Office of Inspector General Investigative Findings Expert Review In accordance with Senate Bill 799, Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., if Texas Government Code, Section 531.102(m-1)(2) (eff. Apr. 1, 2025, Section 544.0106, pursuant to House Bill 4611, Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S.) is applicable to this Contract, Contractor affirms that it possesses the necessary occupational licenses and experience.
Provisions governing staff and subcontractors A. To require any subcontractor to execute documents that binds the subcontractor to comply with the provisions of this Contract. Subcontractor means an individual or entity to which the Contractor has contracted with or delegated some of its management functions or responsibilities of providing all or a part of the services required of the Contractor under this Contract.
B. That it is responsible for the behavior of its staff and subcontractors to ensure a violence-free contractual relationship. The Contractor understands that any remarks, gestures or actions toward HHSC employees, volunteers or clients that carry an implied threat of any kind, even if intended to be in jest, will be taken seriously and may lead to corrective action, up to and including terminating this contractor.
C. To comply with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 regarding employment verification and retention of verification forms for an individual hired on or after November 6, 1986, who will perform any labor or services under this Contract.
D. To certify and ensure that it utilizes and will continue to utilize, for the term of this Contract, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's e- Verify system to determine the eligibility of:
1. all people employed during the Contract term to perform duties within Texas; and
2. all people (including subcontractors).
E. That representatives of HHSC, AG-MFCU and HHS may conduct interviews of Contractor personnel, subcontractors and their personnel, witnesses, and clients without a Contractor's representative present unless the person interviewed voluntarily requests that the representative be present. The Contractor must not coerce its personnel, subcontractors and their personnel, witnesses, or clients to accept representation by the Contractor, and the Contractor agrees that no retaliation will occur to a person who denies the Contractor's offer of representation. Nothing in the Contract limits a person's right to counsel of his or her choice. Requests for interviews are to be complied with in the form and the manner requested. The Contractor must ensure by contract or other means that its personnel and subcontractors cooperate fully in any investigation conducted by representatives of HHSC, AG-MFCU and HHS.
F. That if it is a Home and Community Support Services agency ("HCSSA"), the Contractor will hire Personal Assistance Services and Community Support Services providers chosen by the client or the client's legally authorized representative, if requested, and provided the individual who will provide the services:
1. meets minimum qualifications for the service;
2. is willing to be employed as an attendant by the Contractor; and
3. is willing, and determined competent by the Contractor, to deliver the service(s) according to the client's individual service plan.
Arbitration Decisions Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the arbitrator(s) shall render a decision within ninety (90) Calendar Days of appointment and shall notify the Parties in writing of such decision and the reasons therefor. The arbitrator(s) shall be authorized only to interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement and shall have no power to modify or change any provision of this Agreement in any manner. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The decision of the arbitrator(s) may be appealed solely on the grounds that the conduct of the arbitrator(s), or the decision itself, violated the standards set forth in the Federal Arbitration Act or the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act. The final decision of the arbitrator must also be filed with FERC if it affects jurisdictional rates, terms and conditions of service, Attachment Facilities, System Upgrade Facilities, or System Deliverability Upgrades.
Claims and Review Procedures 6.1 For all claims other than Disability benefits:
AUDIT REVIEW PROCEDURES A. Any dispute concerning a question of fact arising under an interim or post audit of this AGREEMENT that is not disposed of by AGREEMENT, shall be reviewed by LOCAL AGENCY’S Chief Financial Officer.
B. Not later than thirty (30) calendar days after issuance of the final audit report, CONSULTANT may request a review by LOCAL AGENCY’S Chief Financial Officer of unresolved audit issues. The request for review will be submitted in writing.
C. Neither the pendency of a dispute nor its consideration by LOCAL AGENCY will excuse CONSULTANT from full and timely performance, in accordance with the terms of this AGREEMENT.
D. CONSULTANT and subconsultant AGREEMENTs, including cost proposals and Indirect Cost Rates (ICR), may be subject to audits or reviews such as, but not limited to, an AGREEMENT audit, an incurred cost audit, an ICR Audit, or a CPA ICR audit work paper review. If selected for audit or review, the AGREEMENT, cost proposal and ICR and related work papers, if applicable, will be reviewed to verify compliance with 48 CFR Part 31 and other related laws and regulations. In the instances of a CPA ICR audit work paper review it is CONSULTANT’s responsibility to ensure federal, LOCAL AGENCY, or local government officials are allowed full access to the CPA’s work papers including making copies as necessary. The AGREEMENT, cost proposal, and ICR shall be adjusted by CONSULTANT and approved by LOCAL AGENCY Contract Administrator to conform to the audit or review recommendations. CONSULTANT agrees that individual terms of costs identified in the audit report shall be incorporated into the AGREEMENT by this reference if directed by LOCAL AGENCY at its sole discretion. Refusal by CONSULTANT to incorporate audit or review recommendations, or to ensure that the federal, LOCAL AGENCY or local governments have access to CPA work papers, will be considered a breach of AGREEMENT terms and cause for termination of the AGREEMENT and disallowance of prior reimbursed costs.
E. CONSULTANT’s Cost Proposal may be subject to a CPA ICR Audit Work Paper Review and/or audit by the Independent Office of Audits and Investigations (IOAI). IOAI, at its sole discretion, may review and/or audit and approve the CPA ICR documentation. The Cost Proposal shall be adjusted by the CONSULTANT and approved by the LOCAL AGENCY Contract Administrator to conform to the Work Paper Review recommendations included in the management letter or audit recommendations included in the audit report. Refusal by the CONSULTANT to incorporate the Work Paper Review recommendations included in the management letter or audit recommendations included in the audit report will be considered a breach of the AGREEMENT terms and cause for termination of the AGREEMENT and disallowance of prior reimbursed costs.
1. During IOAI’s review of the ICR audit work papers created by the CONSULTANT’s independent CPA, IOAI will work with the CPA and/or CONSULTANT toward a resolution of issues that arise during the review. Each party agrees to use its best efforts to resolve any audit disputes in a timely manner. If IOAI identifies significant issues during the review and is unable to issue a cognizant approval letter, LOCAL AGENCY will reimburse the CONSULTANT at an accepted ICR until a FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) compliant ICR {e.g. 48 CFR Part 31; GAGAS (Generally Accepted Auditing Standards); CAS (Cost Accounting Standards), if applicable; in accordance with procedures and guidelines of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Audit Guide; and other applicable procedures and guidelines}is received and approved by IOAI. Accepted rates will be as follows:
a. If the proposed rate is less than one hundred fifty percent (150%) - the accepted rate reimbursed will be ninety percent (90%) of the proposed rate.
b. If the proposed rate is between one hundred fifty percent (150%) and two hundred percent (200%) - the accepted rate will be eighty-five percent (85%) of the proposed rate.
c. If the proposed rate is greater than two hundred percent (200%) - the accepted rate will be seventy-five percent (75%) of the proposed rate.
2. If IOAI is unable to issue a cognizant letter per paragraph E.1. above, IOAI may require CONSULTANT to submit a revised independent CPA-audited ICR and audit report within three (3) months of the effective date of the management letter. IOAI will then have up to six (6) months to review the CONSULTANT’s and/or the independent CPA’s revisions.
3. If the CONSULTANT fails to comply with the provisions of this paragraph E, or if IOAI is still unable to issue a cognizant approval letter after the revised independent CPA audited ICR is submitted, overhead cost reimbursement will be limited to the accepted ICR that was established upon initial rejection of the ICR and set forth in paragraph E.1. above for all rendered services. In this event, this accepted ICR will become the actual and final ICR for reimbursement purposes under this AGREEMENT.
4. CONSULTANT may submit to LOCAL AGENCY final invoice only when all of the following items have occurred: (1) IOAI accepts or adjusts the original or revised independent CPA audited ICR;