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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 60292CSC No. 60292 FORT WORTH, VENDOR SERVICES AGREEMENT This VENDOR SERVICES AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into by and between the CITY OF FORT WORTH ("City"), a Texas home rule municipal corporation, acting by and through its duly authorized Assistant City Manager, and FORVIS, LLP ("Vendor"), a Delaware limited liability partnership and acting by and through its duly authorized representative, each individually referred to as a "party" and collectively referred to as the "parties." 1. Contract Documents, Prioritv. The relationship between the City and Vendor shall be governed by the following documents (each a "Contract Document", collectively the "Contract Documents"), all of which together constitute a single contract: • This Vendor Services Agreement • FORVIS, LLP's Engagement Letter Dated July 21, 2023 (Engagement Letter) In the event and to the extent of any inconsistency between two or more Contract Documents, the documents will be interpreted in the order of the priority listed above. Any documents subsequently incorporated by amendment will be prioritized consistently with the foregoing. 2. Scope of Services. Vendor will serve as independent auditor in connection with the performance of agreed -upon procedures for certain designated public improvement districts of the City, all of which are described in more detail in the Engagement Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A ("Services"). 3. Term. This Agreement begins on September 1, 2023 ("Effective Date") and expires on June 30, 2024 ("Expiration Date"), unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement ("Initial Term"). City will have the option, in its sole discretion, to renew this Agreement under the same terms and conditions, for up to two (2) one-year renewal option(s) (each a "Renewal Term"). 4. Compensation. Total compensation for all services associated with the annual audit and agreed -upon procedures that are provided under this Agreement during the Initial Term will not exceed Twenty -Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($25,000.00), which amount includes vendor's travel - related costs during the initial contract year. City will pay Vendor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, with Vendor invoicing City monthly based on the percentage of services completed during the preceding month. Vendor will not perform any additional services or bill for expenses incurred for City not specified by this Agreement unless City requests and approves in writing the additional costs for such services. City will not be liable for any expenses of Vendor not specified by this Agreement unless City first approves such expenses in writing. Vendor may suspend or terminate the Services for nonpayment of fees. If work is suspended or terminated, Vendor will not be responsible to City for any failure of City to meet governmental and other deadlines, for any penalties or interest that may be assessed against City resulting from City's failure to meet such deadlines, and for any other damages (including but not limited to consequential, indirect, lost profits, or punitive damages) incurred as a result of the suspension or termination of Vendor's services. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX 4. Termination. 4.1. Written Notice. City or Vendor may terminate this Agreement at any time and for any reason by providing the other party with 30 days' written notice of termination. 4.2 Non-annronriation of Funds. In the event no funds or insufficient funds are appropriated by City in any fiscal period for any payments due hereunder, City will notify Vendor of such occurrence and this Agreement will terminate on the last day of the fiscal period for which appropriations were received without penalty or expense to City of any kind whatsoever, except as to the portions of the payments herein agreed upon for which funds have been appropriated. 4.3 Duties and Obligations of the Parties. In the event that this Agreement is terminated prior to the Expiration Date, City will pay Vendor for services actually rendered up to the effective date of termination and Vendor will continue to provide City with services requested by City and in accordance with this Agreement up to the effective date of termination. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, Vendor will provide City with copies of all completed or partially completed documents prepared under this Agreement. In the event Vendor has received access to City Information or data as a requirement to perform services hereunder, Vendor will return all City provided data to City in a machine-readable format or other format deemed acceptable to City. 5. Disclosure of Conflicts and Confidential Information. 5.1 Disclosure of Conflicts. Vendor hereby warrants to City that Vendor has made full disclosure in writing of any existing or potential conflicts of interest related to Vendor's services under this Agreement. In the event that any conflicts of interest arise after the Effective Date of this Agreement, Vendor hereby agrees immediately to make full disclosure to City in writing. 5.2 Confidential Information. Vendor, for itself and its officers, agents and employees, agrees that it will treat all information provided to it by City ("City Information") as confidential and will not disclose any such information to a third parry without the prior written approval of City. 5.3 Public Information Act. City is a government entity under the laws of the State of Texas and all documents held or maintained by City are subject to disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act. In the event there is a request for information marked Confidential or Proprietary, City will promptly notify Vendor. It will be the responsibility of Vendor to submit reasons objecting to disclosure. A determination on whether such reasons are sufficient will not be decided by City, but by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas or by a court of competent jurisdiction. 5.4 Unauthorized Access. Vendor must store and maintain City Information in a secure manner and will not allow unauthorized users to access, modify, delete or otherwise corrupt City Information in any way. Vendor must notify City immediately if the security or integrity of any City Information has been compromised or is believed to have been compromised, in which event, Vendor will, in good faith, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with City in identifying what information has been accessed by unauthorized means and will fully cooperate with City to protect such City Information from further unauthorized disclosure. Right to Audit. Vendor agrees that City will, until the expiration of three (3) years after Vendor Services Agreement Page 2 of 15 final payment under this Agreement, or the final conclusion of any audit commenced during the said three years, have access to and the right to examine at reasonable times any directly pertinent time and billing records at no additional cost to City. Vendor agrees to either provide this information electronically or to provide on -site access during normal working hours to all necessary Vendor facilities and will be provided adequate and appropriate work space in order to conduct audits in compliance with the provisions of this section. City will give Vendor reasonable advance notice of intended audits. 7. Indeuendent Contractor. It is expressly understood and agreed that Vendor will operate as an independent contractor as to all rights and privileges and work performed under this Agreement, and not as agent, representative or employee of City. Subject to and in accordance with the conditions and provisions of this Agreement, Vendor will have the exclusive right to control the details of its operations and activities and be solely responsible for the acts and omissions of its officers, agents, servants, employees, Vendors, and subcontractors. Vendor acknowledges that the doctrine of respondeat superior will not apply as between City, its officers, agents, servants and employees, and Vendor, its officers, agents, employees, servants, contractors, and subcontractors. Vendor further agrees that nothing herein will be construed as the creation of a partnership or joint enterprise between City and Vendor. It is further understood that City will in no way be considered a Co -employer or a Joint employer of Vendor or any officers, agents, servants, employees, contractors, or subcontractors. Neither Vendor, nor any officers, agents, servants, employees, contractors, or subcontractors of Vendor will be entitled to any employment benefits from City. Vendor will be responsible and liable for any and all payment and reporting of taxes on behalf of itself, and any of its officers, agents, servants, employees, contractors, or contractors. Liabilitv and Indemnification. 8.1 LIABILITY - VENDOR WILL BE LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL PROPERTY LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, TO ANY AND ALL PERSONS, OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER, WHETHER REAL OR ASSERTED, TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENT ACT(S) OR OMISSION(S), MALFEASANCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT OF VENDOR, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, OR SUBCONTRACTORS. 8.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY— Except as noted below, each party's liability to the other, if any, arising from or related to this Agreement and the services provided hereunder, shall be limited to the amount of the fees paid by City for services rendered under this Agreement. This limitation shall not apply to (i) infringement, misuse or misappropriation of intellectual property; (ii) breach of confidentiality obligations; (iii) willful misconduct or fraud; (iv) acts or omissions resulting in personal injury or property damage; (v) violation of laws; or (vi) where enforcement of this provision is disallowed by law or professional standards governing the work performed. 8.3 WAIVER OF CERTAIN DAMAGES - In no event shall either party be liable to the other for any indirect, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to lost profits, loss of revenue, interruption, loss of use, damage to goodwill or reputation, regardless of whether the party was advised of the possibility of such damages, regardless of whether such damages were reasonably foreseeable, and regardless of whether such damages arise under a theory of contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise. 8.4 GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION - VENDOR HEREBY COVENANTS AND AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND CITY, ITS OFFICERS, Vendor Services Agreement Page 3 of 15 AGENTS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES, FROMAND AGAINST ANYAND ALL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER, WHETHER REAL OR ASSERTED, FOR EITHER PROPERTYDAMAGE OR LOSS (INCL UDING ALLEGED DAMAGE OR LOSS TO VENDOR'S BUSINESS AND ANY RESULTING LOST PROFITS) AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, TO ANY AND ALL PERSONS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENT ACTS OR OMISSIONS OR MALFEASANCE OF VENDOR, ITS OFFICERS, AGENTS, SERVANTS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, OR SUBCONTRACTORS. Unless disallowed by law or applicable professional standards, City will hold Vendor harmless from any and all claims which arise from knowing misrepresentations to Vendor, or the intentional withholding or concealment of information from Vendor by City's management or any employee, agent, or assign of City, provided, however, this obligation shall never be understood to require the City to levy or assess a tax or to create a sinking fund. In no event shall either party have an obligation to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless the other for their own respective actions or omissions. 8.5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNIFICATION — Vendor agrees to defend, settle, or pay, at its own cost and expense, any claim or action against City for infringement of any patent, copyright, trade mark, trade secret, or similar property right arising from City's use of the software and/or documentation in accordance with this Agreement, it being understood that this agreement to defend, settle or pay will not apply if City modifies or misuses the software and/or documentation. So long as Vendor bears the cost and expense of payment for claims or actions against City pursuant to this section, Vendor will have the right to conduct the defense of any such claim or action and all negotiations for its settlement or compromise and to settle or compromise any such claim; however, City will have the right to fully participate in any and all such settlement, negotiations, or lawsuit as necessary to protect City's interest, and City agrees to cooperate with Vendor in doing so. In the event City, for whatever reason, assumes the responsibility for payment of costs and expenses for any claim or action brought against City for infringement arising under this Agreement, City will have the sole right to conduct the defense of any such claim or action and all negotiations for its settlement or compromise and to settle or compromise any such claim; however, Vendor will fully participate and cooperate with City in defense of such claim or action. City agrees to give Vendor timely written notice of any such claim or action, with copies of all papers City may receive relating thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, City's assumption of payment of costs or expenses will not eliminate Vendor's duty to indemnify City under this Agreement. If the software and/or documentation or any part thereof is held to infringe and the use thereof is enjoined or restrained or, if as a result of a settlement or compromise, such use is materially adversely restricted, Vendor will, at its own expense and as City's sole remedy, either: (a) procure for City the right to continue to use the software and/or documentation; or (b) modify the software and/or documentation to make it non -infringing, provided that such modification does not materially adversely affect City's authorized use of the software and/or documentation; or (c) replace the software and/or documentation with equally suitable, compatible, and functionally equivalent non -infringing software and/or documentation at no additional charge to City; or (d) if none of the foregoing alternatives is reasonably available to Vendor terminate this Agreement, and refund all amounts paid to Vendor by City, subsequent to which termination City may seek any and all remedies available to City under law. Vendor Services Agreement Page 4 of 15 Assignment and Subcontracting. 9.1 Assisnment. Vendor will not assign or subcontract any of its duties, obligations or rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of City. If City grants consent to an assignment, the assignee will execute a written agreement with City and Vendor under which the assignee agrees to be bound by the duties and obligations of Vendor under this Agreement. Vendor will be liable for all obligations of Vendor under this Agreement prior to the effective date of the assignment. 9.2 Subcontract. If City grants consent to a subcontract, the subcontractor will execute a written agreement with Vendor referencing this Agreement under which subcontractor agrees to be bound by the duties and obligations of Vendor under this Agreement as such duties and obligations may apply. Vendor must provide City with a fully executed copy of any such subcontract. 10. Insurance. Vendor must provide City with certificate(s) of insurance documenting policies of the following types and minimum coverage limits that are to be in effect prior to commencement of any Services pursuant to this Agreement: 10.1 Coverage and Limits (a) Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 - Each Occurrence $2,000,000 - Aggregate (b) Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 - Each occurrence on a combined single limit basis Coverage will be on any vehicle used by Vendor, or its employees, agents, or representatives in the course of providing Services under this Agreement. "Any vehicle" will be any vehicle owned, hired and non -owned. (c) Worker's Compensation: Statutory limits according to the Texas Workers' Compensation Act or any other state workers' compensation laws where the Services are being performed (d) Employers' liability $100,000 - Bodily Injury by accident; each accident/occurrence $100,000 - Bodily Injury by disease; each employee $500,000 - Bodily Injury by disease; policy limit Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions): $1,000,000 - Each Claim Limit $1,000,000 - Aggregate Limit Vendor Services Agreement Page 5 of 15 Professional Liability coverage may be provided through an endorsement to the Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy, or a separate policy specific to Professional E&O. Either is acceptable if coverage meets all other requirements. Coverage must be claims -made, and maintained for the duration of the contractual agreement and for two (2) years following completion of services provided. An annual certificate of insurance must be submitted to City to evidence coverage. 10.2 General Reurrements (a) The commercial general liability and automobile liability policies must name City as an additional insured thereon, as its interests may appear. The term City includes its employees, officers, officials, agents, and volunteers in respect to the contracted services. (b) The workers' compensation policy must include a Waiver of Subrogation (Right of Recovery) in favor of City. (c) Vendor agrees to provide the City a minimum of thirty (30) days' notice in the event of cancellation or a material reduction in limits of coverage. Ten (10) days' notice will be acceptable in the event of non-payment of premium. Notice must be sent to the Risk Manager, City of Fort Worth, 200 Texas Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, with copies to the Fort Worth City Attorney at the same address. (d) The insurers for all policies must be licensed and/or approved to do business in the State of Texas. All insurers must have a minimum rating of A- VII in the current A.M. Best Key Rating Guide, or have reasonably equivalent financial strength and solvency to the satisfaction of Risk Management. If the rating is below that required, written approval of Risk Management is required. (e) Any failure on the part of City to request required insurance documentation will not constitute a waiver of the insurance requirement. (f) Certificates of Insurance evidencing that Vendor has obtained all required insurance will be delivered to the City prior to Vendor proceeding with any work pursuant to this Agreement. 11. Compliance with Laws, Ordinances, Rules and ReLFulations. Vendor agrees that in the performance of its obligations hereunder, it will comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and that any work it produces in connection with this Agreement will also comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. If City notifies Vendor of any violation of such laws, ordinances, rules or regulations, Vendor must immediately desist from and correct the violation. 12. Non -Discrimination Covenant. Vendor, for itself, its personal representatives, assigns, contractors, subcontractors, and successors in interest, as part of the consideration herein, agrees that in the performance of Vendor's duties and obligations hereunder, it will not discriminate in the treatment or employment of any individual or group of individuals on any basis prohibited by law. IF ANY CLAIM ARISES FROM AN ALLEGED VIOLATION OF THIS NON-DISCRIMINATION COVENANT BY VENDOR, ITS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, ASSIGNS, CONTRACTORS, Vendor Services Agreement Page 6 of 15 SUBCONTRACTORS, OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, VENDOR AGREES TO ASSUME SUCH LIABILITY AND TO INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND CITY AND HOLD CITY HARMLESS FROM SUCH CLAIM. 13. Use of Name. Except as otherwise provided, any time either party intends to reference the other's name in any manner in any published materials, including on an electronic site, the party seeking to reference the other party's name agrees to provide draft materials for review and approval before publishing or posting such information. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, City may identify Vendor as its authorized external auditor in reports, correspondence, and action items taken to the City Council as well as in published documents without submitting a draft or obtaining additional approval, provided however, that such references are limited to identifying Vendor and describing its services in general terms. 14. Dispute Resolution. Any dispute arising out of or related to this engagement will, prior to resorting to litigation, be submitted for nonbinding mediation upon written request by either party. Both parties agree to try in good faith to settle the dispute in mediation. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") will administer any such mediation in accordance with its Commercial Mediation Rules. The parties will mutually select a mediator. If the parties cannot agree, the AAA shall designate a mediator. The mediation proceeding shall be confidential to the full extent allowed by law. Each party will bear its own costs in the mediation, but the fees and expenses of the mediator will be shared equally between the parties. 15. Maintenance of Records. City agrees to assume full responsibility for maintaining its original data and records and that Vendor has no responsibility to maintain this information. City will not rely on Vendor to provide hosting, electronic security, or backup services, e.g., business continuity or disaster recovery services, for City data unless separately engaged to do so. City's access to data, records, and information shared with Vendor in providing services and stored on Vendor's servers can be terminated at any time. 16. Use of Deliverables and Drafts. City agrees it will not modify any deliverables or drafts prepared by Vendor for distribution to third parties. Vendor may send City documents marked as draft and those shall be for City's review purpose only and should not be distributed in any way beyond internal discussions limited to City employees and officials. Vendor's report on any of City's financial statements must be associated only with the financial statements that were the subject of Vendor's Services. City may make copies of Vendor's report, but only if the entire financial statements (exactly as attached to Vendor's report, including related footnotes and supplementary information, as appropriate) are reproduced and distributed with Vendor's report. City will not reproduce or associate Vendor's report with any other financial statements, or portions thereof, that are not the subject of Vendor's Services. 17. Worknauers. Vendor's workpapers and documentation retained in any form of media for this engagement are the property of Vendor, but Vendor shall have no ownership rights to any City data contained therein but may retain a copy of data provided by the City in its workpapers as necessary to comply with audit standards. Vendor can be compelled to provide information under legal process. In addition, Vendor may be requested by regulatory or enforcement bodies (including any State Board of Accountancy) to make certain workpapers available to them pursuant to authority granted by law or regulation. Unless Vendor is prohibited from doing so by law or regulation, Vendor will inform City of any such legal process or request. City agrees Vendor will have legal responsibility to City in the event Vendor determines it is compelled to provide such documents or information. 18. Reaulatory Bodies and Offering Documents. Where Vendor is providing services either for (a) an entity that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) an affiliate of such Vendor Services Agreement Page 7 of 15 registrant, or (c) an entity or affiliate that is subject to rules, regulations, or standards beyond those of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA"), any term of this Agreement that would be prohibited by or impair Vendor's independence under applicable law or regulation shall not apply to the extent necessary only to avoid such prohibition or impairment. City may wish to include Vendor's report(s) on financial statements in an exempt offering document. City agrees that any report, including any auditor's report, or reference to Vendor, will not be included in any such offering document without notifying Vendor. Performance of any work in connection with an exempt offering document, including providing agreement for the use of the auditor's report in the exempt offering document, will be by separate mutual written agreement. Any exempt offering document issued by Vendor where Vendor is not involved will clearly indicate that Vendor was not involved by including a disclosure such as, "FORVIS, LLP, our independent auditor, has not been engaged to perform and has not performed, since the date of its report included herein, any procedures on the financial statements addressed in that report. FORVIS, LLP also has not performed any procedures relating to this offering document." 19. Vendor Not a Municipal Advisor. Vendor is not acting as the City's municipal advisor under Section 15B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As such, Vendor is not recommending any action to City and does not owe City a fiduciary duty with respect to any information or communications regarding municipal financial products or the issuance of municipal securities. City should discuss such matters with internal or external advisors and experts deemed appropriate before acting on any such information or material provided by Vendor. None of Vendor's services will constitute legal or investment advice. 20. Proprietary Information. City acknowledges that proprietary information, documents, materials, management techniques, and other intellectual property are a material source of the services Vendor performs and were developed prior to Vendor's association with City. Any new forms, software, documents, or intellectual property Vendor develops during this engagement for City's use shall belong to Vendor, and City shall have the limited right to use them solely within City's business. All reports, templates, manuals, forms, checklists, questionnaires, letters, agreements, and other documents which Vendor makes available to City are confidential and proprietary to Vendor. Subject to the limitations noted in Section 5.3, the City and its agents will not copy, electronically store, reproduce, or voluntarily make any such documents available to anyone other than its personnel. This provision will apply to all materials whether in digital, "hard copy" format, or other medium. 21. Electronic Data Communication and Storage. Vendor may send data over the internet, temporarily store electronic data via computer software applications hosted remotely on the internet or utilize cloud -based storage. City's confidential electronic data may be transmitted or stored using these methods. In using these data communication and storage methods, Vendor will employ measures designed to maintain data security. Vendor agrees to use reasonable efforts to keep such communications and electronic data secure in accordance with Vendor's obligations under applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards. City accepts the risk of unauthorized interception or breach of any communications or electronic data once it has been transmitted or if it has been subject to unauthorized access while stored, notwithstanding all reasonable security measures employed by Vendor. City consents to use of these electronic devices and applications during to perform services under this Agreement. 22. Notices. Notices required pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement will be conclusively determined to have been delivered when (1) hand -delivered to the other party, its agents, employees, servants or representatives, (2) delivered by facsimile with electronic confirmation of the transmission or electronic mail transmission (including PDF), or (3) received by the other party by United States Mail, registered, return receipt requested, addressed as follows: Vendor Services Agreement Page 8 of 15 To CITY: To VENDOR: City of Fort Worth FORVIS, LLP Attn: Assistant City Manager Attn: Dan Barron 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, TX 76102-6314 Email: dan.barron@forvis.com Facsimile: (817) 392-8654 With copy to Fort Worth City Attorney's Office at same address 23. Solicitation of Emvlovees. Neither City nor Vendor will, during the term of this Agreement and additionally for a period of one year after its termination, solicit for employment or employ, whether as employee or independent contractor, any person who is or has been employed by the other during the term of this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the person's employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision will not apply to an employee of either party who responds to a general solicitation of advertisement of employment by either party. 24. Governmental Powers. It is understood and agreed that by execution of this Agreement, City does not waive or surrender any of its governmental powers or immunities. 25. No Waiver. The failure of City or Vendor to insist upon the performance of any term or provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right granted herein does not constitute a waiver of City's or Vendor's respective right to insist upon appropriate performance or to assert any such right on any future occasion. 26. Governing Law / Venue. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. If any action, whether real or asserted, at law or in equity, is brought pursuant to this Agreement, venue for such action will lie in state courts located in Tarrant County, Texas or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. 27. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired. 28. Force Maieure. City and Vendor will exercise their best efforts to meet their respective duties and obligations as set forth in this Agreement, but will not be held liable for any delay or omission in performance due to force majeure or other causes beyond their reasonable control, including, but not limited to, compliance with any government law, ordinance, or regulation; acts of God; acts of the public enemy; fires; strikes; lockouts; natural disasters; wars; riots; epidemics or pandemics; government action or inaction; orders of government; material or labor restrictions by any governmental authority; transportation problems; restraints or prohibitions by any court, board, department, commission, or agency of the United States or of any States; civil disturbances; other national or regional emergencies; or any other similar cause not enumerated herein but which is beyond the reasonable control of the Party whose performance is affected (collectively, "Force Majeure Event"). The performance of any such obligation is suspended during the period of, and only to the extent of, such prevention or hindrance, provided the affected Party provides notice of the Force Majeure Event, and an explanation as to how it prevents or hinders the Party's performance, as soon as reasonably possible after the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event, with the reasonableness of such notice to be determined by the City in its sole discretion. The notice required by this section must be addressed and delivered in accordance with Section 13 of this Agreement. Vendor Services Agreement Page 9 of 15 29. Headings not Controlling. Headings and titles used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, will not be deemed a part of this Agreement, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of any provision of this Agreement. 30. Review of Counsel. The parties acknowledge that each parry and its counsel have reviewed and revised this Agreement and that the normal rules of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or Exhibits A, B, and C. 31. Amendments / Modifications / Extensions. No amendment, modification, or extension of this Agreement will be binding upon a party hereto unless set forth in a written instrument, which is executed by an authorized representative of each party. 32. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and each counterpart will, for all purposes, be deemed an original, but all such counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument. 33. Warranty of Services. Vendor warrants that its services will be of a high quality and conform to generally prevailing industry standards. City must give written notice of any breach of this warranty within thirty (30) days from the date that the services are completed. In such event, at Vendor's option, Vendor will either (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to re -perform the services in a manner that conforms with the warranty, or (b) refund the fees paid by City to Vendor for the nonconforming services. 34. Immigration Nationalitv Act. Vendor must verify the identity and employment eligibility of its employees who perform work under this Agreement, including completing the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9). Upon request by City, Vendor will provide City with copies of all I-9 forms and supporting eligibility documentation for each employee who performs work under this Agreement. Vendor must adhere to all Federal and State laws as well as establish appropriate procedures and controls so that no services will be performed by any Vendor employee who is not legally eligible to perform such services. VENDOR WILL INDEMNIFY CITY AND HOLD CITY HARMLESS FROM ANY PENALTIES, LIABILITIES, OR LOSSES DUE TO VIOLATIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH BY VENDOR, VENDOR'S EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, OR AGENTS. City, upon written notice to Vendor, will have the right to immediately terminate this Agreement for violations of this provision by Vendor. 35. Ownership of Work Product. City will be the sole and exclusive owner of all deliverables and reports that are created, published, displayed, or produced in conjunction with the services provided under this Agreement (collectively, "Work Product"). 36. Signature Authoritv. The person signing this Agreement hereby warrants that they have the legal authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the respective parry, and that such binding authority has been granted by proper order, resolution, ordinance or other authorization of the entity. This Agreement and any amendment hereto, may be executed by any authorized representative of Vendor. Each party is fully entitled to rely on these warranties and representations in entering into this Agreement or any amendment hereto. 37. Change in Companv Name or Ownership. Vendor must notify City's Purchasing Manager, in writing, of a company name, ownership, or address change for the purpose of maintaining Vendor Services Agreement Page 10 of 15 updated City records. The president of Vendor or authorized official must sign the letter. A letter indicating changes in a company name or ownership must be accompanied with supporting legal documentation such as an updated W-9, documents filed with the state indicating such change, copy of the board of director's resolution approving the action, or an executed merger or acquisition agreement. Failure to provide the specified documentation so may adversely impact future invoice payments. 38. No Bovcott of Israel. If Vendor has fewer than 10 employees or this Agreement is for less than $100,000, this section does not apply. Vendor acknowledges that in accordance with Chapter 2271 of the Texas Government Code, the City is prohibited from entering into a contract with a company for goods or services unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of the contract. The terms "boycott Israel" and "company" has the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 2271 of the Texas Government Code. By signing this Agreement, Vendor certifies that Vendor's signature provides written verification to the City that Vendor: (1) does not boycott Israel; and (2) will not boycott Israel during the term of the Agreement. 39. Prohibition on Bovcotting Energv Companies. Vendor acknowledges that, in accordance with Chapter 2274 of the Texas Government Code, as added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., S.B. 13, § 2, the City is prohibited from entering into a contract for goods or services that has a value of $100,000 or more that is to be paid wholly or partly from public funds of the City with a company with 10 or more full-time employees unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it: (1) does not boycott energy companies; and (2) will not boycott energy companies during the term of the contract. The terms "boycott energy company" and "company" have the meaning ascribed to those terms by Chapter 2274 of the Texas Government Code, as added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., S.B. 13, § 2. To the extent that Chapter 2274 of the Government Code is applicable to this Agreement, by signing this Agreement, Vendor certifies that Vendor's signature provides written verification to the City that Vendor: (1) does not boycott energy companies; and (2) will not boycott energy companies during the term of this Agreement. 40. Prohibition on Discrimination Against Firearm and Ammunition Industries. Vendor acknowledges that except as otherwise provided by Chapter 2274 of the Texas Government Code, as added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., S.B. 19, § 1, the City is prohibited from entering into a contract for goods or services that has a value of $100,000 or more that is to be paid wholly or partly from public funds of the City with a company with 10 or more full-time employees unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it: (1) does not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not discriminate during the term of the contract against a firearm entity or firearm trade association. The terms "discriminate," "firearm entity" and "firearm trade association" have the meaning ascribed to those terms by Chapter 2274 of the Texas Government Code, as added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., S.B. 19, § 1. To the extent that Chapter 2274 of the Government Code is applicable to this Agreement, by signing this Agreement, Vendor certifies that Vendor's signature provides written verification to the City that Vendor: (1) does not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of this Agreement 41. Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by electronic signature, which will be considered as an original signature for all purposes and have the same force and effect as an original signature. For these purposes, "electronic signature" means electronically scanned and transmitted versions (e.g. via pdf file or facsimile transmission) of an original signature, or signatures electronically inserted via software such as Adobe Sign. Vendor Services Agreement Page 11 of 15 42. Entirety of Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between City and Vendor, their assigns and successors in interest, as to the matters contained herein. Any prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreement is hereby declared null and void to the extent in conflict with any provision of this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement in multiples. CITY OF FORT WORTH: By: William Johnson (09k 17, 202318:43 CDT) Name: William Johnson Title: Assistant City Manager APPROVAL RECOMMENDED: .Pe6a.,t�'ti� By: Name: Robert Sturns Title: Director, Economic Development .d444pn ATTEST: cF FORt�ad Oro o�1C OV8 g=4 By: (/JI Name: Jannette Goodall Title: City Secretary VENDOR: FOR VIS, LLP By: Name: Dan Barron Title: iPartner Date: October 17, 2023 CONTRACT COMPLIANCE MANAGER: By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requirements. By: Name: Crystal Hinojosa Title: Economic Development Manager APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: By: YA� Name: Tyler F. Wallach Title: Assistant City Attorney CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION: M&C: NA Form 1295: NA OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX Vcndor Scrviccs Agrccmcnt Page 12 of 15 Exhibit A Engagement Letter July 21, 2023 Robert Sturns, Economic Development Director City of Fort Worth, Texas 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 We appreciate your selection of FORVIS, LLP as your service provider and are pleased to confirm the arrangements of our engagement in this contract. Within the requirements of our professional standards and any duties owed to the public, regulatory, or other authorities, our goal is to provide you an Unmatched Client Experience. • Summary Scope of Services As described in the attached Scope of Services, our services will include the following: City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 1 — Downtown City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 6 — Park Glen City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 7 — Heritage City of Fort Worth Public District No. 11 — Stockyards City of Fort Worth Public District No. 12 — Chapel Hill City of Fort Worth Public District No. 14 — Trinity Bluff City of Fort Worth Public District No. 15 — Sun Valley City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 19 — Historic Camp Bowie City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 20 — East Lancaster Avenue City of Fort Worth Public Improvement District No. 21 — Las Vegas Trail • Agreed -Upon Procedure Services for the year ended September 30, 2022 You agree to assume full responsibility for the substantive outcomes of the contracted services and for any other services we may provide, including any findings that may result except to the extent that those outcomes and services result from the acts or omissions of Vendor. You also acknowledge these services are adequate for your purposes, and you will establish and monitor the performance of these services to ensure they meet management's objectives. All decisions involving management responsibilities related to these services will be made by you, and you accept full responsibility for such decisions. We understand you have designated a management -level individual(s) to be responsible and accountable for overseeing the performance of nonattest services, and you have determined this individual is qualified to conduct such oversight. Engagement Fees The fee for our services will be $2,500 for each of the above entities, totaling $25,000 which includes travel costs and fees for services from other professionals, if any, as well as an administrative fee of four (4) percent to cover items such as copies, postage and other delivery charges, supplies, technology -related costs such as software licensing, user access, and research tools, and similar expense items. Our timely completion of services and the fees thereon depends on the assistance you provide us in accumulating information and responding to our inquiries. Inaccuracies or delays in providing this information or the responses may result in additional billings, untimely filings, or inability to meet other deadlines. Vendor Services Agreement Page 13 of 15 Scope of Services — Agreed -Upon Procedure Services We will apply the procedures listed below for each identified PID of the City of Fort Worth, Texas as of and for the period ended September 30, 2022. • We will select a sample of expenditures from the population of all expenditures incurred during the year ended September 30, 2022. The sample size will be the lesser of 10% of the number of expenditure transactions or 25 expenditure transactions. • For the sampled items in step number 1 we will obtain and review the supporting invoice and payment documentation to determine whether they agree with each other and to compare the amount recorded in the accounting records to these supporting documents. • We will obtain the PID Budget and Service Plan (the Plan) for the year ended September 30, 2022 and ensure that the Plan was approved by the City of Fort Worth. • We will compare final expenditures from the general ledger to the Plan and report any variances of expenses in the general ledger exceeding the Plan. A schedule of all expenditure categories compared to the Plan will be attached as an exhibit to each report. • For the sampled items selected in step number 1 we will determine if the expenditure was properly classified within the Plan (i) by functional category and (ii) in the appropriate fiscal year. The City has agreed to these procedures and acknowledged that the procedures to be performed are appropriate. Our responsibility is to carry out these procedures and report on our findings. It is understood that we make no representation regarding the appropriateness of these procedures for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose. The procedures we will perform may not address all the items of interest to a user of our report and may not meet the needs of all users of our report and, as such, users are responsible for determining whether the procedures performed are appropriate for their purposes. Our engagement to perform agreed -upon procedures is not designed to constitute an examination or a review of the subject matter, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion or conclusion, respectively, on the subject matter. Accordingly, the report will not express an opinion or a conclusion. If additional procedures were to be performed, other matters might have come to our attention. In addition, we have no obligation to perform any procedures beyond those listed in the attachment to this letter. Dan Barron, Partner, is responsible for supervising the engagement and authorizing the signing of the report or reports. We will issue a written report upon completion of our engagement that summarizes the procedures performed, and the results of those procedures. If we encounter restrictions in performing our procedures, we will discuss the matter with you. If we determine the restrictions are appropriate, we will disclose the restrictions in our report. Our report will contain a paragraph indicating that had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you. The written report and related procedures we will perform are for the intended use of: Entity Name Party Name City of Fort Worth, Texas Robert Sturns, Economic Development Director These listed parties will also be asked to provide written agreement to the procedures and acknowledge that the procedures are appropriate for their purposes. A separate agreement and acknowledgment document will be provided for that purpose. However, if you decide to obtain that agreement and Vendor Services Agreement Page 14 of 15 acknowledgement separately, you agree to provide, at the conclusion of the engagement, a written representation that you have obtained such agreement and acknowledgement from all necessary parties. Our report will be intended for use by and restricted to the use of the specified parties and our report will contain such restricted use language. The following apply for the agreed -upon procedure services described above: Our We will conduct our agreed -upon procedures engagement in accordance with Responsibilities attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Limitations & Our engagement will not include a detailed examination of all transactions and Fraud cannot be relied upon to disclose misstatements that might exist due to error, fraud, or illegal acts. However, we will inform you of any such matters, if material, that come to our attention. You accept that these procedures are not a substitute for management's responsibility to ensure controls are in place to prevent and detect theft and all other forms of fraud and illegal acts. Therefore, you agree we are not responsible for the cost of damages or any liability arising from errors or irregularities, fraud, defalcations, or any other form of noncompliance or theft, caused by current or former employees, directors, owners, or third parties except to the extent that those outcomes and services result from the acts or omissions of Vendor. Report If, for any reason, we are unable to complete our procedures, we may decline to issue a report as a result of this engagement. Management The management of the City is responsible for the following: Responsibilities • Proper recording of transactions and preparation of financial statements • Establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting • Setting the proper tone • Creating and maintaining a culture of honesty and high ethical standards • Establishing appropriate controls to prevent, deter, and detect fraud and illegal acts • Identifying and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its activities • Establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance • Implementing and monitoring controls To facilitate our engagement, management of the City is responsible for supplying us with all necessary information and for allowing us access to personnel to assist in performing our services. It should be understood that management is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of these items and for the subject matter. Written At the conclusion of our engagement, we will request certain written Representations representations from you that, among other things, will confirm your responsibility for related matters. Vendor Services Agreement Page 15 of 15