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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFQ - Utility Dept On-call Electrical ContractorPage 1 of 13 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) UTILITIES DEPARTMENT ON-CALL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS CITY OF BOZEMAN Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 August, 2023 Page 2 of 13 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Bozeman (City) is seeking qualifications from contractors interested in providing on-call electrical services to the City of Bozeman for various future construction and repair projects on the City’s Utility Department infrastructure. Copies of the Request for Qualifications are available on the City’s website. All Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the RFQ Recipient email address below. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to bzncloud.bozeman.net upon special arrangement of the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. Deliver SOQs via email to the City Clerk by September 13th, 2023 at 2:00 PM MDT. It is the sole responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. The email address for submission is: agenda@bozeman.net NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY The City of Bozeman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination in the performance of any agreement awarded under this RFQ on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the awarded entity’s employees and to all subcontracts. As such, each entity submitting under this notice shall include a provision wherein the submitting entity, or entities, affirms in writing it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and which also recognizes the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, pursuant to City Commission Resolution 5169, the entity awarded a contract under this RFQ and any subcontractors must abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and affirm it will abide by the above and that it has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. Failure to comply with the above may be cause for the City to deem the submittal non-responsive. Any administrative questions regarding submittal procedures should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk (406) 582-2321, agenda@bozeman.net. Questions relating to the RFQ should be directed to: Griffin Nielsen, Engineer II, (406) 582-2279, gnielsen@bozeman.net. DATED at Bozeman, Montana, this 22th of August, 2023. Mike Maas City Clerk City of Bozeman For publication on: Saturday, August 26th, 2023 Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The City of Bozeman’s Utility Department is seeking statements of qualifications from electrical contractors interested in providing electrical construction services on an on-call basis at the City’s Water Reclamation Facility, Water Treatment Plant, and other Utility Department facilities. The Utility Department manages a wide variety of municipal infrastructure and oversees construction, maintenance and repair projects for those facilities. Projects and tasks arise which are outside either the capacity or capability of City staff, in those cases local contractors are solicited to assist complete the work. Projects or tasks vary in size and scope, from minor repairs to larger renovations and may involve troubleshooting and/or optimization, industrial automation and controls, and/or general electrical services. The Utility Department wishes to compile a list of pre-qualified electrical contractors which are under contract with the City and can be called upon to perform work at pre-negotiated rates as projects and tasks arise. The purpose of this is to better position the City to quickly respond to projects or emergencies by increasing the qualified contractor pool and reducing procurement delays. Contractors deemed qualified will be asked to sign a one (1) year term contract with the possibility of extension up to three years and will be placed on a list to provide services at pre-negotiated rates for projects as they arise. As projects arise the City may request estimates, bids, and/or schedules from qualified contractors to select for the work. Projects will be issued on a task order basis and will have a maximum value of $79,999. This RFQ shall not commit the Owner to enter into an agreement, to pay any expenses incurred in preparation of any response to this request, or to procure or contract for any supplies, goods or services. The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject all responses received as a result of this RFQ if it is in the Owner’s best interest to do so. This procurement is governed by the laws of the State of Montana and venue for all legal proceedings shall be in the 18th Judicial District Court, Gallatin County. By offering to perform services under this RFQ, all Submitters agree to be bound by the laws of the State of Montana and of the Owner, including, but not limited to, applicable wage rates, payments, gross receipts taxes, building codes, equal opportunity employment practices, safety, non-discrimination, etc. II. SCOPE OF SERVICES The City Utility Department facilities are complex system of industrial infrastructure critical for maintaining the health and safety of the public as well as providing the high level of service expected by the Bozeman community. Qualified contractors must have experience working on and in similar industrial facilities and are expected to maintain the high level of safety and care expected by the City of Bozeman. Responses to this RFQ must display the minimum qualifications and experience of the consultant for the items listed below. These items are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are generally germane to the types of projects and activities the consultant may be tasked with over the contract term. Services is expected to include the furnishment of all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and/or supplies necessary to complete a project unless otherwise provided by the City. Minimum Qualifications • Licensed Master Electrician in the State of Montana; • Hold a current Business License with the City of Bozeman; • Knowledge of local, state, and federal electrical codes; Experience with: • Municipal water and wastewater systems or private systems of a similar scale and complexity; • Industrial automation and controls including PLCs, HMIs, MCCs, VFDs and SCADA control panels; • Coordination with SCADA personal and water/wastewater system operators; • Troubleshooting electrical power, automation and instrumentation systems; • Minor equipment specification; • City of Bozeman Building Department Permitting and Inspection; • Working in confined spaces Firms scored as Qualified will be asked to provide a proposal for rates and fees and sign the term contract, included in Appendix B, to provide the City services at those rates. By submitting on this RFQ a contractor is expected to agree to the terms of the term contract. III. TIMELINES, DELIVERY DEADLINE, AND INSTRUCTIONS Deliver RFQs via email to the City Clerk (agenda@bozeman.net) by September 13, 2023 at 2:00 PM MDT. It is the sole responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that the SOQ is received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be accepted and will be returned. All SOQ’s must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the RFQ Recipient email address agenda@bozeman.net. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFQ title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to an alternate submission method upon special arrangement of the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. A. Contact Information ALL QUESTIONS AND CONTACTS REGARDING THIS RFQ MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO: Griffin Nielsen – gnielsen@bozeman.net P.O. Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 (406) 582-2279 Amendments to Solicitation Any interpretation or correction of this request will be published on the City’s webpage. The deadline for questions related to this document is 12:00 PM MST on September 5th, 2023 B. Selection Timeline Advertising dates: August 26th and September 2nd, 2023 Receipt of SOQs: No later than 2:00 p.m. MDT September 13, 2023 RFQ Review Complete by Committee: October 2, 2023 Selection: October 3, 2023 With the exception of the advertising dates and advertised due date, the City reserves the right to modify the above timeline. IV. SELECTION PROCEDURE A. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS Respondents must comply with the mandatory requirements provided in this solicitation. The selection process shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable Montana law including those criteria set forth in §18-8-204, MCA and applicable City policy. 1. Evaluation of RFQs. The selection committee shall consist of no less than three persons representing the City. The selection committee will review conforming RFQ responses using the criteria listed above. RFQ responses that do not contain the required documentation will be deemed nonresponsive to this solicitation and may be rejected. 2. Revisions. Responses will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to opportunity for discussion and revision of responses, and such revisions may be permitted, after submissions and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining best and final responses. 3. Evaluation & Elimination. After evaluating all conforming responses based on the criteria herein the selection committee may eliminate one or more or all Respondents from further review if they do not meet the qualification criteria specified herein. Any Respondents eliminated by the selection committee, at any time, or for any reason, shall have no opportunity to make revisions or participate further in the selection process. 4. Interviews. After reviewing conforming RFQ responses, the selection committee may decide to schedule interviews with qualified respondents. Each firm selected for interview will be notified of the specific time for their interview. The format of the interview will be left up to the proposing firm; however, interviews will be [45] minutes inclusive of questions from the selection committee, with 15 minutes between interviews for transitions and set up between Respondents. 5. Selection and Final Recommendation. The selection committee will tally the scores for the RFQ. At that time contract negotiations will take place between the City and Respondents determined to be qualified. B. RFQ – FORM AND CONTENTS Deliver one (1) original digital copy (via flash drive), prepared as follows: i. General Instructions: a. RFQ responses must be signed by an officer or principal of your firm. b. RFQ responses must be contained in a single searchable PDF document not to exceed 8 pages total including whatever pictures, charts, graphs, tables, and text the firm deems appropriate to be part of the review of the firm's qualifications. A separate transmittal letter, cover page, cover sheets, and dividers are exempted from the page limit. c. Schedules may be submitted in addition to the page limit. ii. Firm Information: a. Experience. Respondent must demonstrate successful experience and capacity to act as a contractor on projects of similar size, type and complexity. Provide the name and location of each project, the client, and the contact person and phone number. Describe experience and qualifications of the professional personnel to be assigned to this project. Describe your recent and current work for the City of Bozeman, if any. b. Firm Background. Provide information about the firm, including location. Describe the firm’s history. Include information identifying the firm’s annual volume of business, financial/bonding capacities, and speak to the firm’s stability in the marketplace. Information identifying the firm’s strengths and weaknesses along with special capabilities that may be appropriate to the Project will assist in the evaluation. c. Firm Workload. Provide the status of current and anticipated work within the firm in terms of time and magnitude for the anticipated Project schedule as it relates to availability of key personnel and your firm. Describe the firm’s capability to meet time and project budget requirements. d. Claims. At any time in the last ten (10) years has your firm been assessed and paid liquidated damages after completion of a project under a contract with a public owner? e. References. Provide detailed contact information for the Owner for at least three (3) project undertaken by your firm within the past five years. iii. Exceptions to City Agreement: Contractors selected through the RFQ process will be expected to execute a formal term agreement with the City for the provisions of requested services as set forth in the term agreement presented in Attachment B. Submission of a signed proposal will be interpreted to mean Contractor has agreed to all the terms and conditions included in the attached Agreement. The Contractor must submit any and all exceptions, including the page number and section number as appropriate, to agreement with their SOQ. The Contractor should note that the submittal of an exception does not obligate the City to revise the terms of the RFQ or any resulting agreement. The City will not consider exceptions that are not identified in the proposal. C. EVALUATION CRITERIA Qualifications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee who will individually determine if the contractor is either qualified or non-qualified. SOQ’s will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1. Respondent’s experience with projects of similar size and design: 2. Firm’s Qualifications: 3. Capabilities to meet time schedule and project budget requirements. 4. Present and projected workloads: 5. Past projects/experience working with the City of Bozeman: 6. Office(s) location: V. CITY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS All proposals submitted in response to this RFQ become the property of the City and public records and, as such, may be subject to public review. A SUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON ANY RESPONDENTS AND SHALL NOT OBLIGATE THE CITY IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER. THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NO AWARD AND TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AT A LATER DATE. D. This RFQ may be canceled or any or all responses may be rejected in whole or in part, as specified herein, when it is in the best interests of the City. If the City cancels or revises this RFQ, all Respondents who submitted will be notified using email. E. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all submissions; to add or delete items and/or quantities; to amend the RFQ; to waive any minor irregularities, informalities, or failure to conform to the RFQ; to extend the deadline for submitting proposals; to postpone award for up to 60 days; to award one or more contracts, by item or task, or groups of items or tasks, if so provided in the RFQ and if multiple awards are determined by the City to be in the public interest. F. The City reserves the right to reject the submission of any person/firm who previously failed to perform properly to the satisfaction of the City, or complete on time agreements of similar nature, or to reject the submission of any person/firm who is not in a position to perform such an agreement satisfactorily as determined by the City. G. The City reserves the right to determine the best qualified Respondents and negotiate a final scope of service and cost, negotiate a contract with another Respondents if an agreement cannot be reached with the first selected Respondents, or reject all proposals. H. The successful Respondents will be required to enter into a contract with the City, which will incorporate the Respondents' scope of service and work schedule as part of the agreement. I. This RFQ does not commit the City to award a contract. The City assumes no liability or responsibility for costs incurred by Respondents in responding to this request for qualifications or request for interviews, additional data, or other information with respect to the selection process, prior to the issuance of an agreement, contract or purchase order. The Respondents, by submitting a response to this RFQ, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFQ. J. This project is subject to the availability of funds. VI. NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY POLICY The City of Bozeman requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm, on a separate form provided, that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual preference, gender identity, or disability in fulfillment of a contract entered into for the services identified herein and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts it enters into in the fulfillment of the services identified herein. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be cause for the submittal to be deemed nonresponsive. In addition, pursuant to City Commission Resolution 5169, the entity awarded a contract under this RFQ and any subcontractors must abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and affirm it will abide by the above and that it has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. VII. MISCELLANEOUS A. No Oral Agreements. No conversations or oral agreements with any officer, employee, or agent of the City shall affect or modify any term of this solicitation. Oral communications or any written/email communication between any person and City officer, employee or agent shall not be considered binding. B. No Partnership/Business Organization. Nothing in this solicitation or in any subsequent agreement, or any other contract entered into as a result of this solicitation, shall constitute, create, give rise to or otherwise be recognized as a partnership or formal business organization of any kind between or among the respondent and the City. C. Employment Restriction and Indemnity. No person who is an owner, officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of a respondent shall be an officer or employee of the City. No rights of the City’s retirement or personnel rules accrue to a respondent, its officers, employees, contractors, or consultants. Respondents shall have the responsibility of all salaries, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums appurtenant thereto concerning its officers, employees, contractors, and consultants. Each Respondent shall save and hold the City harmless with respect to any and all claims for payment, compensation, salary, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums in any way related to each respondent’s officers, employees, contractors and consultants. D. Accessibility. Upon reasonable notice, the City will provide assistance for those persons with sensory impairments. For further information please contact the ADA Coordinator Mike Gray at 406-582-3232 or the City’s TTY line at 406-582-2301. E. Procurement. When discrepancies occur between words and figures in this solicitation, the words shall govern. No responsibility shall attach to a City employee for the premature opening of an SOQ not properly addressed and identified in accordance with these documents. F. Governing Law. This solicitation and any disputes arising hereunder or under any future agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, without reference to principles of choice or conflicts of laws. VIII. ATTACHMENTS The following exhibits are incorporated in this RFQ: Appendix A: Non-Discrimination Affirmation Appendix B: Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement END OF RFQ Attachment A NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. ______________________________________ Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter Attachment B Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 1 of 18 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MASTER TASK ORDER AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this _____ of [Month], 2023, by and between the CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, a self governing municipal corporation organized and existing under its Charter and the laws of the State of Montana, 121 North Rouse Street, Bozeman, Montana, with a mailing address of PO Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771, hereinafter referred to as “City,” and, [INSERT CONTRACTOR LEGAL NAME and MAILING ADDRESS], hereinafter referred to as “Contractor.” In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency whereof being hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1. Purpose: City agrees to enter into this agreement with Contractor to provide a range of electrical technical services related to operations and maintenance of the City of Bozeman Utility Department’s infrastructure, including but not necessarily limited to construction, maintenance, optimization, and repair for various improvement projects, as requested by the City through issuance of individual, consecutively numbered Task Orders on an as needed and requested basis. 2. Term/Effective Date: This Agreement is effective upon the date of its execution and will expire on [Month, Date], 2024 unless extended or terminated as specifically provided for within the agreement. 3. Scope of Work: Contractor will perform the work and provide the services in accordance with the requirements of the Scope of Services. The Contractor will perform the specific services and schedule as mutually agreed upon by City and Contractor and included in each individual Task Order executed under the authority of this Agreement. Task Orders shall be in a format similar to EXHIBIT A, attached and made part of this Agreement. For conflicts between this Agreement and the Scope of Services, unless specifically provided otherwise, the Agreement governs. 4. Payment: The terms of compensation to Contractor shall be agreed upon and included in each Task Order. The task order amount shall be based on the rates specified in the Scope of Services. City agrees to pay Contractor the amount specified in the individual Task Orders. Any Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 2 of 18 alteration or deviation from the described services that involves additional costs above the Agreement amount will be performed by Contractor after written request by the City, and will become an additional charge over and above the amount listed in the Scope of Services. The City must agree in writing upon any additional charges. 5. Contractor’s Representations: To induce City to enter into this Agreement, Contractor makes the following representations: a. Contractor has familiarized itself with the nature and extent of this agreement, the Scope of Services and with all local conditions and federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations that in any manner may affect cost, progress or performance of the Scope of Services. b. For each individual Task Order, Contractor will familiarized itself with the nature and extent of the assignment, and with all local conditions and federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations that in any manner may affect cost, progress or performance of the Scope of Services and will provide a mutually agreeable Scope of Services for each Task Order. c. Contractor represents to City that it has the experience and ability to perform the services required by this Agreement; that it will perform said services in a professional, competent and timely manner and with diligence and skill ordinarily used by member in the same profession practicing at the same time and in the same locality; that it has the power to enter into and perform this Agreement and grant the rights granted in it; and that its performance of this Agreement shall not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party, whether rights of copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, libel, slander or any other rights of any nature whatsoever, or violate any federal, state and municipal laws. The City will not determine or exercise control as to general procedures or formats necessary to have these services meet this standard of care. 6. Independent Contractor Status/Labor Relations: a. The parties agree that Contractor is an independent contractor for purposes of this Agreement and is not to be considered an employee of the City for any purpose. Contractor is not subject to the terms and provisions of the City’s personnel policies handbook and may not be considered a City employee for workers’ compensation or any other purpose. Contractor is not authorized to represent the City or otherwise bind the City in any dealings between Contractor and any third parties. b. Contractor shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Act, Title 39, Chapter 71, MCA, and the Occupational Disease Act of Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 3 of 18 Montana, Title 39, Chapter 71, MCA. Contractor shall maintain workers’ compensation coverage for all members and employees of Contractor’s business, except for those members who are exempted by law. c. Contractor shall furnish the City with copies showing one of the following: (1) a binder for workers’ compensation coverage by an insurer licensed and authorized to provide workers’ compensation insurance in the State of Montana; or (2) proof of exemption from workers’ compensation granted by law for independent contractors. d. Contractor shall post a legible statement of all wages and fringe benefits to be paid to the Contractor’s employees and the frequency of such payments (i.e., hourly wage employees shall be paid weekly). Such posting shall be made in a prominent and accessible location at the Contractor’s normal place of business and shall be made no later than the first day of services provided under this Agreement. Such posting shall be removed only upon expiration or termination of this Agreement. e. In performing the services under this Agreement, Contractor shall give preference to the employment of bona fide residents of Montana, as required by §18-2-403, MCA, as such term is defined by §18-2-401(1), MCA. When making assignments of work, Contractor shall use workers both skilled in their trade and specialized in their field of work for all work to which they are assigned. f. Pursuant to §§18-2-403 and 18-2-422, MCA, Contractor shall pay wages, fringe benefits, and expenses, including travel allowances as set forth in the current Montana Prevailing Wage Rate for Non Construction Services in effect and applicable to Gallatin County, Montana, which schedule is incorporated herein. Contractor shall pay all hourly wage employees on a weekly basis. Violation of the requirements set forth in the above State of Montana schedule of prevailing wage rates may subject the Contractor to the penalties set forth in §18-2-407, MCA. Contractor shall maintain payroll records during the term of this Agreement and for a period of three (3) years following termination of this Agreement. g. The Contractor shall ensure that any person, firm or entity performing any portion of the services under this Agreement for which the contractor, subcontractor or employer is responsible, is paid the applicable standard prevailing rate of wages. h. In the event that, during the term of this Agreement, any labor problems or disputes of any type arise or materialize which in turn cause any services to cease for any period of time, Contractor specifically agrees to take immediate steps, at its own expense and Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 4 of 18 without expectation of reimbursement from City, to alleviate or resolve all such labor problems or disputes. The specific steps Contractor shall take shall be left to the discretion of Contractor; provided, however, that Contractor shall bear all costs of any related legal action. Contractor shall provide immediate relief to the City so as to permit the services to continue at no additional cost to City. i. Contractor shall indemnify, and hold the City harmless from any and all claims, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and liabilities arising out of, resulting from, or occurring in connection with any labor problems or disputes or any delays or stoppages of work associated with such problems or disputes and for any claims regarding underpaid prevailing wages. 7. Indemnity/Waiver of Claims/Insurance: a. For other than professional services rendered, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Contractor agrees to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City, its agents, representatives, employees, and officers (collectively referred to for purposes of this Section as the City) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, fees and costs (including attorney’s fees and the costs and fees of and expert witness and consultants), losses, expenses, liabilities (including liability where activity is inherently or intrinsically dangerous) or damages of whatever kind or nature connected therewith and without limit and without regard to the cause or causes thereof or the negligence of any party or parties that may be asserted against, recovered from or suffered by the City occasioned by, growing or arising out of or resulting from or in any way related to: (i) the negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct of the Contractor; (ii) any negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct of any of the Contractor’s agents; b. For the services rendered, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold the City harmless against claims, demands, suits, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable defense attorney fees, to the extent caused by the negligence or intentional misconduct of the Contractor or Contractor’s agents or employees. c. Such obligations shall not be construed to negate, abridge, or reduce other rights or obligations of indemnity that would otherwise exist. The indemnification obligations of this Section must not be construed to negate, abridge, or reduce any common-law or statutory rights of the indemnitee(s) which would otherwise exist as to such indemnitee(s). Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 5 of 18 d. Contractor’s indemnity under this Section shall be without regard to and without any right to contribution from any insurance maintained by City. e. Should the City be required to bring an action against the Contractor to assert its right to defense or indemnification under this Agreement or under the Contractor’s applicable insurance policies required below, the City shall be entitled to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred in asserting its right to indemnification or defense but only if a court of competent jurisdiction determines the Contractor was obligated to defend the claim(s) or was obligated to indemnify the City for a claim(s) or any portion(s) thereof. f. In the event of an action filed against City resulting from the City’s performance under this Agreement, the City may elect to represent itself and incur all costs and expenses of suit. g. Contractor also waives any and all claims and recourse against the City or its officers, agents or employees, including the right of contribution for loss or damage to person or property arising from, growing out of, or in any way connected with or incident to the performance of this Agreement except “responsibility for his own fraud, for willful injury to the person or property of another, or for violation of law, whether willful or negligent” as per 28-2-702, MCA. h. These obligations shall survive termination of this Agreement and the services performed hereunder. i. In addition to and independent from the above, Contractor shall at Contractor’s expense secure insurance coverage through an insurance company or companies duly licensed and authorized to conduct insurance business in Montana which insures the liabilities and obligations specifically assumed by the Contractor in this Section. The insurance coverage shall not contain any exclusion for liabilities specifically assumed by the Contractor in subsection (a) of this Section. j. The insurance shall cover and apply to all claims, demands, suits, damages, losses, and expenses that may be asserted or claimed against, recovered from, or suffered by the City without limit and without regard to the cause therefore and which is acceptable to the City and Contractor shall furnish to the City an accompanying certificate of insurance and accompanying endorsements in amounts not less than as follows: • Workers’ Compensation – statutory; Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 6 of 18 • Employers’ Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence and annual aggregate; • Commercial General Liability - $1,000,000 per occurrence; $2,000,000 annual aggregate; • Automobile Liability - $1,000,000 property damage/bodily injury; $1,000,000 annual aggregate; and • Builder’s Risk/Property Insurance at least as broad as that provided by the ISO special causes of loss form (CP10 30) naming at a minimum the City in an amount equal to greater of Contractor’s compensation or full replacement value of the work (covering at a minimum all work, buildings, materials and equipment, whether on site or in transit, loss due to fire, lightening, theft, vandalism, malicious mischief, earthquake, collapse, debris removal, demolition occasioned by enforcement of laws, water damage, flood if site within a flood plain, repair or replacement costs, testing and start-up costs) on an all risk coverage basis. This insurance must include waivers of subrogation between the City and Contractor to the extent that damage to the Project or City Hall is covered by other insurance; • Owner’s and Contractor’s Protective Liability: one policy designating the City (including its agents, representatives, employees, and officers) as the insured and another independent policy designated the City’s Representative (including its consultants, consultants, agents and employees) as the insured on the declarations with both policies covering: (i) operations performed by the Contractor under this Agreement for the City; and (ii) the City’s and City’s Representatives acts or omissions, including negligent acts, in connection with its general supervision of the work of the Contractor’s and its subcontractors - $1,000,000 per occurrence; $2,000,000 aggregate; • Contractual Liability Insurance (covering the Contractor’s indemnity obligations described in this Agreement) - $1,000,000 per occurrence $2,000,000 aggregate k. The above amounts shall be exclusive of defense costs. The City of Bozeman, its officers, agents, and employees, shall be endorsed as an additional or named insured on a primary non-contributory basis on both the Commercial General and Automobile Liability policies. The insurance and required endorsements must be in a form suitable to City and shall include no less than a thirty (30) day notice of cancellation or non- renewal. The City must approve all insurance coverage and endorsements prior to the Contractor commencing work. Contractor shall notify City within two (2) business days of Contractor’s receipt of notice that any required insurance coverage will be Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 7 of 18 terminated or Contractor’s decision to terminate any required insurance coverage for any reason. l. The City must approve all insurance coverage and endorsements prior to the Contractor commencing work. m. Pursuant to the City’s authority provided for in 18-2-201(4), the Contractor shall not be required to provide bonds as required by 18-2-201(1) for individual task orders under this Agreement. Bonds may be waived as allowed under 18-2-201(4) for individual task orders. 8. Taxes: Contractor is obligated to pay all taxes of any kind or nature and make all appropriate employee withholdings. Contractor understands that all contractors or subcontractors working on a publicly funded project are required to pay or have withheld from earnings a license fee of one percent (1%) of the gross contract price if the gross contract price is Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or more. This license fee is paid to the Montana Department of Revenue. 9. Inspection and Testing: a. City has the right to inspect and test any and all work performed by Contractor under a task order’s scope of services, referred to as the “Project”, executed under the authority of this Agreement. Contractor shall allow City and its agents access to the Project at all times and shall provide every reasonable facility for the purpose of such inspection and testing, including temporarily discontinuing portions of the work or uncovering or taking down portions of the finished work. Any inspection and testing performed by the City and its agents is for the sole benefit of the City and shall not relieve the Contractor of its duty, responsibility, and obligation to ensure that the work strictly complies with the Agreement terms and conditions and all applicable laws and building and safety codes. City’s inspection and testing shall not be deemed or considered acceptance by the City of any portion of the Project. City’s inspection and testing shall not serve to nullify, amend, or waive any warranties provided by the Contractor under this Agreement. b. Contractor shall, without charge, replace any material or correct any work found by the City or its agents to be defective or otherwise not in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In the event Contractor fails to replace or correct any defective work or materials after reasonable written notice by the City to do so, the City may take such corrective action, either with its own materials and employees or Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 8 of 18 by retaining any third party to do so, and deduct the cost and expense of such corrective action from the Contractor’s compensation. 10. Partial Utilization of the Project: City shall have the right to use or occupy any portion of the Project that City and Contractor mutually agree is substantially completed and constitutes a separately functioning and usable part of the Project for its intended purpose without significant interference with Contractor’s performance of the remaining portions of the Project. In the event City takes possession of any portion of the Project, such possession shall not be deemed an acceptance of the Project, in whole or in part. City’s use of any portion of the Project shall not be grounds for extensions of any construction deadlines or a change in the Contractor’s compensation. Contractor’s warranties shall run from the completion of the total Project and not from the date the City may take possession of selected portions of the Project. 11. Related Work at the Site: Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or preclude City, through its own employees or by contract with any third party, from performing other work related to the Project at the construction site; provided such related work is not otherwise addressed in this Agreement and provided such related work does not otherwise interfere with Contractor’s performance of this Agreement or the completion of the Project. Contractor shall afford any City employee, agent or representative, or any third party under contract with the City to perform the related work, proper and safe access to the construction site, a reasonable opportunity for the introduction and storage of materials and equipment, the opportunity to perform the related work, and shall properly coordinate the Contractor’s work on the Project with the related work. 12. Contractor’s Warranties: Contractor represents and warrants as follows: a. Unless otherwise specified by the terms of the Task Order, all materials and equipment used by Contractor on the Project shall be new and where not otherwise specified, of the most suitable grade for their intended uses. b. All workmanship and materials shall be of a kind and nature acceptable to the City. c. All equipment, materials, and labor provided to, on, or for the Project must be free of defects and nonconformities in design, materials, and workmanship for a minimum period beginning with the commencement of the work on the Project and ending one (1) year from the final completion and acceptance by the City of the Project, regardless of whether such equipment, materials, or labor were supplied directly by Contractor or indirectly by Contractor’s subcontractors or suppliers. Other express warranties on Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 9 of 18 materials that provide for a warranty period longer than one year apply for the period of that express warranty and are not reduced by this provision. Upon receipt of City’s written notice of a defective or nonconforming condition during the warranty period, Contractor shall take all actions, including redesign and replacement, to correct the defective or nonconforming condition within a time frame acceptable to the City and at no additional cost to the City. Contractor shall also, at its sole cost, perform any tests required by City to verify that such defective or nonconforming condition has been corrected. Contractor warrants the corrective action taken against defective and nonconforming conditions for a period of an additional one (1) year from the date of City’s acceptance of the corrective action. d. Contractor and its sureties are liable for the satisfaction and full performance of all warranties. e. Contractor shall give its personal attention to the faithful prosecution of the completion of the Project and Contractor, or its duly authorized representative assigned to serve as the Construction Project Manager, shall be personally present at the site of the Construction Project during working hours for the term of this Agreement until the completion of the Project. f. Contractor shall have a complete, accurate, and up-to-date set of construction plans, drawings, and specifications on site at all times. g. Contractor has examined all available records and made field examinations of the site of the Project. Contractor has knowledge of the field conditions to be encountered during the Project. Contractor has knowledge of the types and character of equipment necessary for the work, the types of materials needed and the sources of such materials, and the condition of the local labor market. h. Contractor is responsible for the safety of the work and shall maintain all lights, guards, signs, temporary passages, or other protections necessary for that purpose at all times. i. All work must be performed at Contractor’s risk, and Contractor shall promptly repair or replace all damage and loss at its sole cost and expense regardless of the reason or cause of the damage or loss; provided, however, should the damage or loss be caused by an intentional or negligent act of the City, the risk of such loss shall be placed on the City. Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 10 of 18 j. Contractor is responsible for any loss or damage to materials, tools, or other articles used or held for use in the completion of performance of the Project. k. Contractor’s performance must be without damage or disruption to any other work or property of the City or of others and without interference with the operation of existing machinery or equipment. l. Title to all work, materials, and equipment covered by any payment of Contractor’s compensation by City, whether directly incorporated into the Project or not, passes to City at the time of payment, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. 13. Delays and Extensions of Time: If Contractor’s performance of this Agreement is prevented or delayed by any unforeseen cause beyond the control of the Contractor, including acts or omissions of the City, Contractor shall, within ten (10) days of the commencement of any such delay, give the City written notice thereof. Further, Contractor shall, within ten (10) days of the termination of such delay, give the City written notice of the total actual duration of the delay. If the City is provided with these required notices and if the City determines that the cause of the delay was not foreseeable, was beyond the control of the Contractor, and was not a result of the fault or negligence of the Contractor, then the City will determine the total duration of the delay and extend the time for performance of the Agreement accordingly. Unless the delay is caused by the intentional interference of the City with the Contractor’s performance, Contractor shall make no claim for damages or any other claim other than for an extension of time as herein provided by reason of any delays. 14. Suspension: a. The City may, by written notice to the Contractor and at its convenience for any reason, suspend the performance of all or any portion of the work to be performed on the Project (“Notice of Suspension”). The Notice of Suspension shall set forth the time of suspension, if then known to the City. During the period of suspension, Contractor shall use its best efforts to minimize costs associated with the suspension. b. Upon Contractor’s receipt of any Notice of Suspension, unless the notice requires otherwise, Contractor shall: (1) immediately discontinue work on the date and to the extent specified in the Notice of Suspension; (2) place no further orders or subcontracts for materials, services, or equipment; (3) promptly make every reasonable effort to obtain suspension upon terms satisfactory to City of all orders, subcontracts, and rental agreements to the extent that they relate to the performance of the work suspended; Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 11 of 18 and (4) continue to protect and maintain the Project, including those portions on which work has been suspended. c. As compensation for the suspended work, Contractor will be reimbursed for the following costs, reasonably incurred, without duplication of any item, and to the extent that such costs directly resulted from the suspension: (1) a standby charge paid during the period of suspension which will be sufficient to compensate Contractor for keeping, to the extent required in the Notice of Suspension, Contractor’s organization and equipment committed to the Project in standby status; (2) all reasonably incurred costs for the demobilization of Contractor’s and subcontractor’s crews and equipment; (3) an equitable amount to reimburse Contractor for the cost to protect and maintain the Project during the period of suspension; and (4) an equitable adjustment in the cost of performing the remaining portion of the work post-suspension if, as a direct result of the suspension, the cost to Contractor of subsequently performing the remaining work on the Project has increased or decreased. d. Upon receipt of written notice by the City to resume the suspended work (“Notice to Resume Work”), Contractor shall immediately resume performance of the suspended work as to the extent required in the Notice to Resume Work. Any claim by Contractor for time or compensation described in Section 11(c) shall be made within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Notice to Resume Work and Contractor shall submit a revised schedule for the City’s review and approval. Contractor’s failure to timely make such a claim shall result in a waiver of the claim. e. No compensation described in Section 11(c) shall be paid and no extension of time to complete the Project shall be granted if the suspension results from Contractor’s non- compliance with or breach of the terms or requirements of this Agreement. 15. Termination for Contractor’s Fault: a. If Contractor refuses or fails to timely do the work, or any part thereof, or fails to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement, or otherwise breaches any terms or conditions of this Agreement, the City may, by written notice, terminate this Agreement or any individual Task Order under this Agreement and the Contractor’s right to proceed with all or any part of the work (“Termination Notice Due to Contractor’s Fault”). The City may then take over the work and complete it, either with its own resources or by re-letting the contract to any other third party. Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 12 of 18 b. In the event of a termination pursuant to this Section 8, Contractor shall be entitled to payment only for those services Contractor actually rendered. c. Any termination provided for by this Section 8 shall be in addition to any other remedies to which the City may be entitled under the law or at equity. d. In the event of termination under this Section 8, Contractor shall, under no circumstances, be entitled to claim or recover consequential, special, punitive, lost business opportunity, lost productivity, field office overhead, general conditions costs, or lost profits damages of any nature arising, or claimed to have arisen, as a result of the termination. 16. Termination for City’s Convenience: a. Should conditions arise which, in the sole opinion and discretion of the City, make it advisable to the City to cease performance under this Agreement; the City may terminate this Agreement or any Task Order under this Agreement by written notice to Contractor (“Notice of Termination for City’s Convenience”). The termination shall be effective in the manner specified in the Notice of Termination for City’s Convenience and shall be without prejudice to any claims that the City may otherwise have against Contractor. b. Upon receipt of the Notice of Termination for City’s Convenience, unless otherwise directed in the Notice, the Contractor shall immediately cease performance under this Agreement or any Task Order under this Agreement and make every reasonable effort to refrain from continuing work, incurring additional expenses or costs under this Agreement or any Task Order under this Agreement and shall immediately cancel all existing orders or contracts upon terms satisfactory to the City. Contractor shall do only such work as may be necessary to preserve, protect, and maintain work already completed or immediately in progress. c. In the event of a termination pursuant to this Section 9, Contractor is entitled to payment only for those services Contractor actually rendered on or before the receipt of the Notice of Termination for City’s Convenience. d. The compensation described in Section 9(c) is the sole compensation due to Contractor for its performance of this Agreement. Contractor shall, under no circumstances, be entitled to claim or recover consequential, special, punitive, lost business opportunity, Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 13 of 18 lost productivity, field office overhead, general conditions costs, or lost profits damages of any nature arising, or claimed to have arisen, as a result of the termination. 17. Limitation on Contractor’s Damages; Time for Asserting Claim: a. In the event of a claim for damages by Contractor under this Agreement, Contractor’s damages shall be limited to contract damages and Contractor hereby expressly waives any right to claim or recover consequential, special, punitive, lost business opportunity, lost productivity, field office overhead, general conditions costs, or lost profits damages of any nature or kind. b. In the event Contractor wants to assert a claim for damages of any kind or nature, Contractor shall provide City with written notice of its claim, the facts and circumstances surrounding and giving rise to the claim, and the total amount of damages sought by the claim, within thirty (30) days of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the claim. In the event Contractor fails to provide such notice, Contractor shall waive all rights to assert such claim. 18. Representatives: a. City’s Representative: The City’s Representative for the purpose of this Agreement shall be Griffin Nielsen, PE or such other individual as City shall designate in writing. Whenever approval or authorization from or communication or submission to City is required by this Agreement, such communication or submission shall be directed to Griffin Nielsen as the City’s Representative and approvals or authorizations shall be issued only by such Representative; provided, however, that in exigent circumstances when City’s Representative is not available, Contractor may direct its communication or submission to other designated City personnel or agents as listed above and may receive approvals or authorization from such persons. b. Contractor’s Representative: The Contractor’s Representative for the purpose of this Agreement shall be [INSERT CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE] or such other individual as Contractor shall designate in writing. Whenever direction to or communication with Contractor is required by this Agreement, such direction or communication shall be directed to Contractor’s Representative; provided, however, that in exigent circumstances when Contractor’s Representative is not available, City may direct its direction or communication to other designated Contractor personnel or agents. Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 14 of 18 c. Notices: All notices required by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be provided to the Representatives named in this Section. Notices shall be deemed given when delivered, if delivered by courier to Party’s address shown above during normal business hours of the recipient; or when sent, if sent by email or fax (with a successful transmission report) to the email address or fax number provided by the Party’s Representative; or on the fifth business day following mailing, if mailed by ordinary mail to the address shown above, postage prepaid. 19. Permits: Contractor shall provide all notices, comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, obtain all necessary permits, licenses, including a City of Bozeman business license, and inspections from applicable governmental authorities, and pay all fees and charges in connection therewith. 20. Laws and Regulations: Contractor shall comply fully with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and municipal ordinances including, but not limited to, all workers’ compensation laws, all environmental laws including, but not limited to, the generation and disposal of hazardous waste, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the safety rules, codes, and provisions of the Montana Safety Act in Title 50, Chapter 71, MCA, all applicable City, County, and State building and electrical codes, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all non-discrimination, affirmative action, and utilization of minority and small business statutes and regulations. 21. Indebtedness and Liens: Before City may make any final payment to Contractor, Contractor shall furnish City with satisfactory proof that there are no outstanding debts or liens in connection with the Project. If the Contractor allows any indebtedness to accrue to subcontractors or others during the progress of the work, and fails to pay or discharge the same within five (5) days after demand, then City may either withhold any money due to Contractor until such indebtedness is paid or apply the same towards the discharge of the indebtedness. If any lien or claim is filed or made by any subcontractor, material supplier, or any other person, the Contractor shall immediately notify the City and shall cause the same to be discharged of record within thirty (30) days after its filing. 22. Hazard Communication: Contractor shall comply with all hazard communication requirements dictated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Montana Department of Agriculture, OSHA, Hazard Communications Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, and applicable City ordinances. Contractor shall supply a chemical list, the associated material safety data sheets (MSDS), and other pertinent health exposure data for chemicals that the Contractor’s, subcontractor’s or the City’s employees may be exposed to while working on City property Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 15 of 18 during the course of the Project. One copy of this documentation must be delivered to City to the attention of the City’s Representative. This documentation must be delivered before work involving these chemicals may commence. 23. Accounts and Records: During the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years following the City’s final acceptance of the Project, Contractor shall maintain accounts and records related to the Project. Upon reasonable notice, City shall have the right to inspect all such accounts and records, including but not limited to, Contractor’s records, books, correspondence, instructions, drawings, specifications, field and site notes, receipts, invoices, bills, contracts, or other documents relating to the Project. 24. Nondiscrimination and Equal Pay: a. The Contractor agrees that all hiring by Contractor of persons performing this Agreement shall be on the basis of merit and qualifications. The Contractor will have a policy to provide equal employment opportunity in accordance with all applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, regulations, and contracts. The Contractor will not refuse employment to a person, bar a person from employment, or discriminate against a person in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment because of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, national origin, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, except when the reasonable demands of the position require an age, physical or mental disability, marital status or sex distinction. The Contractor shall be subject to and comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 140, Title 2, United States Code, and all regulations promulgated thereunder. b. Contractor represents it is, and for the term of this Agreement will be, in compliance with the requirements of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act). Contractor must report to the City any violations of the Montana Equal Pay Act that Contractor has been found guilty of within 60 days of such finding for violations occurring during the term of this Agreement. c. Contractor shall require these nondiscrimination terms of its subcontractors providing services under this Agreement. 25. Intoxicants; DOT Drug and Alcohol Regulations/Safety and Training: a. Contractor shall not permit or suffer the introduction or use of any intoxicants, including alcohol or illegal drugs, by any employee or agent engaged in services to the City under this Agreement while on City property or in the performance of any Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 16 of 18 activities under this Agreement. Contractor acknowledges it is aware of and shall comply with its responsibilities and obligations under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations governing anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention plans and related testing. City shall have the right to request proof of such compliance and Contractor shall be obligated to furnish such proof. b. The Contractor shall be responsible for instructing and training the Contractor's employees and agents in proper and specified work methods and procedures. The Contractor shall provide continuous inspection and supervision of the work performed. The Contractor is responsible for instructing his employees and agents in safe work practices. 26. Modification and Assignability: This Agreement may not be enlarged, modified or altered except by written agreement signed by both parties hereto. The Contractor may not subcontract or assign Contractor’s rights, including the right to compensation or duties arising hereunder, without the prior written consent of City. Any subcontractor or assignee will be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 27. Reports/Accountability/Public Information: Contractor agrees to develop and/or provide documentation as requested by the City demonstrating Contractor’s compliance with the requirements of this Agreement. Contractor shall allow the City, its auditors, and other persons authorized by the City to inspect and copy its books and records for the purpose of verifying that the reimbursement of monies distributed to Contractor pursuant to this Agreement was used in compliance with this Agreement and all applicable provisions of federal, state, and local law. The Contractor shall not issue any statements, releases or information for public dissemination without prior approval of the City. 28. Non-Waiver: A waiver by either party any default or breach by the other party of any terms or conditions of this Agreement does not limit the other party’s right to enforce such term or conditions or to pursue any available legal or equitable rights in the event of any subsequent default or breach. 29. Attorney’s Fees and Costs: That in the event it becomes necessary for either Party of this Agreement to retain an attorney to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement or to give any notice required herein, then the prevailing Party or the Party giving notice shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and costs, including fees, salary, and costs of in-house counsel to include City Attorney. Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 17 of 18 30. Taxes: Contractor is obligated to pay all taxes of any kind or nature and make all appropriate employee withholdings. 31. Dispute Resolution: a. Any claim, controversy, or dispute between the parties, their agents, employees, or representatives shall be resolved first by negotiation between senior-level personnel from each party duly authorized to execute settlement agreements. Upon mutual agreement of the parties, the parties may invite an independent, disinterested mediator to assist in the negotiated settlement discussions. b. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute within thirty (30) days from the date the dispute was first raised, then such dispute may only be resolved in a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with the Applicable Law provisions of this Agreement. 32. Survival: Contractor’s indemnification shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for the maximum period allowed under applicable law. 33. Headings: The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not be construed as a part of the Agreement or as a limitation on the scope of the particular paragraphs to which they refer. 34. Severability: If any portion of this Agreement is held to be void or unenforceable, the balance thereof shall continue in effect. 35. Applicable Law: The parties agree that this Agreement is governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Montana. 36. Binding Effect: This Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns of the parties. 37. No Third-Party Beneficiary: This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties, does not constitute a third-party beneficiary agreement, and may not be relied upon or enforced by a third party. 38. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which together constitute one instrument. Professional Services Master Task Order Agreement for Electrical On-Call Services Page 18 of 18 39. Integration: This Agreement and all Exhibits attached hereto constitute the entire agreement of the parties. Covenants or representations not contained therein or made a part thereof by reference, are not binding upon the parties. There are no understandings between the parties other than as set forth in this Agreement. All communications, either verbal or written, made prior to the date of this Agreement are hereby abrogated and withdrawn unless specifically made a part of this Agreement by reference. 40. Consent to Electronic Signatures: The Parties have consented to execute this Agreement electronically in conformance with the Montana Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Title 30, Chapter 18, Part 1, MCA. 41. Extensions: This Agreement may, upon mutual agreement, be extended for a period of one fiscal year by written agreement of the Parties. In no case, however, may this Agreement run longer than [Month, Date] 2024. **** END OF AGREEMENT EXCEPT FOR SIGNATURES **** IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this instrument the day and year first above written. CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA ____________________________________ CONTRACTOR (Type Name Above) By________________________________ By__________________________________ Jeff Mihelich, City Manager Print Name: Print Title: ____________________________ APPROVED AS TO FORM: By_______________________________ Greg Sullivan, Bozeman City Attorney