Common use of Lobbying and Integrity Clause in Contracts

Lobbying and Integrity. Contractor represents that it did not lobby the legislative, judicial or executive branches, including any State Agency, on any aspect of this Contract during the procurement process (i.e., from the time the Contract solicitation documents were released until this Contract was executed). Any misrepresentation in this regard may constitute grounds for the disqualification of Contractor and termination of this Contract. In accordance with Section 216.347, Florida Statutes, Contractor may not expend any State funds for the purpose of lobbying the legislative, judicial or executive branches, or any State agency. This restriction does not apply to actions taken by Contractor to provide any information relating to any aspect of this Contract, if requested by legislative, judicial or executive branch, or any State agency. Contractor shall not, in connection with this or any other agreement with the State, directly or indirectly (1) offer, confer, or agree to confer any pecuniary benefit on anyone as consideration for any State officer or employee’s decision, opinion, recommendation, vote, other exercise of discretion, or violation of a known legal duty, or (2) offer, give, or agree to give to anyone any gratuity for the benefit of, or at the direction or request of, any State officer or employee. For purposes of clause (2), “gratuity” means any payment of more than nominal monetary value in the form of cash, travel, entertainment, gifts, meals, lodging, loans, subscriptions, advances, deposits of money, services, employment, or contracts of any kind. Upon request of the Department’s Inspector General, or other authorized State official, Contractor shall provide any type of information the Inspector General deems relevant to Contractor’s integrity or responsibility. Such information may include, but shall not be limited to, Contractor’s business or financial records, documents, or files of any type or form that refer to or relate to this Contract. Contractor shall retain such records for at least three years after the expiration of the Contract. Contractor agrees to reimburse the State for the reasonable costs of investigation incurred by the Inspector General or other authorized State official for investigations of the Contractor’s compliance with the terms of this or any other agreement between the Contractor and the State which results in the suspension or debarment of Contractor. Such costs shall include, but shall not be limited to: salaries of investigators, including overtime; travel and lodging expenses; and expert witness and documentary fees. Contractor shall not be responsible for any costs of investigations that do not result in the Contractor’s suspension or debarment.