Master Agreement For Call Center
Services
Between
Verizon Corporate Services Group
Inc.
And
APAC Customer Services, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MASTER AGREEMENT FOR CALL CENTER
SERVICES
1. PARTIES
This
Master Agreement for Call Center Services (“Agreement”)
is made between APAC Customer Services, Inc., an Illinois
corporation, having an office located at 2333 Waukegan Rd.,
Suite 100, Bannockburn, IL 60015 (“Supplier”), and
Verizon Corporate Services Group, Inc. (“Verizon”), a
Delaware corporation, having an office at One Verizon Way, Basking
Ridge, New Jersey 07920, on behalf of itself and for the benefit of
its Affiliates, hereinafter defined, each of Verizon and Supplier a
“Party” and together the “Parties”
hereto.
2. TERM
This
Agreement is made and entered into on and as of the date of
execution by the last signing Party but takes retroactive effect to
and including January 1, 2009 (the “Effective
Date”) and, unless terminated by Verizon in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, shall remain in effect until
December 31, 2011 (the “Term”). This Agreement
shall be automatically renewed for subsequent one-year periods at
the end of the Term unless written notice of intent not to renew is
given by one Party to the other sixty (60) days’ prior
to the end of the initial or any renewal term.
3. DEFINITIONS
The
terms defined in this Section shall have the meanings set forth
below whenever they appear in this Agreement, unless the context in
which they are used clearly requires a different meaning or a
different definition is described for a particular Section or
provision:
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3.1
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“Affiliate” means, at any time, and
with respect to any corporation, partnership, person or other
entity, any other corporation, partnership, person or entity that
at such time, directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such first corporation, partnership, person, or other
entity. As used in this definition, “control” means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of a corporation,
partnership, person or other entity, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, or by contract or otherwise.
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3.2
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“Authorization Letter” shall mean
any service order, authorization letter, or other written
communication and/or electronic transmission letters, in a form
similar to the one appended hereto appended hereto as
Exhibit B, which Verizon may issue to Supplier for the
purchase of Service.
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3.3
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“Call
Detail Information” shall be any information that pertains to
the transmission of specific telephone calls, including:
(a) for outbound calls, the number called and the time,
location or duration of any call, and (b) for inbound calls,
the number from which the call was placed and the time, location,
or duration of any call.
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3.4
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“Customer
Proprietary Network Information” or “CPNI” shall
be as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 222(h)(1)
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3.5
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“Personal
Information” shall be information that, either alone or in
combination with other data, identifies or uniquely relates to an
individual, such as an individual’s name, social security
number, financial account numbers (e.g., credit or debit card
number or bank account information), account passwords and pass
codes, driver’s license and/or government-issued
identification number, mother’s maiden name, and healthcare
records.
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3.6
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“Project” shall mean the work
described in, and authorized, by an Authorization
Letter.
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3.7
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“Project
Leader” shall mean the single point of contact appointed by
Verizon in an Authorization Letter issued by Verizon under this
Agreement.
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3.8
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“Self-Help Code” means any back
door, “time bomb,” drop-dead device or other software
routine designed to disable a computer program automatically with
the passage of time or under the positive control of a person other
than a licensee of the program. Self-Help Code does not include
software routines in a computer program, if any, designed to permit
the licensor of the computer program (or other person acting by
authority of the licensor) to obtain access to a licensee’s
computer system(s) (e.g., remote access via modem) for purposes of
maintenance or technical support.
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3.9
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“Services” shall mean the services
required to support Verizon as further set forth in this Agreement,
including in Exhibit A, Scope of Services, and in an
Authorization Letter, which may include a Statement of
Work.
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3.10
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“Scope of
Services” shall mean a detailed description of the Services
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
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3.11
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“Statement of Work” shall mean a
detailed description of the specific tasks to be performed by
Supplier pursuant to an Authorization Letter. An Authorization
Letter may include a Statement of Work that details the specific
Services to be performed by Supplier.
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3.12
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“Unauthorized Code” means any virus,
Trojan horse, worm or any other software routines or hardware
components designed to permit unauthorized access to disable,
erase, or otherwise harm software, hardware, or data or to perform
any other such actions. The term Unauthorized Code does not include
Self-Help Code.
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4. SCOPE
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4.1
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Verizon may
purchase Service as set forth in Exhibit A, on a nonexclusive
basis, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
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4.2
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This is an
as-ordered Agreement and does not by itself order any Service.
Verizon shall order Service by submitting an Authorization Letter
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement specifying the
Service set forth in Exhibit A. An Authorization Letter may
include a Statement of Work that details the specific Services to
be performed by Supplier. Upon receipt of an Authorization Letter
that conforms to this Agreement, Supplier shall provide Services in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
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5. AUTHORIZATION
LETTERS
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5.1
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Supplier shall
furnish Service as specified in Authorization Letters, a sample of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit B, as mutually agreed to
by the Parties from time to time, setting forth, in detail, the
specific tasks to be performed and the time frame within which they
are to be performed. Verizon shall appoint a Project Leader in each
Authorization Letter issued by Verizon under this Agreement. The
Authorization letter shall reference this Agreement and contain the
following information: the statement of work to be performed, the
time and place for performance, the date of the Authorization
Letter, compensation, the billing address, the Verizon contact and
any other information required by Verizon.
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5.2
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An Affiliate
that issues an Authorization Letter may enforce the terms and
conditions of this Agreement with respect to any Service purchased
by such Affiliate as though it were a direct signatory to the
Agreement . Default by one Affiliate shall not affect any
other Affiliate party to this Agreement.
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5.3
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An existing
Authorization Letter may be modified by Verizon through the
issuance by Verizon of a Change Notice to Supplier in a form
similar to the one appended here as Exhibit C. The Change
Notice will detail any modifications to the price or the Services
being performed, and will be mutually agreed upon in advance of
implementing any such modification.
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6. PAYMENT AND
BILLING
6.1 Payment
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6.1.1
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Verizon shall
pay Supplier the amounts set forth in a Rate Schedule, which may be
a part of Exhibit A or an Authorization Letter.
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6.1.2
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In addition,
Verizon may solicit an offer or proposal to perform Services on a
competitive bid or quotation basis, which, if either is deemed
acceptable to Verizon will be performed pursuant to a subsequently
issued Authorization Letter. Verizon, in its sole discretion,
reserves the right to reject any Supplier bid or quotation. In
addition, with respect to any Services solicited via a competitive
bid or request for quotation, no contract to perform such Services
will exist between Verizon and Supplier unless and until an officer
or other previously designated representative of Verizon issues and
Authorization Letter to perform the Services.
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6.1.3
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The price(s)
shall be firm for the Term except that Supplier may at any time
decrease the prices. Supplier agrees that if Supplier’s list
price or the price later offered to Verizon for a Service is lower
than the stated price, then the stated price shall be lowered for
all Services provided.
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6.1.4
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The prices
specified in this Agreement are the total prices and there shall be
no other charges whatsoever. Unless otherwise specified, the prices
set forth in this Agreement or in an Authorization Letter include
all incidental costs, including transportation, entertainment and
the use of all necessary tools, products and equipment. The prices
include all taxes except those which Supplier is required by law to
collect from Verizon. Supplier is responsible for all of
Supplier’s own overhead, equipment, tools, telephone calls,
transportation, materials and any costs of any nature unless this
Agreement specifically provides otherwise. Supplier may not charge
Verizon for overtime work unless Verizon authorized the overtime
work in writing in advance.
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6.2 Invoicing
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6.2.1
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Invoices will
be submitted monthly by Supplier to the person designated in the
applicable Authorization Letter and will describe the Services
rendered during the invoice period. Each invoice shall reference
this Agreement and Verizon’s written notification of
acceptance. The invoices will identify such details as set forth in
an Authorization Letter. Supplier shall invoice Verizon for the
Services no later than thirty (30) days from the last business
day upon which the Services were performed. Verizon may dispute
Supplier’s invoice pursuant to this provision based upon
Supplier’s failure to invoice Verizon within the thirty
(30) days.
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6.2.2
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Payments of
undisputed amounts shall be made within forty-five (45) days
from the date of receipt of each invoice. In the event Verizon
elects to pay the undisputed amounts of an invoice within three
(3) days after Verizon’s receipt of such invoice,
Supplier shall grant to Verizon a discount equal to one and
25/100ths percent (1.25%) of the invoice amount that is paid by
Verizon within such period (“Fast Pay Discount”). In
the event Verizon disputes in good faith any portion of an invoice,
Verizon will provide Supplier with written notice of such dispute
within thirty (30) days after receipt of the invoice; such
notice shall outline in reasonable detail the reasons for the good
faith dispute. Upon receipt of a notice of dispute, Supplier shall
issue a new invoice, minus the disputed portion, dated as of the
same date as the original invoice and Verizon shall pay such new
invoice within thirty (30) days. In the event Verizon
(1) exercises its right to dispute an invoiced amount and
requires Supplier to issue a corrected invoice due to such disputed
amount, and (2) does not pay the original
(uncorrected) invoice within the three (3) day period
referenced herein, Verizon shall not be entitled to receive a Fast
Payment Discount on such invoice or corrected invoice. Any disputed
amounts, if unresolved by the Parties, shall be subject to
Section 29, Dispute Resolution.
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6.2.3
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At
Verizon’s option Supplier will do the following with respect
to one or more Affiliates. Verizon may, at no additional cost to
Verizon, require Supplier to accept purchase orders and submit
invoices via the electronic Enterprise Order To Pay Solutions
system interfacing with Verizon Purchasing and Accounts Payable
Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) systems.
Enrollment by the Supplier will be at no cost to Supplier, unless
Supplier requires system customization or modification. In the
event modifications are required, a detailed quote of customization
costs will be provided for review prior to implementation.
Transactions made over the Enterprise Order To Pay Solutions system
shall be governed by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
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Payments made using such electronic invoice
system shall not indicate acceptance of Products or Services, or
any part of Products or Services.
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6.2.4
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Verizon
acknowledges that lower than invoiced prices accepted as a result
of a greater discount associated with faster payment via the
electronic Enterprise Order To Pay Solutions system interfacing
with Verizon Purchasing and Accounts Payable ERP systems are
case-by-case decisions made by the Supplier and do not alter the
stated prices or early pay discount in this Agreement.
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7. RECORDS AND
REPORTS
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7.1
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Supplier shall
allow Verizon and its authorized agents and representatives to
audit Supplier’s records (in whatever form kept) that are
directly related to the Services to verify Supplier’s
compliance with all provisions of this Agreement as long as such
audit does not violate any law. At Verizon’s request, the
auditor shall have access to Supplier’s records that are
directly related to the Services at reasonable times during the
Term and during periods in which Supplier is required to maintain
records. Supplier shall maintain complete records of all charges
payable by Verizon under the terms of this Agreement for the later
of four (4) years after termination of the Agreement and any
additional period of applicability of the Agreement to an Order
placed prior to termination. Such records shall specifically
include, but are not limited to, timesheets. All such records shall
be maintained in accordance with recognized accounting practices.
The correctness of Supplier’s billing shall be determined by
such audits. Prompt adjustments shall be made to compensate for any
errors or omissions disclosed by such review or examination. If
such review or examination determines that Verizon has made an
overpayment in excess of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the
amount properly due, then Supplier shall reimburse Verizon for the
entire cost and expense of such review and examination.
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7.2
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Verizon shall
further have the right, through its authorized representatives,
during normal business hours and with two (2) days prior
written notice, to inspect Supplier premises and watch Supplier
representatives providing Services in order to verify
Supplier’s conformance with this Agreement. Verizon shall
take reasonable efforts to avoid or minimize the disruption of
ongoing Services provided by Supplier personnel.
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7.3
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Verizon
reserves the right to, or to have its authorized agents, examine
all electronic mail messages, files and other data directly related
to Supplier’s performance of the Services
(“Data”), on Supplier’s information systems,
networks and/or equipment to the extent that such Data originate,
terminate or pass through Verizon’s information systems
networks and equipment. Furthermore, Verizon reserves the right to
monitor, or to have its authorized agent(s) monitor, such activity
to determine if access is being abused, Data is secure, Supplier is
using Verizon systems only for the purpose of fulfilling
Supplier’s obligations under this Agreement, and/or if
Supplier is in compliance with the security requirements as
detailed in an Authorization Letter as may be amended from time to
time.
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7.4
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Supplier shall
fully cooperate and provide assistance to Verizon in the
investigation and resolution of any complaints, claims, actions, or
proceedings which may be brought by, or involve any, of
Supplier’s employees, agents, subcontractors or other
personnel.
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7.5
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Supplier shall
reasonably cooperate and participate in such security testing as
deemed necessary by Verizon to ensure that Verizon’s
information is not vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure or misuse
due to products, services and/or personnel provided by
Supplier.
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7.6
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Verizon shall
have the right to conduct risk assessments or inspections of
Supplier’s equipment, systems, network and/or other
facilities that will be used in connection with this Agreement.
Verizon can nominate an agent to perform audits on behalf of
Verizon. Verizon reserves the right to conduct unscheduled audits.
Any and all such activities undertaken by Verizon and/or its agents
shall be performed in a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere
with Supplier’s normal business activities (including, but
not limited to, Supplier’s performance of the
Services).
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7.7
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Supplier is
required to complete self audits of its own and its
subcontractors’ (if any) facilities. Self audits shall
identify vulnerabilities in its equipment, systems and/or other
facilities. They shall identify controls to address such
vulnerabilities and assess their adequacy.
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7.8
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If Supplier is
itself a Certified Minority, Woman, Service Disabled Veteran and
Person with Disability Owned and Controlled Business Enterprises
(MWDVBE), as defined herein, Supplier shall retain its MWDVBE
certification through the term of this Agreement. If there is a
change in Supplier’s certification status, Supplier shall
notify Verizon, in writing, within five (5) business days of
the date of such change.
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For
purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall
apply:
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7.8.1
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“Certified” means currently
certified as MWDVBE by an authorized certifying body, such as the
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or its
affiliate regional councils, the Women’s Business Enterprise
National Council (WBENC) or its affiliate regional councils, the
California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Clearinghouse, or other
similar local, state, or federal certifying body.
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7.8.2
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“Control” means having overall
fiscal/legal responsibility and exercising the power to make policy
decisions.
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7.8.3
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“Owned” means that at least
fifty-one percent (51%) of the business or, in the case of a
publicly owned business, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the
stock is owned by a minority, woman or service-disabled veteran.
Transfer of ownership to or purchase of an existing business by a
minority, woman, or service-disabled veteran by a non-minority who
remains actively involved in the operation of the business does not
qualify as a MWDVBE.
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7.8.4
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“Minority-owned Business Enterprise”
means a business concern which is Owned and Controlled by
individuals who are members of a minority group and of which at
least fifty-one percent (51%) of the net profits accrue to members
of a minority group. Such minority groups include, but are not
limited to, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific
Americans (persons with origins from Japan, China, the Philippines,
Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the former U.S. Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands (Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or
Federated States of Micronesia), Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea),
Taiwan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei,
Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru);
Subcontinent Asian Americans (persons with origins from India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands or
Nepal); Native Americans (American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and
Native Hawaiians); and members of other groups designated by the U.
S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as
minorities.
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7.8.5
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“Women-owned Business Enterprise”
means a business concern which is Owned and Controlled by a woman
or women. Such women’s business enterprise shall further be
classified as either minority or non-minority women-owned business,
depending upon the greater portion of ownership.
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7.8.6
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“Service-disabled Veteran-owned Business
Enterprise” means a business concern that is Owned by one or
more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a veteran with a
permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver
of such veteran.
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7.8.7
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“Service-disabled veteran” means a
veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. §101(2), with a
disability that is service-connected as defined in 38 U.S.C.
§101(16).
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7.8.8
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“Persons
with Disabilities-owned Business Enterprise” means a business
concern that Owned and Controlled by an owner or owners who are
disabled as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This classification can also include agencies that employ fifty-one
percent (51%) or more disabled persons.
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7.9
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If the Supplier
is not itself a Certified Minority, Woman, Service Disabled Veteran
and Person with Disability Owned and Controlled Business
Enterprises (MWDVBE) as set forth in Section 7.8 above,
then with respect to the Supplier’s compliance (as the
Primary Supplier) with Minority, Woman, Service Disabled Veteran
and Person with Disability-Owned Business Enterprises
(MWDVBE) Utilization, Supplier agrees to provide opportunities
for Certified MWDVBE suppliers and meet the requirements set forth
in Exhibit D, Compliance with Minority, Woman,
Service-Disabled Veteran and Person with Disability-Owned Business
Enterprises (MWDVBE) Utilization.
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7.10
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Unless
otherwise stated in an Authorization Letter or Statement of Work,
Supplier shall provide performance reporting on each of the metrics
listed below, except for Net Promoter Score which will be provided
by Verizon to Supplier. The Authorization Letter or Statement of
Work will provide the performance objectives, reporting formats and
frequency of reports as required by the Services performed by
Supplier.
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7.10.1
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Net Promoter
Score (“NPS”) shall mean a measurement of a
customer’s perception of Verizon service. Surveys asking a
series of questions to selected customers who have recently
received customer assistance from Verizon shall be conducted.
Responses shall be scored between 0 and 10 and respondents shall be
categorized as Promoters (9, 10), Passives (7, 8) or Detractors
(0-6). NPS is calculated by subtracting the percentage of
detractors from the percentage of promoters.
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7.10.2
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First Call
Resolution (“FCR”) shall mean a percentage of first
calls that result in resolution (no call backs within a defined
period of time). FCR is calculated through a query of the standard
ticketing system or ACD which tallies the number of tickets or
calls created for the same customer within a measured period of
time.
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7.10.3
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Average Speed
of Answer (“ASA”) shall mean an average number of
seconds a caller waits in queue as measured on the Supplier ACD
before being picked up by an agent.
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7.10.4
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Call Handle
Rate (“CHR”) shall mean a percentage of total number of
calls offered less number of calls abandoned by callers who hang up
before reaching an agent.
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7.10.5
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Average
Handling Time (“AHT”) shall mean a measurement of the
customer’s initiation of the call and including any hold
time, talk time and related tasks that follow the
transaction.
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8. ACCEPTANCE
All
Services performed under this Agreement shall be performed to the
satisfaction of Verizon. A Service shall not be considered accepted
by Verizon unless and until the Service meets the requirements of
this Agreement, including applicable Performance Standards set
forth in this Agreement, including any Exhibit, or in an
Authorization Letter.
9. WARRANTIES
Supplier represents and warrants
that:
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9.1
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In performing
Services, Supplier will comply, in all material respects, with the
descriptions and representations as to the Services (including
performance capabilities, accuracy, completeness, characteristics,
specifications, configurations, standards, functions, and
requirements) which appear herein and (if applicable) its employees
will perform Services on time and further that Services will be in
strict accordance with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances,
orders, rules and regulations of local, state, and federal
governments and agencies and instrumentalities, including, but not
limited to, applicable wage and hour, safety and environmental
laws, and all standards and regulations of appropriate governmental
regulatory commissions and similar agencies.
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9.2
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All Services
furnished by Supplier shall be performed (i) in a diligent,
efficient and skillful manner, (ii) to the best of
Supplier’s ability and (iii) at the highest professional
standards in the industry, to Verizon’s reasonable
satisfaction. Any substantial interruption or degradation of
service, as reasonably determined by Verizon, will be considered
below the highest level of performance accepted in the industry.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, any dispute or controversy relating to whether any
Services meet the highest level of performance accepted in the
industry shall be decided by Verizon in its reasonable
discretion.
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9.3
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All Services
furnished by Supplier shall be free of defects for a period of one
(1) year following acceptance of such Services. If within one
(1) year from the acceptance of Services, any defect exists or
arises, then, in each such case, upon receipt of notice of such
defect, Supplier will promptly cause such defect to be repaired or
remedied at Supplier’s sole cost and expense no later than a
timeframe to be specified by Verizon, provided that the Parties
agree that such defect is reasonably subject to cure. If Supplier
fails to commence immediate repairs or remediation, then Verizon
shall have the right, without prejudice to any other rights or
remedies available to it, to make repairs. Verizon may also offset
the cost against any amounts owed or to be paid by Verizon to
Supplier or bill Supplier for the cost to make such repairs or
remediation.
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9.4
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Supplier,
including its employees, agents and contractors, has obtained and
will maintain for the Term of this Agreement, any permits or
approvals necessary for the performance of Supplier’s
obligations in connection with the performance of the
Services.
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9.5
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All goods
provided and Services performed under this Agreement do not and
will not give rise to or result in any infringement or
misappropriation of any patent, copyright, trade secret, or any
violation of any other intellectual property right of any third
party.
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9.6 Most Favored
Customer
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9.6.1
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Supplier
represents and warrants that all of the prices, warranties,
benefits, terms and conditions (collectively) granted to
Verizon by Supplier hereunder are now and shall be, during the Term
of this Agreement and any extensions thereof, no less favorable
than the prices, warranties, benefits, terms and conditions
(collectively) granted to Supplier’s other wireless and/or
wireline telecommunications services customers under like
circumstances.
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9.6.2
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If at any time
during the term of this Agreement or any extension thereof,
Supplier shall offer more favorable prices, warranties, benefits,
terms, or conditions (collectively) for substantially the same
or similar Services to other telecommunications services providers
under like circumstances as those provided hereunder;
then:
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9.6.2.1
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Supplier shall,
within thirty (30) days after the effective date of such
offering, notify Verizon of such fact in accordance with
Section 25, Notices, and offer Verizon the more favorable
offering and negotiate any additional differentiating factors;
and
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9.6.2.2
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This Agreement
and all applicable Authorization Letters shall be deemed to be
automatically amended, effective retroactively to the effective
date of the more favorable offering, and Supplier shall provide the
same prices, warranties, benefits, terms and conditions to Verizon;
and
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9.6.2.3
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Verizon shall
have the right to decline to accept the offering, in which event
such automatic amendment shall be deemed to be void.
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9.7
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Offshore
Restrictions
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9.7.1
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Except with
Verizon’s advance written consent, in no event shall
Confidential Information regarding or pertaining to Verizon’s
systems, infrastructure, employees, or customers be stored,
transmitted, or accessed at, in, through, or from a site located
outside the United States nor made available to any person who is
located outside the United States unless such Confidential
Information relates solely, directly and independently (i) to
Verizon employees or customers located outside of the United
States, or (ii) to voice or data communications of Verizon or
its customers that originate and terminate outside the United
States, or (iii) to Verizon systems and/or infrastructure
dedicated to the provision of Verizon’s voice or data
services outside the United States or (iv) be otherwise
necessary for storage or access outside the United States in
connection with security, back-up, disaster recovery, or related
purposes as required by Verizon services specifications, security
and/or technical requirements. This subsection shall not apply to
Verizon Wireless Customer Data which shall solely be governed by
the provisions of 9.7.3.
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9.7.2.
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Exceptions to
9.7.1 above will be granted, in Verizon’s sole discretion,
(i) in writing; (ii) on a project-specific or
statement-of-work-specific basis; (iii) following a review of the
particular project or statement of work in accordance with the
policies of the relevant Verizon business unit governing the
placement of work with resources located outside the United States;
(iv) subject to any conditions imposed by Verizon on the
access to systems or data by such resources as a result of such
review; and (v) in advance of the commencement of any work by
such resources on the relevant project or statement of
work.
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9.7.3
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Notwithstanding
subsection 9.7.1 and 9.7.2 above, unless Supplier secures
Verizon’ further, prior written consent, in no event (i.)
shall Supplier provide, direct, control, supervise, or manage any
voice or data communication with regard to Verizon customers that
occurs between United States locations (or the United States
portion of any international communication that may originate or
terminate within the United States) from a location outside of the
United States, nor (ii.) shall Verizon Customer Data be stored,
transmitted, or accessed, from, at, in, or through a site located
outside the United Stated without Verizon prior written consent.
“Verizon Customer Data” shall include (a) any
subscriber information, including, without limitation, name,
address, telephone phone number or other personal information of
the Verizon subscriber; (b) any call-associated data,
including without limitation, the telephone number, internet
address or other similar identifying designator associated with a
communication; (c) any billing records; (d) the time,
date, size, duration of a communication or physical location of
equipment used in connection with a communication; or (e) the
content of any Verizon customer communication.
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9.7.4
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Nothing in this
Section is intended to nor shall it operate in derogation of any
requirement imposed on Verizon by a governmental body or agency
outside the United States.
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9.8
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Software Virus
Protection
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9.8.1
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Supplier
represents and warrants to Verizon that the Supplier software and
Supplier systems do not contain or will not contain any Self-Help
Code or any Unauthorized Code. Supplier shall remove promptly any
such Self-Help Code or Unauthorized Code in the Supplier software
of which it is notified or may discover. Supplier shall indemnify
Verizon against any loss or expense arising out of any breach of
this warranty.
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9.8.2
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Supplier also
represents and warrants that there are no copy protections or
similar mechanisms within the Supplier software, which will, either
now or in the future, interfere with the grants made in this
Agreement. Furthermore, Supplier represents and warrants unless:
(1) requested in writing by Verizon and Verizon approves
Supplier’s response, or (2) Supplier advises Verizon in
writing that it is necessary to perform valid duties under this
Agreement and authorized in writing by Verizon, Supplier software
and Supplier systems shall: (a) contain no hidden files;
(b) not replicate, transmit or activate themselves and any
software without control of an authorized person operating computer
equipment on which it resides; (c) not alter, damage or erase
any data or computer programs without control of an authorized
person operating the computer equipment on which they reside; and
(d) contain no encrypted imbedded key, node lock, time out or
other function, whether implemented by electronic, mechanical or
other means, which restricts or may restrict use or access to any
programs or data developed under this Agreement, based on residency
on a specific hardware configuration, frequency of duration of use,
of other limiting criteria (collectively “Illicit
Code”). Should any Supplier software and Supplier systems
have any of the foregoing attributes, and notwithstanding anything
elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, Supplier shall be in
default of this Agreement, and no cure period shall apply. It is
agreed that a breach of the above representation and warranty will
cause irreparable harm and injury and Verizon shall be entitled, in
addition to any other rights and remedies it may have at law or in
equity, to an injunction enjoining and restraining Supplier from
doing or continuing to do any such act and any other violations or
threatened violations of the Agreement. In addition to any other
remedies available to it under this Agreement, Verizon reserves the
right to pursue civil and/or criminal penalties available to it
against the Supplier.
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9.9
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All
representations, warranties and covenants of Supplier contained in
this Section shall continue for the Term of this Agreement
(including any renewal or extended term) and shall survive its
termination.
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10. TERMINATION
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10.1
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Termination
for Convenience. Verizon
may terminate this Agreement or any Authorization Letter issued
hereunder without cause, effective immediately, upon thirty
(30) days written notice to Supplier and, in such event,
Supplier shall receive payment only for Services that are fully
completed or performed and in accordance with this Agreement on or
before the date of termination.
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10.2
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Termination
for Cause. In addition to
the rights outlined in Section 10.1 above, this Agreement may
be terminated, by written notice, but only in the following
circumstances:
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10.2.1
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By Verizon for
a material breach or default of any of the terms, conditions or
covenants of this Agreement by Supplier, provided that such
termination may be made only following the expiration of a thirty
(30) day period during which Supplier has failed to cure such
breach after having been given written notice of such breach;
provided, however, Supplier has the opportunity to cure any breach
no more than one (1) time within any given consecutive six
(6) months period unless otherwise agreed to by
Verizon.
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10.2.2
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By Verizon,
effective immediately, upon written notice to Supplier, if any of
the following events occurs:
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10.2.2.1
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Supplier files
a voluntary petition in bankruptcy.
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10.2.2.2
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Supplier is
adjudged bankrupt.
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10.2.2.3
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A court assumes
jurisdiction of the assets of Supplier under a federal
reorganization act.
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10.2.2.4
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A trustee or
receiver is appointed by a court for all or a substantial portion
of the assets of Supplier.
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10.2.2.5
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Supplier
becomes insolvent or suspends its business.
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10.2.2.6
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Supplier makes
an assignment of its assets for the benefit of its creditors except
as required in the ordinary course of business.
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10.2.2.7
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The identity of
Supplier’s business is materially changed by sale of its
business, transfer of control of its outstanding stock, merger or
otherwise.
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10.2.2.8
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Supplier fails
to comply with its obligations under Section 9.7 (Offshore
Restrictions), Section 12 (Confidential Information),
Section 15 (Compliance with Laws), Section 20 (Permits)
or Section 21.7 (Background Checks).
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10.3
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Termination
shall not affect any Authorization Letter placed prior to the date
of termination unless otherwise stated.
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10.4
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In the event
that Verizon gives written notice of termination under this
Agreement, then, if requested by Verizon, Supplier will perform
reasonable transition Services for a period not to exceed one
hundred twenty (120) days after termination of this Agreement.
Such transition Services shall be performed and be chargeable per
the rates specified in Exhibit A or an Authorization
Letter.
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10.5
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The foregoing
rights are in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other
remedy Verizon may have at law or equity.
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11. INFRINGEMENT
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11.1
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Supplier shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Verizon, its parents,
subsidiaries and affiliates, and its and their respective
directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, successors and
assigns (“Indemnified Parties”) from and against any
claims, demands, lawsuits, liabilities, loss, cost or expenses
(including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel and court costs), judgments, settlements and penalties
of every kind (“IP Claims”) arising from or relating to
any actual or alleged infringement or misappropriation of any
patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or any actual or alleged
violation of any other intellectual property or proprietary rights
arising from or in connection with the Services performed
(including related products furnished hereunder) under this
Agreement or their use. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement (including, but not limited to,
Section 22), the provisions of this Section 11, shall
govern the rights of Indemnified Parties with respect to
indemnification for IP Claims.
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11.2
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The procedures
set forth in Section 22 (Indemnification) shall apply in the
case of IP Claims hereunder.
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11.3
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Without
limitation of Sections 11.1 and 11.2, if sale, use or if
applicable, distribution, of the products or Services becomes
subject to an IP Claim, Supplier shall, at Verizon’s option
and Supplier’s expense:
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11.3.1
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Procure for
Verizon the right to use the products and/or Services; (including
related products furnished hereunder);
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11.3.2
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Replace the
Services (including related products furnished hereunder) with
equivalent, non-infringing products and/or Services;
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11.3.3
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Modify the
Services (including related products furnished hereunder) so they
become non-infringing; or
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11.3.4
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Remove the
Services (including related products furnished hereunder) and
refund the purchase price, including transportation, installation,
removal and other incidental charges.
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12. CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION
12.1 Verizon
Information
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12.1.1
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The
non-disclosure provisions set forth as Exhibit E shall apply
to this Agreement. Absent written approval of Verizon, Supplier
shall not disclose any Confidential Information, as defined in
Exhibit E to any Affiliate ordering hereunder unless such
information pertains to that Affiliate. Supplier shall not disclose
such Confidential Information to agents, contractors or others
without the prior written approval of Verizon; and in the event of
such approval, Supplier shall obtain their written agreement, in a
form acceptable to Verizon, to protect Confidential Information
provided hereunder.
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12.1.2
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Supplier shall
conform to all requirements of the Payment Card Industry
(PCI) Data Security Standard which can be found at
https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org .
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(a)
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Supplier
acknowledges that it is responsible for the security of cardholder
data that it possesses. “Cardholder data” and
“sensitive authentication data,” as these terms are
utilized in the PCI Standard, are Verizon’s Confidential
Information and subject to the security and non-disclosure
requirements of this Agreement, however, the requirements of the
PCI Standard will control over any conflicting or inconsistent
requirements elsewhere in this Agreement.
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(b)
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Supplier shall,
in its contracts with all permitted subcontractors and agents in
the provision of Services to Verizon, flow down the foregoing
requirements. Such flow down shall include the requirement that
each such subcontractor and agent acknowledges that it is
responsible for the security of cardholder data that it
possesses.
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12.1.3
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Supplier shall
comply with the Confidentiality of Pennsylvania Customer
Communications and Information Requirements, attached hereto as
Attachment F, and incorporated herein by reference.
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12.2 Access To and Treatment
of Customer Proprietary Network Information.
To
the extent Supplier is authorized to use, or provided with access
to or with a customer list derived from, CPNI, Supplier shall at
all times comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,
and all of Verizon’s policies, methods, and procedures,
regarding treatment and use of CPNI as communicated to Supplier.
Supplier shall treat all CPNI as Confidential Information of
Verizon in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, its Exhibits and Authorization Letters. Supplier
represents and warrants and shall assure that Supplier’s
employees, representatives and contractors shall not review or use,
in any manner, any CPNI other than as permitted by law and only in
performance of Supplier’s obligations under this Agreement.
Supplier represents, understands and acknowledges that applicable
regulations prohibit the use of CPNI for the marketing or selling
of certain services without customer’s consent. Supplier
shall train each Supplier employee, representative and contractor
as to applicable law, regulations and orders, and Verizon’s
policies, methods and procedures as communicated to Supplier,
regarding the proper treatment and use of CPNI. To the extent
Supplier is required, by applicable law and/or Verizon’s
policies, standards and practices, to obtain customer’s
consent before using any CPNI to market a Verizon product, Supplier
shall comply with all such laws and Verizon policies, standards and
practices in obtaining the customer consent, and shall allow (or
provide at Supplier’s expense, if required by Verizon) for
audio taping of calls where customer’s oral consent to access
CPNI is sought, and/or, for third-party verification in connection
thereof. Supplier shall indemnify and hold Verizon and its
officers, employees, agents, directors, representatives, and
assigns harmless in accordance with Section 22 of this
Agreement from any losses, expenses, or claims resulting, in whole
or in part, from Supplier’s violation of this Section. The
agreement between Supplier and Supplier Third Party Verifier shall:
(A) require that the third party verifier use the CPNI only
for the purpose or marketing or providing the
communications-related services for which that CPNI has been
provided; (B) disallow the third party verifier from using,
allowing access to, or disclosing the CPNI to any other party,
unless required to make such disclosure under force of law;
(C) require that the third party verifier have appropriate
protections in place to ensure the ongoing confidentiality of
consumers’ CPNI.
12.3 Supplier’s
Information
No
specifications, drawings, sketches, models, samples, tools,
computer programs, technical information, business information, or
data, written, oral or otherwise, furnished by Supplier to Verizon
hereunder or in contemplation hereof shall be considered by Verizon
to be confidential or proprietary unless so agreed to by Verizon in
writing.
13. VERIZON PROPERTY AND
TRADEMARKS
13.1 Ownership Of Work
Product
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13.1.1
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Supplier shall
make prompt written disclosure to Verizon of all notes, designs,
models, prototypes, drawings, data storage media, listings,
deliverables, technical data, inventions, improvements,
discoveries, computer software (including firmware), and other
forms of technology or intellectual property made, conceived,
developed or actually or constructively reduced to practice in
connection with or pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, whether solely or jointly with others, and which are
associated with, refer to, are suggested by, or result from any
Services which Supplier may do or perform pursuant to this
Agreement, or from any information obtained by Supplier from
Verizon or in discussions and meetings with employees of Verizon or
any of its Affiliates including any reports to be prepared by
Supplier for Verizon under this Agreement, (“Work
Product”). Supplier hereby agrees that all such Work Product
are works made for hire exclusively for Verizon under the patent or
copyright laws of the United States and shall become and remain the
exclusive property of Verizon, and Verizon shall have the rights to
use such for any purpose without any additional compensation to
Supplier.
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13.1.2
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In the event
any work conceived or first produced under this Agreement shall not
be deemed to be a work made for hire exclusively for Verizon under
the patent or copyright laws of the United States, Supplier hereby
assigns and agrees to assign to Verizon its entire right, title and
interest in and to (including the right to reproduce, modify,
display, produce derivative works of, translate, publish, sell,
use, dispose of, and to authorize others so to do, and the right to
patent or copyright and to register such patent or copyright in
Verizon’s or its nominee’s name) all Work Product.
Supplier further agrees to assist Verizon in every proper way to
protect Work Product, including, but not limited to, signing patent
and copyright applications, oaths or declarations, and assignments
in favor of Verizon relating to the Work Product, as well as such
ancillary and confirmatory documents as may be required or
appropriate to insure that such title is clearly and exclusively
vested in Verizon, within the United States and in any and all
foreign countries. Supplier further agrees to assist and cooperate
with all efforts to enforce the rights of Verizon in such property
against any third parties.
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13.1.3
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Further,
Supplier grants to Verizon a royalty-free, nonexclusive,
transferable, sublicensable, and irrevocable license to any and all
patented or copyrighted or patentable or copyrightable works not
conceived or first produced by Supplier in the performance of this
Agreement, but which are incorporated in any materials furnished
under this Agreement to Verizon by Supplier, provided that such
license shall only be to the extent that Supplier has, or prior to
completion of final settlement of this Agreement, may acquire, the
right to grant such license without becoming liable to pay
compensation to others solely because of such grant.
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13.1.4
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Supplier
warrants and represents that it has or will have the right, through
written agreements with all employees performing Services under or
in connection with this Agreement, to secure for Verizon the rights
called for in this Section. Further, in the event Supplier uses any
subcontractor, consultant or other third party to perform any of
the Services contracted for by this Agreement, Supplier agrees to
enter into such written agreements with such third party, and to
take such other steps as are or may be required to secure for
Verizon the rights called for in this Section.
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13.2 Verizon’s
Property
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13.2.1
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Title to all
property owned by Verizon and furnished to Supplier shall remain in
Verizon.
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13.2.2
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Any property
owned by Verizon and in Supplier’s possession or control
shall be used only in the performance of this Agreement unless
authorized in writing by Verizon. Supplier shall adequately protect
such property, and shall deliver or return it to Verizon or
otherwise dispose of it as directed by Verizon.
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13.2.3
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Supplier shall
be responsible for any loss of or damage to property owned by
Verizon and in Supplier’s possession or control.
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13.3 Trademarks And Trade
Names
Except as specifically set out in this
Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall grant, suggest or imply
any authority for one party to use the name, trademarks, service
marks or trade names of the other for any purpose
whatsoever.
14. PUBLICITY AND
DISCLOSURE
Supplier agrees not to provide copies of this
Agreement, or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement, to
any third party without the prior written consent of Verizon except
as required upon (i) an anticipated disclosure in connection
with the requirements of a public offering or securities filing, or
(ii) receipt of any legal request or demand by a judicial,
regulatory or other entity to disclose or produce a copy of this
Agreement or otherwise disclose the terms of this Agreement,
provided that each Party shall provide the other Party with prompt
notice prior to such disclosure. The applicable Party shall furnish
only that portion that is legally required to be furnished and
shall provide reasonable cooperation to with the other Party should
such Party exercise efforts to obtain a protective order or other
confidential treatment with respect to this Agreement or its terms.
Supplier further agrees to submit to the contacts below, for
written approval, all advertising, sales promotion, press releases
and other publicity matters relating to the product furnished
and/or the Service performed pursuant to this Agreement, when a
Verizon name or mark or the name or mark of any of its partners or
Affiliates is mentioned or language from which the connection of
said name or mark may be inferred or implied. Such requests shall
be sent to each of the following:
Vice
President — Corporate Communications
Verizon Wireless
One Verizon Way
VC43E062
Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
Vice
President — Media Relations
Verizon Telecom
One Verizon Way
VC31W467
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Vice
President — Media Relations
Verizon Business
One Verizon Way
VC31W461
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920.
15. COMPLIANCE WITH
LAWS
Supplier and all approved subcontractors shall
comply with the provisions of all applicable federal, state, county
and local laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, codes and orders
(collectively “law”) in performance of this Agreement,
including but not limited to any laws pertaining to employment of
labor, hours of labor, health and safety, payment of wages, payment
of taxes, employment eligibility status and verification (I-9) and
with those laws and the provisions of this agreement that apply to
the safeguarding, protection, and disposal of Personal Information,
Customer Proprietary Network Information and Call Detail
Information. In the event of an unauthorized disclosure of Personal
Information, Customer Proprietary Network Information or Call
Detail Information in violation of the foregoing, Supplier shall
provide notice of same by e-mail to
security.issues@verizon.com within forty-eight
(48) hours, and to the contract notice addressee set forth in
Section 25 (Notices) by the means set forth therein. In
addition, no person conducting or assisting in an investigation on
behalf of Verizon, whether employed by Supplier or by an approved
subcontractor, shall make any false statements to obtain
information. Supplier shall also procure any required permits or
certificates necessary to perform its obligations under this
Agreement. Supplier and any approved subcontractor shall indemnify
and hold Verizon harmless against all Claims (as defined in
Section 22, Indemnification) arising out of or related to such
noncompliance.
16. FORCE
MAJEURE
Neither Party shall be responsible for any delay
or failure in performance of any part of this Agreement to the
extent that such delay is caused by reason of acts of God, wars,
revolution, civil commotion, acts of public enemy, embargo, acts of
government in its sovereign capacity, or any other circumstances
beyond the reasonable control and not involving any fault or
negligence of the Delayed Party (“Condition”). If any
such Condition occurs, the Party delayed or unable to perform
(“Delayed Party”), upon giving prompt notice to the
other Party, shall be excused from such performance on a day-to-day
basis during the continuance of such Condition (and the other Party
shall likewise be excused from performance of its obligations on a
day-to-day basis during the same period); provided, however, that
the Party so affected shall use its best reasonable efforts to
avoid or remove such Condition, and both Parties shall proceed
immediately with the performance of their obligations under this
Agreement whenever such causes are removed or cease. Labor
difficulties, including without limitation, strikes, slowdowns,
work stoppage, picketing or boycotts, shall not constitute a
Condition that excuses Supplier from performance of its obligations
under this Agreement. In the event of such labor difficulties,
Supplier shall use all lawful means to perform Services agreed to
under this Agreement.
If
the Condition continues for more than ten days, then Verizon may
terminate this Agreement or any Authorization Letter and further be
relieved from any obligations created as a result of any Service
forecast issued by Verizon.
17. ASSIGNMENT
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17.1
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The rights,
obligations, and other interests of Supplier shall not be assigned
by Supplier, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent
of Verizon, and any purported assignment of same shall be void and
ineffective.
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17.2
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If Verizon
sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of all or a portion of the
assets of, or Verizon’s interest in, any business unit in
which Services are used, then Verizon shall have the right to
assign to such third party all applicable licenses, warranties,
maintenance schedules and rights granted under this Agreement with
respect to such Service; provided that the third party agrees to be
bound by all obligations of Verizon to Supplier that pertain to the
Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Verizon shall have the
right to assign this Agreement to any Affiliate.
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18. SUBCONTRACTING
Supplier shall not use subcontractors to perform
the Services under this Agreement except by prior written consent
of Verizon. Requests by Supplier to Verizon to use subcontractors
shall be in writing and shall specify the Services to be
subcontracted and the identity of the proposed subcontractors. It
shall be Supplier’s responsibility to update Verizon as it
adds or deletes subcontractors and to ensure that the
subcontractors it uses are in all cases approved by Verizon.
Supplier accepts full responsibility for the acts and omissions of
subcontractors and of persons either directly or indirectly
employed by them to the same extent as Supplier is responsible for
the acts and omissions of persons directly employed by
Supplier.
19. TAXES
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19.1
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Verizon shall,
as required by law, pay all United States state and local sales and
use tax or other similar United States transfer tax in the nature
of sales or use tax, however denominated (each, a
“Tax”), which is directly and solely attributable to
purchases by Verizon from Supplier for consideration under this
Agreement. Supplier shall bill such Tax to Verizon in the amount
required by law, separately stating the amount and type of the
billed Tax on the applicable invoice; Verizon shall pay such billed
amount of Tax to Supplier; and Supplier shall remit such billed
amount of Tax to the appropriate tax authorities as required by
law; provided, however, that Supplier shall not bill to or
otherwise attempt to collect from Verizon any Tax with respect to
which Verizon provides Supplier with (i) an exemption
certificate prepared in accordance with applicable law, (ii) a
direct pay number, or (iii) other evidence, reasonably acceptable
to Supplier, that such Tax does not apply. Except as provided in
this Section 19.1, Supplier shall bear the costs of all import
and export duties and other governmental fees and taxes of whatever
nature with respect to all services supplied under this
Agreement.
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19.2
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Upon request,
Supplier shall provide Verizon with a list of those states for
which Supplier does not bill and remit Taxes because Supplier does
not have nexus with that state.
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19.3
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Supplier shall
cooperate with Verizon so as to minimize the tax liability of
Verizon, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, liability for Tax to be billed and collected under
Section 19.1. Such cooperation shall include, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the separate statement of taxable
and nontaxable charges on all invoices.
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19.4
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Supplier shall
cooperate with all reasonable requests of Verizon in connection
with any contest or refund claim with respect to taxes. If Supplier
incorrectly (in the opinion of Verizon) bills and collects Tax from
Verizon and the taxing authority requires that any refund from the
taxing authority be sought by the billing party, then, upon request
from Verizon, Supplier shall seek the refund and remit to Verizon
the amount of the refund actually obtained, together with interest,
if any, actually received, promptly upon receiving such refund and
interest, if any, from the taxing authority.
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19.5
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Except with
respect to Taxes descr
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