ES Cyber Solutions Corp Agreements

This Master Consulting Agreement (this “Agreement”) is between ES Cyber Solutions, an Illinois Corporation whose business address is 845 Midway Dr., Willowbrook, IL 60527 (“ESCS”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) , and you the entity whose name, contact information and authorized signatory appear in the signature block, below (“Customer”, “you” or “your”).


WHEREAS, ESCS is engaged in the business of providing a full range of information technology consulting services; and


WHEREAS, Customer desires to retain ESCS to perform information technology services and functions; and


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties have agreed and do agree as follows:


AGREEMENT


1. Contracted Services. This Agreement shall apply to the delivery of information technology services, support, and functions as further described in Statements of Work (SOW) that may be proposed and approved by the parties. Any such approved SOW shall be incorporated herein by reference (the services and functions described in any SOW are hereafter referred to as the “Services”). In the event that the scope of the Services is expanded, revised, or modified, for any SOW incorporated herein, the parties shall prepare and sign an amended or new SOW (or change order), which likewise shall be attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Absent the execution of a SOW, this Agreement does not, in and of itself, represent a commitment by Customer to receive any Services from ESCS or pay ESCS any fees.


2. Term of Agreement.


a. The term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date set forth above and will continue until terminated by either party as provided below (“Term”). In the event that the SOW provides for a different Term, the SOW Term will control for that specific SOW only.


b. Either party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement, without cause, by providing one hundred twenty (120) days notice of its intent to terminate the Agreement without cause. In the event that a SOW provides for a different termination notice period, the SOW termination clause will control for that specific SOW only.


c. In the event that there is a continuing need for any Services identified in a SOW, after the expiration of this Agreement and Customer requests, in writing, to have ESCS complete the Services, this Agreement will automatically renew for the period of time that it takes for the completion of such Services.


d. The Agreement can be terminated for cause, as defined in paragraph 14(a) herein, at any time provided the alleged breaching party is provided an opportunity to cure the alleged breach in the manner set forth in paragraph 14(a) below or a Permitted Delay, as defined in paragraph 14(d) herein, does not apply.


3. Fees and Payment Terms.


a. In exchange for the Services performed by ESCS, as set forth in any SOW, Customer agrees to compensate ESCS at the rates identified in the fee schedule set forth in a SOW. Such rates are exclusive of any federal, state, or local sales or use taxes, or any other taxes or fees assessed on, or in connection with any of the Services rendered herein. Customer will pay all undisputed invoices within Thirty (30) days of receipt thereof.


b. In addition, Customer shall reimburse ESCS its actual out-of-pocket expenses as reasonably incurred by ESCS in connection with the performance of Services. Additional expenses for materials, services, training and hardware may only be incurred by ESCS and charged to Customer if prior written approval from Customer has been obtained.


c. A late charge of two percent (2%) per month, or the legal maximum if less, shall accrue on past due billings unless Customer notifies ESCS of a billing dispute in writing prior to the payment due date. Customer shall be responsible for any costs incurred by ESCS in the collection of unpaid invoices including, but not limited to, collection and filing costs and reasonable attorney’s fees of not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding balance due.


4. Change Orders or Out of Scope Services. To the extent that Customer requires or requests additional services or services that exceed the Services set forth in any SOW incorporated herein, ESCS will charge an additional fee for such additional services or out of scope work. Fees for such additional services or out of scope work will be set forth on a Change Authorization Order (CAO), which will also provide a description of the changed or additional service(s) being requested. Once a CAO is signed by both parties, it will be incorporated into the Agreement and have the same legal effect as the SOW that is incorporated into the Agreement.


5. Ownership of Materials Related to Services. You own (i) all Confidential Information you provide to us under this Agreement, and (ii) all Customer information, data, files and works of authorship created or produced by you at any time (“Customer’s IP”). During the term of the Agreement, you hereby grant to us the nonexclusive, non-sublicensable, royalty-free, limited, worldwide right to use the Customer’s IP for the sole purpose of fulfilling ESCS’s duties and obligations under the Agreement. ESCS is and shall remain the owner of all templates, schedules, methodologies, handbooks, outlines, plans, checklists, practices and works of authorship that are created or produced by ESCS under this Agreement (“ESCS’s IP”). We hereby grant to you the nonexclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide right to use ESCS’s IP solely for your internal business purposes. Each party agrees that it shall not use the other party’s intellectual property for any reason other than as expressly authorized under this Agreement.


6. Independent Contractor. The parties enter into this Agreement as independent contractors and nothing within this Agreement shall be construed to create a joint venture, partnership, agency, or other employment relationship between the parties. All ESCS employees who are assigned to perform services at any Customer owned or leased facility shall be considered to be an employee of ESCS only and will not be considered an agent or employee of Customer for any purpose. ESCS will be solely responsible for payment of all compensation owed to its employees, including all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes and will make deductions for all taxes and withholdings required by law. In no event will any ESCS employee be eligible for or entitled to any benefits of Customer.


7. Confidential Information.


a. Customer understands and acknowledges that ESCS may, from time to time, disclose “Confidential Information” to Customer. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall include but not be limited to any nonpublic and/or proprietary information or materials relating to ESCS’s promotional and/or marketing strategy and activity, ESCS’s pricing information (including but not limited to rates, margins, and budgets), ESCS’s financial and budget information, ESCS’s customer lists, information about the education, background, experience, and/or skills possessed by ESCS employees, ESCS employee compensation information, ESCS’s service and/or sales concepts, ESCS’s service and/or sales methodology, ESCS’s service and/or sales techniques, ESCS’s customer satisfaction data or sales information, or any information which ESCS marks or identifies as "confidential" at the time of disclosure or confirms in writing as confidential within a reasonable time (not to exceed thirty (30) days) after disclosure. Customer will not disclose ESCS’s Confidential Information to any third party at any time without the prior written consent of ESCS and shall take reasonable measures to prevent any unauthorized disclosure by its employees, agents, contractors, or consultants. Further, ESCS’s Confidential Information shall include the terms set forth in this Agreement, all of which shall remain the property of ESCS and shall in no event be transferred, conveyed, or assigned to Customer as a result of the services provided pursuant to this Agreement. The foregoing duty shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.


b. ESCS also understands and acknowledges that Customer may, from time to time, disclose to ESCS proprietary ideas, concepts, expertise, and technologies developed by Customer relating to computer application programming, installation, and operation (collectively “Customer’s Confidential Information”). Customer may further provide to ESCS documentation, reports, memoranda, notes, drawings, plans, papers, recordings, data, designs, materials, or other forms of records or information relating to Customer’s business operations (collectively “Confidential Trade Information”). ESCS agrees (i) not to use any Customer Confidential Information or Confidential Trade Information for its own use or for any purpose other than the specific purpose of completing the Services; (ii) not to voluntarily disclose any Customer Confidential Information or Confidential Trade Information to any other person or entity; and (iii) to take all reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of, and avoid disclosure or use of, Customer Confidential Information and/or Confidential Trade Information in order to prevent it from falling into the public domain or the possession of persons other than those persons authorized hereunder to have such Customer Confidential Information and/or Confidential Trade Information. The foregoing duty shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.


c. In no event shall Customer use ESCS’s Confidential Information to reverse engineer or otherwise develop products or services functionally equivalent to the products or services of the Owner.


d. The following shall not be considered Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement: (a) Information which is or becomes in the public domain through no fault or act of the receiving party; (b) Information which was independently developed by the receiving party without the use of or reliance on the disclosing party’s Confidential Information; (c) Information which was provided to the receiving party by a third party under no duty of confidentiality to the disclosing party; or (d) Information which is required to be disclosed by law with no further obligation of confidentiality, provided, however, prompt prior notice thereof shall be given to the party whose Confidential Information is involved.


e. The parties agree that the disclosure of any of the foregoing Confidential Information by either party shall give rise to irreparable injury to the owner of the Confidential Information, inadequately compensable in monetary damages. Accordingly, the nondisclosing party may seek and obtain injunctive relief against the breach or threatened breach of the foregoing undertakings, in addition to any other legal remedies which may be available.


8. Nonsolicitation of Employees. Customer will not, either directly or indirectly (except through ESCS) solicit, hire, or contract with any ESCS employee during the term of this Agreement and for a one (1) year period following termination thereof (hereafter the "Nonsolicitation Term"). In the event that Customer desires to directly hire any ESCS employee during the Nonsolicitation Term, Customer must first seek ESCS’s consent to directly hire the employee and to speak with the ESCS employee about the employment opportunity. In the event that ESCS grants Customer the option to directly hire a ESCS employee, and the ESCS employee accepts an offer of employment from Customer, the parties shall discuss issues related to the employee's transition to Customer. The employee's start date will be mutually agreed upon by Customer and ESCS in writing. Provided the parties agree to the ESCS employee’s transition terms, Customer shall pay ESCS a placement fee of no less than 25% of offered salary prior to the ESCS employee commencing work as an employee of Customer. Unless the parties agree otherwise, Customer shall not directly hire more than two ESCS employees during the Nonsolicitation Term. If Customer hires a ESCS employee without first obtaining the consent of ESCS, Customer shall pay ESCS a liquidated damage equal to 100% of the employee’s fair market salary, as determined by ESCS in its sole discretion. This provision is considered a material term that allows for accelerated termination rights under paragraph 14 of this Agreement.


9. Customer Responsibilities. In addition to any obligations and responsibilities described in the SOW or elsewhere in this Agreement, Customer shall have shared responsibility with ESCS regarding the following:


a. To ensure that the necessary business and application knowledge is available and conveyed from the Customer’s existing support team to ESCS’s support team.


b. Provide ready access to all appropriate computing platforms, documentation (e.g., program source, copybooks, tables, subroutines) and personnel (i.e., end users and technical representatives) necessary to fully understand the current business systems and environments throughout the life of the engagement.


c. Provide at its facility, office space and equipment for ESCS’s on-site employees. Access will also be provided to the Customer’s source libraries, test systems, and test data.


d. Provide external communications capability and/or access to its work facility to enable ESCS’s on- site project team to access the Customer’s information technology system for after hours or weekend Services as required.


e. Customer shall assign an employee or representative to be present at the work facility for any after hours or weekend Services provided by ESCS. In the event that Customer declines or fails to assign an employee or representative to be present during such hours, Customer waives any and all claims for any property damage or loss that occurs during such time that ESCS’s employee(s) is on the Customer’s work facility.


f. Provide passwords and job numbers to ESCS employees as needed.


10. Warranty of Services. Any warranty offered by ESCS for Services provided herein shall be set forth in the SOW. In the absence of any warranty language in the SOW, ESCS warrants that all Services performed pursuant to this Agreement will be performed in accordance with the general standards and practices of the information technology industry in existence at the time the Services are being performed. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THE SOW, THE FOREGOING EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN, CONTRACTUAL OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE.


11. Limitation of Liability. Customer agrees that ESCS shall not be liable to Customer, or any third party, for (1) any liability claims, loss, damages or expense of any kind arising directly or indirectly out of services provided herein for (2) any incidental or consequential damages, however caused, and Customer agrees to indemnify and hold ESCS harmless against such liabilities, claims, losses, damages (consequential or otherwise) or expenses, or actions in respect thereof, asserted or brought against ESCS by or in right of third parties or for (3) any punitive damages. For purposes of this Agreement, incidental or consequential damages shall include, but not be limited to, loss of anticipated revenues, income, profits or savings; loss of or damage to business reputation or good will; loss of Customers; loss of business or financial opportunity; or any other indirect or special damages of any kind categorized as consequential or incidental damages under the law of the State of Illinois. ESCS’s liability for any damages hereunder shall in no event exceed the amount of fees paid by Customer to ESCS as of the date the alleged damages were incurred.


12. Indemnification. Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other, its employees, principals (partners, shareholders or holders of an ownership interest, as the case may be) and agents, from and against any third party claims, demands, loss, damage or expense relating to bodily injury or death of any person or damage to real and/or tangible personal property directly caused solely by the negligence or willful conduct of the indemnifying party, its personnel or agents in connection with the performance of the Services hereunder. To the extent that such claim arises from the concurrent conduct of Customer, ESCS and/or any third party, it is expressly agreed that ESCS’s liability shall be limited by the terms and provisions of paragraph eleven (11) herein and that, with respect to any remaining obligations to pay any third party claims, demands, losses, damages or expenses that are not limited by the terms and provisions of paragraph eleven (11) herein, each party's obligations of indemnity under this paragraph shall be effective only to the extent of each party's pro rata share of liability. To receive the foregoing indemnities, the party seeking indemnification must promptly notify the other in writing of a claim or suit and provide reasonable cooperation (at the indemnifying party's expense) and full authority to defend or settle the claim or suit. The indemnifying party shall have no obligation to indemnify the indemnified party under any settlement made without the indemnifying party's written consent.


13. Equal Opportunity Employer. ESCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, development, and termination of its employees on the basis of race, color, sex, age, marital status, pregnancy status, national origin, handicap, religious beliefs, veteran's status or other protected category as required by applicable Federal, State and local laws. Customer likewise represents that it will not discriminate in the referral or acceptance of Customers hereunder on the basis of race, color, sex, age, marital status, national origin, handicap, religious beliefs, veteran's status or other protected category as required by applicable federal, state and local laws.


14. Termination.


a. Termination for Cause: If either party believes that the other party has failed in any material respect to perform its obligations under this Agreement (including any Exhibits or Amendments hereto), then that party may provide written notice to the other party’s management representative describing the alleged failure in reasonable detail. If the alleged failure relates to a failure to pay any sum due and owing under this Agreement or if Customer makes an unauthorized solicitation of a ESCS employee under the provisions of paragraph eight (8) herein, the breaching party shall have ten (10) business days after notice of such failure to cure the breach. If the breaching party fails to cure within ten (10) business days, then the non-breaching party may immediately terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, for cause by providing written notice to the management representative of the breaching party. With respect to all other defaults, if the breaching party does not, within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving such written notice, either (a) cure the material failure or (b) if the breach is not one that can reasonably be cured within thirty (30) calendar days, then the non-breaching party may terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, for cause by providing written notice to the management representative of the breaching party. Unless SOW dictates otherwise.


b. Termination for Bankruptcy: Either party shall have the immediate right to terminate this Agreement, by providing written notice to the other party, in the event that (i) the other party becomes insolvent, enters into receivership, is the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) a substantial part of the other party’s property becomes subject to any levy, seizure, assignment or sale for or by any creditor or government agency.


c. Payments Due: The termination of this Agreement shall not release either party from the obligation to make payment of all amounts then or thereafter due and payable.


d. Permitted Delays: Each party hereto shall be excused from performance hereunder for any period and to the extent that it is prevented from performing any services pursuant hereto in whole or in part, as a result of delays caused by the other party or an act of God, or other cause beyond its reasonable control and which it could not have prevented by reasonable precautions, including failures or fluctuations in electric power, heat, light, air conditioning or telecommunication equipment, and such nonperformance shall not be a default hereunder or a ground for termination hereof. ESCS’s time of performance shall be enlarged, if and to the extent reasonably necessary, in the event: (i) that Customer fails to submit information, instructions, approvals, or any other required element in the prescribed form or in accordance with the agreed upon schedules; (ii) of a special request by Customer or any governmental agency authorized to regulate, supervise, or impact ESCS’s normal processing schedule; (iii) that Customer fails to provide any equipment, software, premises or performance called for by this Agreement, and the same is necessary for ESCS’s performance hereunder. ESCS will notify Customer of the estimated impact on its processing schedule, if any.


e. Continuation of Services: ESCS will continue to perform Services during the notice period unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the parties in writing. In the event that Customer provides the notice of termination and directs ESCS not to perform the services through the notice period, Customer agrees to pay ESCS an amount equal to the amount normally due to ESCS for the notice period. Upon termination by either party, Customer will pay ESCS for all services performed and charges and expenses reasonably incurred by ESCS in connection with the services provided under this Agreement through the date of termination.


15. Miscellaneous Clauses:


a. Non-Restrictive Relationship. ESCS may provide the same or similar services to other customers and Customer may utilize other information technology service providers that are competitive with Client.


b. Waiver. The rights and remedies provided to each of the parties herein shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or otherwise. Any failure in the exercise by either party of its right to terminate this Agreement or to enforce any provision of this Agreement for default or violation by the other party shall not prejudice such party’s rights of termination or enforcement for any further or other’s default or violation or be deemed a waiver or forfeiture of those rights.


c. Force Majeure. Neither party will be liable to the other for failure to perform its obligations hereunder if and to the extent that such failure to perform results from causes beyond its control, including and without limitation: strikes, lockouts, or other industrial disturbances; civil disturbances; fires; acts of God; acts of a public enemy; compliance with any regulations, order, or requirement of any governmental body or agency; or inability to obtain transportation or necessary materials in the open market.


d. Notices; Writing Requirement. Where notice is required to be provided to a party under this Agreement, such notice may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight courier, or email. Notice will be deemed delivered three (3) business days after being deposited in the United States Mail, first class mail, certified or return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one (1) day following delivery when sent by FedEx or other overnight courier, or one (1) day after notice is delivered by email. Notice sent by email will be sufficient only if (i) the sender emails the notice to the last known email address of the recipient, and (ii) the sender includes itself in the “cc” portion of the email and preserves the email until such time that it is acknowledged by the recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice from you to ESCS regarding (a) any alleged breach of this Agreement by ESCS, or (b) any request for indemnification, or (c) any notice of termination of this Agreement or any Engagement Letter, must be delivered to ESCS either by U.S. mail or fax, unless such requirement is expressly and specifically waived by ESCS. All electronic documents and communications between the parties will satisfy any “writing” requirement under this Agreement.


e. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or unenforceable, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected.


f. Captions. The section headings in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall be given no effect in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.


g. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the SOW(s) and/or CAO(s) incorporated herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior or contemporaneous communications, representations or agreements between the parties, whether oral or written, regarding the subject matter of this Agreement.


h. Amendments. This Agreement and the Exhibits may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto. Any written work order submitted by Customer shall not amend the terms of this Agreement and will only be considered (1) a statement of the work to be performed; (2) set forth any deadlines or schedules; and (3) the additional fees to be charged, if any, for any out of scope work or services stated on the work order.


i. Applicable Law. This Agreement is made under and will be construed in accordance with the law of Illinois without giving effect to that state's choice of law rules. The forum for any dispute or litigation arising out of this Agreement shall be in the Courts of Common Pleas of ESCS’s Home County Court or in the Federal District Court for ESCS’s Federal District Jurisdiction.


j. Successors and Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of ESCS and Customer and any successors or assigns of ESCS and Customer. No third party shall have any rights hereunder.