this Agreement shall not apply.

26.0 APPLICABLE LAW / VENUE

This agreement shall be governed by the Uniform Commercial Code wherever the term "Uniform Commercial Code" or “UCC” is used. It shall be construed as meaning the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and amended in the State of Texas. Both parties agree that venue for any litigation arising from this contract shall be in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. This contract shall be governed, construed and enforced under the laws of the State of Texas.

27.0 INDEPENDENT VENDOR

Seller shall operate hereunder as an independent vendor and not as an officer, agent, servant or employee of Buyer. Seller shall have exclusive control of, and the exclusive right to control, the details of its operations hereunder, and all persons performing same, and shall be solely responsible for the acts and omissions of its officers, agents, employees, vendors and sub-vendors. The doctrine of respondeat superior shall not apply as between Buyer and Seller, its officers, agents, employees, vendors and subvendors. Nothing herein shall be construed as creating a partnership or joint enterprise between Buyer and Seller, its officers, agents, employees, vendors and subvendors.

28.0 INDEMNIFICATION / LIABILITY 

SELLER COVENANTS AND AGREES TO, AND DOES HEREBY, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND BUYER, ITS OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL SUITS OR CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES OR INJURIES, INCLUDING DEATH, TO ANY AND ALL PERSONS OR PROPERTY, WHETHER REAL OR ASSERTED, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY NEGLIGENT ACT, OMISSION, ANY ACT OR OMISSION TRIGGERING STRICT LIABILITY, THE VIOLATION OF ANY LAW OR REGULATION, OR INTENTIONAL CONDUCT ON THE PART OF THE SELLER, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES OR SUBVENDORS, AND SELLER DOES HEREBY ASSUME ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES, CLAIMS OR SUITS FOR DAMAGES TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, OF WHATSOEVER KIND OR CHARACTER, WHETHER REAL OR ASSERTED, OCCURRING DURING OR ARISING OUT OF THE PEFORMANCE OF THIS CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT, OMISSION OR INTENTIONAL CONDUCT ON THE PART OF THE SELLER, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES OR SUBVENDORS.

29.0 SEVERABILITY 

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this agreement shall for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this agreement, which agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

30.0 FISCAL FUNDING LIMITATION

In the event no funds or insufficient funds are appropriated and budgeted in any fiscal period for payments due under this contract, then Buyer will immediately notify Seller of such occurrence and this contract shall be terminated on the last day of the fiscal period for which funds have been appropriated without penalty or expense to Buyer of any kind whatsoever, except to the portions of annual payments herein agreed upon for which funds shall have been appropriated and budgeted or are otherwise available.

31.0 NOTICES TO PARTIES

Notices addressed to Buyer pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be conclusively determined to have been delivered three (3) business days following the day such notice is deposited in the United States mail, in a sealed envelope with sufficient postage attached, addressed to Purchasing Manager, City of Forth Worth, Purchasing Division, 1000 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Notices to Seller shall be conclusively determined to have been delivered three (3) business days following the day such notice is deposited in the United States mail, in a sealed envelope with sufficient postage attached, addressed to the address given by Seller in its response to Buyer's invitation to bid. Or if sent via express courier or hand delivery, notice is considered received upon delivery.

32.0 NON-DISCRIMINATION

This contract is made and entered into with reference specifically to Chapter 17, Article III, Division 3 ("Employment Practices"), of the City Code of the City of Fort Worth (1986), as amended, and Seller hereby covenants and agrees that Seller, its employees, officers, agents, vendors or subvendors, have fully complied with all provisions of same and that no employee, participant, applicant, vendor or subvendor has been discriminated against according to the terms of such Ordinance by Seller, its employees, officers, agents, vendor or subvendors herein.

33.0 IMMIGRATION NATIONALITY ACT

The City of Fort Worth actively supports the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) which includes provisions addressing employment eligibility, employment verification, and nondiscrimination. Seller shall verify the identity and employment eligibility of all employees who perform work under this Agreement. Seller shall complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9), maintain photocopies of all supporting employment eligibility and identity documentation for all employees, and upon request, provide Seller with copies of all I-9 forms and supporting eligibility documentation for each employee who performs work under this Agreement. Seller shall establish appropriate procedures and controls so that no services will be performed by any worker who is not legally eligible to perform such services. Seller shall provide Buyer with a certification letter that it has complied with the verification requirements required by this Agreement. Seller shall indemnify Buyer from any penalties or liabilities due to violations of this provision. Buyer shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement for violations of this provision by Seller.

34.0 HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Services, products, materials, and supplies provided by the Seller must meet or exceed all applicable health, safety, and the environmental laws, requirements, and standards. In addition, Seller agrees to obtain and pay, at its own expense, for all licenses, permits, certificates, and inspections necessary to provide the products or to perform the services hereunder. Seller shall indemnify Buyer from any penalties or liabilities due to violations of this provision. Buyer shall have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement for violations of this provision by Seller.

35.0 RIGHT TO AUDIT 

Seller agrees that the Buyer, or Buyer’s authorized representative, shall, until the expiration of three (3) years after final payment under this contract, and at no additional cost to Buyer, have access to and the right to examine and copy any directly pertinent books, computer disks, digital files, documents, papers and records of the Seller involving transactions relating to this contract, including any and all records maintained pursuant to Section 31 of this Agreement. Seller agrees that the Buyer shall have access, during normal working hours, to all necessary Seller facilities, and shall be provided adequate and appropriate workspace, in order to conduct audits in compliance with the provisions of this section. Buyer shall pay Seller for reasonable costs of any copying in accordance with the standards set forth in the Texas Administrative Code. The Buyer shall give Seller reasonable advance written notice of intended audits, but no less than ten (10) business days.

36.0 DISABILITY

In accordance with the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Seller warrants that it and any and all of its subvendors will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of disability in the provision of services to general public, nor in the availability, terms and/or conditions of employment for applicants for employment with, or employees of Seller or any of its subvendors. Seller warrants it will fully comply with ADA's provisions and any other applicable federal, state and local laws concerning disability and will defend, indemnify and hold Buyer harmless against any claims or allegations asserted by third parties or subvendors against Buyer arising out of Seller's and/or its subvendor's alleged failure to comply with the above-referenced laws concerning disability discrimination in the performance of this agreement.

37.0 DISPUTE RESOLUTION

If either Buyer or Seller has a claim, dispute, or other matter in question for breach of duty, obligations, services rendered or any warranty that arises under this Agreement, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through this dispute resolution process. The disputing party shall notify the other party in writing as soon as practicable after discovering the claim, dispute, or breach. The notice shall state the nature of the dispute and list the party’s specific reasons for such dispute. Within ten (10) business days of receipt of the notice, both parties shall make a good faith effort, either through email, mail, phone conference, in person meetings, or other reasonable means to resolve any claim, dispute, breach or other matter in question that may arise out of, or in connection with this Agreement. If the parties fail to resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days of the date of receipt of the notice of the dispute, then the parties may submit the matter to non-binding mediation upon written consent of authorized representatives of both parties in accordance with the Industry Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or other applicable rules governing mediation then in effect. If the parties cannot resolve the dispute through mediation, then either party shall have the right to exercise any and all remedies available under law regarding the dispute.