1. Services provided by Contractor; Compensation; Billing. Contractor hereby agrees to provide the services as stated in the Specific Terms and Conditions. In consideration for said services, Southwest Key hereby agrees to pay Contractor the rate outlined in the Specific Terms and Conditions of this agreement. Contractor shall complete and sign an invoice, mutually acceptable to both parties, which shall be delivered, within ten days of completion of the work, to the address listed in the Specific Terms and Conditions.
2. Term and Termination. This agreement is effective as stated in the Specific Terms and Conditions. Additionally, this Agreement may be terminated immediately upon written notice by Southwest Key, with or without cause. Notice is considered given when properly addressed and hand delivered or mailed to the non-terminating party by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, postage prepaid. In the event this agreement is terminated before the term expires, Contractor shall submit a final invoice within thirty (30) days after the termination date, for work completed through the date of the termination. In such instances, Contractor shall be paid a reasonable amount, as determined by Southwest Key, for work completed through the date of the termination.
3. Independent Contractor; Confidentiality; No Conflict of Interest. The parties hereby agree that Contractor shall act as an independent contractor and not as an employee of Southwest Key. Contractor shall have no claim against Southwest Key for vacation pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, workers compensation, disability benefits, unemployment benefits or any other benefits inuring to an employee of Southwest Key. Southwest Key shall have no control over the manner or methods by which Contractor performs the services agreed to herein. Contractor shall be wholly responsible for the payment of any taxes owed for the funds Contractor receives pursuant to this Agreement. Contractor recognizes and acknowledges that in the course of performing services required by this Agreement, Contractor will have access to, become acquainted with, and obtain information and knowledge relating to the business, condition, methods of operation and other aspects of Southwest Key, its affiliates and their customers, employees and suppliers, some of which information and knowledge is confidential and proprietary, and that Contractor could substantially detract from the value and business prospects of Southwest Key in the event, during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, Contractor were to disclose to any person not related to Southwest Key or use such information and knowledge for the advantage of Contractor or other person. Accordingly, Contractor hereby agrees that Contractor will not disclose such information to any person, other than directors, officers, employees, accountants, lawyers, consultants, advisors, agents and representatives of, or other persons related to, Southwest Key, and that such disclosure shall be made only on a “need to know” basis. To the best of Contractor’s knowledge, Contractor has not, within the past two years, worked or volunteered on behalf of Southwest Key, any company related to Southwest Key, or any funder, competitor or vendor of Southwest Key. To the best of Contractor’s knowledge, Contractor is not related to anyone who works for any company related to Southwest Key, serves on the board of directors of any company related to Southwest Key or volunteers for any company related to Southwest Key.
4. Entire Agreement, Waiver; Partial Invalidity; Ambiguities; Notices. This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or written, between the parties hereto and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to such contract. Southwest Key has the right to add to, modify or delete any provision of these General Terms and Conditions. Southwest Key shall notify Contractor of any material adverse change to these General Terms and Conditions by posting such modified General Terms and Conditions on its website. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, have been made by any party, or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid and binding. Any modification of this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the party to be charged. A waiver of any breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a continuing waiver of other breaches of the same or other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way. Any ambiguous language in this Agreement shall be interpreted as to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against either party, regardless of whether either party drafted the Agreement. Any Notice required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, postage prepaid, and shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Contractor or Southwest Key at the address identified in the Specific Terms and Conditions.
5. Governing Law; Laws; Indemnity; Limitation of Liability. This Agreement shall be governed by and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, and venue for any action or proceeding to enforce or interpret any provision of this Agreement shall be in Travis County, Texas. Contractor shall abide by all laws, statutes, regulations and ordinances in completing the terms of this Agreement. Contractor hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Southwest Key harmless from and against any and all claims, suits, damage or damages and/or loss or losses and/or action or actions of any kind as the result of and arising out of the services provided by Contractor under this Agreement. Contractor agrees to waive any and all claims against Southwest Key, which might otherwise arise from work performed pursuant to this Agreement. Contractor further agrees that Southwest Key’s liability to Contractor or to any third party, for any damage arising from the performance of this Agreement shall not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
6. Insurance. Contractor agrees to purchase and maintain, at its own expense insurance to protect Contractor from workers’ compensation claims or other employee benefit claims, claims for damages, because of bodily injury, including death, and from claims for damages, to property which may arise out of or result from Contractor’s operations under the Contract, whether such operations be by Contractor, any Subcontractor, or anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them. Contractor shall list Southwest Key as an additional insured for all required insurance and shall provide Southwest Key with Contractor’s Certificate of Insurance prior to beginning services. If Contractor is an entity other than a natural person providing services to or on behalf of Southwest Key, this insurance shall be written for no less than the following amounts: (1) automobile insurance – $500,000; (2) comprehensive general liability (including applicable umbrella insurance) – 10 times the value of the contract or $1,000,000, whichever is less; and (3) workers compensation insurance – $500,000. If Contractor is a natural person providing services to or on behalf of Southwest Key that involve driving, Contractor’s automobile insurance shall be written for no less than $50,000. Regardless of whether Contractor is a natural person or other entity, Contractor agrees to maintain professional liability insurance if Contractor is providing services as any of the following: attorney, clinician, health care provider, or instructor. Regardless of whether Contractor is a natural person or other entity, if Contractor fails to maintain workers compensation insurance, Contractor agrees to a workers compensation waiver of liability and shall sign any documents requested to formally document such waiver during and up to five years after the valid term of this agreement.
7. Nonassignability; Standard of Care, Licensure, Certification; Code of Ethics; Background Inquiry; Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace; No Driving; Southwest Key Policies and Procedures. Contractor shall not assign any of Contractor’s rights or responsibilities of this Agreement without the prior written consent of Southwest Key. Contractor agrees that Contractor’s services will be performed with that level of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of Contractor’s profession currently operating under similar conditions and circumstances, that Contractor is licensed or certified, if required, and that Contractor knows and will follow any applicable code of ethics of Contractor’s profession. Contractor and Contractor’s workers shall cooperate with Southwest Key and provide Southwest Key with all information and/or documentation including driver’s license information, social security number and completed background inquiry documents to allow for Southwest Key to attain a criminal background check regarding Contractor and/or Contractor’s workers, if Southwest Key requests such information to protect its interests. Because Southwest Key has a vital interest in maintaining a safe, healthy, and efficient work environment for all employees and Contractors, the parties agree and recognize that Southwest Key’s work environment should be free from the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and the unauthorized use of prescription drugs. Unless otherwise specifically agreed to in writing, Contractor is not authorized to drive on behalf of Southwest Key. Contractor agrees to comply with all applicable Southwest Key policies and procedures.
8. Jury Trial Waiver and Class and Collective Action Waiver. Contractor waives Contractor’s right to request or demand a jury trial. Any claim that Contractor has against Southwest Key will be conducted solely on an individual basis and not as a class action or otherwise pursuant to class, collective action, or comparable procedures. A claim includes any dispute, controversy, lawsuit, or cause of action Contractor may have against Southwest Key related to Contractor’s contract for services.