ARCHIVED – General Terms and Conditions — Medium/High Complexity Goods and Services Contracts

CIC-GC-001 – 2019-02-15

A1 Interpretation

In the Contract, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Applicable Taxes"

means the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), and any provincial tax, by law, payable by Canada such as, the Quebec Sales Tax (QST) as of April 1, 2013;

"Articles of Agreement"

means the clauses and conditions incorporated in full text or incorporated by reference from the Standard Acquisition Clauses and Conditions Manual to form the body of the Contract; it does not include these general conditions, any supplemental general conditions, annexes, the Contractor's bid or any other document;

"Canada", "Crown", "Her Majesty" or "the Government"

means Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by a duly authorized agent of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and any other person duly authorized to act on behalf of that minister;

"Contract"

means the Articles of Agreement, these general conditions, any supplemental general conditions, annexes and any other document specified or referred to as forming part of the Contract, all as amended by agreement of the Parties from time to time;

"Contracting Authority"

means the person designated by that title in the Contract, or by notice to the Contractor, to act as Canada's representative to manage the Contract;

"Contractor"

means the person, entity or entities named in the Contract to supply goods, services or both to Canada;

"Contract Price"

means the amount stated in the Contract to be payable to the Contractor for the Work, exclusive of Applicable Taxes;

"Cost"

means cost determined according to Contract Cost Principles 1031-2 as revised to the date of the bid solicitation or, if there was no bid solicitation, the date of the Contract;

"Government Property"

means anything supplied to the Contractor by or on behalf of Canada for the purposes of performing the Contract and anything acquired by the Contractor in any manner in connection with the Work, the cost of which is paid by Canada under the Contract;

"Party"

means Canada, the Contractor, or any other signatory to the Contract and "Parties" means all of them;

"Specifications"

means the description of the essential, functional or technical requirements of the Work in the Contract, including the procedures for determining whether the requirements have been met;

"Total Estimated Cost", "Revised Estimated Cost", "Increase (Decrease)"

on Page 1 of the Contract or Contract Amendment means an amount used for internal administrative purposes only that comprises the Contract Price, or the revised Contract Price, or the amount that would increase or decrease the Contract Price and the Applicable Taxes as evaluated by the Contracting Authority, and does not constitute tax advice on the part of Canada;

"Work"

means all the activities, services, goods, equipment, matters and things required to be done, delivered or performed by the Contractor under the Contract.

A2 Standard Clauses and Conditions

Pursuant to the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act, S.C. 1996, c. 16, the clauses and conditions identified by number, date and title in the Contract are incorporated by reference and form part of the Contract as though expressly set out in the Contract.

A3 Powers of Canada

All rights, remedies, powers and discretions granted or acquired by Canada under the Contract or by law are cumulative, not exclusive.

A4 Status of the Contractor

The Contractor is an independent contractor engaged by Canada to perform the Work. Nothing in the Contract is intended to create a partnership, a joint venture or an agency between Canada and the other Party or Parties. The Contractor must not represent itself as an agent or representative of Canada to anyone. Neither the Contractor nor any of its personnel is engaged as an employee or agent of Canada. The Contractor is responsible for all deductions and remittances required by law in relation to its employees.

A5 Conduct of the Work

1. The Contractor represents and warrants that:
   1. it is competent to perform the Work;
   2. it has everything necessary to perform the Work, including the resources, facilities, labour, technology, equipment, and materials; and
   3. it has the necessary qualifications, including knowledge, skill, know-how and experience, and the ability to use them effectively to perform the Work.
2. The Contractor must:
   1. perform the Work diligently and efficiently;
   2. except for Government Property, supply everything necessary to perform the Work;
   3. use, as a minimum, quality assurance procedures, inspections and controls generally used and recognized by the industry to ensure the degree of quality required by the Contract;
   4. select and employ a sufficient number of qualified people;
   5. perform the Work in accordance with standards of quality acceptable to Canada and in full conformity with the Specifications and all the requirements of the Contract;
   6. provide effective and efficient supervision to ensure that the quality of workmanship meets the requirements of the Contract.
3. The Work must not be performed by any person who, in the opinion of Canada, is incompetent, unsuitable or has conducted himself/herself improperly.
4. All services rendered under the Contract must, at the time of acceptance, be free from defects in workmanship and conform to the requirements of the Contract. If the Contractor is required to correct or replace the Work or any part of the Work, it will be at no cost to Canada.
5. Canada's facilities, equipment and personnel are not available to the Contractor to perform the Work unless the Contract specifically provides for it. The Contractor is responsible for advising the Contracting Authority in advance if it requires access to Canada's facilities, equipment or personnel to perform the Work. The Contractor must comply and ensure that its employees and subcontractors comply with all security measures, standing orders, policies or other rules in force at the site where the Work is performed.
6. Unless the Contracting Authority orders the Contractor to suspend the Work or part of the Work pursuant to section 30, the Contractor must not stop or suspend the Work or part of the Work pending the settlement of any dispute between the Parties about the Contract.
7. The Contractor must provide all reports that are required by the Contract and any other information that Canada may reasonably require from time to time.
8. The Contractor is fully responsible for performing the Work. Canada will not be responsible for any negative consequences or extra costs if the Contractor follows any advice given by Canada unless the Contracting Authority provides the advice to the Contractor in writing and includes a statement specifically relieving the Contractor of any responsibility for negative consequences or extra costs that might result from following the advice.

A6 Subcontracts

1. Except as provided in subsection 2, the Contractor must obtain the Contracting Authority's written consent before subcontracting or permitting the subcontracting of any part of the Work. A subcontract includes a contract entered into by any subcontractor at any tier to perform any part of the Work.
2. The Contractor is not required to obtain consent for subcontracts specifically authorized in the Contract. The Contractor may also without the consent of the Contracting Authority:
   1. purchase "off-the-shelf" items and any standard articles and materials that are ordinarily produced by manufacturers in the normal course of business;
   2. subcontract any portion of the Work as is customary in the carrying out of similar contracts; and;
   3. permit its subcontractors at any tier to make purchases or subcontract as permitted in paragraphs (a) and (b).
3. In any subcontract other than a subcontract referred to in paragraph 2.(a), the Contractor must, unless the Contracting Authority agrees in writing, ensure that the subcontractor is bound by conditions compatible with and, in the opinion of the Contracting Authority, not less favourable to Canada than the conditions of the Contract, with the exception of requirements under the Federal Contractors Program for employment equity which only apply to the Contractor.
4. Even if Canada consents to a subcontract, the Contractor is responsible for performing the Contract and Canada is not responsible to any subcontractor. The Contractor is responsible for any matters or things done or provided by any subcontractor under the Contract and for paying any subcontractors for any part of the Work they perform.

A7 Specifications

1. All Specifications provided by Canada or on behalf of Canada to the Contractor in connection with the Contract belong to Canada and must be used by the Contractor only for the purpose of performing the Work.
2. If the Contract provides that Specifications furnished by the Contractor must be approved by Canada, that approval will not relieve the Contractor of its responsibility to meet all requirements of the Contract.

A8 Condition of Material

Unless provided otherwise in the Contract, material supplied must be new and conform to the latest issue of the applicable drawing, specifications and part number that is in effect on the bid closing date or, if there was no bid solicitation, the date of the Contract.

A9 Replacement of Specific Individuals

1. If specific individuals are identified in the Contract to perform the Work, the Contractor must provide the services of those individuals unless the Contractor is unable to do so for reasons beyond its control.
2. If the Contractor is unable to provide the services of any specific individual identified in the Contract, it must provide a replacement with similar qualifications and experience. The replacement must meet the criteria used in the selection of the Contractor and be acceptable to Canada. The Contractor must, as soon as possible, give notice to the Contracting Authority of the reason for replacing the individual and provide:
   1. the name, qualifications and experience of the proposed replacement; and
   2. proof that the proposed replacement has the required security clearance granted by Canada, if applicable.
3. The Contractor must not, in any event, allow performance of the Work by unauthorized replacement persons. The Contracting Authority may order that a replacement stop performing the Work. In such a case, the Contractor must immediately comply with the order and secure a further replacement in accordance with subsection 2. The fact that the Contracting Authority does not order that a replacement stop performing the Work does not relieve the Contractor from its responsibility to meet the requirements of the Contract.

A10 Time of the Essence

It is essential that the Work be performed within or at the time stated in the Contract.

A11 Excusable Delay

1. A delay in the performance by the Contractor of any obligation under the Contract that is caused by an event that

   1. is beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor,
   2. could not reasonably have been foreseen,
   3. could not reasonably have been prevented by means reasonably available to the Contractor, and
   4. occurred without the fault or neglect of the Contractor,

   will be considered an "Excusable Delay" if the Contractor advises the Contracting Authority of the occurrence of the delay or of the likelihood of the delay as soon as the Contractor becomes aware of it. The Contractor must also advise the Contracting Authority, within fifteen (15) working days, of all the circumstances relating to the delay and provide to the Contracting Authority for approval a clear work around plan explaining in detail the steps that the Contractor proposes to take in order to minimize the impact of the event causing the delay.

2. Any delivery date or other date that is directly affected by an Excusable Delay will be postponed for a reasonable time that will not exceed the duration of the Excusable Delay.
3. However, if an Excusable Delay has continued for thirty (30) days or more, the Contracting Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, terminate the Contract. In such a case, the Parties agree that neither will make any claim against the other for damages, costs, expected profits or any other loss arising out of the termination or the event that contributed to the Excusable Delay. The Contractor agrees to repay immediately to Canada the portion of any advance payment that is unliquidated at the date of the termination.
4. Unless Canada has caused the delay by failing to meet an obligation under the Contract, Canada will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the Contractor or any of its subcontractors or agents as a result of an Excusable Delay.

5. If the Contract is terminated under this section, the Contracting Authority may require the Contractor to deliver to Canada, in the manner and to the extent directed by the Contracting Authority, any completed parts of the Work not delivered and accepted before the termination and anything that the Contractor has acquired or produced specifically to perform the Contract. Canada will pay the Contractor:

   1. the value, of all completed parts of the Work delivered to and accepted by Canada, based on the Contract Price, including the proportionate part of the Contractor's profit or fee included in the Contract Price; and
   2. the Cost to the Contractor that Canada considers reasonable in respect of anything else delivered to and accepted by Canada.

   The total amount paid by Canada under the Contract to the date of termination and any amounts payable under this subsection must not exceed the Contract Price.

A12 Inspection and Acceptance of the Work

1. All the Work is subject to inspection and acceptance by Canada. Inspection and acceptance of the Work by Canada do not relieve the Contractor of its responsibility for defects or other failures to meet the requirements of the Contract. Canada will have the right to reject any Work that is not in accordance with the requirements of the Contract and require its correction or replacement at the Contractor's expense.
2. The Contractor must provide representatives of Canada access to all locations where any part of the Work is being performed at any time during working hours. Representatives of Canada may make examinations and such tests of the Work as they may think fit. The Contractor must provide all assistance and facilities, test pieces, samples and documentation that the representatives of Canada may reasonably require for the carrying out of the inspection. The Contractor must forward such test pieces and samples to such person or location as Canada specifies.
3. The Contractor must inspect and approve any part of the Work before submitting it for acceptance or delivering it to Canada. The Contractor must keep accurate and complete inspection records that must be made available to Canada on request. Representatives of Canada may make copies and take extracts of the records during the performance of the Contract and for up to three (3) years after the end of the Contract.

A13 Invoice Submission

1. Invoices must be submitted in the Contractor's name. The Contractor must submit invoices for each delivery or shipment; invoices must only apply to the Contract. Each invoice must indicate whether it covers partial or final delivery.
2. Invoices must show:
   1. the date, the name and address of the client department, item or reference numbers, deliverable and/or description of the Work, contract number, Client Reference Number (CRN), Procurement Business Number (PBN), and financial code(s);
   2. details of expenditures (such as item, quantity, unit of issue, unit price, fixed time labour rates and level of effort, and subcontracts, as applicable) in accordance with the Basis of Payment, exclusive of Applicable Taxes;
   3. deduction for holdback, if applicable;
   4. the extension of the totals, if applicable; and
   5. if applicable, the method of shipment together with date, case numbers and part or reference numbers, shipment charges and any other additional charges.
3. Applicable Taxes must be specified on all invoices as a separate item along with corresponding registration numbers from the tax authorities. All items that are zero-rated, exempt or to which Applicable Taxes do not apply, must be identified as such on all invoices.
4. By submitting an invoice, the Contractor certifies that the invoice is consistent with the Work delivered and is in accordance with the Contract.

A14 Taxes

1. Federal government departments and agencies are required to pay Applicable Taxes.
2. Applicable Taxes will be paid by Canada as provided in the Invoice Submission section. It is the sole responsibility of the Contractor to charge Applicable Taxes at the correct rate in accordance with applicable legislation. The Contractor agrees to remit to appropriate tax authorities any amounts of Applicable Taxes paid or due.
3. The Contractor is not entitled to use Canada's exemptions from any tax, such as provincial sales taxes, unless otherwise specified by law. The Contractor must pay applicable provincial sales tax, ancillary taxes, and any commodity tax, on taxable goods or services used or consumed in the performance of the Contract (in accordance with applicable legislation), including material incorporated into real property.
4. In those cases where Applicable Taxes, customs duties, and excise taxes are included in the Contract Price, the Contract Price will be adjusted to reflect any increase, or decrease, of Applicable Taxes, customs duties, and excise taxes that will have occurred between bid submission and contract award. However, there will be no adjustment for any change to increase the Contract Price if public notice of the change was given before bid submission date in sufficient detail to have permitted the Contractor to calculate the effect of the change.

5. Tax Withholding of 15 Percent — Canada Revenue Agency

   Pursuant to the Income Tax Act, 1985, c. 1 (5^th Supp.) and the Income Tax Regulations, Canada must withhold 15 percent of the amount to be paid to the Contractor in respect of services provided in Canada if the Contractor is not a resident of Canada, unless the Contractor obtains a valid waiver from the Canada Revenue Agency. The amount withheld will be held on account for the Contractor in respect to any tax liability which may be owed to Canada.

A15 Transportation Costs

If transportation costs are payable by Canada under the Contract and the Contractor makes the transportation arrangements, shipments must be made by the most direct and economical means consistent with normal shipping practice. The costs must be shown as a separate item on the invoice.

A16 Transportation Carriers' Liability

The federal government's policy of underwriting its own risks precludes payment of insurance or valuation charges for transportation beyond the point at which ownership of goods passes to the federal government (determined by the FOB point or Incoterms). Where increased carrier liability is available without charge, the Contractor must obtain the increased liability for shipment.

A17 Payment Period

1. Canada's standard payment period is thirty (30) days. The payment period is measured from the date an invoice in acceptable form and content is received in accordance with the Contract or the date the Work is delivered in acceptable condition as required in the Contract, whichever is later. A payment is considered overdue on the 31^st day following that date and interest will be paid automatically in accordance with the section 18.
2. If the content of the invoice and its substantiating documentation are not in accordance with the Contract or the Work is not in acceptable condition, Canada will notify the Contractor within fifteen (15) days of receipt. The 30-day payment period begins upon receipt of the revised invoice or the replacement or corrected Work. Failure by Canada to notify the Contractor within fifteen (15) days will only result in the date specified in subsection 1 to apply for the sole purpose of calculating interest on overdue accounts.

A18 Interest on Overdue Accounts

1. For the purpose of this section:

   "Average Rate" means the simple arithmetic mean of the Bank Rates in effect at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time each day during the calendar month immediately before the calendar month in which payment is made;
   "Bank Rate" means the rate of interest established from time to time by the Bank of Canada as the minimum rate at which the Bank of Canada makes short term advances to members of the Canadian Payments Association;
   "date of payment" means the date of the negotiable instrument drawn by the Receiver General for Canada to pay any amount under the Contract;
   an amount becomes "overdue" when it is unpaid on the first day following the day on which it is due and payable according to the Contract.

2. Canada will pay to the Contractor simple interest at the Average Rate plus 3 percent per year on any amount that is overdue, from the date that amount becomes overdue until the day before the date of payment, inclusive. The Contractor is not required to provide notice to Canada for interest to be payable.
3. Canada will pay interest in accordance with this section only if Canada is responsible for the delay in paying the Contractor. Canada will not pay interest on overdue advance payments.

A19 Compliance with Applicable Laws

1. The Contractor must comply with all laws applicable to the performance of the Contract. The Contractor must provide evidence of compliance with such laws to Canada at such times as Canada may reasonably request.
2. The Contractor must obtain and maintain at its own cost all permits, licenses, regulatory approvals and certificates required to perform the Work. If requested by the Contracting Authority, the Contractor must provide a copy of any required permit, license, regulatory approvals or certificate to Canada.

A20 Ownership

1. Unless provided otherwise in the Contract, the Work or any part of the Work belongs to Canada after delivery and acceptance by or on behalf of Canada.
2. However if any payment is made to the Contractor for or on account of any Work, either by way of progress or milestone payments, that work paid for by Canada belongs to Canada upon such payment being made. This transfer of ownership does not constitute acceptance by Canada of the Work or any part of the Work and does not relieve the Contractor of its obligation to perform the Work in accordance with the Contract.
3. Despite any transfer of ownership, the Contractor is responsible for any loss or damage to the Work or any part of the Work until it is delivered to Canada in accordance with the Contract. Even after delivery, the Contractor remains responsible for any loss or damage to any part of the Work caused by the Contractor or any subcontractor.
4. Upon transfer of ownership to the Work or any part of the Work to Canada, the Contractor must, if requested by Canada, establish to Canada's satisfaction that the title is free and clear of all claims, liens, attachments, charges or encumbrances. The Contractor must execute any conveyances and other instruments necessary to perfect the title that Canada may require.

A21 Warranty

1. Despite inspection and acceptance of the Work by or on behalf of Canada and without restricting any other provision of the Contract or any condition, warranty or provision imposed by law, the Contractor warrants that, for twelve (12) months (or any other period stated in the Contract), the Work will be free from all defects in design, material or workmanship, and will conform to the requirements of the Contract. The warranty period begins on the date of delivery, or if acceptance takes place at a later date, the date of acceptance. With respect to Government Property not supplied by the Contractor, the Contractor's warranty will extend only to its proper incorporation into the Work.
2. In the event of a defect or non-conformance in any part of the Work during the warranty period, the Contractor, at the request of Canada to do so, must as soon as possible repair, replace or otherwise make good at its own option and expense the part of the Work found to be defective or not in conformance with the requirements of the Contract.
3. The Work or any part of the Work found to be defective or non-conforming will be returned to the Contractor's plant for replacement, repair or making good. However, when in the opinion of Canada it is not expedient to remove the Work from its location, the Contractor must carry out any necessary repair or making good of the Work at that location. In such cases, the Contractor will be paid the fair and reasonable Cost (including reasonable travel and living expenses) incurred in so doing, with no allowance for profit, less an amount equal to the Cost of rectifying the defect or non-conformance at the Contractor's plant.
4. Canada must pay the transportation cost associated with returning the Work or any part of the Work to the Contractor's plant pursuant to subsection 3. The Contractor must pay the transportation cost associated with forwarding the replacement or returning the Work or part of the Work when rectified to the delivery point specified in the Contract or to another location directed by Canada.
5. The Contractor must remedy all data and reports pertaining to any correction or replacement under this section, including revisions and updating of all affected data, manuals, publications, software and drawings called for under the Contract, at no cost to Canada.
6. If the Contractor fails to fulfill any obligation described in this section within a reasonable time of receiving a notice, Canada will have the right to remedy or to have remedied the defective or non-conforming work at the Contractor's expense. If Canada does not wish to correct or replace the defective or non-conforming work, an equitable reduction will be made in the Contract Price.
7. The warranty period is automatically extended by the duration of any period or periods where the Work is unavailable for use or cannot be used because of a defect or non-conformance during the original warranty period. The warranty applies to any part of the Work repaired, replaced or otherwise made good pursuant to subsection 2, for the greater of:
   1. the warranty period remaining, including the extension, or
   2. ninety (90) days or such other period as may be specified for that purpose by agreement between the Parties.

A22 Copyright

In this section, "Material" means anything that is created by the Contractor as part of the Work under the Contract, that is required by the Contract to be delivered to Canada and in which copyright subsists. "Material" does not include anything created by the Contractor before the date of the Contract.

Copyright in the Material belongs to Canada and the Contractor must include the copyright symbol and either of the following notice on the Material: © Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada (year) or © Sa Majesté la Reine du chef du Canada (année).

The Contractor must not use, copy, divulge or publish any Material except as is necessary to perform the Contract. The Contractor must execute any conveyance and other documents relating to copyright in the Material as Canada may require.

The Contractor must provide at the request of Canada a written permanent waiver of moral rights, in a form acceptable to Canada, from every author that contributed to the Material. If the Contractor is the author of the Material, the Contractor permanently waives its moral rights in the Material.

A23 Use and Translation of Written Material

1. Unless provided otherwise in the Contract, copyright in any written material used, produced or delivered under the Contract belongs to its author or rightful owner. Canada has the right to use, copy and disclose, for government purposes, the written material related to the Work that is delivered to Canada.
2. If the Contract does not require the delivery of any written material in both of Canada's official languages, Canada may translate the written material into the other official language. The Contractor acknowledges that Canada owns the rights on the translation and that Canada is under no obligation to provide the translation to the Contractor. Canada agrees that any translation must include any copyright and any proprietary right notice that was part of the original. Canada acknowledges that the Contractor is not responsible for any technical errors or other problems that may arise as a result of the translation.

A24 Confidentiality

1. The Contractor must keep confidential all information provided to the Contractor by or on behalf of Canada in connection with the Work, including any information that is confidential or proprietary to third parties, and all information conceived, developed or produced by the Contractor as part of the Work when copyright or any other intellectual property rights in such information belongs to Canada under the Contract. The Contractor must not disclose any such information without the written permission of Canada. The Contractor may disclose to a subcontractor any information necessary to perform the subcontract as long as the subcontractor agrees to keep the information confidential and that it will be used only to perform the subcontract.
2. The Contractor agrees to use any information provided to the Contractor by or on behalf of Canada only for the purpose of the Contract. The Contractor acknowledges that all this information remains the property of Canada or the third party, as the case may be. Unless provided otherwise in the Contract, the Contractor must deliver to Canada all such information, together with every copy, draft, working paper and note that contains such information, upon completion or termination of the Contract or at such earlier time as Canada may require.
3. Subject to the Access to Information Act, R.S., 1985, c. A-1, and to any right of Canada under the Contract to release or disclose, Canada must not release or disclose outside the Government of Canada any information delivered to Canada under the Contract that is proprietary to the Contractor or a subcontractor.
4. The obligations of the Parties set out in this section do not apply to any information if the information:
   1. is publicly available from a source other than the other Party; or
   2. is or becomes known to a Party from a source other than the other Party, except any source that is known to be under an obligation to the other Party not to disclose the information; or
   3. is developed by a Party without use of the information of the other Party.
5. Wherever possible, the Contractor must mark or identify any proprietary information delivered to Canada under the Contract as "Property of (Contractor's name), permitted Government uses defined under Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) Contract No. (fill in Contract Number)". Canada will not be liable for any unauthorized use or disclosure of information that could have been so marked or identified and was not.
6. If the Contract, the Work, or any information referred to in subsection 1 is identified as top secret, secret, confidential, or protected by Canada, the Contractor must at all times take all measures reasonably necessary for the safeguarding of the material so identified, including those set out in the PWGSC Industrial Security Manual and its supplements and any other instructions issued by Canada.
7. If the Contract, the Work, or any information referred to in subsection 1 is identified as top secret, secret, confidential or protected, by Canada, representatives of Canada are entitled to inspect the Contractor's premises and the premises of a subcontractor at any tier for security purposes at any time during the term of the Contract. The Contractor must comply with, and ensure that any subcontractor complies with, all written instructions issued by Canada dealing with the material so identified, including any requirement that employees of the Contractor or of any subcontractor execute and deliver declarations relating to reliability screenings, security clearances and other procedures.

A25 Government Property

1. All Government Property must be used by the Contractor solely for the purpose of the Contract and remains the property of Canada. The Contractor must maintain adequate accounting records of all Government Property and, whenever feasible, mark it as being the property of Canada.
2. The Contractor must take reasonable and proper care of all Government Property while it is in its possession or subject to its control. The Contractor is responsible for any loss or damage resulting from its failure to do so other than loss or damage caused by ordinary wear and tear.
3. All Government Property, unless it is installed or incorporated in the Work, must be returned to Canada on demand. All scrap and all waste materials, articles or things that are Government Property must, unless provided otherwise in the Contract, remain the property of Canada and must be disposed of only as directed by Canada.
4. At the time of completion of the Contract, and if requested by the Contracting Authority, the Contractor must provide to Canada an inventory of all Government Property relating to the Contract.

A26 Liability

The Contractor is liable for any damage caused by the Contractor, its employees, subcontractors, or agents to Canada or any third party. Canada is liable for any damage caused by Canada, its employees or agents to the Contractor or any third party. The Parties agree that no limitation of liability or indemnity provision applies to the Contract unless it is specifically incorporated in full text in the Articles of Agreement. Damage includes any injury to persons (including injury resulting in death) or loss of or damage to property (including real property) caused as a result of or during the performance of the Contract.

A27 Intellectual Property Infringement and Royalties

1. The Contractor represents and warrants that, to the best of its knowledge, neither it nor Canada will infringe any third party's intellectual property rights in performing or using the Work, and that Canada will have no obligation to pay royalties of any kind to anyone in connection with the Work.
2. If anyone makes a claim against Canada or the Contractor concerning intellectual property infringement or royalties related to the Work, that Party agrees to notify the other Party in writing immediately. If anyone brings a claim against Canada, according to Department of Justice Act, R.S., 1985, c. J-2, the Attorney General of Canada must have the regulation and conduct of all litigation for or against Canada, but the Attorney General may request that the Contractor defend Canada against the claim. In either case, the Contractor agrees to participate fully in the defence and any settlement negotiations and to pay all costs, damages and legal costs incurred or payable as a result of the claim, including the amount of any settlement. Both Parties agree not to settle any claim unless the other Party first approves the settlement in writing.
3. The Contractor has no obligation regarding claims that were only made because:
   1. Canada modified the Work or part of the Work without the Contractor's consent or used the Work or part of the Work without following a requirement of the Contract; or
   2. Canada used the Work or part of the Work with a product that the Contractor did not supply under the Contract (unless that use is described in the Contract or the manufacturer's specifications); or
   3. the Contractor used equipment, drawings, specifications or other information supplied to the Contractor by Canada (or by someone authorized by Canada); or
   4. the Contractor used a specific item of equipment or software that it obtained because of specific instructions from the Contracting Authority; however, this exception only applies if the Contractor has included the following language in its own contract with the supplier of that equipment or software: "[Supplier name] acknowledges that the purchased items will be used by the Government of Canada. If a third party claims that equipment or software supplied under this contract infringes any intellectual property right, [supplier name], if requested to do so by either [Contractor name] or Canada, will defend both [Contractor name] and Canada against that claim at its own expense and will pay all costs, damages and legal fees payable as a result of that infringement." Obtaining this protection from the supplier is the Contractor's responsibility and, if the Contractor does not do so, it will be responsible to Canada for the claim.
4. If anyone claims that, as a result of the Work, the Contractor or Canada is infringing its intellectual property rights, the Contractor must immediately do one of the following:
   1. take whatever steps are necessary to allow Canada to continue to use the allegedly infringing part of the Work; or
   2. modify or replace the Work to avoid intellectual property infringement, while ensuring that the Work continues to meet all the requirements of the Contract; or
   3. take back the Work and refund any part of the Contract Price that Canada has already paid.

If the Contractor determines that none of these alternatives can reasonably be achieved, or if the Contractor fails to take any of these steps within a reasonable amount of time, Canada may choose either to require the Contractor to do (c), or to take whatever steps are necessary to acquire the rights to use the allegedly infringing part(s) of the Work itself, in which case the Contractor must reimburse Canada for all the costs it incurs to do so.

A28 Amendment and Waivers

1. To be effective, any amendment to the Contract must be done in writing by the Contracting Authority and the authorized representative of the Contractor.
2. While the Contractor may discuss any proposed modifications to the Work with other representatives of Canada, Canada will not be responsible for the cost of any modification unless it has been incorporated into the Contract in accordance with subsection 1.
3. A waiver will only be valid, binding or affect the rights of the Parties if it is made in writing by, in the case of a waiver by Canada, the Contracting Authority and, in the case of a waiver by the Contractor, the authorized representative of the Contractor.
4. The waiver by a Party of a breach of any condition of the Contract will not be treated or interpreted as a waiver of any subsequent breach and therefore will not prevent that Party from enforcing of that term or condition in the case of a subsequent breach.

A29 Assignment

1. The Contractor must not assign the Contract without first obtaining the written consent of the Contracting Authority. Any assignment made without that consent is void and will have no effect. The assignment will be effective upon execution of an assignment agreement signed by the Parties and the assignee.
2. Assignment of the Contract does not relieve the Contractor from any obligation under the Contract and it does not impose any liability upon Canada.

A30 Suspension of the Work

1. The Contracting Authority may at any time, by written notice, order the Contractor to suspend or stop the Work or part of the Work under the Contract for a period of up to one hundred eighty (180) days. The Contractor must immediately comply with any such order in a way that minimizes the cost of doing so. While such an order is in effect, the Contractor must not remove any part of the Work from any premises without first obtaining the written consent of the Contracting Authority. Within these one hundred eighty (180) days, the Contracting Authority must either cancel the order or terminate the Contract, in whole or in part, under section 31 or section 32.
2. When an order is made under subsection 1, unless the Contracting Authority terminates the Contract by reason of default by the Contractor or the Contractor abandons the Contract, the Contractor will be entitled to be paid its additional costs incurred as a result of the suspension plus a fair and reasonable profit.
3. When an order made under subsection 1 is cancelled, the Contractor must resume work in accordance with the Contract as soon as practicable. If the suspension has affected the Contractor's ability to meet any delivery date under the Contract, the date for performing the part of the Work affected by the suspension will be extended for a period equal to the period of suspension plus a period, if any, that in the opinion of the Contracting Authority, following consultation with the Contractor, is necessary for the Contractor to resume the Work. Any equitable adjustments will be made as necessary to any affected conditions of the Contract.

A31 Default by the Contractor

1. If the Contractor is in default in carrying out any of its obligations under the Contract, the Contracting Authority may, by giving written notice to the Contractor, terminate for default the Contract or part of the Contract. The termination will take effect immediately or at the expiration of a cure period specified in the notice, if the Contractor has not cured the default to the satisfaction of the Contracting Authority within that cure period.
2. If the Contractor becomes bankrupt or insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or takes the benefit of any statute relating to bankrupt or insolvent debtors, or if a receiver is appointed under a debt instrument or a receiving order is made against the Contractor, or an order is made or a resolution passed for the winding down of the Contractor, the Contracting Authority may, to the extent permitted by the laws of Canada, by giving written notice to the Contractor, immediately terminate for default the Contract or part of the Contract.
3. If Canada gives notice under subsection 1 or 2, the Contractor will have no claim for further payment except as provided in this section. The Contractor will be liable to Canada for all losses and damages suffered by Canada because of the default or occurrence upon which the notice was based, including any increase in the cost incurred by Canada in procuring the Work from another source. The Contractor agrees to repay immediately to Canada the portion of any advance payment that is unliquidated at the date of the termination.

4. Upon termination of the Contract under this section, the Contracting Authority may require the Contractor to deliver to Canada, in the manner and to the extent directed by the Contracting Authority, any completed parts of the Work, not delivered and accepted before the termination and anything the Contractor has acquired or produced specifically to perform the Contract. In such a case, subject to the deduction of any claim that Canada may have against the Contractor arising under the Contract or out of the termination, Canada will pay or credit to the Contractor:

   1. the value, of all completed parts of the Work delivered to and accepted by Canada, based on the Contract Price, including the proportionate part of the Contractor's profit or fee included in the Contract Price; and
   2. the cost to the Contractor that Canada considers reasonable in respect of anything else delivered to and accepted by Canada.

   The total amount paid by Canada under the Contract to the date of the termination and any amount payable under this subsection must not exceed the Contract Price.

5. Title to everything for which payment is made to the Contractor will, once payment is made, pass to Canada unless it already belongs to Canada under any other provision of the Contract.
6. If the Contract is terminated for default under subsection 1, but it is later determined that grounds did not exist for a termination for default, the notice will be considered a notice of termination for convenience issued under subsection 1 of section 32.

A32 Termination for Convenience

1. At any time before the completion of the Work, the Contracting Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, terminate for convenience the Contract or part of the Contract. Once such a notice of termination for convenience is given, the Contractor must comply with the requirements of the termination notice. If the Contract is terminated in part only, the Contractor must proceed to complete any part of the Work that is not affected by the termination notice. The termination will take effect immediately or, as the case may be, at the time specified in the termination notice.
2. If a termination notice is given pursuant to subsection 1, the Contractor will be entitled to be paid, for costs that have been reasonably and properly incurred to perform the Contract to the extent that the Contractor has not already been paid or reimbursed by Canada. The Contractor will be paid:
   1. on the basis of the Contract Price, for all completed work that is inspected and accepted in accordance with the Contract, whether completed before, or after the termination in accordance with the instructions contained in the termination notice;
   2. the Cost to the Contractor plus a fair and reasonable profit for all work terminated by the termination notice before completion; and
   3. all costs incidental to the termination of the Work incurred by the Contractor but not including the cost of severance payments or damages to employees whose services are no longer required, except wages that the Contractor is obligated by statute to pay.
3. Canada may reduce the payment in respect of any part of the Work, if upon inspection, it does not meet the requirements of the Contract.
4. The total of the amounts, to which the Contractor is entitled to be paid under this section, together with any amounts paid, due or becoming due to the Contractor must not exceed the Contract Price. The Contractor will have no claim for damages, compensation, loss of profit, allowance arising out of any termination notice given by Canada under this section except to the extent that this section expressly provides. The Contractor agrees to repay immediately to Canada the portion of any advance payment that is unliquidated at the date of the termination.

A33 Accounts and Audit

1. The Contractor must keep proper accounts and records of the cost of performing the Work and of all expenditures or commitments made by the Contractor in connection with the Work, including all invoices, receipts and vouchers. The Contractor must retain records, including bills of lading and other evidence of transportation or delivery, for all deliveries made under the Contract.
2. If the Contract includes payment for time spent by the Contractor, its employees, representatives, agents or subcontractors performing the Work, the Contractor must keep a record of the actual time spent each day by each individual performing any part of the Work.
3. Unless Canada has consented in writing to its disposal, the Contractor must retain all the information described in this section for six (6) years after it receives the final payment under the Contract, or until the settlement of all outstanding claims and disputes, whichever is later. During this time, the Contractor must make this information available for audit, inspection and examination by the representatives of Canada, who may make copies and take extracts. The Contractor must provide all reasonably required facilities for any audit and inspection and must furnish all the information as the representatives of Canada may from time to time require to perform a complete audit of the Contract.
4. The amount claimed under the contract, calculated in accordance with the Basis of Payment provision in the Articles of Agreement, is subject to government audit both before and after payment is made. If an audit is performed after payment, the Contractor agrees to repay any overpayment immediately on demand by Canada. Canada may hold back, deduct and set off any credits owing and unpaid under this section from any money that Canada owes to the Contractor at any time (including under other contracts). If Canada does not choose to exercise this right at any given time, Canada does not lose this right.

A34 Right of Set-off

Without restricting any right of set-off given by law, Canada may set-off against any amount payable to the Contractor under the Contract, any amount payable to Canada by the Contractor under the Contract or under any other current contract. Canada may, when making a payment pursuant to the Contract, deduct from the amount payable to the Contractor any such amount payable to Canada by the Contractor which, by virtue of the right of set-off, may be retained by Canada.

A35 Notice

Any notice under the Contract must be in writing and may be delivered by hand, courier, mail, facsimile or other electronic method that provides a paper record of the text of the notice. It must be sent to the Party for whom it is intended at the address stated in the Contract. Any notice will be effective on the day it is received at that address. Any notice to Canada must be delivered to the Contracting Authority.

A36 Conflict of Interest and Values and Ethics Codes for the Public Service

The Contractor acknowledges that individuals who are subject to the provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2006, c. 9, s. 2, the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment or all other codes of values and ethics applicable within specific organizations cannot derive any direct benefit resulting from the Contract.

A37 No Bribe or Conflict

1. The Contractor declares that no bribe, gift, benefit, or other inducement has been or will be paid, given, promised or offered directly or indirectly to any official or employee of Canada or to a member of the family of such a person, with a view to influencing the entry into the Contract or the administration of the Contract.
2. The Contractor must not influence, seek to influence or otherwise take part in a decision of Canada knowing that the decision might further its private interest. The Contractor must have no financial interest in the business of a third party that causes or would appear to cause a conflict of interest in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Contract. If such a financial interest is acquired during the period of the Contract, the Contractor must immediately declare it to the Contracting Authority.
3. The Contractor warrants that, to the best of its knowledge after making diligent inquiry, no conflict exists or is likely to arise in the performance of the Contract. In the event the Contractor becomes aware of any matter that causes or is likely to cause a conflict in relation to the Contractor's performance under the Contract, the Contractor must immediately disclose such matter to the Contracting Authority in writing.
4. If the Contracting Authority is of the opinion that a conflict exists as a result of the Contractor's disclosure or as a result of any other information brought to the Contracting Authority's attention, the Contracting Authority may require the Contractor to take steps to resolve or otherwise deal with the conflict or, at its entire discretion, terminate the Contract for default. Conflict means any matter, circumstance, interest, or activity affecting the Contractor, its personnel or subcontractors, which may or may appear to impair the ability of the Contractor to perform the Work diligently and independently.

A38 Survival

All the Parties' obligations of confidentiality, representations and warranties set out in the Contract as well as the provisions, which by the nature of the rights or obligations might reasonably be expected to survive, will survive the expiry or termination of the Contract.

A39 Severability

If any provision of the Contract is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be removed from the Contract without affecting any other provision of the Contract.

A40 Successors and Assigns

The Contract is to the benefit of and binds the successors and permitted assignees of Canada and of the Contractor.

A41 Contingency Fees

The Contractor certifies that it has not directly or indirectly, paid or agreed to pay and agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, pay a contingency fee for the solicitation, negotiation or obtaining of the Contract to any person, other than an employee of the Contractor acting in the normal course of the employee's duties. In this section, "contingency fee" means any payment or other compensation that depends or is calculated based on a degree of success in soliciting, negotiating or obtaining the Contract and "person" includes any individual who is required to file a return with the registrar pursuant to section 5 of the Lobbying Act, 1985, c. 44 (4^th Supplement).

A42 International Sanctions

1. Persons in Canada, and Canadians outside of Canada, are bound by economic sanctions imposed by Canada. As a result, the Government of Canada cannot accept delivery of goods or services that originate, either directly or indirectly, from the countries or persons subject to economic sanctions
2. The Contractor must not supply to the Government of Canada any goods or services which are subject to economic sanctions.
3. The Contractor must comply with changes to the regulations imposed during the period of the Contract. The Contractor must immediately advise Canada if it is unable to perform the Work as a result of the imposition of economic sanctions against a country or person or the addition of a good or service to the list of sanctioned goods or services. If the Parties cannot agree on a work around plan, the Contract will be terminated for the convenience of Canada in accordance with section 32.

A43 Integrity Provisions - Contract

The Ineligibility and Suspension Policy (the “Policy”) and all related Directives incorporated by reference into the bid solicitation on its closing date are incorporated into, and form a binding part of the Contract. The Contractor must comply with the provisions of the Policy and Directives, which can be found on Public Works and Government Services Canada’s website at Ineligibility and Suspension Policy.

A44 Harassment in the Workplace

1. The Contractor acknowledges the responsibility of Canada to ensure, for its employees, a healthy work environment, free of harassment. A copy of the Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace, which is also applicable to the Contractor, is available on the Treasury Board Web site.
2. The Contractor must not, either as an individual, or as a corporate or unincorporated entity, through its employees or subcontractors, harass, abuse, threaten, discriminate against or intimidate any employee, contractor or other individual employed by, or under contract with Canada. The Contractor will be advised in writing of any complaint and will have the right to respond in writing. Upon receipt of the Contractor's response, the Contracting Authority will, at its entire discretion, determine if the complaint is founded and decide on any action to be taken.

A45 Entire Agreement

The Contract constitutes the entire and only agreement between the Parties and supersedes all previous negotiations, communications and other agreements, whether written or oral, unless they are incorporated by reference in the Contract. There are no terms, covenants, representations, statements or conditions binding on the Parties other than those contained in the Contract.

A46 Security and Protection of the Work

Notwithstanding the Validity Date of the contract, it is a precondition of the contract that the Contractor have a Security Clearance at the level designated for work assignment. The Contractor shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that its performance of the work, in accordance with the provisions of the contract, adheres to all requirements of this Security Clearance level. The Minister may, at any time, conduct an examination of the Contractor's premises, documents and records to verify whether the Contractor is complying with the security requirements of the contract.

A47 End of Fiscal Year Invoice

Notwithstanding the Payment Schedule, each year on or about March 31, the Contractor will, at the request of the Project Authority, submit an end-of-the-year invoice corresponding to the value of the total work performed during the year preceding that date less any amounts previously paid or invoiced during such year.

All subsequent payment(s) payable pursuant to the Payment Schedule contained in the contract will be reduced by any amount which could have been paid pursuant to this clause.

A48 Dispute Resolution

The Parties agree to make every reasonable effort, in good faith, to settle amicably all disputes or claims relating to or arising from the Contract, through negotiations between the Parties’ representatives authorized to settle. If the Parties do not reach a settlement within 10 working days, each party hereby consents to fully participate in and bear the cost of mediation led by the Procurement Ombudsman pursuant to Subsection 22.1(3)(d) of the Department of Public Work and Government Services Act and Section 23 of the Procurement Ombudsman Regulations.

The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman may be contacted by telephone at 1-866-734-5169, by e-mail at boa.opo@boa-opo.gc.ca, or by web at www.opo-boa.gc.ca.

A49 Contract Administration

The parties understand that the Procurement Ombudsman appointed pursuant to Subsection 22.1(1) of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act will review a complaint filed by the complainant respecting the administration of the Contract if the requirements of Subsection 22.2(1) of the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act and Sections 15 and 16 of the Procurement Ombudsman Regulations have been met.

To file a complaint, the Office of the Procurement Ombudsman may be contacted by e-mail at boa.opo@boa-opo.gc.ca, by telephone at 1-866-734-5169, or by web at www.opo-boa.gc.ca.

A50 Indemnification

1. The Contractor shall indemnify and save harmless the Minister and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, actions and other proceedings, made, sustained, brought, prosecuted, threatened to be brought or prosecuted, in any manner based upon, occasioned by or attributable to any injury to or death of a person or damage to or loss of property arising from any wilful or negligent act, omission or delay on the part of the Contractor, the Contractor's servants or agents in performing the work or as a result of the work.
2. The Contractor shall indemnify the Minister and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada for all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever that the Minister of the invention claimed in a patent, or infringement or alleged infringement of any patent or any registered industrial design or an copyright resulting from the performance of the Contractor's obligations under the contract, and in respect of the use of or disposal by the Minister of anything furnished pursuant to the contract.
3. The Contractor's liability to indemnify or reimburse the Minister under the contract shall not affect or prejudice the Minister from exercising any other rights under law.

A51 Privacy

1. Canada has an obligation to ensure that Canadian statutes, regulations and Treasury Board policies on privacy protection are respected by contractors when Canada contracts out parts of its activities, including mail services. These obligations, known as the Code of Fair Conduct, are contained in sections 4 to 7 of the Privacy Act, Revised Statutes of Canada 1985, chapter P-21. Organizations collecting, using or disclosing personal information in carrying out commercial activities are also under the obligation to ensure that personal information is protected in accordance with Canada's own obligation and, in addition, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, Statutes of Canada 2000, chapter 5.
2. The contractor will conduct all aspects of personal information processing in a manner that does not, either directly or indirectly, override, conflict with, or impede the application of the Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Treasury Board policies on privacy protection. Should the contractor became aware of circumstances where a foreign law could apply to the personal information that the contractor manages, accesses, collects, uses, discloses, retains, receives, creates, or disposes in carrying out the requirements of this Contract, in a way that overrides, conflicts with or impedes with the Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Treasury Board policies on privacy protection, the contractor will forthwith notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada of that circumstances. Should the contractor fail to comply with this obligation to notify or in the event that such circumstances exist, Citizenship and Immigration Canada shall have the right to treat this Contract as being in default and to terminate it pursuant to the default provisions of this Contract.
3. The contractor hereby certifies that it has reviewed the requirements concerning the protection of personal information and that it will comply with those terms and ensure that personal information that is managed, accessed, collected, used, disclosed, retained, received, created, or disposed of in order to fulfill the requirements of this Contract shall be treated in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Treasury Board policies.
4. This certification shall be true and correct throughout the term of this Contract with the same force and effect as if continuously made throughout the term of this Contract.
5. The Contractor acknowledges that Citizenship and Immigration Canada shall rely on this certification to award the Contract. Should the contractor fail to comply with this certification or in the event that verification or inspection by Citizenship and Immigration Canada discloses a misrepresentation on the part of the contractor, Citizenship and Immigration Canada shall have the right to treat this Contract as being in default and to terminate it pursuant to the default provisions of this Contract.

A52 Access to Information

Records created by the Contractor, and under the control of Canada, are subject to the Access to Information Act. The Contractor acknowledges the responsibilities of Canada under the Access to Information Act and must, to the extent possible, assist Canada in discharging these responsibilities. Furthermore, the Contractor acknowledges that section 67.1 of the Access to Information Act provides that any person, who destroys, alters, falsifies or conceals a record, or directs anyone to do so, with the intent of obstructing the right of access that is provided by the Access to Information Act is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

A53 Code of Conduct for Procurement—Contract

The Contractor agrees to comply with the Code of Conduct for Procurement and to be bound by its terms for the period of the Contract.