THIS SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions upon which you, or your company organized under the laws of the State of FL (“you” or the “Customer”) will engage Federal Government Contract Advisors, LLC (“FGCA”) to provide the Services (as defined herein below). You will be bound to the terms of this Agreement as set forth in Section 9(e) hereinbelow.
THIS AGREEMENT IS A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND FGCA. BY CLICKING “I ACCEPT” BELOW AND USING THE SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY.
1. Services.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, FGCA will, upon request by the Customer, provide registration, certification, marketing and consulting services to the Customer (“Services”). Services may include any of the following (collectively, “Government Registration Services”):
- Assistance using the federal procurement system known as System for Awards Management (“SAM”), and the periodic renewal of SAM-related registrations;
- Certification services relating to government incentive programs (including, but not limited to, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification, Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) certification, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) certification, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification, Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBzone) certification, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (8(a)) certification, and General Services Administration (GSA) services scheduling); and
iii. Assistance in pursuing contract opportunities with the federal government, including helping prepare marketing materials (creation of capability statement, contact list of relevant procurement officers provided, e-mail of capability statement sent to procurement officers on customers behalf), E-mail setup at fgca.org to receive relevant bid opportunities, at customers request assistance via phone consultation in how to respond to requests for proposals and bid requests (“RFPs”) and other consulting services.
(b) Customer shall request that FGCA provide specific Services by submitting a completed FGCA order form registration form (each, a “Order Form”) to FGCA. Order Forms shall not be effective unless and until accepted by FGCA.
(c) Customer expressly acknowledges that most government certification requires annual re- registration and SAM renewal fee of $8.95, and that Customer’s engagement of FGCA to provide Government Registration Services that relate to government certification will not absolve Customer of its recurring reregistration obligations, which are not included in the Services being provided pursuant to this Agreement unless expressly agreed in writing by FGCA and the Customer.
2. Customer Obligations.
(a) Customer Data. Customer is responsible for providing FGCA with the data required for FGCA to provide Services on Customer’s behalf (such data, the “Customer Data”). All Customer Data is and remains the exclusive property of Customer, and will only be accessed, processed, or transferred in accordance with this Agreement. Customer shall be solely responsible for providing comprehensive and accurate Customer Data on a timely basis during the term of this Agreement.
(b) Data Security. FGCA represents that it has implemented a comprehensive written information security program (“WISP”) that incorporates administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to ensure the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the Customer Data, and will maintain the WISP in force at all times while Customer Data is in FGCA’s possession. FGCA shall use commercially reasonable efforts to protect the Customer Data from loss or destruction.
(c) Accuracy and Completeness. Customer is solely responsible for the content and accuracy of the Customer Data. FGCA shall not be liable for any errors or discrepancies in the Customer Data, for any actions taken in reliance thereon, or for any delays arising from Customer’s failure or inability to provide comprehensive, accurate Customer Data on a timely basis. FGCA has no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy or completeness of any Customer Data, including, but not limited to, the general accuracy, historical accuracy, completeness, integrity or any other aspect of any Customer Data. FGCA has not made, and will not make, any inquiry into the accuracy of any Customer Data. Customer expressly acknowledges that it is Customer’s sole responsibility to verify and confirm the accuracy of any Customer Data inserted into any forms populated during by FGCA on the Customer’s behalf, or by the Customer with FGCA’s assistance, or that is otherwise exported or transmitted to third parties prior to submission.
3. Third-Party Registration Service.
(a) Not a Government Agency. Customer understands and acknowledges that FGCA is a privately owned third-party registration service and is not a local, state or federal government agency, nor is FGCA endorsed by or affiliated with any local, state or federal government. FGCA Fees are charged for Services provided, not for government forms themselves, which can be obtained at no charge from state and federal agencies.
(b) Independent Contractor Relationship. FGCA’s relationship with Customer is that of an independent contractor, and nothing in this Agreement is intended, or should be construed, to create any partnership, agency, joint venture or employee relationship.
4. Payment Terms; Term of Agreement.
The fees for the Services (collectively, “Fees”) shall be assessed as follows:
(a) Government & Certification Registration Fees. Fees for Government Registration Services (“Government Registration Fees”) will vary by project. Customer agrees to pay all Government Registration & Certification Fees owed to FGCA as follows:
- All Government Registration & Certification Fees are due upon submission to, and acceptance by, FGCA of the related Work Order;
- All costs imposed by, and payable directly to, the applicable state or federal government agency shall be due prior to any filing or submission relating to which FGCA provides Services.
(b) Consulting Fees. Fees for Consulting Services (“Consulting Fees”) will vary by project and will be mutually agreed in writing by Customer and FGCA. All Consulting Fees shall be due upon the submission of the related Work Order.
(c) Refund, Renewal, and Cancellation Policy. Customer shall not be entitled to any refund for Services already provided or performed, or expenses incurred on Customer’s behalf, by FGCA. Other refunds shall be at FGCA’s sole discretion. Consulting Fees, once paid, shall be non- refundable.
Cancellation. Customer can cancel this agreement by completing the form at fgca.org within 48 hours of the acceptance of this agreement. After that time there will be a cancellation fee not to exceed the full amount of the purchase. The customer agrees not to stop pay on any types of payment including but not limited to Credit Cards, Checks, ACH, or Check Drafts. Any charges of a stop payment or dispute to any bank or payment processor will be in direct violation of this agreement and all charges associated with this action will be passed on to the customer, not limited to attorney fees and bank charges. By acceptance of this agreement, you are bound to all its Terms and Conditions.
Completed registrations, including rushed registrations cannot be cancelled or refunded under any circumstances.
Automatic Renewal. Failure to provide proper notice of cancellation to FGCA pursuant to this agreement will result in an automatic non-refundable renewal that will be billed to the card or payment method on Customer’s file.
(d) Outstanding Fees. Overdue Fees shall bear interest at the fixed rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum, or, if such rate of interest exceeds that which may be collected under applicable law, then at the maximum rate of interest, if any, which may be collected under applicable law. Customer shall be responsible for FGCA’s costs of collection and reasonable attorneys’ fees. FGCA shall have no obligation to perform Services if any Fees are late or outstanding and may terminate this Agreement and/or any Work Order at any time that any Fees are late or outstanding.
(e) Payment Method. Customer shall provide FGCA with a method of payment at the time it submits any Work Order. Customer represents and warrants that, with respect to the payment method selected: (i) any credit information supplied is accurate and complete; (ii) Customer is authorized to use the payment method provided; (iii) FGCA is authorized to charge Customer for the Services using such payment method; and (iv) Customer agrees to pay all Fees incurred, including any charges incurred for dishonored payments, by means of such payment method (or as may otherwise be agreed by FGCA in writing).
(f) Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence as of the date of execution and, subject to the other terms and conditions set forth herein, continue for one (1) year. Thereafter, subject to the other terms and conditions set forth herein, the Agreement shall automatically renew for additional one (1) year terms beginning on each anniversary of the execution of the Agreement unless either party shall provide written notice of its intent not to renew the Agreement no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of then-current term.
5. Authorization to Act on Customer’s Behalf.
(a) Customer acknowledges and agrees that FGCA may submit Customer’s information and Customer Data to government agencies and relevant businesses on Customer’s behalf. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Customer hereby appoints FGCA as its agent and grants FGCA permission to act on behalf of Customer solely in connection with the performance of the Services.
(b) Customer expressly acknowledges and agrees that FGCA may, from time to time, create email and other service accounts on behalf of the Customer, and, in so doing, select usernames and passwords for such accounts. FGCA will provide username(s) and password(s) for such accounts to Customer upon Customer’s request therefor, provided that no Fees are overdue or outstanding under this Agreement. Requests for usernames and/or passwords pursuant to this paragraph shall be made by email to FGCA@blabor.com or by phone call to (833) 321-3422.
6. Customer Representations and Warranties.
Customer represents and warrants that:
(a) it is authorized to disclose all of the information it discloses to FGCA, including but not limited to the Customer Data; and
(b) all information provided to FGCA, including but not limited to the Customer Information, is accurate and complete to the best of Customer’s knowledge, and is not submitted for the purpose of defrauding any party or committing any unlawful act.
7. Limitations of Liability and Warranty.
(a) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Except for claims directly related to a breach of the Customer’s representations and warranties or a claim for indemnification hereunder, neither party’s aggregate liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation on account of performance or nonperformance of obligations hereunder, regardless of the form of the cause of action, whether in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), statute or otherwise, shall exceed the amounts actually paid (or, in the case of the Customer’s liability to FGCA, payable) under this Agreement. OTHER THAN WITH RESPECT TO CUSTOMER’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, OR A BREACH OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE HEREIN, NEITHER PARTY WILL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, LOSS OF GOODWILL OR PROFITS), ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SAME.
(b) NO WARRANTY. SERVICES PROVIDED BY FGCA UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR ANY WORK ORDER ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY WHATSOEVER AND FGCA HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
8. Indemnification.
Customer expressly agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold FGCA and its officers, agents, employees, partners and licensors harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, made by any party due to or arising out of: (i) Customer’s use of the Services; (ii) the use by FGCA of any Customer Data, (iii) any breach of any of the representations and warranties made by Customer hereunder; or (iv) violation by Customer of any applicable state of federal law.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Legal Compliance. Customer agrees to comply with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations at all times.
(b) Modification and Waiver. No modification of this Agreement will be deemed effective unless in writing and signed by each of the parties. The failure of either party to enforce any right or obligation under this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver thereof unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought and shall not prevent the later enforcement of such right or obligation.
(c) Governing Law; Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, and enforced in accordance with, and shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Florida without regard to conflict of law principles, and regardless of the place of execution, or the places of performance. Customer agrees and submits to the jurisdiction and venue of the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, Florida, or the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, in any action for breach or enforcement of this Agreement.
(d) Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the validity, inducement or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then pertaining, except where those rules conflict with this provision, in which case this provision controls. Any court with jurisdiction shall enforce this clause and enter judgment on any award. The party requesting the arbitration shall bear the costs and expenses of the arbitration (which shall not include the expenses incurred by each party for their own legal representation in connection with the arbitration). The arbitrator shall award costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees to the prevailing party. The arbitrator shall be an attorney who has at least fifteen
(15) years of experience with a law firm or corporate law department or who was a judge of a court of general jurisdiction, unless the parties agree otherwise. The arbitration shall be held in Florida and, in rendering the award, the arbitrator must apply the substantive law of Florida. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party shall have the right to seek and obtain from the appropriate court equitable remedies such as attachment, preliminary injunction, replevin, etc., to avoid irreparable harm.
(e) Non-Disparagement. FGCA is a third-party registration firm that depends on government websites being functional and you the customer supplying information to complete the registrations. This is why the client must agree to not attack/criticize FGCA and any of its employees, associates, or partners publicly (on public forums, blogs, social networks, etc.) at any time during or subsequent to contract period. Similarly, client agrees not to seek for SEO advice on any SEO forums, blogs community groups or any social media in a way which brings bad name to FGCA or any of its employees, associates, or partners. In the case that this clause is breached, client agrees to pay ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in liquidated damages to FGCA. The Customer agrees that the sum of $10,000 represents reasonable compensation for the damages that the parties anticipate will result from a breach of this Agreement as the industry is highly competitive and good will and reputation are essential to the success of FGCA. Additionally, this stipulated remedy shall in no way be perceived to be intended to punish Customer for breaching this Agreement. In no way shall this stipulated remedy be seen as a waiver or limitation on the FGCA’s ability to pursue further damages from Customer in the event of a breach of this Agreement. FGCA cannot be held liable for any and all acts of god, weather, disasters, etc.
(f) Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. If at any time after the execution of this Agreement, either party should institute legal action for breach or enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of incurred through litigation or other legal proceedings.
(g) Electronic Signature. By selecting the “I Accept” button, you are signing this Agreement electronically. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this Agreement. By selecting “I Accept” you consent to be legally bound by this Agreement’s terms and conditions as if actually signed by you in writing. You also agree and represent that no certification authority or other third-party verification is necessary to validate your electronic signature and that you are authorized to enter into this Agreement on behalf of yourself or your company.
(h) Severability. If any of the provisions or a portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the enforceable portion of any such provision and/or the remaining provisions will not be affected.
(i) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Work Order, represents the entire Agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, written or oral, regarding the Software to be provided by FGCA. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and those of any other agreements entered into pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement’s terms and conditions will control.
(j) Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither party may assign this Agreement, or any part hereof, without the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement is binding upon and is for the benefit of the parties, and their respective successors and assigns.
(k) Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable to the other party arising out of delays or failures to perform under this Agreement to the extent that any such delays or failures result from any cause beyond the reasonable control of the party affected, including without limitation, fire, earthquake, explosion, casualty, strike, war, riot, civil disturbance, act of God, any state of national law, decree or ordinance, or any executive or judicial order provided that the affected party promptly informs the other of all relevant information. If any such force majeure event extends beyond thirty (30) days, either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other party.
(l) Surviving Obligations. Termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason will not affect or negate any obligations of the parties which arose prior to the effective date of such termination or expiration.