Limitation of Vendor Indemnification and Similar Clauses This is a requirement of the TIPS Contract and is non-negotiable TIPS, a department of Region 8 Education Service Center, a political subdivision, and local government entity of the State of Texas, is prohibited from indemnifying third-parties (pursuant to the Article 3, Section 52 of the Texas Constitution) except as otherwise specifically provided for by law or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Article 3, Section 52 of the Texas Constitution states that "no debt shall be created by or on behalf of the State … " and the Texas Attorney General has opined that a contractually imposed obligation of indemnity creates a "debt" in the constitutional sense. Tex. Att'y Gen. Op. No. MW-475 (1982). Thus, contract clauses which require TIPS to indemnify Vendor, pay liquidated damages, pay attorney's fees, waive Vendor's liability, or waive any applicable statute of limitations must be deleted or qualified with ''to the extent permitted by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas." Does Vendor agree? Yes, I Agree TIPS, a department of Region 8 Education Service Center, a political subdivision, and local government entity of the State of Texas, does not agree to binding arbitration as a remedy to dispute and no such provision shall be permitted in this Agreement with TIPS. Vendor agrees that any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement, except those specifically and expressly waived or negotiated within this Agreement, may be subject to non-binding mediation at the request of either party to be conducted by a mutually agreed upon mediator as prerequisite to the filing of any lawsuit arising out of or related to this Agreement. Mediation shall be held in either Camp or Titus County, Texas. Agreements reached in mediation will be subject to the approval by the Region 8 ESC's Board of Directors, authorized signature of the Parties if approved by the Board of Directors, and, once approved by the Board of Directors and properly signed, shall thereafter be enforceable as provided by the laws of the State of Texas. Does Vendor agree? Yes, Vendor agrees Does Vendor agree? Yes, Vendor agrees Vendor agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of sovereign or government immunity; nor constitute or be construed as a waiver of any of the privileges, rights, defenses, remedies, or immunities available to Region 8 Education Service Center or its TIPS Department. The failure to enforce, or any delay in the enforcement, of any privileges, rights, defenses, remedies, or immunities available to Region 8 Education Service Center or its TIPS Department under this Agreement or under applicable law shall not constitute a waiver of such privileges, rights, defenses, remedies, or immunities or be considered as a basis for estoppel. Does Vendor agree? Yes, Vendor agrees Vendor agrees that TIPS and TIPS Members shall not be liable for interest or late-payment fees on past-due balances at a rate higher than permitted by the laws or regulations of the jurisdiction of the TIPS Member. Funding-Out Clause: Vendor agrees to abide by the applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to Texas Local Government Code § 271.903, or any other statutory or regulatory limitation of the jurisdiction of any TIPS Member, which requires that contracts approved by TIPS or a TIPS Member are subject to the budgeting and appropriation of currently available funds by the entity or its governing body.
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE SUPPLIER/SERVICE PROVIDER 9.1 The Supplier/Service Provider shall:
a) respond promptly to all complaints and enquiries from Transnet;
b) inform Transnet immediately of any dispute or complaint arising in relation to the storage or delivery of the Goods;
c) conduct its business in a professional manner which will reflect positively upon the Supplier/Service Provider and the Supplier’s/Service Provider’s products/services;
d) keep full records clearly indicating all transactions concluded by the Supplier/Service Provider relating to the delivery of the Goods/Services and keep such records for at least 5 [five] years from the date of each such transaction;
e) obtain, and at all times maintain in full force and effect, any and all licences, permits and the like required under applicable laws for the provision of the Goods/Services and ancillary Services and the conduct of the business and activities of the Supplier/Service Provider;
f) observe and ensure compliance with all requirements and obligations as set out in the labour and related legislation of South Africa, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1993, as may be amended from time to time;
g) observe and ensure compliance with all requirements and objectives of the Transnet Supplier Integrity Pact as agreed to in response to the RFP. The general purpose of the Supplier Integrity Pact is to agree to avoid all forms of dishonesty, fraud and corruption by following a system that is fair, transparent and free from any undue influence prior to, during and subsequent to the currency of the procurement event leading to this Agreement and this Agreement itself;
h) comply with all applicable environmental legislation and regulations, demonstrate sound environmental performance and have an environmental management policy which ensures that its products, including the Goods/Services or ancillary Services are procured, produced, packaged, delivered and are capable of being used and ultimately disposed of in a way that is environmentally appropriate; and
i) ensure the validity of all renewable certifications, including but not limited to its B-BBEE Verification Certificate, throughout the entire term of this Agreement. Should the Supplier/Service Provider fail to present Transnet with such renewals as they become due, Transnet shall be entitled, in addition to any other rights and remedies that it may have in terms of the Agreement, to terminate this Agreement forthwith without any liability and without prejudice to any claims which Transnet may have for damages against the Supplier/Service Provider.
9.2 The Supplier/Service Provider acknowledges and agrees that it shall at all times:
a) render the supply of the Goods/Services and ancillary Services (if applicable) and perform all its duties with honesty and integrity;
b) communicate openly and honestly with Transnet regarding the supply and performance of the Goods/Services and demonstrate a commitment to effecting the supply and performing ancillary Services timeously, efficiently and at least to the required standards;
c) endeavour to provide the highest possible standards of service and workmanship, with a reasonable degree of care and diligence;
d) use its best endeavours and make every diligent effort to meet agreed deadlines;
e) treat its own Staff, as well as all Transnet’s Staff, with fairness and courtesy and respect for their human rights;
f) practice and promote its own internal policies aimed at prohibiting and preventing unfair discrimination;
g) treat all enquiries from Transnet in connection with the supply of the Goods/Services and/or ancillary Services with courtesy and respond to all enquiries promptly and efficiently. Where the Supplier/Service Provider is unable to comply with the provisions of this clause, the Supplier/Service Provider will advise Transnet of the delay and the reasons therefor and will keep Transnet informed of progress made regarding the enquiry;
h) when requested by Transnet, provide clear and accurate information regarding the Supplier's/Service Provider’s own policies and procedures, excluding Know-How and other Confidential Information, except where a non-disclosure undertaking has been entered into between the Parties;
i) not allow a conflict of interest to develop between its own interests [or the interests of any of its other customers] and the interests of Transnet;
j) not accept or offer, nor allow, induce or promote the acceptance or offering of any gratuity, enticement, incentive or gift that could reasonably be regarded as bribery or an attempt to otherwise exert undue influence over the recipient;
k) not mislead Transnet or its officers, employees and stakeholders, whether by act or omission;
l) not otherwise act in an unethical manner or do anything which could reasonably be expected to damage or tarnish Transnet’s reputation or business image;
m) immediately report to Transnet any unethical, fraudulent or otherwise unlawful conduct of which it becomes aware in connection with Transnet or the supply of Goods/Services or ancillary Services to Transnet;
n) ensure that at all times, during the currency of this Agreement, it complies with all obligations and commitments in terms of the provisions of the Income Tax Act, No 58 of 1962, the VAT Act or any other tax legislation relating to their liability for Income Tax, VAT, Pay as You Earn or any other tax. The Supplier/Service Provider shall further ensure Tax Clearance Compliance, for the duration of this Agreement;
o) not victimise, harass or discriminate against any employee of either Party to this Agreement or any applicant for employment with either Party to this Agreement due to their gender, race, disability, age, religious belief, sexual orientation or part-time status. This provision applies, but is not limited to employment, upgrading, work environment, demotion, transfer, recruitment, recruitment advertising, termination of employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training.
p) shall ensure that its employees, agents and Subcontractors will not breach any applicable discrimination legislation and any amendments and re-enactments thereof.
9.3 In compliance with the National Railway Safety Regulator Act, 16 of 2002, as may be amended from time to time, the Supplier shall ensure that the Goods/Services and ancillary Services, to be supplied to Transnet under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, comply fully with the Specifications as set forth in Schedule 1 hereto, and shall thereby adhere [as applicable] to railway safety requirements and/or regulations. Permission for the engagement of a Subcontractor by the Supplier, as applicable, shall be subject to a review of the capability of the proposed Subcontractor to comply with the specified railway safety requirements and/or regulations. The Supplier and/or its Subcontractor shall grant Transnet access, during the term of this Agreement, to review any safety-related activities, including the coordination of such activities across all parts of its organisation.
