Matters ▸ Attachment
form_commonwealth-terms-and-conditions-for-human-and-social-services (002) — File 23-0251
COMMONWEALTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FOR HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Page 1 of 3.
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This Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services form
is jointly issued by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (ANF),
the Office of the Comptroller (CTR) and the Operational Services
Division/Division of Purchased Services (OSD), for use by Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (“State”) Departments and Contractor organizations that contract
to provide Human and Social Services to Commonwealth clients. Any changes
or electronic alterations by either the Department or the Contractor to the
official version of this form, as jointly published by ANF, CTR and OSD,
shall be void. Upon execution of the Standard Contract Form these
Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services will be
incorporated by reference. Its provisions are in addition to the requirements
contained in 808 CMR 1.00 and any Human and Social Services Contract(s), as
well as any applicable requirements contained in 801 CMR 21.00.
1. Contract Effective Start Date. Notwithstanding verbal or other
representations by the parties, unless otherwise permitted by 801 CMR 21.00,
the effective start date of a Contract shall be the later of the date the Contract
was executed by an authorized signatory of the Contractor, the date the Contract
was executed by an authorized signatory of the Department, the date specified in
the Contract, or the date of Secretariat authorization pursuant to M.G.L. c. 29, §
29B.
2. Payments And Compensation. The Contractor shall only be compensated
for performance delivered and accepted by the Department in accordance with
801 CMR 21.00, 808 CMR 1.00 and the specific terms and conditions of a
Contract. All Contract payments are subject to appropriation pursuant to M.G.L.
c. 29, § 26, or the availability of sufficient non-appropriated funds for the
purposes of a Contract, and shall be subject to intercept pursuant to M.G.L. c.
7A, § 3 and 815 CMR 9.00. In no event shall payments under any Contract
exceed the rate or maximum obligation of the Contract or be directed to off-set
costs which are not reimbursable under Commonwealth contracts under any
provision of law, including M.G.L. c. 7, § 56 and 808 CMR 1.00. Upon
determination by the Department that the Contractor has not provided services
to the extent billed, has billed for services to any client who the Contractor knew
or should have known was ineligible for services according to the terms of the
Contract, has received duplicate or otherwise excess payments, has used
Contract payments for non-reimbursable expenses or otherwise failed to perform
in accordance with the terms of the Contract or 808 CMR 1.04, the Department
may, upon reasonable notice and opportunity for correction, delay, disallow, set-
off or recoup payments.
3. Contractor Payment Mechanism. The Contractor will be paid using the
Comptroller’s payment system unless a different payment mechanism is agreed
upon in the Contract. The Contractor shall timely submit invoices and
supporting documentation as prescribed in a Contract. The Department shall
review and return rejected invoices within fifteen (15) days of receipt with a
written explanation for rejection. Payments shall be made in accordance with
the bill paying policy issued by the Office of the Comptroller and 815 CMR 4.00,
provided that payment periods listed in a Contract of less than forty-five (45)
days from the date of receipt of an invoice shall be effective only to enable a
Department to take advantage of early payment incentives and shall not subject
any payment made within the forty-five (45) day period to a penalty.
4. Contract Termination Or Suspension.
a. Procedures. A Contract shall terminate on the date specified in that Contract,
unless this date is properly amended in accordance with all applicable laws and
regulations prior to this date, or unless terminated or suspended under this
Section upon any of the events or conditions set forth below. During the notice
period for termination, the parties may agree to adjust the termination conditions,
including the effective date contained within the notice of termination. Grounds
and procedures for termination are: i) Immediate Termination: Absence of
Funding or Emergency. A Contract shall terminate immediately upon receipt of
written notice of termination under the following conditions: the absence of
appropriation, allotment, availability or authorization to the Department to
discharge its obligations under the Contract in the fiscal year; a party’s default,
breach or any intervening casualty which poses an immediate threat to the life,
health or safety of a client; the indictment of the Contractor or one of its
principals or officers for an offense or offenses related to the provision of
services; fraudulent activities on the part of the Contractor in its dealings with
the Commonwealth; or the filing for bankruptcy by a Contractor. ii) Early
Termination: Breach or Default, Reduction of Funding or Change in Law. A
Contract may be terminated by providing notice of termination effective not less
than forty-five (45) calendar days after date of notice under the following
conditions: either party may terminate if the other party fails to fulfill its
obligations under a Contract, including partial or complete non-performance of
any provision; there is a reduction of funds appropriated for Contracts; or if any
statute or regulation which governs performance is changed, differently
interpreted by a court or other competent authority, newly enacted, adopted or
promulgated so as to increase the burdens on either party in complying with the
terms of the Contract significantly beyond those existing at the time of execution.
For termination for breach or default, the party must specify the alleged default
or breach in writing, allowing a reasonable time, but not less than thirty (30)
calendar days, for correction. For termination due to reduction in funding, the
Department may alternatively provide a conditional notice of termination with a
proposed amendment to a Contract. iii) Termination without Cause. Either
party may terminate the Contract without cause upon provision of written notice
to the other at least sixty (60) calendar days before its effective date. Whether
or not cause to terminate exists under any other provision, a party may elect to
terminate without cause.
b. Obligations Upon Termination. Upon termination, the Contractor shall
have the following obligations: i) Transfer of Clients. The Contractor shall use
its best efforts to provide for the health and safety of clients being served under
the Contract for a reasonable period of time, while the Department arranges for
their transfer, and shall cooperate fully with the Department's efforts to transfer
clients. ii) Client Records. Client records maintained pursuant to the Contract
shall remain the property of the Contractor, subject to the provisions of Sections
6, 7 and 11d. However, where the Department has continuing responsibility to
provide for the clients funded by the Contract, the Contractor must, upon request,
provide to the Department or the new Contractor a copy of the client records of
services as authorized by the Department. The reasonable cost of such transfer
will be borne by the Department. iii) Reports and Other Documents. All
documents, data, studies, and reports related to performance of the Contract shall
be submitted to the Department by the Contractor, unless the Department directs
otherwise. iv) Furnishings and Equipment. The termination of the Contract
does not affect the Contractor's responsibilities with respect to equipment and
other property under 808 CMR 1.00. v) Payment. The Contractor shall be paid
for all authorized services performed up to the date of termination, subject to the
provisions of Section 2. In addition, if the Department is required to remove
clients from a facility operated by the Contractor and fails to remove said clients,
unless otherwise agreed by the parties and subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 2, the Contractor will be paid at the rate contained in its terminated
Contract for continuing to provide services after the date of termination and until
such clients are removed. vi) Subsequent Audit. If a Contract is terminated
without inspection, review or audit, the Commonwealth retains the right to
conduct an inspection, review, or audit and to disallow reimbursement or recover
funds if any finding warrants such action.
COMMONWEALTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FOR HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES
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5. Written Notice. Any notice shall be deemed delivered and received when
submitted in writing, in person or when delivered by any other appropriate
method evidencing actual receipt by the Department or the Contractor.
6. Confidentiality. The Contractor shall comply with M.G.L. c. 66A if the
Contractor becomes a “holder” of “personal data”. The Contractor shall also
protect the physical security and restrict any access to personal or other
Department data in the Contractor’s possession, or used by the Contractor in the
performance of a Contract, which shall include, but is not limited to the
Department’s public records, documents, files, software, equipment or systems.
7. Record-keeping And Retention, Inspection Of Records. The Contractor
shall maintain records, books, files and other data as required by 808 CMR 1.00
and as specified in a Contract and in such detail as shall properly substantiate
claims for payment under a Contract, for a minimum retention period of six (6)
years beginning on the first day after the final payment under a Contract, or such
longer period as is necessary for the resolution of any litigation, claim,
negotiation, audit or other inquiry involving a Contract. The Contractor shall
maintain adequate written policies and procedures for accounting, management
and personnel activities, including but not limited to conflict of interest and
nepotism policies. The Department shall have access, as well as any parties
identified under Executive Order 195, during the Contractor’s regular business
hours and upon reasonable prior notice, to such records, including on-site
reviews and reproduction of records at a reasonable expense.
8. Assignment. No liability, responsibility, obligation, duty or interest under a
Contract may be assigned, delegated, assumed or transferred, in whole or in part,
without the prior written approval of the Department. However, the Contractor
or a court appointed receiver shall be authorized to assign present and
prospective claims for money due to the Contractor pursuant to a Contract in
accordance with M.G.L. c. 106, § 9-318. The Contractor or court appointed
receiver must provide sufficient notice of assignment and supporting
documentation to enable the Department to verify and implement the
assignment. Payments to third party assignees will be processed as if such
payments were being made directly to the Contractor and these payments will be
subject to intercept, offset, counter claims or any other Department rights which
are available to the Department or the State against the Contractor.
9. Subcontracting By Contractor. Any subcontract entered into by the
Contractor for the purposes of fulfilling the obligations under a Contract must be
in writing, authorized in advance by the Department and shall be consistent with
and subject to the provisions of these Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for
Human and Social Services and a Contract. When the Department furnishes
federal funds to the Contractor, which are being passed down to a subcontractor,
the subcontract must contain a provision that the subcontractor will comply with
applicable federal single audit, cost principles and administrative requirement
standards. Subcontracts will not relieve or discharge the Contractor from any
duty, obligation, responsibility or liability arising under a Contract. The
Department is entitled to copies of all subcontracts and shall not be bound by
any provisions contained in a subcontract to which it is not a party.
10. Affirmative Action, Non-Discrimination In Hiring, Employment and
Service Delivery. The Contractor shall comply with all federal and state laws,
rules and regulations promoting fair employment practices or prohibiting
employment discrimination and unfair labor practices. The Contractor shall not
discriminate in the delivery of services against any person who otherwise meets
the eligibility criteria for services, or in the hiring of any applicant for
employment nor shall any qualified employee be demoted, discharged or
otherwise subject to discrimination in the tenure, position, promotional
opportunities, wages, benefits or terms and conditions of their employment
because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, religion, disability,
status as a Vietnam Era Veteran, sexual orientation or for exercising any rights
or benefits afforded by law. The Contractor commits to purchasing supplies and
services from certified minority or women-owned businesses, small businesses
or businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged persons or
persons with disabilities and agrees to comply with any affirmative action
programs required by Executive Order 526, or any successor provisions.
11. Human and Social Services Contracting Provisions
a. Board of Directors Standards. If a non-profit organization, the Contractor
shall comply with the principles in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s “Guide
for Board Members of Charitable Organizations” and with the standards for
boards contained in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA)’s statements on auditing standards, as may be amended from time to
time. Further, the Contractor specifically agrees that: i) members of the
Contractor’s management and immediate family (as defined in the AICPA’s
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement number 57) will not comprise
more than 30% of the voting members of the Contractor’s board or any of the
board’s committees or subcommittees; and, ii) the Contractor’s Board of
Directors will approve the selection of the Contractor’s audit firm, will annually
review its executive director’s or other more senior manager’s performance and
set that person’s compensation by formal vote, and will meet as frequently as
necessary to fulfill the Contractor’s obligations under this section. Where the
board meets less than two times during its fiscal year, the Contractor shall submit
a description of its board structure and the dates of each board and subcommittee
meeting with its Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor’s
Report (UFR).
b. Client Care and Use of Funds. The Contractor shall comply with all
applicable provisions of law relative to the care of clients and the investigation
and reporting of suspected client abuse or neglect. The Contractor shall provide
the Department with copies of all legally mandated reports of client abuse or
neglect where the alleged abuse or neglect was a direct or indirect consequence
of the services rendered under a Contract and shall comply with all additional
reporting requirements relative to client abuse and neglect contained in a
Contract. The Contractor shall be subject to any standards cited in a Contract for
the disqualification of candidates for positions where the candidates have
criminal records, for establishing proof of criminal record information of
candidates prior to hire and for addressing criminal activities subsequent to hire.
The Contractor shall also comply with all laws and regulations and contractual
provisions relative to the use of client funds, property or other resources.
c. Annual Financial Reporting Requirements. The Contractor and any
subcontractor must comply with all applicable annual financial reporting
requirements set forth in 808 CMR 1.00 and the instructions to the UFR. Any
nonprofit Contractor receiving in excess of the threshold of federal funds through
the Commonwealth, as set forth in Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A-133 or successor provision, must comply with the Circular as well.
d. Publications. The Contractor shall not disseminate, reproduce, display or
publish any report, map, information, data or other materials or documents
expressly required or produced in whole or in part pursuant to a Contract, nor
shall any such materials or documents be the subject of an application for patent
or copyright by or on behalf of the Contractor, without the prior written consent
of the Department. If the Contractor prepares, publishes or distributes any
publication describing any services or programs the cost of which are funded at
least in part by a Contract, then any such publication shall, unless the Department
directs otherwise, contain a prominently displayed statement to that effect.
e. Additional Provisions Applicable to Contractors Receiving Federal
Funds. If the Contractor receives federal funds from the Commonwealth
through a Contract, then, in accordance with OMB Circular A-110 or successor
COMMONWEALTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FOR HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES
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provision, it further agrees to the following: i) Equal Employment Opportunity:
All contracts entered into by the Contractor shall contain a provision requiring
compliance with federal Executive Order 11246, as amended by Executive Order
11375, and as supplemented by regulations at 41 CFR part 60; ii) Contract Work
Hours and Safety Act: If the Contractor employs mechanics or laborers to fulfill
its contractual obligations, it will comply with 40 USC § 3141 et seq. as
supplemented by 29 CFR part 5.; iii) Clean Air Act and the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act: If the Contractor receives more than $100,000 in federal
funds the Contractor agrees to comply with any applicable standards, order, or
regulations issued pursuant to 42 USC § 7401 et seq. and 33 USC § 1251 et seq.;
and iv) Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment: If a Contractor receives $100,000 or
more of federal funds through a Contract, by signing that Contract it certifies it
has not and will not use federal appropriated funds to pay any person or
organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of
any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress or an
employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any federal
contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 USC § 1352. A Contractor
shall disclose any lobbying with non-federal funds that takes place in connection
with obtaining any federal award.
12. Waivers. Forbearance or indulgence in any form or manner by a party shall
not be construed as a waiver, nor in any way limit the legal or equitable remedies
available to that party. No waiver by either party of any default or breach shall
constitute a waiver of any subsequent default or breach.
13. Risk Of Loss. The Contractor shall bear the risk of loss for any Contractor
supplies, equipment or other materials used for a Contract and for all
deliverables, records, documents, files, data, studies and reports which are in the
possession of the Contractor or used by the Contractor in the performance of a
Contract until possession and, where applicable, ownership and full legal title,
to the deliverables, records, documents, files, data, studies and reports are
transferred to and accepted by the Department.
14. Forum and Choice of Law. Any actions arising out of a Contract shall be
governed by the laws of Massachusetts, and shall be brought and maintained in
a state or federal court in Massachusetts which shall have exclusive jurisdiction
thereof.
15. Contract Boilerplate Interpretation, Severability, Conflicts With Law,
Integration. Any amendment or attachment to any Contract which contains
conflicting language or has the effect of deleting, replacing or modifying any
printed language of these Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and
Social Services, as officially published by ANF, CTR and OSD, shall be
interpreted as superseded by the official printed language. If any provision of a
Contract is found to be superseded by state or federal law or regulation, in whole
or in part, then both parties shall be relieved of all obligations under that
provision only to the extent necessary to comply with the superseding law,
provided however, that the remaining provisions of the Contract, or portions
thereof, shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. All formal
amendments must be executed by the parties and filed with the original record
copy of a Contract as prescribed by CTR. The printed language of the Standard
Contract Form, as officially published by ANF, CTR and OSD, which
incorporates by reference these Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for
Human and Social Services, shall supersede any conflicting verbal or written
agreements relating to the performance of a Contract, or attached thereto,
including contract forms, purchase orders or invoices of the Contractor. The
order of priority of documents to interpret a Contract shall be as follows: the
printed language of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and
Social Services, the Standard Contract Form, the Department’s Request for
Response (RFR) solicitation document and the Contractor’s Response to the
RFR solicitation, excluding any language stricken by a Department as
unacceptable and including any negotiated terms and conditions allowable
pursuant to law or regulation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Contractor certifies under the pains and
penalties of perjury that it shall comply with these Commonwealth Terms
and Conditions for Human and Social Services as certified by its authorized
signatory in the Standard Contract Form.