EXHIBIT
10.1
CONSTRUCTION
AGREEMENT
FOR THE BOARDMAN PROJECT
BETWEEN
Pacific
Ethanol Columbia, LLC,
as
Owner
AND
Parsons
RCIE Inc.,
as
Contractor
Dated
as of August 28, 2006
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page
|
|
|
ARTICLE
I. GENERAL MATTERS |
1
|
|
|
1.1
|
Defined
Terms
|
1
|
1.2
|
Interpretation
|
7
|
1.3
|
Exhibits
|
8
|
1.4
|
Order
of Precedence
|
9
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
II. RETENTION OF CONTRACTOR |
9
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
Retention
of Contractor
|
9
|
2.2
|
Status
of Contractor; No Partnership
|
9
|
2.3
|
Subcontractors
and Vendors.
|
10
|
|
|
ARTICLE
III. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
CONTRACTOR |
10
|
|
|
3.1
|
Scope
of Work; Applicable Standards
|
10
|
3.2
|
Control
and Method of the Work
|
11
|
3.3
|
Compliance
with Law
|
11
|
3.4
|
Certain
Matters Pertaining to Job Site
|
11
|
3.5
|
Owner
Access to Job Site
|
12
|
3.6
|
Inspection
and Testing of Work in Progress
|
12
|
3.7
|
No
Waiver of Responsibility
|
13
|
3.8
|
Defective
Work
|
13
|
3.9
|
Clean
Up.
|
13
|
3.10
|
Obtaining,
Maintaining and Identifying Permits
|
14
|
3.11
|
Labor
|
14
|
3.12
|
Project
Management and Contractor’s Representative
|
15
|
3.13
|
Temporary
Office Quarters
|
15
|
3.14
|
Cooperation
with Other Contractors
|
16
|
3.15
|
Protection
and Safety
|
16
|
3.16
|
Environmental
Matters
|
16
|
3.17
|
Fire
Prevention
|
17
|
3.18
|
Religious
and Archaeological Resources
|
18
|
3.19
|
Reports,
Plans and Manuals
|
18
|
3.20
|
Drawings,
Data and Other Materials
|
19
|
3.21
|
Operating
and Maintenance Manuals
|
19
|
3.22
|
Accounting
Information
|
19
|
3.23
|
Contractor
Taxes
|
19
|
3.24
|
RESERVED
|
19
|
3.25
|
Contractor’s
Obligation to Notify
|
20
|
3.26
|
Lines
and Grades
|
20
|
3.27
|
RESERVED
|
20
|
3.28
|
Emergencies
|
20
|
3.29
|
Start
Up Process
|
20
|
3.30
|
Access
|
20
|
3.31
|
RESERVED
|
20
|
|
Page
|
|
|
ARTICLE
IV. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNER
|
20
|
|
|
4.1
|
Permits
|
20
|
4.2
|
Gas;
Electricity; Raw and Potable Water Supply and Wastewater
Disposal
|
21
|
4.3
|
Access
to Property Site
|
21
|
4.4
|
Rights
of Way
|
21
|
4.5
|
RESERVED
|
21
|
4.6
|
Owner
Taxes
|
21
|
4.7
|
Owner’s
Cooperation
|
21
|
4.8
|
Owner’s
Representative
|
22
|
4.9
|
Operation
and Maintenance
|
22
|
|
|
ARTICLE
V. PROJECT SCHEDULE |
22
|
|
|
5.1
|
Commencement
of Work
|
22
|
5.2
|
Notices
to Proceed
|
22
|
5.3
|
Project
Schedule
|
22
|
5.4
|
Liquidated
Damages
|
23
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VI. CHANGE ORDERS
|
24
|
|
|
6.1
|
Change
Order at Owner’s Request
|
24
|
6.2
|
Change
Orders Requested by Contractor
|
24
|
6.3
|
Changes
to Separated Contract Price; Disputes
|
26
|
6.4
|
Information
Requests
|
26
|
6.5
|
Minor
Changes
|
26
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VII. SEPARATED CONTRACT PRICE; PAYMENTS TO
CONTRACTOR |
26
|
|
|
7.1
|
Separated
Contract Price
|
27
|
7.2
|
Requests
for Payment
|
27
|
7.3
|
General
Provisions For Payments
|
27
|
7.4
|
Retainage
|
28
|
7.5
|
RESERVED
|
28
|
7.6
|
Liens
|
28
|
|
|
ARTICLE
VIII. TITLE, RISK OF LOSS AND POSSESSION |
29
|
|
|
8.1
|
Clear
Title
|
29
|
8.2
|
Risk
of Loss
|
29
|
|
|
ARTICLE
IX. INSURANCE |
29
|
|
|
9.1
|
Contractor
Insurance Policies
|
29
|
9.2
|
Form
of Contractor Insurance Policies
|
30
|
9.3
|
Certificates
of Insurance
|
30
|
9.4
|
Inspection
of Contractor’s Insurance Policies
|
31
|
9.5
|
Remedy
on Failure to Insure
|
31
|
9.6
|
Management
of Insurance Policies
|
31
|
9.7
|
Owner
Insurance Policies
|
31
|
9.8
|
Form
of Owner’s Policies
|
32
|
9.9
|
RESERVED
|
32
|
9.10
|
RESERVED
|
32
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
9.11
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
9.12
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
|
|
ARTICLE
X. RESERVED
|
34
|
|
|
10.1
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
10.2
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
10.3
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
10.4
|
RESERVED
|
34
|
10.5
|
RESERVED
|
35
|
10.6
|
RESERVED
|
35
|
10.7
|
RESERVED
|
35
|
10.8
|
RESERVED
|
35
|
10.9
|
RESERVED
|
35
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XI. CONTRACTOR
|
35
|
|
|
11.1
|
Completion
|
35
|
11.2
|
Liquidated
Damages
|
36
|
11.3
|
Early
Completion Bonus
|
36
|
11.4
|
RESERVED
|
36
|
11.5
|
RESERVED
|
36
|
11.6
|
RESERVED
|
37
|
11.7
|
Payment
of Liquidated Damages
|
37
|
11.8
|
RESERVED
|
37
|
11.9
|
RESERVED
|
37
|
11.10
|
Bonds
|
37
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XII. CONTRACTOR’S WARRANTIES
|
37
|
|
|
12.1
|
Warranties
|
37
|
12.2
|
Repair
of Nonconforming Work
|
38
|
12.3
|
RESERVED
|
39
|
12.4
|
RESERVED
|
39
|
12.5
|
RESERVED
|
39
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XIII. CONTRACTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS
|
39
|
|
|
13.1
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
39
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XIV. FORCE MAJEURE AND OWNER CAUSED DELAY
|
41
|
|
|
14.1
|
Definition
of Force Majeure Event
|
41
|
14.2
|
Notice
of Force Majeure Event
|
41
|
14.3
|
Delay
from Force Majeure Event
|
42
|
14.4
|
RESERVED
|
42
|
14.5
|
Notice
of Owner Caused Delay
|
42
|
14.6
|
Delay
from Owner Caused Delay
|
43
|
14.7
|
RESERVED
|
43
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XV. TERMINATION |
43
|
|
|
15.1
|
Contractor
Events of Default
|
43
|
15.2
|
Termination
by Owner Due to Contractor Default; Other Remedies
|
45
|
15.3
|
Termination
by Owner for Convenience
|
46
|
15.4
|
Suspension
by Owner for Convenience
|
47
|
15.5
|
Termination
Due to Force Majeure Event
|
48
|
15.6
|
Owner
Events of Default
|
48
|
15.7
|
Termination
by Contractor Due to Owner Default
|
49
|
15.8
|
Continuing
Obligations and Remedies During Event of Default
|
49
|
15.9
|
Obligations
Upon Termination
|
49
|
15.10
|
Termination
and Survival of Terms
|
49
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XVI. INDEMNIFICATION
|
50
|
|
|
16.1
|
Contractor
Indemnification
|
50
|
16.2
|
Owner
Indemnification
|
51
|
16.3
|
Conditions
of Indemnification
|
51
|
16.4
|
Contributory
Negligence
|
52
|
16.5
|
Remedies
Not Exclusive
|
52
|
16.6
|
Tax
Effect of Indemnification
|
52
|
16.7
|
Survival
of Indemnification
|
52
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XVII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
52
|
|
|
17.1
|
Friendly
Consultation
|
52
|
17.2
|
Litigation
|
53
|
17.3
|
Continuing
Obligations and Rights
|
53
|
17.4
|
Tolling
Statute of Limitations
|
53
|
17.5
|
Audit
Rights
|
53
|
17.6
|
Costs
|
53
|
|
|
ARTICLE
XVIII. MISCELLANEOUS |
54
|
|
|
18.1
|
Assignment
|
54
|
18.2
|
Good
Faith Dealings
|
54
|
18.3
|
Confidentiality
|
54
|
18.4
|
Notice
|
55
|
18.5
|
Waiver
|
56
|
18.6
|
Severability
|
56
|
18.7
|
Governing
Law
|
56
|
18.8
|
Entire
Agreement; Amendments
|
57
|
18.9
|
Expenses
and Further Assurances
|
57
|
18.10
|
No
Third Party Beneficiary
|
57
|
18.11
|
Offset
|
57
|
18.12
|
Counterparts
|
57
|
18.13
|
Waiver
for Consequential Damages
|
57
|
18.14
|
Limits
of Liability
|
58
|
18.15
|
Time
is of the Essence
|
58
|
18.16
|
Records
Retention
|
58
|
18.17
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
58
|
18.18
|
Financing
Parties’ Requirements
|
58
|
This
CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT FOR THE BOARDMAN PROJECT (as amended, amended and
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this
“Agreement”),
dated
as of August 28, 2006, is entered into by and between
Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC,
a
limited liability company formed under the laws of the State
of
Delaware
(as more particularly defined herein, “Owner”)
and
Parsons
RCIE Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Washington (as more
particularly defined herein, “Contractor”).
RECITALS:
A.
Owner
wishes to construct and operate an ethanol production facility with a capacity
of at least 35,000,000 gallons
per year, and all services and utilities related thereto, all to be built on
the
Property Site (as hereinafter defined) located in Boardman, Oregon;
B.
Contractor has represented that it is experienced and qualified in providing
construction management, construction services, and that it possesses the
requisite expertise and resources to complete the Work (as hereinafter
defined);
C.
Contractor has agreed to provide, through itself or through Subcontractors
and
Vendors (as such terms are hereinafter defined), such Work for the Separated
Contract Price (as hereinafter defined); and
D.
Contractor has agreed to the timely and proper completion of the Work in
accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
AGREEMENT:
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual promises
and
covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Owner and Contractor
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I.
GENERAL
MATTERS
1.1 Defined
Terms.
As
used
in this Agreement, including the exhibits and other attachments hereto, each
of
the following terms shall have the meaning assigned to such term as set forth
below:
“Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Applicable
Laws” means any act, statute, law, regulation, permit, license, ordinance, rule,
judgment, order, decree, directive, guideline or policy (to the extent
mandatory) or any similar form of decision or determination by, or any
interpretation or administration of, any of the foregoing by any Government
Authority with jurisdiction over the Plant, the Job Site, the performance of
the
Work or other services to be performed under the Contract
Documents.
“Applicable
Permits” means any and all permits, clearances, licenses, authorizations,
consents, filings, exemptions or approvals from or required by any Government
Authority that are necessary for the performance of the Work. All applicable
permits for the Work which shall be provided by Owner.
“Builder’s
Risk Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section
9.10(a).
“Business
Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday
in the
State
of Oregon.
“Change
In Law” means the enactment, adoption, promulgation, modification, or repeal
after the date of this Agreement of any Applicable Law of any Government
Authority or the modification after the date of this Agreement of any Owner
Permit issued or promulgated by any Government Authority that establishes
requirements that materially and adversely affect Contractor’s costs or schedule
for performing the Work; provided, however, a change in any national, federal,
provincial or any other income tax law or any other law imposing a tax, duty,
levy, impost, fee, royalty, or charge for which Contractor is responsible
hereunder shall not be a Change In Law pursuant to this Agreement.
“Change
Order” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).
“Changes”
has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).
“Confidential
Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 18.3(a).
“Contract
Documents” means this Agreement and all exhibits incorporated into the Agreement
(as set forth in Section 1.3),
as
same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time
to
time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Contractor”
means Parsons RCIE Inc., a Washington corporation (as referenced in the opening
paragraph hereof), and includes its legal successors and permitted assignees
as
may be accepted by Owner, in writing, pursuant to the terms of the Contract
Documents.
“Contractor
Deliverables” means all material documents relating to the Project to be
delivered to Owner by Contractor for review and comment in accordance with
the
requirements of the Contract Documents.
“Contractor
Equipment” means all of the Contractor owned or leased construction equipment,
machinery, materials, controls, apparatus, structures, tools, supplies and
other
goods provided and used by Contractor, its Subcontractors or Vendors for
performance of the Work but which is not intended to be incorporated into the
Plant.
“Contractor
Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section
15.1.
“Contractor
Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
“Contractor
Project Manager” means the person designated by Contractor as having the
centralized responsibility, authority and supervisory power of Contractor for
construction, as well as all matters relating to the administration of the
provisions of the Contract Documents.
“Contractor
Rate Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit K.
“Contractor
Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.23.
“Contractor’s
Representative” has the meaning given in Section 3.12(b).
“Damages”
has the meaning set forth in Section
16.1.
“Day”
or
“day” means a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours from 12:00
midnight (Pacific time), and shall include Saturdays, Sundays and all holidays,
except that in the event a time period set forth in the Contract Documents
expires on a Day that is not a Business Day, such period shall be deemed to
expire on the next Business Day thereafter.
“Defect”
means, any installation, construction, workmanship or Work that, in Owner’s
reasonable judgment, (i) do not conform to the terms of the Contract
Documents, or (ii) are not of uniform good quality, free from defects or
deficiencies in workmanship, or that contain improper or inferior workmanship.
The term “Defects” shall neither be construed to include material damage caused
by Owner’s, or its employees, agents or other contractors, or other suppliers,
acts or omissions to the extent arising out of abuse, misuse, negligence in
operations, maintenance and repair (unless such act or omission was taken or
made at the direction of Contractor) or failure to follow Contractor’s or
manufacturers’ written recommendations and directions, nor shall the term
“Defects” be construed to include ordinary wear and tear, erosion, corrosion,
and deterioration (unless as a result of a defect or deficiency). The term
Defects shall not apply to any Owner furnished drawings, details, equipment,
materials, layout, designs, engineering, software (“Owner Defects”). The Owner
shall be responsible for providing all Drawings to Contractor for the Property
Site.
“Dispute”
has the meaning set forth in Section
17.1.
“Drawings”
means (i) all specifications, calculations, plans, drawings, and analyses,
and other documents which determine, establish, define or otherwise describe
the
scope, quantity, and relationship of the components of the Plant, including
the
structure and foundation thereof, and (ii) all technical drawings,
operating drawings, specifications, shop drawings, diagrams, illustrations,
schedules and performance charts, calculations, samples, patterns, models,
operation and maintenance manuals, piping and instrumentation diagrams,
underground structure drawings, conduit and grounding drawings, lighting
drawings, conduit and cable drawings, electric one-line’s, electric schematics,
connection diagrams and technical information of a like nature. Owner shall
compensate Contractor for any Owner Defects pursuant to Article VI.
“Early
Completion Bonus” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.
“Engineer”
means the Owner’s engineer.
“Equipment”
means all Owner supplied equipment, machinery, materials, apparatus, controls,
structures, tools, supplies, goods and other items that are installed or
incorporated into the Plant or otherwise form or are intended to form part
of
the Plant (other than Contractor Equipment).
“Exempt
Equipment” has the meaning set forth in Section
3.23(b).
“Final
Acceptance” shall mean that all of the following have occurred:
(i) Mechanical Completion has been achieved; (ii) mechanical calibrations
and tests have been successfully completed and any Defects found have been
corrected; (iii) the Work has been constructed in accordance with the
Contract Documents and the Drawings; (iv) the Plant is capable of
being operated in a safe and proper manner in accordance with Applicable Laws;
(v) no defective or incomplete portions of the Work exist that have
or could have a negative impact on the normal operation; (vi) all
items on the Punch List have been completed; and (vii) all of Contractor’s
cleanup and related obligations have been completed.
“Final
Acceptance Certificate” means the certificate issued by Owner indicating that
Final Acceptance has been achieved by Contractor.
“Final
Acceptance Date” means the date of achievement of Final Acceptance.
“Force
Majeure Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.1.
“Government
Authority” means any and all federal, state, county, city, municipal, local or
regional authorities, departments, bodies, commissions, corporations, branches,
directorates, agencies, ministries, courts, tribunals, judicial authorities,
legislative bodies, administrative bodies, regulatory bodies, autonomous or
quasi-autonomous entities or taxing authorities of the United States of America
or any department, municipality or other political subdivision
thereof.
“Hazardous
Material” means any hazardous materials, hazardous waste, hazardous
constituents, hazardous or toxic or radioactive substances or petroleum products
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof), defined or regulated as such
under any Applicable Laws.
“Holdback”
has the meaning given in Section 7.4(a).
“Indemnified
Person” has the meaning set forth in Section
16.3(a).
“Indemnifying
Party” has the meaning set forth in Section
16.3(a).
“Initial
Site Mobilization” means the first instance when any of Contractor or its
Subcontractors’ or Vendors’ Labor or other representatives is present on the
Property Site after Owner has issued the Notice to Proceed.
“Job
Site” means the Property Site and any other areas where Contractor may
temporarily obtain care, custody and control, use, easement or license for
purposes directly, indirectly or incidentally related to performance of, or
as
an accommodation to, the Work.
“Labor”
means the workforce of the relevant Person, including its staff and employee
and
non-employee and skilled and unskilled workers.
“Lien”
means any lien, security interest, mortgage, hypothecation, encumbrance or
other
restriction on title or property interest.
“Liquidated
Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
“Major
Equipment” means all equipment provided by Owner and includes (a) any item or
component of the Project, the proper or efficient function of which affects
the
Plant’s output or reliability, and (b) without duplication, the long lead-time
items of Equipment and critical items of Equipment listed on Exhibit N.
Contractor shall not provide or be responsible for providing any Equipment
or
Major Equipment to be incorporated into the Plant.
“Major
Manufacturers” means the manufacturers of the Major Equipment.
“Mechanical
Completion” means that (i) the Equipment for the Project has been installed with
the required connections and controls to (a) operate continuously as a single,
intergrated unit and (b) produce ethanol in the manner contemplated hereby;
(ii)
all instrumentation is operational and has been calibrated in accordance with
manufacturers’ standards and guidelines; (iii) the Project has been completed
and physically constructed in accordance with the Scope of Work; (iv) the
Project is mechanically and electrically sound and, to Contractor’s knowledge,
free from Defects; and (v) all insulation, and the like have been completed
(exclusive of final insulation and other incidental items of the Project, the
lack of which does not adversely impact the ability of the Project to operate
as
intended and does not offer a danger of damage to the Project or injury to
personnel).
“Mechanical
Completion Date” means the actual date of achieving Mechanical Completion as
determined pursuant to Section 11.1.
“O&M
Contractor” means the Person selected by Owner for the operation and maintenance
of the Plant.
“Owner”
means Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (as
referenced in the opening paragraph hereof) and it includes its legal successors
and those assignees as may be designated by Owner, in writing, pursuant to
the
terms of this Agreement.
“Owner
Caused Delay” means a material delay in Contractor’s performance which is
actually and demonstrably caused by Owner’s failure to perform any covenant of
Owner hereunder (other than by exercise of rights under this Agreement,
including the exercise by Owner of the right to have defective or nonconforming
Work corrected or re-executed).
“Owner
Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section
15.6.
“Owner
Permits” means the Applicable Permits for
the
Work.
“Owner
Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.
“Parties”
means, collectively, Owner and Contractor.
“Person”
means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,
company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
joint venture, Government Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.
“Plant”
means the 35,000,000 gallons per year ethanol production facility, to be located
on the Property Site as more particularly described in the Scope of
Work.
“Pre-Existing
Hazardous Material” means Hazardous Material that existed on or in the Property
Site prior to Initial Site Mobilization by Contractor.
“Project”
means the Plant and all equipment, services and utilities related thereto which
must be completed as part of the Scope of Work.
“Project
Schedule” means the schedule for completion of the Work attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
“Property
Site” means that certain piece of property located in Boardman, Oregon, as more
particularly described in Exhibit P.
“Prudent
Industry Practices” means the practices generally followed by the United States
ethanol industry with respect to construction.
“Punch
List” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“Qualified
Insurer” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.
“Red-line
As-Built Drawings” means the Drawings that Contractor shall provide to Owner.
Contractor shall submit one (1) set of Red-line As-Built markups to Owner within
thirty (30) days after the Final Acceptance.
“Reference
Rate” means the lesser of (i) the prime rate of interest for United States
of America financial institutions as reported from time to time by The
Wall Street Journal (New
York
Edition) plus two percent (2%) or (ii) the maximum rate permitted by
Applicable Law.
“Request
for Payment” means the written requests from Contractor to Owner for payment
hereunder, which requests shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit F
attached
hereto.
“Schedule
of Values” is defined in Article 7.1 and attached as Exhibit D.
“Scope
of
Work” means the services and work to be provided, or caused to be provided, by
or through Contractor under the Contract Documents for the Separated Contract
Price, as more particularly described in Exhibit A,
as the
same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof,
and
which Scope of Work includes, without limitation, all construction, services,
labor, materials, Contractor’s Equipment, operations and management that are
indicated on, or reasonably incidental to the Contract Documents or the Drawings
prepared in connection with the Contract Documents or that are required in
accordance with Applicable Law.
“Separated
Contract Price” means a Schedule of Values for the total sum payable by Owner as
stated in Exhibit D
for the
Work (including all labor, supervision, all materials, and all Contractor
Equipment) including overhead and profit, which sum shall be due in accordance
with the terms of the Contract Documents as consideration for the timely
performance of the Scope of Work to be performed by or through Contractor in
order to complete the Project, all in strict accordance with the terms of the
Contract Documents, which sum shall only be subject to adjustment in accordance
with the Contract Documents.
“Subcontractor”
means any contractor who is under the supervision and directly employed by
Contractor.
“Substantial
Subcontractor” means a Subcontractor whose contract or contracts (in the
aggregate) with Contractor require payments by Contractor totaling at least
$500,000.00.
“Substantial
Vendor” means a Vendor whose contract or purchase orders (in the aggregate) with
Contractor require payments by Contractor of at least $500,000.00.
“Termination
Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.3(b).
“Vendor”
means any supplier, manufacturer or vendor of Equipment directly employed
Contractor or any Subcontractor.
“Warranty
Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(d).
“Work”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
1.2 Interpretation.
Unless
the context of the Contract Documents otherwise requires:
(a) the
headings contained in this Agreement are used solely for convenience and do
not
constitute a part of this Agreement between the Parties, nor should they be
used
to aid in any manner to construe or interpret this Agreement;
(b) the
gender of all words used herein shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter
and the number of all words shall include the singular and plural
words;
(c) the
terms
“hereof”, “herein” “hereto” and similar words refer to this entire Agreement and
not to any particular Article, Section, Exhibit or any other subdivision of
this
Agreement;
(d) references
to “Article”, “Section” or “Exhibit” are to this Agreement unless specified
otherwise;
(e) reference
to “this Agreement” (including any Exhibit hereto) or any other agreement,
Exhibit, permit or document shall be construed as a reference to such agreement
or document as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated,
and
shall include a reference to any document which amends, modifies, supplements
or
restates, or is entered into, made or given pursuant to or in accordance with
its terms;
(f) references
to any law, statute, rule, regulation, notification or statutory provision
(including Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits) shall be construed as a
reference to the same as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended,
modified or re-enacted;
(g) references
to any Person shall be construed as a reference to such Person’s successors and
permitted assigns; and
(h) references
to “includes”, “including” and similar phrases shall mean “including, without
limitation”.
1.3 Exhibits.
The
following exhibits are attached to and incorporated into and made a part of
this
Agreement:
(a) Exhibit A
- Scope of Work; Construction Bid Package dated May 15, 2006, including
Addendums 1 and 2 (Exhibit A-1); Parsons RCIE’s response letter dated June 30,
2006 (Exhibit A-2)
(b) Exhibit B
- Project Schedule [To be provided by Contractor and Owner as described in
Section 11.1]
(c) Exhibit C
- [Reserved]
(d) Exhibit D
- Schedule of Values
(e) Exhibit E
- [Reserved]
(f) Exhibit F
- Form of Request For Payment (to be provided by Contractor promptly after
execution of the Contract and subject to approval of form by Owner)
(g) Exhibit G
- Form of Final Acceptance Certificate (to be provided by Contractor promptly
after execution of the Contract and subject to approval of form by
Owner)
(h) Exhibit H
- Form of Contractor Certificate for Partial Waiver of Liens
(i) Exhibit H-1
- Form of Subcontractor Certificate for Partial Waiver of Liens
(j) Exhibit I
- [Reserved]
(k) Exhibit J
- [Reserved]
(l) Exhibit K
- Contractor’s Rate Schedule
(m) Exhibit L
- [Reserved]
(n) Exhibit M
- [Reserved]
(o) Exhibit N
- Major Equipment (pursuant to Construction Bid Package dated May 15, 2006,
see
Exhibit A-1)
(p) Exhibit O
- Project Management Team (Organizational Chart provided by Contractor promptly
after execution of the Contract)
(q) Exhibit P
- Legal Description of Property Site
(r) Exhibit Q
- [Reserved]
(s) Exhibit R
- Form of Contractor Certificate for Final Waiver of Liens
(t) Exhibit R-I
- Form of Subcontractor Certificate for Final Waiver of Liens
(u) Exhibit S
- Form of Request for Change Order (provided by Contractor promptly after
execution of the Contract)
(v) Exhibit T
- Contractor Commercial Offer ( See Exhibit A-2)
1.4 Order
of Precedence.
In
the
event of conflicts among the terms of the Contract Documents, interpretations
shall be based upon the following Contract Documents which are set forth in
ranked order of precedence:
(a) Amendments,
addenda or other modifications to the Contract Documents (including Change
Orders) duly signed and issued after the signing of this Agreement, with those
of a later date having precedence over those of an earlier date;
(b) The
Agreement; and
(c) The
exhibits to the Agreement.
ARTICLE
II.
RETENTION
OF CONTRACTOR
2.1 Retention
of Contractor.
Owner
hereby engages Contractor, and Contractor hereby agrees to be engaged by Owner,
to perform the Work in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
herein.
2.2 Status
of Contractor; No Partnership.
Contractor
shall be an independent contractor with respect to any and all Work performed
and to be performed under the Contract Documents. The Contract Documents shall
not be interpreted or construed to create an association, joint venture or
partnership relationship among or between the Parties or any similar
relationship, obligations or liabilities. Neither Party shall have any right,
power or authority to enter into any agreement or undertaking for, act on behalf
of, or to act as or be an agent or representative of, or to otherwise bind
or
obligate the other Party.
2.3 Subcontractors
and Vendors.
(a) Subject
to the terms hereof, Contractor shall have the right to have any portion of
the
Work performed by a Subcontractor or Vendor qualified to perform such Work
pursuant to written subcontracts or written purchase orders; provided that
Contractor shall not be relieved from any liability or obligation under the
Contract Documents. Contractor shall be solely responsible for engaging,
managing, supervising and paying all such Subcontractors and Vendors. Contractor
shall require that all Work performed, and all Equipment provided by
Subcontractors and Vendors are received, inspected and otherwise furnished
in
accordance with the Contract Documents, and Contractor shall be liable for
all
acts, omissions, liabilities and Work (including Defects therein) of such
Subcontractors and Vendors. Owner shall not have any obligation or liability
to
any Subcontractor or Vendor. Nothing in any contract, subcontract or purchase
order with any Subcontractor or Vendor shall in any way diminish or relieve
Contractor from any duties and obligations under the Contract Documents. No
Subcontractor or Vendor is intended to be or shall be deemed a third-party
beneficiary of the Contract Documents.
(b) Each
subcontract and purchase order shall require such Subcontractor and Vendor
to
include those terms and conditions of contracting which Contractor customarily
includes in its subcontracts. At a minimum, all subcontracts shall require
the
Subcontractors to comply with Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits, shall
provide that Owner has the right of inspection as provided hereunder. All
subcontracts shall preserve and protect the rights of Owner, shall not prejudice
such rights and shall require each Subcontractor to enter into similar
agreements with other Subcontractors.
ARTICLE
III.
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONTRACTOR
3.1 Scope
of Work; Applicable Standards.
(a) Contractor
shall, at its own cost and expense, (i) construct, portions of the Plant,
and perform its other obligations hereunder, in each case, as described in
the
scope of Work, and (ii) manage, supervise, inspect and furnish all Labor,
Contractor Equipment, temporary structures, temporary utilities, products and
services for the foregoing, in accordance with the Contract Documents,
including, without limitation, the Project Schedule for the Scope of Work,
as
the same may be modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof
by a Change Order or other amendment hereto (all of the foregoing obligations
of
Contractor being collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Work”).
(b) Subject
to the remedies provided for herein, Contractor shall perform the Work in a
manner that is (i) sufficient, complete and adequate in all respects
necessary for the Project to successfully achieve Mechanical Completion by
the
Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date; (ii) in conformance with
professional standards and skill, expertise and diligence of construction
professionals regularly involved in major ethanol projects of similar size
and
nature to the Project; (iii) in compliance with the terms of the Contract
Documents, all Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits; and (iv) approved as
to form, use and content by public and private entities authorized to administer
or enforce any building or construction code or standard whose approval of
the
final design of the Plant, or any portion thereof, is necessary for the
construction or operation of the Plant.
(c) In
light
of the foregoing, Contractor has included within the Separated Contract Price
the cost to complete the entire Work. Items must be specifically listed in
the
Contract Documents, indicated in Drawings, or in Exhibit A
(or
reasonably incidental thereto)
in order
to be deemed to be items within the Work. Contractor’s exclusions are set forth
on Exhibit
T
of this
Agreement.
(d) The
Plant
and the Work shall meet generally accepted standards utilized by construction
professionals regularly involved in the construction of major ethanol projects.
3.2 Control
and Method of the Work.
(a) Subject
to the terms hereof, Contractor shall be solely responsible for performing
or
causing to be performed the Work in accordance with the terms of the Contract
Documents, and for all means, methods, techniques, sequences, coordination,
procedures, and safety and security programs in connection with such
performance. Contractor shall inform Owner in advance concerning its plans
for
carrying out the Work. Contractor shall have the right to additional
compensation and day for day time extension to the extent that Contractor’s
ability to complete the Work in accordance with the terms hereof is materially
impacted by unexpected delays or defects caused by Owner’s separate contractors,
subcontractors, suppliers or vendors employed by Owner for the Project Site,
or
by Owner’s inability to timely obtain all Owner permits, in each case, as
reasonably agreed by Owner and Contractor.
(b) Whenever
the words “as ordered,” “as directed,” “as required,” “as permitted,” “as
allowed,” “approved,” “reasonable,” “suitable,” “acceptable,” “properly,”
“satisfactory,” or words or phrases of similar effect and import are used, it
shall be understood that none of such terms shall imply that Owner has any
authority over, right to control or responsibility for supervision of Contractor
or its Subcontractors or Vendors, such supervision (including sole control
over
and responsibility therefor) being strictly reserved for Contractor.
3.3 Compliance
with Law.
Contractor
shall comply, and shall cause all of its Subcontractors, Vendors and Persons
that it has a right to direct who are engaged in the performance of any of
the
Work to comply with, all Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits. Contractor
shall perform the Work in a manner designed to protect the environment on the
Job Site and minimize damage or nuisance to Persons and property of the public
or others, including damage or nuisance resulting from pollution, noise or
other
causes arising as a consequence of methods of construction or operation of
the
Plant.
3.4 Certain
Matters Pertaining to Job Site.
(a) Project
Inspection.
Contractor acknowledges that prior to the execution of this Agreement,
Contractor (i) has made an examination of the Job Site and the surrounding
areas, drawings and specifications; (ii) has made an examination to
determine the difficulties and hazards incident to the performance of the Work,
including (A) the location of the Project, (B) the proximity of the
Project to adjacent facilities and structures, (C) the conditions of the
roads and waterways in the vicinity of the Job Site, including the conditions
affecting shipping and transportation, access, disposal, handling and storage
of
materials, (D) the nature and character of the soil, terrain and surface
conditions
(excluding all subsurface conditions except as set forth in the preliminary
soils report by Professional Services Industries, Inc. dated March 26, 2006)
of
the Job Site, (E) the labor conditions in the region of the Job Site,
(F) Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits, (G) rights of Owner
regarding the Job Site as set forth herein, (H) the local weather
conditions based upon previous weather data, (I) the qualifications of all
Subcontractors and Vendors, and (J) all other matters that might affect
Contractor’s performance under this Agreement or the construction, start-up,
demonstration and testing of the Plant; and (iii) has determined to
Contractor’s satisfaction the nature and extent of such difficulties and
hazards.
(b) If
Contractor (i) encounters any concealed subsurface conditions which a
reasonable, experienced Contractor would not foresee existing at the Job Site
and which vary materially from the conditions shown in this Agreement,or the
preliminary soils report as referenced in Section 3.4(a) and (ii) any such
condition causes a material increase or decrease in the Separated Contract
Price
or time required for performance of the Work or otherwise materially affects
any
provision of this Agreement, then Contractor shall notify Owner thereof and
Owner may either (x) issue a Change Order prior to issuing the Notice to
Proceed to address such condition or (y) terminate this Agreement pursuant
to Section 15.3.
3.5 Owner
Access to Job Site.
Owner
shall have the right to have representatives on the Job Site full time. In
addition, Contractor shall provide reasonable access to the Job Site and the
Work at all times to Owner, Owner’s other contractors, and their respective
employees, representatives, agents and consultants. All visitors to the Project
Site shall comply with the Contractors’ Site Safety Rules. Provided, however,
Contractor reserves the right to deny access from time to time should conditions
at the Project Site potentially create risk of bodily harm.
3.6 Inspection
and Testing of Work in Progress.
(a) Each
item
of Equipment to be supplied by Contractor shall be subject to inspection and
testing during and upon completion of its fabrication and installation in
accordance with the provisions of the Scope of Work. Without limiting the
foregoing, Contractor shall assist in inspection and testing of the Equipment
in
accordance with standard inspection practices and as required by applicable
specifications before their shipment.
(b) Contractor
shall perform inspection, expediting, quality surveillance and traffic services
as are required for performance of the Scope of Work. Contractor shall perform
such detailed inspection of work in progress at intervals appropriate to the
stage of construction or fabrication of the Project as is necessary to ensure
that such work is proceeding in accordance with this Agreement and the Contract
Documents and to protect Owner against defects and deficiencies in such
work.
(c) Contractor
shall permit Owner and, as authorized by Owner, any party designated by Owner,
and the Financing Parties to inspect, test and observe the Work from time to
time; provided, however, that none of such Persons shall have any authority
or
responsibility for such Work and provided that testing is non-destructive and
in
accordance with Prudent Industry Practices. Contractor shall provide Owner
each
month during performance of the Work with a schedule of all testing proposed
for
the following three (3) month period in compliance with the requirements of
the Scope of Work. Any tests, observations or inspections shall not delay or
interfere with Contractor’s progress of performing the Scope of
Work.
3.7 No
Waiver of Responsibility. No
inspection made, acceptance of Work, payment of money or approval given by
Owner, or the Financing Parties shall relieve Contractor of its obligations
for
the proper performance of the Work in accordance with the terms hereof. Owner
may reject any Work with Defects or which is not in accordance with the
requirements of the Contract Documents, regardless of the stage of completion,
the time or place of discovery of error, and whether Owner previously accepted
any or all of such Work through oversight or otherwise. No approval given by
Owner, in and of itself, shall be considered as an assumption of risk or
liability by any such Person. Any such approval shall mean that the Person
giving the approval has no objection to the adoption or use by Contractor of
the
matter approved at Contractor’s own risk and responsibility.
3.8 Defective
Work. Contractor
shall at its own cost and expense correct or replace any Work that contains
a
Defect, or is not otherwise in accordance with the Contract Documents. Equipment
that has been replaced, if situated on the Job Site, shall be removed by
Contractor from the Job Site at Contractor’s own cost and expense. If Contractor
or any Subcontractor defaults or neglects to carry out the Scope of Work in
accordance with the Contract Documents and Contractor fails within a reasonable
period of time (as reasonably determined by Contractor) after it knows or should
have known of such default or neglects to commence and continue correction
of
such default or neglect with diligence and promptness, Owner may, without
prejudice to other remedies Owner may have under this Agreement, correct such
deficiencies. In such event, an appropriate Change Order shall be issued
deducting from payments then or thereafter due to Contractor the cost of
correcting such deficiencies. If payments then or thereafter due to Contractor
are not sufficient to cover such amounts, Contractor shall pay the difference
to
Owner within three (3) days from Owner’s request therefor. Contractor shall
correct any and all deficiencies as required by the Contract Documents
notwithstanding any actual or possible legal obligation or duty of a
Subcontractor concerning same and nothing contained in this Section shall modify
Contractor’s obligation to achieve Final Acceptance in accordance with the
Contract Documents.
3.9 Clean-Up.
(a) Contractor
shall at all times keep the Job Site reasonably free from waste, rubbish and
Hazardous Material, other than Pre-Existing Hazardous Material, relating to
its
Work. Contractor shall maintain the Job Site in a neat and orderly condition
throughout the performance of the Work. Contractor shall employ sufficient
personnel to clean its office at the Job Site and work areas and shall cooperate
with the other Persons working at the Job Site to keep the Job Site
clean.
(b) Prior
to
the Final Acceptance Date or as soon as practicable after the termination of
this Agreement by Owner in accordance with the provisions of Article XV,
Contractor shall (i) remove all Contractor Equipment from the Job Site
(other than equipment, supplies and materials necessary or useful to the
operation or maintenance of the Plant and Equipment and equipment, supplies
and
materials directed by Owner to remain at the Job Site until completion of the
Plant), (ii) clean out all pits, pipes, chambers and conduits,
(iii) tear down and remove all temporary structures on the Job Site built
by it or its Subcontractors and restore such areas to a condition consistent
with that of a newly constructed ethanol plant, except as required by Applicable
Law, Section
3.16(d)
or any
other provision of this Agreement, and (iv) remove all waste, and rubbish
from and around the Job Site, except that Contractor shall not be required
to
excavate, remove, transport or otherwise dispose of (a) Pre-Existing
Hazardous Material on the Job Site, other than as set forth in Section 3.16(a)(iv),
or
(b) any waste, rubbish or Hazardous Material caused by Owner or its
representatives, agents or other contractors.
3.10 Obtaining,
Maintaining and Identifying Permits.
Owner
shall timely obtain and maintain all permits. Contractor shall provide
assistance reasonably requested by the Owner in connection with the Owner’s
efforts to obtain and maintain the Permits. Owner agrees to compensate
Contractor for the actual out of pocket costs (without mark-up) for any changes
to the Work made during the permit process which requires additional work beyond
the Scope of Work.
3.11 Labor.
(a) General.
Contractor shall be responsible for retaining all Labor necessary for it to
perform its obligations hereunder and comply with the provisions hereof, all
in
accordance with Applicable Laws. Contractor shall be responsible for all costs
incurred in complying with this Section 3.11
or
otherwise associated with its Labor.
(b) Engagement
of Labor.
Contractor shall make its own arrangements for the engagement of all Labor
in
connection with the Contract Documents and the performance of the Work.
Contractor shall employ in the performance of the Work only Labor, whether
supervisors, skilled workers or laborers, who are competent to perform their
assigned duties in a safe and secure manner and shall use all reasonable efforts
to cause its Subcontractors and Vendors to adhere to the same standard with
respect to their Labor. Contractor agrees, where required by Applicable Law,
to
employ only licensed personnel in good standing with their respective
trades.
(c) Identification.
Contractor shall identify each member of its and its Subcontractor’s and
Vendor’s Labor in accordance with the standards and procedures that are mutually
acceptable to the Parties.
(d) Supply
of Services for Labor.
Unless
expressly excluded in Exhibit T, Contractor shall provide and maintain at the
Job Site, in accordance with Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits, such
accommodations, services and amenities as necessary for all Labor employed
for
the purpose of or in connection with the Contract Documents, including all
water
supply (both for drinking and other purposes), electricity supply, sanitation,
safety, security, fire prevention and fire--fighting equipment, refuse disposal
systems and other requirements in connection with such accommodations or
amenities. Owner shall provide electricity at the property fence
line.
(e) General
Management of Employees.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.11(f),
Contractor shall preserve its rights to exercise and shall exercise its
management rights in performing the Work. Such management rights shall include
the rights to hire, discharge, promote and transfer employees; to select and
remove foremen or other persons at other levels of supervision; to establish
and
enforce reasonable standards of production; to introduce, to the extent
feasible, labor saving Equipment and materials; to determine the number of
craftsmen necessary to perform a task, job or project; and to establish,
maintain and enforce rules and regulations conducive to efficient and productive
operations.
(f) Labor
Disputes.
Contractor shall use reasonable efforts to minimize the risk of labor-related
delays or disruption of the progress of the Work. Contractor shall promptly
take
any and all reasonable steps that may be available in connection with the
resolution of violations of collective bargaining agreements or labor
jurisdictional disputes, including the filing of appropriate processes with
any
court or administrative agency having jurisdiction to settle, enjoin or award
damages resulting from violations of collective bargaining agreements or labor
jurisdictional disputes. Contractor shall advise Owner promptly, in writing,
of
any actual or threatened labor dispute of which Contractor has knowledge that
might materially affect the performance of the Work by Contractor or by any
of
its Subcontractors or Vendors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the settlement
of
strikes, walkouts, lockouts or other labor disputes shall be at the discretion
of the Party having the difficulty. Any additional costs resulting from labor
disputes, strikes, walkouts or lockouts shall be shared equally between
Contractor and Owner. Provided, however, that in any labor dispute where
additional costs or delays are incurred by Contractor due to a labor dispute
directly or indirectly caused by the Owner directly hiring or managing of labor,
Contractor shall be compensated and provided a time extension pursuant to
Article 6.2.
(g) Personnel
Documents.
Contractor shall ensure that all its personnel and personnel of any
Subcontractors or Vendors performing the Work are, and at all times shall be,
in
possession of all such documents (including, without limitation, visas, driver’s
licenses and work permits) as may be required by any and all Applicable
Laws.
(h) Replacement
at Owner’s Request.
Within
ten (10) days after request by Owner, Contractor shall remove from the Job
Site
and performance of the Work, and cause any Subcontractor or Vendor to remove
from the Job Site and performance of the Work, and as soon as reasonably
practicable, any Person performing the Work whom Owner believes to be creating
a
safety hazard.
3.12 Project
Management
and
Contractor’s Representative.
(a) Project
Management.
Contractor has designated a management team as set forth on Exhibit O.
During
the performance of the Work from the Initial Site Mobilization and thereafter,
Contractor shall maintain continuously at the Job Site adequate management,
supervisory, administrative, security and technical personnel, to ensure
expeditious and competent handling of all matters related to the Work, according
to its determination of the staffing required for this purpose.
(b) Contractor’s
Representative.
Contractor shall appoint one individual (the “Contractor’s
Representative”),
who
shall be authorized to act on behalf of Contractor and with whom Owner may
consult at all reasonable times, and whose instructions, requests and decisions
in writing will be binding upon Contractor. In the event that Contractor removes
or replaces such representative, Contractor shall appoint another individual
with the prior written consent of Owner, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld. Contractor shall not remove or replace such representative without
Owner’s prior written consent.
3.13 Temporary
Office Quarters.
During
the performance of the Work from the Initial Site Mobilization and thereafter,
Contractor shall maintain a suitable office at the Job Site at or near the
site
of the Work which shall be the headquarters of Contractor’s Representative
designated pursuant to Section 3.12.
3.14 Cooperation
with Other Contractors.
Contractor
shall cooperate and cause its Subcontractors and Vendors to cooperate with
Owner, and other unrelated contractors who may be working at or near the Job
Site in order to assure that neither Contractor, nor any of its Subcontractors
or Vendors unreasonably hinders or increases, or makes more difficult than
necessary the work being done by Owner and other unrelated contractors.
Contractor agrees to perform the Work in full cooperation with such others
and
to permit, reasonable access to, and use of, the Job Site and the Work, by
said
others or by Owner, whether such Work is partially or entirely complete, when,
in the judgment of Owner, such access or use is necessary for the performance
and completion of the work of others. All personnel entering or leaving the
site
shall follow Contractor’s Project Site Safety Rules.
3.15 Protection
and Safety.
(a) Prior
to
the Mechanical Completion Date, Contractor shall be responsible for the
security, protection and safety of the Job Site or that are in any manner
affected by the performance of the Work. As of the Mechanical Completion Date,
Owner shall have control over the Project.
(b) Contractor
shall initiate and maintain reasonable safety precautions and accident
prevention programs for the Job Site and in the performance of the Work, which
shall be in compliance with all Applicable Laws and Applicable Permits, to
prevent injury to persons or damage to property on, about or adjacent to the
Job
Site and in the performance of the Work.
3.16 Environmental
Matters.
(a) [Reserved]
(i) [Reserved]
(ii) Contractor
shall conduct its activities under the Contract Documents, and shall cause
each
of its Subcontractors to conduct its activities, in a manner designed to prevent
pollution of the environment or any other release of any Hazardous Material
by
Contractor and its Subcontractors and Vendors in a manner or at a level
requiring remediation pursuant to any Applicable Law.
(iii) Contractor
shall not cause or allow the release or disposal of Hazardous Material at the
Job Site, bring Hazardous Material to the Job Site, or transport Hazardous
Material from the Job Site, except in accordance with Applicable Law and
Applicable Permits and upon Owner’s written approval. Contractor shall be
responsible for the management of and proper disposal of all Hazardous Material
brought onto or generated at the Job Site by it or its Subcontractors or
Vendors, if any. Contractor shall cause all such Hazardous Material brought
onto
or generated at the Job Site by it or its Subcontractors or Vendors, if any,
(A) to be transported only by carriers maintaining valid permits and
operating in compliance with such permits and laws regarding Hazardous Material
pursuant to manifest and shipping documents identifying only Contractor as
the
generator of waste or person who
arranged
for waste disposal, and (B) to be treated and disposed of only at
treatment, storage and disposal facilities maintaining valid permits operating
in compliance with such permits and laws regarding Hazardous Material, from
which, to the best of Contractor’s knowledge, there has been and will be no
release of Hazardous Material. Contractor shall submit to Owner a list of all
Hazardous Material to be brought onto or generated at the Job Site prior to
bringing or generating such Hazardous Material onto or at the Job Site.
Contractor shall keep Owner informed as to the status of all Hazardous Material
on the Job Site and disposal of all Hazardous Material from the Job
Site.
(iv) Owner
warrants and represents that the Project Site does not contain Hazardous
Materials. If Contractor or any of its Subcontractors or Vendors releases any
Hazardous Material on, at, or from the Job Site, or becomes aware of any Person
who has stored, released or disposed of Hazardous Material on, at, or from
the
Job Site during the Work, Contractor shall immediately notify Owner in writing.
If Contractor’s Work involved the area where such release occurred, Contractor
shall immediately stop any Work affecting the area. Contractor shall, at Owner’s
sole cost and expense, diligently proceed to take all necessary or desirable
remedial action to clean up fully the contamination caused by any release
by Contractor or any of its Subcontractors or Vendors of any Pre-Existing
Hazardous Material. Any Hazardous Material that was brought onto or
generated at the Job Site by Contractor or any of its Subcontractors or Vendors,
whether on or off the Job, shall be the responsibility of
Contractor.
(v) If
Contractor discovers any Pre-Existing Hazardous Material that has been stored,
released or disposed of at the Property Site, Contractor shall immediately
notify Owner in writing. If Contractor’s Work involves the area where such a
discovery was made, Contractor shall immediately stop any Work affecting the
area and Owner shall determine a reasonable course of action. Contractor shall
not, and shall cause its Subcontractors and Vendors to not, take any action
that
may exacerbate any such contamination. If Owner desires Contractor to perform
all or part of any evacuation that may become necessary as a result of the
discovery of any such Pre-Existing Hazardous Material, it shall request a Change
pursuant to Section
6.1.
If so
requested by Owner, Contractor shall cooperate with and assist Owner in making
the Job Site available for taking necessary remedial steps to clean up any
such
contamination at Owner’s expense as determined in accordance with Section
6.3.
3.17 Fire
Prevention.
(a) Contractor
shall be responsible for providing temporary fire prevention and protection
while performing the Scope of Work and shall take all reasonable precautions
to
minimize the risk of fire during construction. Contractor shall provide
instruction to the Labor in fire prevention control and shall provide
appropriate fire-fighting and fire protection equipment and systems at the
Job
Site.
(b) Contractor
will implement reasonable fire protection precautions to protect Work in
progress, in particular with regard to fuel and other flammable
materials.
(c) Owner
shall be responsible for the supply and installation of all permanent fire
protection systems and appurtenances.
3.18 Religious
and Archaeological Resources.
In
the
event any archaeological or religious sites, places, monuments or areas are
discovered or identified by Contractor during the performance of Work under
the
Contract Documents, Contractor shall leave such sites untouched and protected
by
fencing and shall immediately stop any Work affecting the area. Contractor
shall
notify Owner of any such discovery as soon as practicable, and Contractor shall
carry out Owner’s instructions for dealing with the same. All fossils, coins,
articles of value or antiquity and structures and other remains or things of
geological, archaeological, historical, religious, cultural or similar interest
discovered on the Job Site shall, as between Owner and Contractor, be deemed
to
be the absolute property of Owner. Contractor shall prevent its and its
Subcontractors’ and Vendors’ Labor and any other Persons from removing or
damaging any such article or thing. Any additional costs or delays caused by
encountering any religious and archaeological resources shall be submitted
as a
change order under Article VI.
3.19 Reports,
Plans and Manuals.
(a) Status
Reports.
Within
ten (10) days after the beginning of each month, Contractor shall prepare
and submit to Owner written progress reports, in a form reasonably acceptable
to
Owner, which include a description of the progress and status of the Work
compared to the Project Schedule, the status of Equipment and other scheduled
deliveries, the Subcontractors’ activities, purchasing and construction
progress. Photographs may also be included documenting the construction
progress. Each photograph shall show the date, Contractor’s name and description
of the view taken. In accordance with Section 5.3
hereof,
Contractor shall also report any events which may affect the Project Schedule,
including any Force Majeure Events, liens on the Property Site or the Project,
or any asserted violations of Applicable Laws or Applicable
Permits.
(b) Reporting
of Accidents.
Contractor shall report in writing to Owner (and, to the extent required by
any
Applicable Law or Applicable Permit, the appropriate Government Authority)
details of any accident that is on or about the Job Site as soon as possible
after its occurrence, but in any event not later than forty-eight (48)
hours after such accident occurs. In the case of any fatality or serious injury
or accident, Contractor shall, in addition, notify Owner (and, to the extent
required by any Applicable Law or Applicable Permit, the appropriate Government
Authority) immediately.
(c) Meetings.
During
the performance of the Scope of Work, Contractor and Owner shall, at a minimum,
conduct meetings each month at a mutually convenient time and date for the
purpose of reviewing the progress of the Scope of Work, the latest progress
reports, the Health Plan, the Environmental Plan, the Safety Plan, Contractor’s
and Subcontractors’ adherence to the Scope of Work and the Project Schedule as
well as the status of any claims on the Project and claims submitted pursuant
to
the terms of the Contract Documents. Contractor shall prepare detailed minutes
of each such meeting, in form and content acceptable to Owner, and shall
distribute same to Owner within five (5) days after such
meeting.
(d) Contractor
Not Relieved of Duties or Responsibilities.
Neither
the submission to or approval by Owner of progress and other reports, plans
and
manuals, nor the provision of general descriptions shall relieve Contractor
of
any of its duties or responsibilities under the Contract Documents.
3.20 Drawings,
Data and Other Materials.
(a) All
Drawings, Red-line As-Built Drawings, reports and other information (except
financial, accounting and payroll records) furnished to Contractor, or prepared
by it, its Subcontractors or others in connection with the performance of the
Work, whenever provided, shall be kept by Contractor in an orderly and
catalogued fashion for reference by Owner during the performance by Contractor
of the Work. Contractor shall maintain at the Property Site at least
one (1) copy of all Drawings, Red-line As-Built Drawings, Change Orders and
other modifications in good order and marked to record all changes made during
performance of the Work, including, without limitation, all field deviations
from the construction drawings. Within thirty (30) days after Final Acceptance,
or upon the earlier termination of this Agreement, Contractor shall transfer
the
Red-line As-Built Drawings, to Owner and they shall become the sole property
of
Owner.
(b) Contractor
shall furnish Owner with documents that correctly reflect, with substantial
completeness, the Plant.
(c) The
Owner
shall provide Contractor with a complete set of Drawings of the Plant to be
constructed at the Property Site. Contractor shall maintain Red-line As-Built
Drawings to record significant changes in the layout of the Work.
3.21 Operating
and Maintenance Manuals.
Contractor
shall supply Owner with manuals and/or handbooks for all equipment supplied
by
Contractor.
3.22 Accounting
Information.
During
the term of this Agreement and continuing for two (2) years after the Final
Acceptance Date, Contractor will provide Owner with any reasonably necessary
assistance for Owner’s federal, state or local tax filings and filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
3.23 Contractor
Taxes. Contractor
shall pay and administer all federal, state and local taxes and duties incurred
or payable in connection with the Work, including, without limitation, taxes
based on or related to Contractor’s or its Subcontractors’ or Vendors’ Labor or
income, except for Owner Taxes (collectively, “Contractor Taxes”); provided,
however, that if Contractor is responsible for payment of Owner Taxes under
Applicable Law, unless otherwise instructed by Owner or Owner is contesting
such
taxes, Contractor shall pay such taxes and Owner shall reimburse Contractor
therefor upon submission of evidence of payment. Contractor shall promptly
provide Owner with reports or other evidence reasonably acceptable to Owner
showing the payment of Contractor Taxes by Contractor and any Owner Taxes
required to be paid by Contractor pursuant to this Section 3.23. Contractor
shall cooperate with Owner to endeavor to minimize any Owner Taxes.
3.24 [Reserved]
3.25 Contractor’s
Obligation to Notify.
Contractor
shall keep Owner advised as to the status of the Equipment and Work and shall
inform Owner in writing, within a reasonable time, upon the occurrence of any
of
the following: (i) any occurrence or event that may be expected to impact
the schedule for delivery and/or installation of Equipment; (ii) any
technical problem not anticipated at the start of the Work or of significant
magnitude that may impact the Plant or any component thereof or the Project
Schedule; (iii) any Defect; and (iv) any material changes to
previously submitted information. Owner shall have the right to verify the
information provided by Contractor. In connection therewith, Contractor shall
identify those items provided to Owner that would enable Owner to verify such
information in an expedient manner.
3.26 Lines
and Grades.
Contractor
shall provide for the proper laying out of the construction Work, for making
measurements and for establishing temporary or permanent reference marks in
connection with the construction Work and Plant. Contractor shall ensure that
all improvements constructed in connection with the Work are constructed
substantially within the boundaries of the Job Site as delineated in
Exhibit P and do not encroach on any easements, rights of way or other
improvements existing on the Property Site as delineated in Exhibit P.
Tolerances shall be in accordance with applicable laws, construction industry
standards and as specified or required by manufacturers.
3.27 [Reserved]
3.28 Emergencies.
In
the
event of any emergency that endangers or could endanger life or property,
Contractor shall take such action as may be reasonable and necessary to prevent,
avoid or mitigate injury, damage or loss and shall, as soon as possible, report
any such incidents, including Contractor’s response and actions with respect
thereto, to Owner.
3.29 Start
Up Process.
Contractor
shall assist the Plant start-up in accordance with the process set forth in
Exhibit A, Scope of Work.
3.30 Access.
Contractor
shall use only the entrance(s) to the Job Site specified by Owner for ingress
and egress of all personnel, equipment, vehicles, and materials. Contractor
shall perform the Work consistent and in accordance with Owner’s ownership,
license and easement rights in and to the Site.
ARTICLE
IV.
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS OF OWNER
4.1 Permits. Owner
shall, with Contractor’s reasonable assistance timely obtain and maintain, at
its own cost and expense, all Permits. Owner shall deliver to Contractor
evidence that the Permits necessary to begin construction of the Plant have
been
received by Owner or, if any such required Owner Permit has not actually been
issued, that it has been approved for issuance, or in the opinion of Owner,
will
be approved for issuance. Any delays or additional costs related to permits
shall be submitted as a change order as provided for in Section
6.2.
4.2 Gas;
Electricity; Raw and Potable Water Supply and Wastewater
Disposal.
No
less
than 90 days
prior to Mechanical
Completion,
and
through Final Acceptance, Owner shall supply at its expense all natural gas,
electricity, raw water and all potable water at the Property Site, and shall
dispose of all wastewater which is in conformance with governmental wastewater
requirements from the Property Site as needed by Contractor in connection with
the installation, start-up and testing of the Plant.
4.3 Access
to Property Site.
Subject
to Section 3.30 and consistent with the terms of the Applicable Permits and
Owner’s ownership, license, and easement rights in and to the Site, Owner shall
make the Site reasonably available to Contractor and its Subcontractors and
Vendors and assure reasonable rights of ingress and egress to and from the
Site
for Contractor and its Subcontractors and Vendors for performance of the Work;
provided, however, that Contractor shall coordinate with Owner regarding
(a) initial entry onto the Job Site or any part thereof, and
(b) contact with the persons who own property on or near, or have granted
license or easement rights in and to, the Job Site.
4.4 Rights
of Way.
Owner
shall obtain, at its own cost and expense, any easements and rights of way
over
the property of others for the construction of the site access road as required,
in order that Contractor Equipment, its personnel and its Subcontractors and
Vendors have ingress to and egress from the Property Site. In addition, Owner
shall provide reasonable assistance to Contractor, upon its request, in
connection with Contractor’s procurement of any easements and rights of way over
the property of others that are necessary for the personnel and construction
equipment of Contractor and its Subcontractors and Vendors to have ingress
to
and egress from portions of the Job Site other than the Property Site, except
for any transportation rights of way, permits or easements.
4.5 [Reserved]
4.6 Owner
Taxes.
Owner
shall pay all real property taxes assessed against the Property Site and any
permanent use charges or assessments such as water or sewer (but excluding
charges and taxes for construction utilities and fuel to be supplied by
Contractor as required hereunder, which shall be Contractor’s responsibility),
and, subject to Section 3.23, Owner shall be responsible for the payment of,
or
reimbursement to Contractor of, state or local sales and/or use or excise taxes
in connection with the purchase of all Equipment (including rentals, leases
and
consumables), except for such taxes Owner contests in good faith (collectively,
“Owner Taxes”). In the event that Owner is required to pay additional state or
local taxes because Contractor failed to follow written instructions of Owner
appropriately, Contractor shall be responsible for the cost of such additional
taxes within thirty (30) days of Owner’s request therefor.
4.7 Owner’s
Cooperation.
At
no
additional cost to Owner, Owner shall cooperate in all material respects to
permit Contractor to timely perform its obligations hereunder and shall make
reasonable
efforts to supply to Contractor, in a timely manner, either directly or
indirectly, material information and data that is available to Owner and that
is
required for the performance of the Work; Owner does warrant all material
respects and the correctness of the information and documentation provided
hereunder.
4.8 Owner’s
Representative.
No
later
than the date of this Agreement, Owner shall designate in writing one or more
representatives at the Property Site (at least one of whom shall be at the
Job
Site during normal business hours) who shall act as the single point of contact
for both Contractor and the Engineer with respect to the prosecution of the
Work, administration of the Contract Documents on behalf of Owner, approval
of
Contractor’s submissions hereunder and inspection of the Work, as reasonably
necessary for Contractor’s performance of the Work. Owner’s representative, as
designated by Owner, shall have exclusive authority to approve Change Orders
from time to time and Owner shall provide to Contractor the names of such
members no later than the date of this Agreement.
4.9 Operation
and Maintenance.
Owner
shall, commencing 60 days prior to the anticipated Mechanical
Completion Date,
provide O&M personnel for testing, start-up, operation, commissioning, and
maintenance of the Project; provided, however, that Contractor shall remain
solely responsible for performing the Work in accordance with this Agreement,
including Contractor’s obligation to achieve Mechanical Completion on or before
the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date,
except for any act, omission, failure, non-achievement, negligence or
non-performance of such O&M personnel.
4.10 Owner
shall provide complete Approved for Construction (“AFC”) and permitted Drawings
for the 35,000,000 MGPY ethanol plant designed and laid out for the Property
Site.
4.11 Owner
shall provide all Equipment in accordance with the Project Schedule.
Contractor’s sole responsibility will be to assemble or erect such
Equipment.
ARTICLE
V.
PROJECT
SCHEDULE
5.1 Commencement
of Work.
After
the
date hereof, Contractor will commence performance of the Work so as to ensure
completion of the Work in accordance with the terms hereof.
5.2 [Reserved]
5.3 Project
Schedule.
(a) Contractor
shall perform the Work in compliance with the Project Schedule, including
completing the Work required by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date.
Contractor hereby covenants and warrants to Owner that in undertaking to
complete the Work in accordance with the terms hereof. Contractor shall provide
the reports as required herein, and provide any further information required
by
Owner as Owner, the Financing Parties or the Engineer may reasonably request
to
verify actual progress and forecast future progress of the Work. Contractor
shall promptly notify Owner in writing of any occurrence that Contractor has
reason to believe will adversely affect the completion of the Work by the
Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date
or
materially adversely affect completion of the Work in accordance with the
Project Schedule. Contractor will specify in said notice the corrective action
planned by Contractor to overcome the effect of the delay or potential
delay.
(b) Without
limiting the obligations of Contractor under Section 5.3(a),
Contractor shall provide together with its monthly status reports required
hereunder any revisions to the Project Schedule that provide for the orderly,
practicable and expeditious completion of the Work in accordance with the
requirements of the Contract Documents. Each revised Project Schedule shall
be
presented in such reasonable detail and shall address all material elements
of
the Work. Contractor shall consult with Owner in connection with each revision
to the Project Schedule provided under this paragraph.
(c) In
the
event Owner reasonably believes Contractor’s completion will not be completed by
the date required therein, Owner shall notify Contractor in writing, and
Contractor shall, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of Owner’s notice,
provide to Owner a written plan detailing the activities or sequence of events
Contractor will implement to assure completion by the date required in
Exhibit B.
In the
event Contractor fails to complete by the date required in Exhibit B,
Contractor shall provide to Owner a written recovery plan at the earliest
possible date to minimize delay of the Project Schedule. Such recovery plan
shall include, without limitation, reasonable evidence of increases in
Contractor’s work force, increases in the number of shifts, overtime operations,
additional days of Work per week, and such other evidence as necessary for
the
timely completion of the Work in accordance with the Contract Documents.
Approval by Owner and the Engineer of such plan shall not (i) be deemed in
any
way to have relieved Contractor of its obligations under this Agreement relating
to the failure to achieve Mechanical Completion or by the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date,
(ii) limit the rights of Owner under Section
11.2.
Further, Contractor acknowledges that the implementation of any such recovery
plan may result in material additional costs and expenditures for Contractor
(including by way of overtime, additional crews and/or additional shifts).
If
the delay is caused by no fault of the Contractor, Contractor and Owner agree
that Contractor may be entitled to a Change Order or any other compensation
or
increase in the Separated Contract Price in connection with the implementation
of any such recovery plan.
(d) In
no
event will Contractor’s failure to complete by the date required for such
change, delay or otherwise affect the required completion date.
5.4 Liquidated
Damages.
Nothing
contained in this Article V shall relieve Contractor of its obligation to
pay Schedule Liquidated Damages in the event that Mechanical
Completion is
not
achieved by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date.
ARTICLE
VI.
CHANGE
ORDERS
6.1 Change
Order at Owner’s Request.
(a) Owner
may
at any time, by written notice to Contractor, request an addition to or deletion
from or other changes in the Work (together with any necessary or requested
amendments to this Agreement with respect thereto) (hereinafter “Change”
or
“Changes”
by
submitting a Request for Change Order in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit S).
Contractor shall reasonably review and consider such requested Change and shall
make a written response thereto within seven (7) days after receiving such
request. If Contractor believes that giving effect to any Change requested
by
Owner will increase or decrease its cost of performing the Work, shorten or
lengthen the time needed for completion of the Work, require modification of
its
warranties in Article XII
or
require a modification of any other provisions of the Contract Documents, its
response to the Change request shall set forth such changes (including any
amendments to the Contract Documents) that Contractor deems necessary as a
result of the requested Change and its justification therefor. If Contractor
accepts the Changes requested by Owner (together with any amendments to the
Contract Documents specified therein) or if the Parties agree upon a
modification of such requested Changes, the Parties shall set forth the agreed
upon Change in the Work and agreed upon amendments to the Contract Documents,
if
any, in a written change order signed by all Parties (a “Change
Order”).
Owner
and Contractor agree that any change order shall include a 16% mark-up for
burdened labor rates; 16% mark up for materials and supplies; 16% mark-up for
rental rates and 16% mark-up for all subcontractor costs. If the Parties do
not
agree upon all terms of the Change Order, Contractor shall proceed with such
Work and the dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the terms
hereof.
(b) Owner
may
at any time, by written notice to Contractor, propose Changes in the Work or
the
Project Schedule due to a Force Majeure Event or an Owner Caused Delay or as
provided in Section 3.2(a), a third party caused delay. If there is a material
impact on Work or the Project Schedule as a result of such Force Majeure Event,
an Owner Caused Delay, or such third party delay, then the Parties agree to
bargain reasonably and in good-faith for the execution of a mutually acceptable
Change Order for compensation and a time extension. Force Majeure Events will
only entitle Contractor to extensions of the Project Schedule; provided,
however, that if the Force Majeure Event exceeds three (3) days, Contractor
shall be entitled to an increase in the Separated Contract Price for all amounts
incurred as a result of the extension of such Force Majeure Event beyond three
(3) days.
6.2 Change
Orders Requested by Contractor.
(a) It
is the
intent of Owner and Contractor that the Scope of Work attached hereto as
Exhibit A
includes
all items necessary for the proper execution and completion of the
Work.
(b) Subject
to paragraphs (c) and (d) below, Contractor may at any time, by written
notice to Owner, request a Change in the Work (together with any necessary
or
requested amendments to the Contract Documents). If Contractor believes that
such requested Change will increase or decrease its cost of performing the
Work,
lengthen or shorten the time needed for completion of the Work, require
modification of its warranties in Article XII
or
require a modification of any other provisions of the Contract Documents, it
shall notify Owner of such, setting forth its justification for and effect
of
such change. If Owner accepts the Changes requested by Contractor (together
with
amendments to the Contract Documents specified therein, if any), or if the
Parties agree upon a modification of such requested Changes, the Parties shall
set forth the agreed upon Change in the Work and agreed upon amendments to
the
Contract Documents, if any, in a written Change Order signed by all Parties.
For
the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that Owner’s representative shall have
authority to approve Change Orders. The Parties hereby express their intention
that this Agreement will not be modified orally, through course of conduct
or
otherwise (regardless of whether any other agreements or documents relating
to
this Project have been so amended or modified), unless a writing to such effect
is executed by the Parties. Further, in the event either Party hereto proposes
that any oral agreement or course of conduct be construed as an amendment or
modification to this Agreement, it shall first notify the other Party in writing
of such proposal in accordance with Section
18.4.
No such
proposal notice shall be deemed accepted unless executed by the Party receiving
the same.
(c) Contractor
may at any time, by written notice to Owner, propose Changes in the Work:
(i) due to a Force Majeure Event, provided that such Force Majeure Event
has an impact that will actually, demonstrably, adversely and materially affect
Contractor’s ability to complete the Project by the required dates and further
provided that Contractor complies with requirements provided in Article XIV
and
Section 6.2(b);
(ii) due to an Owner Caused Delay, or, as provided in Section 3.2(a), third
party delay, provided that such Delay has a demonstrable material cost increase
to Contractor and/or schedule impact that will actually, demonstrably, adversely
and materially affect Contractor’s ability to complete the Project by the
required date and further provided that Contractor complies with the
requirements set forth in Article XIV;
(iii) due to a Change In Law, provided that such Change In Law prevents
Contractor from performing all or a portion of the Work, has a demonstrable
material cost increase to Contractor and/or has a schedule impact that will
actually, demonstrably, adversely and materially affect Contractor’s ability to
complete all portions of the Project by the required date, and further provided
that Contractor shall diligently make adjustments to minimize the effect of
such
Change In Law on the Project; or (iv) due to certain unforeseeable
subsurface conditions. If Owner agrees that Contractor has met all of the
applicable condition precedents for a requested Change, then the Parties agree
to the execution of a mutually acceptable Change Order. If in such event the
Parties are unable to agree on a mutually acceptable Change Order, then the
dispute shall be resolved in accordance with Article XVII.
Any
extension permitted under this Section shall be of an equitable duration
designed to reflect the delay actually caused by the relevant event despite
Contractor’s efforts to mitigate the same.
(d) If
Contractor knows of circumstances or events that do or may require a Change
in
the Work or Project Schedule, Contractor shall provide written notification
to
Owner of such within fifteen (15) days
after the date Contractor knows or should have known (in the exercise of due
diligence) of such circumstances or events.
6.3 Changes
to Separated Contract Price; Disputes.
A
Change
Order initiated by either Party may have the effect of either increasing or
decreasing the Separated Contract Price. Any Contractor response to a Change
Order under Section 6.1 and any Contractor request for Changes under
Section 6.2, shall be accompanied by a proposed all inclusive lump sum cost
to Owner. In the event that the Parties are unable to reach an agreement on
an
all inclusive lump sum cost to Owner or a not-to-exceed cost estimate as a
result of a requested Change, then Contractor agrees to perform the requested
Change pending resolution of the dispute pursuant to Article XVII. In
addition, in the event that Owner and Contractor are unable to reach agreement
on a Change Order for a Change requested by either Owner or Contractor, at
the
direction of Owner (and only at the direction of Owner), Owner’s proposed
Changes shall become effective as a Change Order and Contractor shall continue
to perform the Work in accordance with such Change Order and the proposed
Changes shall be performed by Contractor pending resolution of the dispute
pursuant to Article XVII. Owner shall promptly compensate Contractor with a
change order for the undisputed amount and the disputed amount shall be
submitted for resolution of a dispute under Article XVII
6.4 Information
Requests.
Owner
may
request that Contractor provide written information (prior to the issuance
of a
request for Changes) regarding the effect of a contemplated Change on pricing,
scheduling, warranty obligations or on other terms of the Contract Documents.
The purpose of such a request will be to determine whether or not a Change
will
be requested. Contractor shall provide the requested information within
fourteen (14) days after the receipt of said request. Contractor will be
allowed to reasonably delay its response to such request to the extent that
fulfilling such request would significantly delay progress on the Work. Such
an
information request is not a Change Order and does not authorize Contractor
to
commence performance of the contemplated change in Scope of Work.
6.5 Minor
Changes.
Owner
shall have the direct authority to issue clarifications and order minor changes
in the Work, effected by written order, which do not involve any adjustment
to
the Separated Contract Price or the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date,
provided that such clarifications and changes are consistent with the intent
of
the Contract Documents. Such clarifications and changes shall be binding on
Owner and Contractor. Contractor shall carry out such written orders promptly
and Contractor shall receive no additional compensation therefor, nor shall
there be any change to the Contract Documents, provided that not additional
costs or delay is incurred by Contractor for said minor change(s).
ARTICLE
VII.
SEPARATED
CONTRACT PRICE; PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTOR
7.1 Separated
Contract Price.
Owner
shall pay Contractor the Separated Contract Price, equal to Twenty-Four
Million Two Hundred Two Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Two and No/100 Dollars
($24,202,482.00),
as full
payment for all Work to be performed by Contractor under the Contract Documents.
The following amounts may also be payable to Contractor pursuant to the terms
hereof are in addition to the Separated Contract Price: (i) change order work;
(ii) any Early Completion Bonus; and (iii) interest payable on delayed
payments by Owner hereunder. Except as expressly provided herein, payments
of
the Separated Contract Price shall be made based on the Schedule of Values
as
provided by Contractor to Owner. When the Contract is mutually executed between
Owner and Contractor and Contractor provides the bond, Owner agrees to
compensate Contractor within five (5) days thereof, the amount of five percent
(5%) of the Contract Price. The Schedule of Values is formulated to ensure
that
the Contractor maintains a positive cash flow during the course of the
Project.
7.2 Requests
for Payment.
Commencing
after the date of this Agreement, prior to the tenth (10th) day of each
month following any month, Contractor may submit to Owner a Request for Payment
based upon the Schedule of Values on Work completed to date. Each Payment shall
be due and payable within twenty
(20) calendar days after its receipt of a Request for Payment, provided that
Contractor has delivered all Lien waivers requested by Owner in accordance
with
Section 7.6(b), Owner shall pay to Contractor the amount that remains after
the deduction from the Payment requested of the following amounts: (i) any
portion thereof that Owner disputes as not being due and owing, (ii) any
overpayment made by Owner for any previous period, (iii) any Schedule
Liquidated Damages and (including interest thereon) payable by Contractor,
and
(iv) any amounts withheld pursuant to Sections 7.3(c), 7.4 and 7.6(a).
Owner shall not be obligated to make more than one payment during each month.
If
Contractor provides a Request for Payment after the tenth (10th) day of the
month, Owner shall not be obligated to make payment until the following month.
Disputes as to the achievement shall be resolved as soon as reasonably possible
pursuant to Article XVII of this Agreement; provided, however, that Owner
shall be required to pay only those amounts undisputed pending the resolution
of
such dispute pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
7.3 General
Provisions For Payments.
(a) If
applicable, any payment by Owner shall be accompanied by a notice to Contractor
specifying the amount of each deduction and setting forth the reason(s) why
the
deduction is justified. If undisputed amounts are due and unpaid by Owner,
Contractor shall be entitled to payment of such amount, plus interest thereon
at
one and one-half percentage (1 ½%) per month from the date that such amount
should have been paid until the date of such payment. Said interest shall be
paid the following month along with the Request for Payment.
(b) Failure
or forbearance on the part of Owner in withholding any amounts due under an
invoice shall not be construed as accepting or acquiescing to any disputed
claims. In addition, the making of any Payment by Owner shall not constitute
an
admission by it that the Work covered by such payment (or any Work previously
performed) is satisfactory or timely performed, and Owner shall have the same
right to challenge the satisfactoriness and timeliness of such Work as if it
had
not made such payment.
(c) Notwithstanding
any other provision to the contrary contained herein, Owner, in addition to
its
rights set forth in Section 7.4,
shall
have no obligation to make payments to Contractor hereunder and Owner may decide
not to certify payment or may nullify the whole or a part of a certification
for
payment made pursuant to a previous Request for Payment to such extent as may
be
necessary in Owner’s opinion to protect Owner from loss because of:
(i) defective Work not remedied; (ii) damage to Owner or another
contractor, including damage to the property of Owner or any of its Affiliates;
(iii) Contractor’s, or any Subcontractor’s or Vendor’s failure to carry out
the Scope of Work in accordance with the Contract Documents; or (iv) the
occurrence of a Contractor Event of Default.
(d) Each
payment made pursuant to this Article shall be paid directly to Contractor.
Such
payment shall be wire-transferred to an account or accounts designated by
Contractor in its Request for Payment.
7.4 Retainage.
(a) Amount
of Holdback.
Owner
shall retain and withhold payment of seven and one half percent (7 ½%) of all
payments made to Contractor (the “Holdback”).
Such
amount shall be held by Owner as security for the performance of Contractor’s
obligations hereunder and any interest thereon shall accrue for the account
of
Owner and not Contractor. Owner shall place the Holdback in an interest bearing
account for Contractor’s sole benefit. Owner and Contractor agree that no
retention will be withheld for change order work.
(b) Release
of Holdback.
Owner
shall hold the aggregate amount of the Holdback until the Mechanical Completion
Date. After the Mechanical Completion Date, Owner shall release the Holdback
less one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the value of outstanding punch list
items (punch list items shall be mutually agreed to between Owner and
Contractor). Once Contractor completes the punch list items, any remaining
Holdback shall be immediately released and paid to Contractor. Provided,
however, Owner may withhold up to $50,000.00 of such remaining amount until
Contractor provides Owner with the red-line As-built drawings. Any interest
accruing on such amount shall accrue for the account of Contractor.
7.5 [Reserved]
7.6 Liens.
(a) Provided
Owner has timely paid Contractor as required under this Agreement, within
fifteen (15) days of receiving any notice of any Lien filed by any
Subcontractor, or any Person working for, or through, Contractor or any
Subcontractor, Contractor shall promptly commence to cause such Lien to be
discharged or satisfied by bond or otherwise including, without limitation,
by
raising valid counterclaims against such Subcontractor. The expense of
discharging or satisfying by bond any such Lien shall be paid by Contractor.
Contractor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Owner, its Affiliates
and
all Persons acting for any of them, from and against any Lien against the
property of Owner provided timely payment is made to Contractor. If Owner
receives notice of any such lien, Owner shall provide notice thereof to
Contractor. Contractor shall promptly commence all necessary proceedings to
discharge or satisfy by bond any such Lien as soon as possible.
(b) As
a
condition precedent to the making of any payment hereunder, Contractor and
each
of its Substantial Subcontractors and Substantial Vendors shall provide Owner
with a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H
and
Exhibit H-1.
Contractor shall provide such certificates simultaneously with each Request
for
Payment.
(c) To
the
extent allowed by Applicable Law, Contractor hereby subordinates any Liens
to
which it may be entitled under Applicable Law or under the provisions of the
Contract Documents to any Lien granted in favor of the Financing Parties,
whether such Lien in favor of Financing Parties is created, attached or
perfected prior to or after the Lien in favor of Contractor.
ARTICLE
VIII.
TITLE,
RISK OF LOSS AND POSSESSION
8.1 Clear
Title.
Contractor
warrants that legal title to and the ownership of the Work shall pass to Owner,
free and clear of any and all Liens caused or created by Contractor, its
Subcontractors or Vendors upon payment to Contractor of the portion of the
Separated Contract Price then actually due to Contractor in connection with
the
Request For Payment as provided in the Contract Documents.
8.2 Risk
of Loss.
Risk
of
loss for the Project and the Work shall pass to Owner on the Mechanical
Completion Date.
Subject to the foregoing, from and after the date of the transfer of risk of
loss (a) Owner shall assume all risk of physical loss or damage thereto,
and all responsibility for compliance by the Plant with applicable safety and
environmental laws, and all other Applicable Laws and (b) Owner shall, and
does hereby, release Contractor from, and Owner will and shall cause insurers
to
waive its right of subrogation against Contractor and its Vendors and
Subcontractors for loss or damage to the Plant which may thereafter occur;
provided, however, Contractor shall continue to be responsible until the
Mechanical Completion Date for claims, physical loss or damage to the Work
to
the extent resulting from Contractor’s negligent acts or omissions, and/or
failure to comply with the requirements of the Contract Documents.
ARTICLE
IX.
INSURANCE
9.1 Contractor
Insurance Policies.
Upon
execution of the Agreement and continuing through the Final Acceptance Date,
Contractor shall, at its sole cost and expense, obtain and maintain in force
insurance policies satisfying the requirements of this Article IX
providing the following coverages of the types and in the amounts as follows
(the “Contractor
Insurance Policies”):
(a) Workers’
Compensation that complies with the laws of the State of Oregon and such other
jurisdictions as may be applicable to its operations and includes an alternate
employer endorsement. The amount of coverage of the insurance policy shall
be
the statutory amount required by the laws of the State of Oregon. Contractor
expressly agrees to comply with all provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Laws
or similar employee benefit laws of the United States, or wherein said Work
is
to be performed, or of the countries from which its personnel are employed,
where required, if applicable.
(b) Employers’
Liability Insurance including Occupational Disease in the amount of
$1,000,000.
(c) Comprehensive
or Commercial General Liability insurance shall be in the amount of $1,500,000
per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate, including, but not limited
to
coverage for the following:
(i) Premises
and Construction Operations;
(ii) Independent
Contractors;
(iii) Products
and Completed Operations, maintained for a period of three (3) years from
the Final Acceptance Date;
(iv) Personal
Injury Coverage (with the standard employee and contractual exclusions
removed);
(v) Broad
Form Property Damage;
(vi) Severability
of Interest clause;
(vii) Broad
Form Named Insured Endorsement;
(d) Automobile
Liability Insurance, on an occurrence basis including coverage for all owned,
leased, hired or non-owned automotive equipment (and containing appropriate
no
fault insurance provisions or other endorsements as are required under
jurisdictional law or requirements), in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence
or the amount required by Applicable Law, whichever is greater.
(e) Umbrella
Excess Liability to be provided on a following form basis in the amount of
$10,000,000 each occurrence and in the aggregate.
(f)
To
the extent that Contractor shall have licensed architects, engineers or
consultants to perform Work under this Agreement, Professional (Errors and
Omissions) Liability in limits not less than $1,500,000 each Claim and in the
Aggregate,
9.2 The
insurance required by Section 9.1 and the Agreement shall be written for not
less than limits of liability specified in the Contract Documents or required
by
law, whichever coverage is greater. Coverages, whether written on an occurrence
or claims-made basis, shall be maintained without interruption from date of
commencement of the Work until date of final payment and termination of any
coverage required to be maintained after final payment. Policies secured to
address Section 9.1.f may be issued on a “claims-made” basis provided policies
have a retroactive date of placement prior to or coinciding with the
commencement of any Work performed performed under this Agreement, continue
until Final Completion, and include at least a (2) year discovery period for
submitting claims following final completion.
9.3 Qualified
Insurers.
All
Contractor Insurance Policies shall be written by insurers reasonably acceptable
to Owner and that are rated “A-” or higher by A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or
as may be approved in writing by Owner from time to time (a “Qualified
Insurer”).
9.4 Certificates
of Insurance.
Contractor
shall require all insurers under Contractor Insurance Policies to provide the
Owner with certificates of insurance, in form and substance acceptable to the
Owner, evidencing and describing the insurance policies and endorsements
maintained hereunder upon commencement of the Work, or upon issuance of such
policies, if earlier, and on each issuance anniversary while such insurance
is
in effect. The certificates of insurance shall evidence and describe the
insurance policies and endorsements, including, without limitation, the
requirements for the additional insured and waiver of subrogation as described
in Section 9.3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
evidence of such coverage shall be provided to Owner as a condition precedent
to
Mobilization.
9.5 With
respect to the policies secured pursuant to Section 9.1.a through 9.1.f, the
policies shall be endorsed to
(a) name
Owner, its lender and their respective officers, agents and employees as
Additional Insured as respect to coverages specified for 9.1.b through 9.1.e
by
endorsements equivalent to ISO Form CG2010 (11/85) or ISO Form CG2010 (10/01)
and ISO Form CG2037 (10/01);
(b) provide
that the interests and protections of the additional insureds shall not be
affected by any misrepresentation, act or omission of Contractor/Subcontractor
or any breach by Contractor/Subcontractor of any provisions in the policies
which would otherwise result in forfeiture or reduction in
coverage;
(c) provide
that Owner will not by inclusion as Additional Insured incur liability to the
insurance carriers for payment of premiums or deductibles/self-insured
retentions;
(d) provide
that the policies are primary and is not excess of or contributing with any
insurance or self-insurance maintained by Owner;
(e) provide
that the policies contain a severability of interest clause stating that, except
with respect to the coverage limits, insurance applies to each insured as though
separate policies were issued to each.
9.6 Policies
purchased and maintained by Contractor and any Certificates issued to evidence
insurance required under this Article 9 shall contain by endorsement a waiver
by
each insurance carrier of the right of subrogation against Owner, its officers,
agents and employees.
9.7 Inspection
of Contractor’s Insurance Policies.
In
respect of all Contractor Insurance Policies, Contractor shall, when so
requested by Owner, make Contractor’s policies of insurance available for review
at a location mutually agreed to If Policies are procured on a project specific
basis, Contractor shall, when so requested by Owner, provide copies of such
policies and confirmation of premium payment.
9.8 Remedy
on Failure to Insure.
If
Contractor shall fail to obtain and keep in force Contractor Insurance Policies,
Owner may, without limiting any other remedy it may have, obtain and keep in
force any such insurance and pay such premium or premiums as may be necessary
for that purpose and recover from Contractor whether by way of deduction, offset
or otherwise the cost of obtaining and maintaining such insurance.
9.9 Management
of Insurance Policies.
Except
as
directed by Owner, Contractor shall be responsible for managing and
administering all Contractor Insurance Policies, including the payment of all
deductibles and self-insured retention amounts, the filing of all claims and
the
taking of all necessary and proper steps to collect any proceeds on behalf
of
the relevant insured Person. If Contractor shall fail to perform these
responsibilities, Owner may take such action as it determines appropriate under
the circumstances. In the event Contractor collects proceeds on behalf of other
Persons, it shall ensure that these are paid directly from the insurers to
the
relevant Person and, in the event that it receives any such proceeds, it shall,
unless otherwise directed by Owner, pay such proceed to such Party forthwith
and
prior thereto, hold the same in trust for the recipient.
9.10 Owner
Insurance Policies.
Prior
to
the Initial Site Mobilization by Contractor and continuing through the Final
Acceptance Date, Owner shall obtain and maintain in force with responsible
and
reputable insurance carriers, subject to usual and customary terms, exclusions
and limitations and deductible provisions the following insurance of the types
set forth below:
(a) All
Risk Installation and Builder’s Risk Insurance.
Upon
the Initial Site Mobilization by Contractor and continuing through the
Mechanical Completion Date, Owner shall obtain and maintain in force an All
Risk
Installation and Builder's Risk Insurance policy (the “Builder’s
Risk Policy”)
including Delay in Start-Up coverage. The Builder’s Risk Policy shall be in an
amount at least equal to the full replacement value of the Project. A
certificate of insurance evidencing the Builder's Risk Policy shall be furnished
to Contractor prior to Mobilization by Contractor. Owner and Contractor shall
be
named as insureds thereunder. The Builder's Risk Policy shall contain the
following terms: an amount equal to the full replacement value of the Work
for
“all risks” of physical loss or damage except as hereinafter provided, including
coverage for earth movement, flood, boiler and machinery, transit and off-site
storage accident exposure, start-up and testing coverage until the Mechanical
Completion Date. The Builder’s Risk Policy may contain separate sub-limits and
deductibles subject to insurance company underwriting guidelines. The Builder’s
Risk Policy will be maintained in accordance with terms currently available
in
the insurance market for the construction of electric generating facilities.
(a.1)
Contractor shall be liable to Owner for amount of the policy deductible not
to
exceed $100,000 each occurrence to the extent such losses payable under the
property insurance are attributable to the Work, acts or omissions of the
Contractor, its Subcontractors of all tiers, or for any other entity or party
for whom the Contractor may be responsible. Such deductible amount shall not
be
included in the Cost of Work.
(a.2)
Partial
occupancy or use in accordance with Section [11] shall not commence until the
insurance company or companies providing property insurance have consented
to
such partial occupancy or use by endorsement or otherwise. The Owner and the
Contractor shall take reasonable steps to obtain consent of the insurance
company or companies and shall, without mutual written consent, take no action
with respect to partial occupancy or use that would cause cancellation, lapse
or
reduction of insurance.
9.10.1
Loss of
Use Insurance. The Owner, at the Owner's option, may purchase and maintain
such
insurance as will insure the Owner against loss of use of the Owner's property
due to fire or other hazards, however caused.
9.10.2
Before
an exposure to loss may occur, the Owner shall have on file a copy of each
policy that includes insurance coverages required by this Section 9.10. Each
policy shall contain all generally applicable conditions, definitions,
exclusions and endorsements related to this Project. Each policy shall contain
a
provision that the policy will not be canceled or allowed to expire, and that
its limits will not be reduced, until at least 30 days' prior written notice
has
been given to the Contractor.
9.10.3
Waivers
of Subrogation. The Owner and Contractor waive all rights against (1) each
other
and any of their subcontractors of all tiers, agents and employees, each of
the
other, and (2) the Architect, Architect's consultants, and separate contractors,
if any, and any of their subcontractors of all tiers, agents and employees,
for
damages caused by fire or other causes of loss to the extent covered by property
insurance obtained pursuant to this Section 9.10 or other property insurance
applicable to the Work, except such rights as they have to proceeds of such
insurance held by the Owner in good faith. The Owner or Contractor, as
appropriate, shall require of the Architect, Architect's consultants, separate
contractors, if any, and the subcontractors of all tiers, agents and employees
of any of them, by appropriate agreements, written where legally required for
validity, similar waivers each in favor of other parties enumerated herein.
The
policies shall provide such waivers of subrogation by endorsement or otherwise.
A waiver of subrogation shall be effective as to a person or entity even though
that person or entity would otherwise have a duty of indemnification,
contractual or otherwise, did not pay the insurance premium directly or
indirectly, and whether or not the person or entity had an insurable interest
in
the property damaged. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained,
in the event that either Owner or Contractor ("First Party") incurs a loss
by
fire or other casualty, which fire or other casualty shall have been caused
in
whole or in part by the negligence or acts or omissions of the other party
or
the other party's agents, contractors, employees or servants, then, to the
extent that the First Party is compensated by the Builder's Risk Insurance
Coverage obtained pursuant to Section 9.10 or any other property insurance
of
the First Party applicable to the Project, then the First Party (for itself
and
its successors and assigns) hereby waives and releases any claim that it might
have against the other party. No party shall have any rights against either
Owner or Contractor by reason of any fire or casualty damage, either by
subrogation or assignment.
9.10.4
A loss
insured under Owner's property insurance shall be adjusted by the Owner, in
good
faith and made payable to the Owner/Contractor in good faith for the insureds,
as their interests may appear, subject to requirements of any applicable
mortgagee clause and of Section 9.10.6. The Contractor shall pay Subcontractors
their just shares of insurance proceeds received by the Contractor, and by
appropriate agreements, written where legally required for validity, shall
require Subcontractors to make payments to their Sub-subcontractors in similar
manner.
9.10.5
The
Owner/Contractor shall have power to adjust and settle a loss with insurers
in
good faith unless one of the parties in interest shall object in writing within
five days after occurrence of loss to the Owner’s exercise of this power; if
such objection is made, the dispute shall be resolved as provided in Section
[17]. The Owner shall, in the case of arbitration, make settlement with insurers
in accordance with directions of the arbitrators. If distribution of insurance
proceeds by arbitration is required, the arbitrators will direct such
distribution. Contractor and Subcontractors of all tiers shall fully cooperate
with insurers to provide information necessary to adjust and settle any and
all
losses.
9.11 Form
of Owner’s Policies.
Prior
to
the Initial Site Mobilization by Contractor, Owner shall provide Contractor
with
a certificate of insurance evidencing those policies set forth in
Section 9.10. Contractor shall be responsible for the payment of all
deductibles for such claims caused, directly or indirectly, through the acts
or
omissions of Contractor or any Subcontractor or Vendor.
9.12 [Reserved]
9.13 [Reserved]
9.14 [Reserved]
9.15 [Reserved]
ARTICLE
X.
TESTS
AND FINAL ACCEPTANCE
10.1 [Reserved]
(a) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
10.2 [Reserved]
10.3 [Reserved]
10.4 [Reserved]
(a) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
10.5 [Reserved]
(a) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
(c) [Reserved]
10.6 [Reserved]
(a) [Reserved]
(b) [Reserved]
10.7 [Reserved]
10.8 [Reserved]
10.9 [Reserved]
ARTICLE
XI.
COMPLETION/LIQUIDATED
DAMAGES/EARLY COMPLETION
11.1 Completion
Guarantee.
(a) Contractor
hereby agrees that Mechanical Completion will occur no later than the Guaranteed
Mechanical Completion Date. The Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date is three
hundred (300) calendar days from the date of this Agreement which equates to
June 24, 2007. Provided, however, that Owner shall provide Contractor, by the
date of this Agreement, with a complete set of the “approved for construction
and permitted drawings (foundations and footings)” for the fermentation area.
The Owner shall provide the approved for construction and permitted drawings
for
the Main Process and DD&E areas within seven (7) calendar days from the date
of this Agreement. Upon execution of this Agreement, Contractor and Owner agree
to work together diligently to develop a mutually agreeable critical path
schedule (Exhibit B) which shall incorporate the Schedules of Contractor and
Owner furnished equipment and Owner employed contractors, subcontractors, and
vendors. The Parties will use their good faith efforts to re-evaluate the
Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date (earlier or later) based upon the
development of a mutually agreeable detailed critical path schedule.
(b) In
the
event that Mechanical Completion occurs after the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date but Contractor achieves Mechanical Completion within ninety
(90)
days after the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date, Contractor shall pay
and
Owner shall accept as its sole remedy for each and every business day of such
delay after the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date the Schedule Liquidated
Damages described in Section 11.2.
(c) If
and in
the event Contractor fails to achieve Mechanical Completion within ninety (90)
days of the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date, then (i) Contractor
shall be considered in default, and may, at Owner’s sole and exclusive
discretion, be terminated in accordance with Article XV
of this
Agreement, and (ii) Contractor shall continue to pay the Liquidated Damages
described in Section 11.2
through
the exhaustion of the aggregate amount of liquidated damages, payable by
Contractor hereunder in accordance with Section 11.7(c).
11.2 Liquidated
Damages.
(a) Owner
and
Contractor acknowledge and agree that any failure to achieve Mechanical
Completion for the Project by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date will
directly cause substantial damage to Owner, which damage cannot be ascertained
with reasonable certainty. Accordingly, if Contractor shall fail to achieve
Mechanical Completion for the Project by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion
Date, subject to Section 11.7(c),
and
such delay is solely caused by Contractor, it shall pay to Owner, as liquidated
and agreed damages and not as a penalty, the following amounts (collectively,
the “Liquidated
Damages”)
an
amount equal to $10,000 for each Day (or portion thereof) that Mechanical
Completion is delayed beyond the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date,
commencing with the first Day following the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion
Date through and including the actual Mechanical Completion Date.
(b) It
is
understood and agreed between the Parties that the terms, conditions and amounts
fixed pursuant to this Article XI
as
Liquidated Damages for failure to achieve Mechanical Completion for the Project
by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date are reasonable, considering the
damages that Owner would sustain in such event, and that these amounts are
agreed upon and fixed as liquidated damages because of the difficulty of
ascertaining the exact amount of damages that would be sustained as a result
of
delay in achieving Mechanical Completion. Payment of Liquidated Damages are
the
exclusive remedies for delays, actual damages, and consequential damages, if
and
in the event the Project ultimately achieves Mechanical Completion before the
aggregate amount of liquidated damages is exhausted. Further, subject to the
last sentence of this paragraph and provided Contractor (i) has not
otherwise materially breached the Agreement, (ii) is paying the assessed
Liquidated Damages, and (iii) Owner and the Engineer determine that
Contractor can achieve Mechanical Completion within ninety (90) days of the
Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date, the failure to achieve Mechanical
Completion by the applicable Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date shall not
be
considered an event of default under the Contract Documents. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event that Contractor has
not
achieved Mechanical Completion but has reached its maximum liability hereunder
for payment of liquidated damages in accordance with Section 11.7(c),
Contractor shall be in breach of this Agreement.
11.3 Early
Completion Bonus.
In
the
event Contractor achieves Mechanical
Completion prior
to
the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date,
then Owner shall pay to Contractor a bonus equal to the sum of Five Thousand
dollars ($5,000) for
each
full day that Mechanical
Completion is
achieved prior to the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion
Date,
commencing with the first day following the Mechanical
Completion
Date
through and including the Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion
Date;
provided, however, that the amount of the Early Completion Bonus payable by
Owner shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the “Early Completion
Bonus”).
11.4 [Reserved]
11.5 [Reserved]
11.6 [Reserved]
11.7 Payment
of Liquidated Damages.
(a) Liquidated
Damages, if any, under this Article XI
shall
accrue on a daily basis for each Day (or portion thereof) of delay. Within
three
(3) Days after the end of each week during which Liquidated Damages accrue
under
this Article XI,
Owner
shall provide Contractor with a statement of the amount of Liquidated Damages
owed for such week. Owner shall provide Contractor with a statement of the
amount of Liquidated Damages owed. Contractor shall pay any Liquidated Damages
pursuant to this Article XI
within
seven (7) Days after receipt of such statement(s). Any amounts not paid when
due
shall accrue interest from the due date until paid at the Reference Rate
(established as of the first day of the month in which payment is
due).
(b) Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the maximum amount of Liquidated
Damages payable by Contractor hereunder shall not exceed the total amount of
One
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000).
11.8 [Reserved]
11.9 [Reserved]
11.10 Bonds.
(a)
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Contractor shall provide
to
Owner a performance and payment bond for the benefit of Owner and the Financing
Parties under terms and conditions acceptable to Owner and the Financing Parties
(as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time
to time, the “Bonds”). The Bonds shall secure all of Contractor’s obligations
hereunder (without regard to any limitation or liabilities hereunder), up to
the
amount of the Separated Contract Price.
(b) Contractor
agrees to cause the Bonds to remain in full force and effect until Final
Acceptance.
ARTICLE
XII.
CONTRACTOR’S
WARRANTIES
12.1 Warranties.
(a) Contractor
warrants to Owner that all materials shall (i) be new and of good quality,
and (ii) be free from improper workmanship and Defects.
(b) Contractor
warrants to Owner that the Work will be performed in a good and workmanlike
manner, and that the Plant will: (i) be constructed in accordance with the
Drawings, Scope of Work, all Applicable Laws in existence and effect and
Applicable Permits in existence and effect and other terms of the Contract
Documents; (ii) contain the supplies and materials described in the Scope
of Work.
(c) Except
as
expressly stated herein to the contrary, Contractor warrants that it shall
remedy, in accordance with Section 12.2,
any
Defects in the Work due to faulty workmanship which appear within a period
of
twelve (12) months following Mechanical Completion (as such period may be
extended in accordance with the terms hereof); (the “Warranty
Period”).
Contractor shall bear all costs of corrections and repairs during the Warranty
Period for Contractor’s defective Work. The provisions of this Section apply to
Work performed by Subcontractors and Vendors as well as Work performed directly
by Contractor. The provisions of this Section do not apply to corrective work
caused by the acts or omissions of Owner or any separate contractor of Owner.
If
and in the event Owner notifies Contractor of a Defect within the Warranty
Period, Contractor, at Contractor’s expense, shall perform all Work necessary to
remedy the Defect and the repair or replacement Work performed by
Contractor.
(d) THE
WARRANTIES OF CONTRACTOR SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXCLUSIVE AND
CONTRACTOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER STATUTORY,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ALL WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING AND
USAGE
OF TRADE). The foregoing sentence is not intended to disclaim any other
obligations of Contractor set forth herein.
12.2 Repair
of Nonconforming Work.
(a) If
the
Work is found to contain Defects, or Contractor is otherwise in breach of any
of
the warranties set forth in Section 12.1
within
the Warranty Period, Contractor shall at its expense correct, repair or replace
such Defect or otherwise cure such breach as promptly as practicable upon being
given written notice thereof. Owner shall provide Contractor with reasonable
access to the Plant in order to perform its obligation under this Article and
the Parties shall schedule such corrections or replacements as necessary so
as
to minimize disruptions to the operation of the Plant. Contractor shall bear
all
costs and expenses associated with correcting any Defect or breach of warranty,
including, without limitation, necessary disassembly, transportation, reassembly
and retesting, as well as reworking, repair or replacement of such Work. If
Contractor is obligated to repair, replace or renew any of the Work hereunder,
Contractor will undertake a technical analysis of the problem and correct the
“root cause” unless Contractor can demonstrate to Owner’s satisfaction that
there is not a risk of the reoccurrence of such problem. Contractor’s
obligations under this Section shall not be impaired or otherwise adversely
affected by any actual or possible legal obligation or duty of any Vendor or
Subcontractor to Contractor or Owner concerning any Defect or breach of
warranty. No such correction or cure, as the case may be, shall be considered
complete until Owner shall have reviewed and approved such remedial work.
(b) If
Contractor fails to complete or undertake with due diligence to complete the
correction of any Defect or cure of any breach of warranty as required herein
within twenty (20) days after receipt of written request by Owner to
perform such obligations, then Owner may correct or cause to be corrected such
Defect or cure such breach of warranty and Contractor shall be liable for all
reasonable costs, charges, and expenses incurred by Owner in connection
therewith, and Contractor shall, within fifteen (15) days after request
therefor, pay to Owner an amount equal to such costs, charges, and expenses.
Any
such request by Owner shall be accompanied by proper documentation evidencing
such costs, charges and expenses.
12.3 [Reserved]
12.4 [Reserved]
12.5 [Reserved]
ARTICLE
XIII.
CONTRACTOR’S
REPRESENTATIONS
13.1 Representations
and Warranties.
(a) Contractor
represents and warrants to Owner that:
(i) Contractor
is a Washington
corporation, and in good standing under
the
laws of State of Washington and
is
duly authorized and qualified to conduct business in the State of Oregon;
(ii) Contractor
has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business, own its
properties and execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations
hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof;
(iii) the
execution, delivery, and performance of the Contract Documents have been duly
authorized by all requisite corporation action
and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
Contractor, enforceable against Contractor in accordance with its
terms;
(iv) neither
the execution, delivery or performance of the Contract Documents conflicts
with,
or results in a violation or breach of the terms, conditions or provisions
of,
or constitutes a default under, the organizational documents of Contractor
or
any agreement, contract, indenture or other instrument under which Contractor
or
its assets are bound, nor violates or conflicts with any Applicable Law or
any
judgment, decree, order, writ, injunction or award applicable to
Contractor;
(v) Contractor
is not in violation of any Applicable Law or Applicable Permit, which
violations, individually or in the aggregate, would materially affect its
performance of its obligations under the Contract Documents;
(vi) Contractor
is the holder of all governmental consents, licenses, permissions and other
authorizations and Applicable Permits required to operate and conduct its
business now and as contemplated by the Contract Documents, other than
Contractor Permits and Owner Permits which will be obtained in accordance with
the terms of the Contract Documents;
(vii) Contractor,
by itself and through its Subcontractors and Vendors, has the full
experience
and proper qualifications to perform the Work and to construct the Plant in
accordance with the terms of the Contract Documents;
(viii) Contractor
has visited and examined the Property Site and is fully familiar with such
Property Site and surrounding area as determined from a prior site visit
(conditions of which could materially change due to subsequent development
by
Owner’s separate contractor) and based on such visit and examination has no
reason to believe that Contractor will be unable to complete the Work in
accordance with the Contract Documents;
(ix) to
the
best of its knowledge, Contractor has reviewed all other documents and
information necessary and available to Contractor in order to ascertain the
nature, location and scope of the Work, the character and accessibility of
the
Property Site, the availability of facilities and utilities, and the location
and character of existing or adjacent work or structures;
(x) Contractor
acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a fixed price obligation to,
construct the Project pursuant to this Agreement;
(xi) Contractor
is financially solvent, able to pay its debts as they mature, and possessed
of
sufficient working capital to complete its obligations under this Agreement;
and
(xii) Contractor
is not providing any trade secrets, patents, copyrights or trademarks in
relation to Contractor’s performance of the Work.
(b) Owner
represents and warrants to Contractor that:
(i) Owner
is
a limited
liability company, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of State of Delaware and is duly authorized and qualified to conduct
business in the State of Oregon;
(ii) Owner
has
all requisite power and authority to conduct its business, own its properties
and execute and deliver the Contract Documents and perform its obligations
hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof;
(iii) the
execution, delivery, and performance of the Contract Documents have been duly
authorized by all requisite limited liability company action and this Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Owner, enforceable
against Owner in accordance with its terms;
(iv) neither
the execution, delivery or performance of the Contract Documents conflicts
with,
or results in a violation or breach of the terms, conditions or provisions
of,
or constitutes a default under, the organizational documents of Owner or any
agreement, contract, indenture or other instrument under which Owner or its
assets are bound, nor violates or conflicts with any Applicable Law or any
judgment, decree, order, writ, injunction or award applicable to Owner;
(v) Owner
is
not in violation of any Applicable Law or Applicable Permit, which violations,
individually or in the aggregate, would materially affect its performance of
its
obligations under the Contract Documents; and
(vi) Owner
is
the holder of all governmental consents, licenses, permissions and other
authorizations and Applicable Permits required to operate and conduct its
business now and as contemplated by the Contract Documents, other than Owner
Permits which will be obtained in accordance with the terms of the Contract
Documents.
ARTICLE
XIV.
FORCE
MAJEURE AND OWNER CAUSED DELAY
14.1 Definition
of Force Majeure Event.
As
used
herein, the term “Force Majeure Event” shall mean any event or circumstance, or
combination of events or circumstances, that arises after the date hereof,
is
beyond the reasonable control of the Party claiming the Force Majeure Event,
is
unavoidable or could not be prevented or overcome by the reasonable efforts
and
due diligence of the Party claiming the Force Majeure Event and has an impact
which will actually, demonstrably, adversely and materially affect Owner’s
ability to perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Contract
Documents or Contractor’s ability to complete by the required date the Work and
performance of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Contract
Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, events that may
give rise to a Force Majeure Event include, without limitation, acts of God,
natural disasters, fires, earthquakes, lightning, floods, storms, civil
disturbances, riots, war, (except as set forth below), and the action of or
failure to act on the part of any Government Authority having or asserting
jurisdiction that is binding upon the Parties and has been opposed by all
reasonable means, in each case, that meet the definition of Force Majeure Event
as set forth above.
For
cold
weather to constitute a Force Majeure Event, the cold temperature must be a
negative 10°F (with wind chill) or lower in order to constitute a Force Majeure
Event as documented by the closest airport to the Project site.
14.2 Notice
of Force Majeure Event.
The
Party
claiming a Force Majeure Event shall within thirty 30 calendar Days after it
knows or reasonably should have known of the occurrence of the Force Majeure
Event give the other Party written notice describing the details of the cause
and nature of the Force Majeure Event, the anticipated length of delay due
to
the Force Majeure Event and any other affect on the Party’s performance of its
obligations hereunder; provided that if the Force Majeure Event results in
a
breakdown of communications rendering it not reasonably practicable to give
notice within the applicable time limit specified herein, then the Party
claiming a Force Majeure Event shall give such notice as soon as reasonably
practicable after the reinstatement of communications. Within thirty (30) days
after initial notification, such Party shall provide sufficient proof of the
occurrence and duration of such Force Majeure Event to the other Party and
shall
thereafter provide the other Party with periodic supplemental updates to reflect
any change in information given to the other Party as often as requested by
the
other Party. The Party claiming the Force Majeure Event shall give notice to
the
other Party of (a) the cessation of the relevant Force Majeure Event and
(b) the cessation of the effects of such Force Majeure Event on the
performance by it of its obligations under the Contract Documents as soon as
practicable after becoming aware thereof. No Force Majeure Event shall relieve
any Party from performing those of its obligations that are not affected by
the
Force Majeure Event.
14.3 Delay
from Force Majeure Event.
So
long
as the conditions set forth in this Section 14.3 are satisfied, and subject
to Section 14.7, neither Party shall be responsible or liable for or deemed
in breach of this Agreement because of any failure or delay in complying with
its obligations under or pursuant to the Contract Documents to the extent that
such failure has been caused, or contributed to, by one or more Force Majeure
Events or its effects or by any combination thereof, and in such
event:
(a) except
as
otherwise provided herein, the performance by the Party claiming the Force
Majeure Event of its obligations hereunder shall be suspended, and in the event
that such Party is required to start or complete an action during a specific
period of time, such start date or period for completion shall be extended,
on
the condition that: (i) such suspension of performance and extension of
time shall be of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is required
by
the effects of the Force Majeure Event; (ii) the Party claiming the Force
Majeure Event complies with Section 14.2;
and
(iii) the Party claiming the Force Majeure Event continually uses
commercially reasonable efforts to alleviate and mitigate the cause and effect
of the Force Majeure Event and remedy its inability to perform; and
(b) in
the
event Contractor desires to claim a Force Majeure Event, it must submit a
request for Changes pursuant to Section 6.2,
and
Contractor shall be entitled to suspension of performance or extension of time
(including an extension of the Mechanical Completion Date) and an increase
in
the Separated Contract Price (if otherwise allowed pursuant to Section 6.1(b))
with
respect thereto to the extent agreed upon by both Parties pursuant to a Change
Order in accordance with the principles of this Section 14.3
and
6.1(b).
14.4 [Reserved]
14.5 Notice
of Owner Caused Delay.
In
the
event Contractor desires to claim an Owner Caused Delay, Contractor shall within
thirty (30) calendar Days after it knows or should have known of the occurrence
of the Owner Caused Delay, give Owner written notice describing the details
of
the Owner Caused Delay, the anticipated length of such delay and any other
affect on Contractor’s performance of its obligations hereunder. Within
fifteen (15) days after initial notification, Contractor shall (i) provide
to Owner demonstrable proof of the occurrence and duration of such Owner Caused
Delay and, if requested by Owner, such proof shall be provided, and in any
event
verified, by an independent third party reasonably acceptable to Owner and
Contractor at the sole cost and expense of Contractor; and (ii) thereafter
provide Owner with periodic supplemental updates to reflect any change in
information given to Owner as often as requested by Owner.
14.6 Delay
from Owner Caused Delay.
So
long
as the conditions set forth in this Section 14.6 are satisfied and subject
to Section 14.7, Contractor shall not be responsible or liable for or
deemed in material breach of the Contract Documents because of any failure
or
delay in completing the Work in accordance with the Project Schedule or
achieving Mechanical
Completion by
the
Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date
to
the extent that such failure has been caused by one or more Owner Caused Delays,
and in such event, except as otherwise provided herein, the start date or period
for completion of any portion of the Work shall be extended, on the condition
that: (i) such suspension of performance and extension of time shall be of
no greater scope and of no longer duration than is required by the effects
of
the Owner Caused Delay; (ii) Contractor complies with Section 14.5;
and (iii) Contractor provides all assistance reasonably requested by Owner
for the elimination or mitigation of the Owner Caused Delay. In the event
Contractor desires to claim an Owner Caused Delay, it must submit a request
for
Changes pursuant to Section 6.2, and Contractor shall be entitled to
suspension of performance or extension of time (including an extension of the
Guaranteed Mechanical
Completion Date)
together with demonstrated, justified and reasonable additional costs, including
but not limited to, idle equipment costs, incurred by reason of such delay
to
the extent agreed upon by both Parties pursuant to a Change Order in accordance
with Section 6.2. Failure to comply with the terms of this
Section 14.6 shall constitute a waiver of any claims for an increase in the
Project Schedule or the Separated Contract Price as a result of an Owner Caused
Delay.
14.7 [Reserved]
ARTICLE
XV.
TERMINATION
15.1 Contractor
Events of Default.
The
occurrence and continuation of any of the following events shall constitute
an
event of default by Contractor (each a “Contractor Event of
Default”):
(a) (i) the
failure of Contractor, subject to the grace period provided in Section 11.1
hereof,
to achieve Mechanical Completion by the Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date
or
(ii) the failure of Contractor to diligently and competently prosecute the
Work such that Owner’s reasonable projections indicate that Contractor will be
unable to achieve Mechanical Completion within ninety (90) days after the
Guaranteed Mechanical Completion Date;
(b) any
failure by Contractor to make any other payment or payments required to be
made
to Owner under the Contract Documents within ten (10) Business Days after
receipt of written notice from Owner of Contractor’s failure to make such other
payment or payments (except, in the case of payments other than Liquidated
Damages, to the extent Contractor disputes such other payment or payments in
good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);
(c) any
breach by Contractor of any representation or warranty contained herein, or
any
obligation, covenant or agreement hereunder other than those specified in
clause (f) above and (i) such breach is not cured by Contractor within
thirty (30) days after notice thereof from Owner, or (ii) if such
breach is not capable of being cured within such thirty (30) days,
Contractor (A) fails to commence to cure such breach within such
thirty (30) days period, (B) fails to thereafter diligently proceed to
cure such breach in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Owner in its sole
discretion or (C) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days
after notice thereof from Owner;
(d) any
of
the following occurs: (i) Contractor consents to the appointment of or
taking possession by, a receiver, a trustee, custodian, or liquidator of itself
or of a substantial part of its assets, or fails or admits in writing its
inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) Contractor files a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy or a voluntary petition or an answer seeking
reorganization in a proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency
laws or an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against
it in any such proceeding, or seeks relief by voluntary petition, answer or
consent, under the provisions of any now existing or future bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law providing for the liquidation, reorganization,
or winding up of corporations, or providing for an agreement, composition,
extension, or adjustment with its creditors; (iii) a substantial part of
Contractor’s assets are subject to the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
liquidator, or custodian by court order and such order shall remain in effect
for more than thirty (30) days; or (iv) Contractor is adjudged
bankrupt or insolvent, has any property sequestered by court order and such
order shall remain in effect for more than thirty (30) days, or has filed
against it a petition under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any
jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, and such petition shall not
be
dismissed within thirty (30) days of such filing;
(e) the
dissolution of Contractor, except for the purpose of merger, consolidation
or
reorganization where the successor expressly assumes Contractor’s obligations
hereunder and such assignment and assumption does not materially adversely
affect the ability of the successor to perform its obligations under the
Contract Documents and remains in full force and effect for the obligations
of
such successor;
(f) the
transfer by Contractor of (i) all or a substantial portion of the rights
and/or obligations of Contractor hereunder, except for an assignment permitted
hereunder, or (ii) all or a substantial portion of the assets or
obligations of Contractor, except where the transferee expressly assumes the
transferred obligations and such transfer does not materially adversely affect
the ability of Contractor or the transferee, as applicable, to perform its
obligations under the Contract Documents;
(g) the
failure of Contractor to provide and maintain in full force and effect the
Bonds;
(h) any
failure by Contractor to maintain the insurance coverages required of it in
accordance with Article IX;
or
(i) any
abandonment of the Work by Contractor, where “Abandonment” for the purposes of
this Section shall mean that Contractor has substantially reduced personnel
at
the Site or removed required equipment from the Site such that, in the opinion
of an experienced construction manager, Contractor would not be capable of
completing the Work.
15.2 Termination
by Owner Due to Contractor Default;
Other Remedies.
(a) Upon
the
occurrence and during the continuance of a Contractor Event of Default, Owner
may, at its option, terminate this Agreement, without prejudice to any other
rights and remedies available to Owner under this Agreement, by giving written
notice thereof to Contractor, which termination shall be effective upon the
giving of such notice by Owner. .
(b) In
the
event of a termination by Owner under this Section, Owner shall have the right
to take possession of and use all of the Contractor Equipment located at the
Job
Site on the date of such termination for the purpose of completing the Work
and
may employ any other Person to complete the Work by whatever method that Owner
may deem necessary. In addition, Owner may make such reasonable expenditures
as
in Owner’s judgment will accomplish the timely completion of the Work in
accordance with the terms hereof.
(c) In
the
event of termination by Owner under this Section, Contractor shall not be
entitled to receive any further payments under the Contract Documents, except
for payments for Work completed prior to such termination for which Contractor
has not previously been paid and demobilization costs (not less than two percent
(2%) of Contract Price). Owner shall determine the amount of consideration
for
such completed Work in accordance with the Schedule of Values set forth in
Exhibit D
and
Contractor’s Rate Schedule set forth in Exhibit K.
Owner
shall be entitled to offset against such amount due to Contractor any amounts
due to Owner by Contractor. Any amounts due to Contractor under this
Section 15.2(c)
shall be
paid to Contractor within thirty (30) days after the Final Acceptance Date
(as achieved by the substitute contractor).
(d) In
the
event of termination by Owner under this Section, Contractor shall be
responsible for and shall reimburse Owner for the following amounts:
(i) all costs and expenses incurred by Owner to engage a substitute
contractor to complete (or cure deficiencies in) the Work, including, without
limitation, overhead and legal, engineering and other professional expenses;
(ii) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the termination of
the Contract Documents, including costs and expenses incurred in connection
with
the obligations set forth under Section 15.9;
(iii) the amount by which (A) the cost to complete (or cure
deficiencies in) the Work, exceeds (B) the balance of the Separated
Contract Price unpaid at the time of the termination; and (iv) all actual
damages occasioned by reason of said default, except that Contractor agrees
that
Schedule Liquidated Damages shall apply in lieu of delay damages for late
performance.
15.3 Termination
by Owner for Convenience.
(a) Owner
may
terminate this Agreement at any time for any reason in its sole discretion
by
giving written notice thereof to Contractor, which termination shall be
effective upon the giving of such notice by Owner. Upon receiving any such
notice of termination, Contractor shall stop performing the Work and, except
as
otherwise directed by Owner, shall cancel as quickly as possible all orders
placed by it with Subcontractors and Vendors and shall use all reasonable
efforts to minimize cancellation charges and other costs and expenses associated
with the termination of the Agreement. Contractor shall also promptly assign
all
subcontracts and purchase orders which Owner wishes to retain in accordance
with
Section
15.9.
(b) In
the
event of a termination by Owner under this Section, Contractor shall be entitled
to receive a termination payment (the “Termination
Payment”)
equal
to the sum of the following, without duplication: (i) that portion of the
Separated Contract Price that is applicable to Work completed up to the date
of
termination that has not previously been paid to Contractor (as determined
below); (ii) the expenses reasonably incurred by Contractor in withdrawing
Contractor’s Equipment and personnel from the Job Site and in otherwise
demobilizing; (iii) the expenses reasonably incurred by Contractor in
terminating contracts with Subcontractors and Vendors pertaining to the Work
(excluding fees of any Affiliates of Contractor), except to the extent Owner
has
instructed Contractor not to terminate such contracts, in which event such
contract will be assigned to Owner, subject to Owner’s assumption of same and,
if required, Owner’s adequate assurance to such Subcontractors or Vendors
regarding Owner’s ability to pay; (iv) the expenses incurred in connection
with Contractor’s obligations set forth under Section 15.9
(to the
extent not otherwise reimbursed pursuant to the preceding clause (i)) and (v)
loss of anticipated profits for the Work unperformed.
(c) Owner
and
Contractor shall determine the amount due to Contractor pursuant to the
preceding clause (b)(i) in accordance with the Schedule of Values for
completed Milestones and in accordance with the Contractor’s Rate Schedule for
partially completed Milestones. Contractor shall document the costs claimed
under clauses (b)(ii), (b)(iii), and (b)(iv) above to Owner’s
reasonable satisfaction and shall supply Owner with copies of the Subcontractor
and Vendor invoices and other receipts covering amounts claimed under such
clauses. Contractor shall submit an invoice to Owner for the Termination Payment
with the supporting information and documents referred to above, and Owner
shall
pay such invoice within thirty (30) days after its receipt of same unless
it disputes any portion thereof, in which event Owner shall only pay the
undisputed portion of the Termination Payment within such thirty (30) day
period and the dispute over the remainder of the claimed Termination Payment
may
be resolved pursuant to Article XVII.
Contractor shall utilize reasonable commercial efforts to include termination
for convenience provision with terms similar to the foregoing in all
subcontracts, contracts and purchase orders.
(d) Any
amount owed pursuant to Section 15.3(b)
shall be
subject to adjustment to the extent any Work contains Defects.
15.4 Suspension
by Owner for Convenience.
(a) Owner
may
suspend all or a portion of the Work to be performed under the Contract
Documents at any time for any reason in its sole discretion by giving written
notice thereof to Contractor. Such suspension shall continue for the period
specified in the notice of suspension; provided that Contractor agrees to resume
performance of the Work upon five (5) Business days’ notice from Owner. Upon
receiving any such notice of suspension, unless the notice requires otherwise,
Contractor shall: (i) immediately discontinue the Work on the date and to
the extent specified in the notice; (ii) place no further orders or
subcontracts for Equipment, services or facilities with respect to suspended
Work, other than to the extent required in the notice; (iii) promptly make
every reasonable effort to obtain suspension, with terms satisfactory to Owner,
of all orders, subcontracts and rental agreements to the extent they relate
to
performance of suspended Work; (iv) continue to protect and maintain the
Work performed, including those portions on which Work has been suspended; and
(v) take any other reasonable steps to minimize costs and expenses
associated with such suspension.
(b) Except
as
provided in Section 15.4(c),
as full
compensation for any suspension under this Section, Contractor will be
reimbursed by Owner for the costs, as reasonably incurred, without duplication
of any item, to the extent that such costs directly result from such suspension
of the Work, including: (i) a standby charge, without mark-up or multiplier
(except that Contractor shall be entitled to charge a mark-up for its employees
as provided in Exhibit K),
sufficient to compensate Contractor for the direct and indirect costs
attributable to keeping, to the extent required in the suspension notice, its
organization and the Contractor Equipment committed to the Work on a standby
basis, as agreed to by Owner and Contractor; provided that Contractor shall
substantiate such charge with supporting information acceptable to Owner and;
(ii) all necessary and reasonable costs incurred in connection with
demobilization and remobilization of Contractor’s facility and Labor and the
Contractor Equipment; and (iii) an equitable amount to reimburse Contractor
for the cost of receiving, maintaining and protecting that portion of Work
upon
which performance has been suspended, as agreed to by Owner and
Contractor.
(c) Upon
delivery of written notice by Owner to Contractor to resume suspended Work,
Contractor shall immediately resume performance under the Contract Documents
to
the extent required in the notice. Contractor may request a Change Order as
a
result of a suspension of Work under this Section within fourteen (14) days
after receipt of notice to resume the suspended Work; provided that such
suspension was not due to Contractor’s negligence, willful misconduct or
noncompliance with the terms of this Agreement. Contractor shall submit to
Owner
a request for Changes in accordance with Article VI
and such
request shall be accompanied by sufficient documentation setting forth the
schedule impact and monetary extent of such claim in sufficient detail to permit
thorough analysis by Owner; provided that if such information is not available
within such fourteen (14) day period, Contractor shall notify Owner of such
within such fourteen (14) day period and provide an expected date (which
shall be as soon as reasonably practicable) for providing such information.
Contractor shall permit access by Owner to pertinent records for purposes of
reviewing the claims by Contractor of schedule and monetary impact.
15.5 Termination
Due to Force Majeure Event. If
a
Force Majeure Event has occurred and continues for a period of at least
one-hundred and eighty (180) days, then, notwithstanding that the Parties
may by reason thereof have been granted an extension of required dates, either
Party may deliver a written notice to the other Party stating its intention
to
terminate this Agreement. If at the expiration of thirty (30) days after
the other Party’s receipt of such notice, the Force Majeure Event is continuing,
this Agreement shall terminate immediately. In the event of such termination,
Contractor shall be entitled to receive payments for Work completed prior to
such termination for which Contractor has not previously been paid. The amount
of consideration for such completed Work shall be determined by Owner in
accordance with the Schedule of Values for completed Milestones and the
Contractor’s Rate Schedule as set forth in Exhibit K for any partially
completed Milestones. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses in
connection with a termination of this Agreement pursuant to this
Section.
15.6 Owner
Events of Default.
The
occurrence and continuation of any of the following events shall constitute
an
event of default by Owner (each, an “Owner Event of Default”):
(a) a
failure
by Owner to make payment of any undisputed amount when due, and such breach
is
not cured by Owner within fifteen (15) calendar days after Owner’s receipt of
notice thereof from Contractor;
(b) any
breach by Owner of any representation or non-monetary obligation herein, and
such breach is not cured by Owner within thirty (30) days after Owner’s receipt
of notice thereof from Contractor, or (ii) if such breach is not capable of
being cured within such thirty (30) day period (as determined by Contractor
in
its reasonable discretion), Owner (A) fails to commence to cure such breach
within such thirty (30) day period, or (B) fails to thereafter diligently
proceed to cure such breach;
(c) the
duration of suspension of Work by Owner pursuant to Section 15.4
and
Owner Caused Delays exceed sixty (60) days, if Owner does not provide Contractor
with a notice to resume the suspended Work within fifteen (15) days after
written notice thereof from Contractor; or
(d) any
of
the following occurs: (i) Owner consents to the appointment of or taking
possession by, a receiver, a trustee, custodian, or liquidator of itself or
of a
substantial part of its assets, or fails or admits in writing its inability
to
pay its debts generally as they become due, or makes a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors; (ii) Owner files a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy or a voluntary petition or an answer seeking reorganization in a
proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency laws or an answer
admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such
proceeding, or seeks relief by voluntary petition, answer or consent, under
the
provisions of any now existing or future bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar
law providing for the liquidation, reorganization, or winding up of
corporations, or providing for an agreement, composition, extension, or
adjustment with its creditors; (iii) a substantial part of Owner’s assets
is subject to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, or custodian
by court order and such order shall remain in effect for more than
thirty (30) days; or (iv) Owner is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, has
any property sequestered by court order and such order shall remain in effect
for more than thirty (30) days, or has filed against it a petition under
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt,
dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter
in
effect, and such petition shall not be dismissed within thirty (30) days of
such filing.
15.7 Termination
by Contractor Due to Owner Default.
(a) Subject
to Section
15.7(b),
upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Owner Event of Default beyond
the applicable grace period, Contractor may (i) suspend its performance of
the
Work; provided that Contractor shall immediately resume performance of the
Work
upon receipt of payment of the amount owed by Owner (other than any amount
disputed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), or (ii) terminate
this
Agreement twenty (20) Days after giving written notice thereof to Owner so
long as the amount owed by Owner (other than any amount disputed in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement) is not paid within such period.
(b) In
the
event of such termination, Contractor shall be entitled to receive compensation
for Work completed prior to such termination for which Contractor has not
previously been paid, plus interest thereon, at the Reference Rate and eighty
percent (80%) of the anticipated profit for the unperformed Work. The amount
of
consideration for such completed Work shall be determined by Owner in accordance
with the Schedule of Values as set forth in Exhibit D
for
completed Milestones and the Contractor’s Rate Schedule as set forth in
Exhibit K
for any
partially completed Milestones.
15.8 Continuing
Obligations and Remedies During Event of Default.
In the
event of the occurrence of any default hereunder (a) neither Party shall be
relieved of any of its liabilities or obligations hereunder, unless and until
such liabilities and obligations are terminated in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and (b) each Party shall have the right to pursue any
right or remedy available to it, hereunder.
15.9 Obligations
Upon Termination.
Upon
a
termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Article XV:
(a) Contractor shall leave the Job Site and remove from the Job Site all
the waste, rubbish and Hazardous Material as Owner may request; (b) Owner
shall take possession of the Job Site (whether at the Job Site, in transit
or
otherwise); (c) Contractor shall promptly assign to Owner or its designee
any contract rights (including warranties, licenses, patents and copyrights)
that it has to any and all Equipment and the Work, including, without
limitation, contracts with Subcontractors and Vendors and including the
assignment of the Assigned Agreements, and Contractor shall execute such
documents as may be reasonably requested by Owner to evidence such assignment,
subject to Owner’s assumption of same and, if required, Owner’s adequate
assurance to such Subcontractors or Vendors regarding Owner’s ability to pay;
(d) Contractor shall promptly furnish Owner with copies of all Drawings
and, to the extent available, Red-line
As-Built Drawings, (e) Contractor
shall provide Owner and its designee with the right to use, all patented,
copyrighted and other proprietary information relating to the Work that Owner
deems necessary to complete the Work, and Contractor shall execute such
documents as may be reasonably requested by Owner to evidence such right;
(f) Contractor shall assist Owner in preparing an inventory of all
Equipment in use or in storage at the Job Site; and (g) Contractor shall
take such other action as required hereunder upon termination of this
Agreement.
15.10 Termination
and Survival of Terms.
Upon
termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Article XV, the rights and
obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate, except for (a) rights
and obligations accrued as of the date of termination, (b) rights and
obligations arising out of events occurring prior to the date of termination
and
(c) the rights and obligations of the Parties which survive termination,
including the rights and obligations forth in Articles XII and
XIII.
ARTICLE
XVI.
INDEMNIFICATION
16.1 Contractor
Indemnification.
To
the
extent of and in proportion to its share of negligence as determined in
accordance with Section 16.4, Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold Owner and its affiliates, respective directors, officers, employees,
representatives, agents, advisors, consultants, counsel and assigns harmless
from and against any and all losses, claims, obligations, demands, assessments,
penalties, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses (collectively, “Damages”)
asserted against or incurred by such indemnitees by reason of or resulting
from
any and all of the following:
(a) any
bodily injury, death or damage to property caused by any negligent act or
omission (including strict liability) or willful misconduct relating to or
arising out of the performance of the Work or any curative action under any
warranty following performance of the Work, of Contractor or any Affiliate
thereof, any Subcontractor or Vendor, or anyone directly or indirectly employed
by any of them, or anyone for whose acts such Person may be liable;
(b) any
third
party (excluding Affiliates of Owner, Engineer or Financing Parties) claims
resulting in bodily or property damage arising out of defective and/or
nonconforming Work relating to or arising out of the performance of the
Work;
(c) claims
by
any Government Authority for any Contractor Taxes related to the
Work;
(d) any
pollution or contamination which may originate from sources in Contractor’s and
its Subcontractors’ and Vendors’ possession, use and control, excluding
Pre-Existing Hazardous Material and Hazardous Material brought to the Site
by
Owner, including, without limitation, from Hazardous Material, toxic waste,
industrial hazards, sanitary waste, fuel, lubricant, motor oil, paint, solvent,
bilge and garbage;
(e) to
the
extent Owner has timely paid all undisputed amounts due pursuant to the Contract
Documents, any Lien, as set forth in Section 3.25,
on the
Equipment, the Job Site or any fixtures or personal property included in the
Work (whether or not any such Lien is valid or enforceable) created by, through
or under, or as a result of any act or omission (or alleged act or omission)
of,
Contractor or any Subcontractor, Vendor or other Person providing labor or
materials in connection with the Work;
(f) [Reserved];
(g) any
vitiation of any insurance policy procured under Article
IX
as a
result of Contractor’s failure to comply with any of the requirements set forth
in such policy or any other act by Contractor or any Subcontractor or
Vendor;
(h) or
any
failure of Contractor to comply with Applicable Laws or the conditions or
provisions of Applicable Permits; and
(i) any
claims with respect to employer’s liability or worker’s compensation filed by
any employee of Contractor or any of its Subcontractors or Vendors.
16.2 Owner
Indemnification.
Owner
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Contractor and its Affiliates and their
respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents, advisors,
consultants and counsel harmless from and against any and all Damages asserted
against or incurred by such indemnitees by reason of or resulting from any
and
all of the following:
(a) claims
by
any Government Authority for any Owner Taxes;
(b) any
Pre-Existing Hazardous Material on the Property Site, except to the extent
that
Contractor’s or its Subcontractors’ or Vendors’ acts or omissions, gross
negligence or willful misconduct caused a release of Pre-Existing Hazardous
Material, exacerbated the Pre-Existing Hazardous Material or rendered removal
or
remediation of Pre-Existing Hazardous Material more costly;
(c) any
third
party claim arising out of or resulting from the breach by Owner of its
obligations hereunder;
(d) any
bodily injury, death or damage to property caused by any negligent act or
omission (including strict liability) or willful misconduct relating to or
arising out of the performance of the Work or any curative action under any
warranty following performance of the Work, of Owner, its engineers and
financing party and other contractors or any Affiliate thereof, any
Subcontractor or Vendor, or anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of
them, or anyone for whose acts such Person may be liable;
(e) Incomplete,
defective, or erroneous Drawings; and
(f) Infringement
or violations of patent, copyright, trademark, license or royalties in
connection with the ethanol plant process.
16.3 Conditions
of Indemnification.
The
respective rights and obligations of the Parties and the other indemnitees
under
this Article XVI with respect to claims resulting from the assertion of
liability by third parties shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
(a) Notice
of Proceedings.
Within
twenty (20) days (or such earlier time as might be required to avoid
materially prejudicing the indemnifying Party’s position) after receipt of
notice of commencement of any legal action or of any claims against such
indemnitee in respect of which indemnification will be sought, the Person
claiming to be indemnified under the terms of this Section (the “Indemnified
Person”)
shall
give the Party from which indemnification is sought (the “Indemnifying
Party”)
written notice thereof, together with a copy of such claim, process or other
legal pleading. Failure of the Indemnified Person to give such notice will
not
reduce or relieve the Indemnifying Party of liability hereunder unless and
to
the extent that the Indemnifying Party was precluded from defending such claim,
action, suit or proceeding as a result of the failure of the Indemnified Person
to give such notice. In any event, the failure to so notify shall not relieve
the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have to the Indemnifying
Person otherwise than under this Article XVI.
(b) Conduct
of Proceedings.
Each
Party and each other indemnitee shall have the right, but not the obligation,
to
contest, defend and litigate any claim, action, suit or proceeding by any third
party alleged or asserted against it arising out of any matter in respect of
which it is entitled to be indemnified hereunder and the reasonable costs and
expenses thereof (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expert witness fees)
shall be subject to the said indemnity. The Indemnified Person shall provide
reasonable assistance to the Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s
expense, in connection with such claim, action, suit or proceeding. Upon such
assumption, the Indemnifying Party shall reimburse the Indemnified Person for
the reasonable costs and expenses previously incurred by it prior to the
assumption of such defense by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party
shall keep the Indemnified Person informed as to the status and progress of
such
claim, action, suit or proceeding. The Indemnifying Party will not be liable
to
the Indemnified Person under this Article for any legal fees or expenses
subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with such defense.
16.4 Contributory
Negligence.
If
the
joint, concurring, comparative or contributory fault, negligence or willful
misconduct of the Parties gives rise to Damages for which the Parties are
entitled to indemnification under this Article, then such Damages shall be
allocated between the Parties in proportion to their respective degrees of
fault, negligence or willful misconduct contributing to such
Damages.
16.5 Remedies
Not Exclusive.
The
rights of indemnity shall not be exclusive with respect to any other right
or
remedy provided for in the Contract Documents.
16.6 Tax
Effect of Indemnification.
Notwithstanding
any term or provision of the Contract Documents to the contrary, any indemnity
payments owed by a Party shall be reduced by any tax benefits to the Indemnified
Person and increased by any tax detriments to the Indemnified Person resulting
from such indemnity payment.
16.7 Survival
of Indemnification.
The
indemnification provisions of this Article shall survive the Final Acceptance
Date and the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
XVII.
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION
17.1 Friendly
Consultation.
In
the
event of any dispute, controversy or claim between the Parties arising out
of or
relating to the Contract Documents, or the breach, termination or invalidity
thereof (collectively, a “Dispute”), the Parties shall attempt in the first
instance to resolve such Dispute through friendly consultations between the
Parties. If such consultations do not result in a resolution of the Dispute
within thirty (30) days, then either Party may pursue all of its remedies
available pursuant to the Contract Documents. The Parties agree to attempt
to
resolve all Disputes arising hereunder promptly, equitably and in a good faith
manner. The Parties further agree to provide each other with reasonable access
during normal business hours to any and all non-privileged records, information
and data pertaining to such Dispute.
17.2 Litigation.
(a) If
a
Dispute cannot be resolved pursuant to Section 17.1,
and in
the event of litigation arising hereunder, the Parties agree that the venue
for
such litigation shall be Oregon State Superior Court of Multnomah
County.
The
Parties irrevocably waive any objection which any of them may now or hereafter
have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such respective
jurisdictions, including any objection to the laying of venue based on the
grounds of forum
non conveniens
and any
objection based on the grounds of lack of in personam
jurisdiction.
(b) Interest
at the Reference Rate from the date of the judgment award until the date of
payment shall be due and payable to the prevailing Party on the date of receipt
of such award; provided, however, if it is determined that the Party ordered
to
pay such amounts withheld the amounts in bad faith, interest shall accrue from
the date the amount in dispute was first due until the date of
payment.
(c) The
rights and obligations of the Parties under this Article XVII
shall
not be impaired, reduced or otherwise affected as a result of any of the
following: (i) the receipt by a Party from any third party of any amounts
in reimbursement of Damages that are the subject of the Dispute; or
(ii) the assignment or transfer by either Party of any or all of its rights
and/or obligations under the Contract Documents as permitted
hereunder.
17.3 Continuing
Obligations and Rights.
When
any
Dispute occurs and is the subject of friendly consultations or litigation,
Contractor shall continue the Work in accordance with the Project Schedule
and
the terms hereof and Owner shall continue to make payments of undisputed amounts
in accordance with the Contract Documents, and the Parties shall otherwise
continue to exercise their rights, and fulfill their respective obligations,
under the Contract Documents.
17.4 Tolling
Statute of Limitations.
All
applicable statutes of limitation and defenses based upon the passage of time
and similar contractual limitations shall be tolled while the procedures
specified in this Article XVII are pending. The Parties will take such
action, if any, required to effectuate such tolling. Without prejudice to the
procedures specified in this Article XVII, a Party may file a complaint for
statute of limitations purposes, if in its sole judgment such action may be
necessary to preserve its claims or defenses. Despite such action, the Parties
will continue to participate in good faith in the procedures specified in this
Article XVII.
17.5 Audit
Rights.
In
the
event of a claim by Owner under this Agreement involving an amount greater
than
$500,000, Contractor shall grant audit rights to Owner with respect to all
relevant documentation pertaining to such claim.
17.6 Costs.
The
prevailing Party in any action or proceeding shall be entitled to recover from
the other Party all of its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection
with such action or proceeding, including actual attorneys’
fees.
ARTICLE
XVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
18.1 Assignment.
(a) Except
as
expressly permitted in the Contract Documents, neither Party shall assign this
Agreement, the Contract Documents or any portion hereof, or any of the rights
or
obligations hereunder, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the
prior written consent of the other Party. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of the
Parties.
(b) Owner
shall be entitled to assign this Agreement, the Contract Documents and its
rights herein without the consent of Contractor to any of Owner’s Affiliates
that has a direct or indirect interest in the Project. In addition, Contractor
hereby consents to the granting of a security interest in and an assignment
by
Owner of the Contract Documents and its rights herein to the Financing Parties
and their successors, assigns and designees in connection with any financing
or
refinancing related to the development, construction, operation and maintenance
of the Project. In furtherance of the foregoing, Contractor acknowledges that
the Financing Parties may under certain circumstances assume the interests
and
rights of Owner under the Contract Documents.
18.2 Good
Faith Dealings.
The
Parties undertake to act fairly and in good faith in relation to the performance
and implementation of the Contract Documents and to take such other reasonable
measures as may be necessary for the realization of its purposes and
objectives.
18.3 Confidentiality.
(a) Each
Party agrees that the contents of the Contract Documents and any information
relating to the negotiations or performance of the Contract Documents, any
information provided pursuant to the Contract Documents relating to the Project,
Plant, Owner, Contractor or their Affiliates which is designated or specifically
marked as confidential (the “Confidential
Information”)
shall
be treated as confidential and secret and that each Party, without the prior
written consent of the disclosing Party, shall not disclose Confidential
Information to any Person, except as permitted herein.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Section shall not prevent either Party from disclosing
any
Confidential Information, including the contents of the Contract Documents,
if
and to the extent: (i) required to do so by Applicable Law or any
Government Authority, provided that the Party required to disclose such
information shall give prior notice to the other of such required disclosure
and, if so requested by the other Party, shall use all reasonable efforts to
oppose the requested disclosure as appropriate under the circumstances;
(ii) disclosed to the Affiliates, Subcontractors, Vendors, Financing
Parties, rating agencies, employees, directors, officers, agents, advisors
or
representatives as necessary; provided that such Persons are informed of the
confidential nature of the Confidential Information, and the Party disclosing
such information shall be liable to the other for any disclosure by such Persons
in violation of the terms of this Section; (iii) such information was
already in the public domain prior to disclosure by the disclosing Party to
the
other, or which after disclosure entered the public domain other than by a
breach of the Contract Documents by the other Party or its Affiliates,
Subcontractors, Vendors, employees, directors, officers, agents, advisers or
representatives; (iv) such information was known to the recipient prior to
the date of receipt of any of the Contract Documents and not obtained or derived
under or in connection with the Contract Documents; or (v) such information
was obtained by the recipient from a third party in lawful possession of such
information which is not under a confidentiality obligation to the Party from
whom such information originated.
(c) It
is
agreed that each Party shall be entitled to relief both at law and in equity,
including, but not limited to injunctive relief and specific performance, in
the
event of any breach or anticipated breach of this Section, without proof of
any
actual or special damages.
(d) In
addition, Contractor acknowledges and agrees that it is subject to the
confidentiality provisions set forth in the Assigned Agreements, if
any.
(e) All
right
and title to, and interest in, Owner’s Confidential Information shall remain
with Owner. All Confidential Information obtained, developed or created by
or
for Contractor exclusively for the Project, including copies thereof, is the
exclusive property of Owner whether delivered to Owner or not. No right or
license is granted to Contractor or any third party respecting the use of
Confidential Information by virtue of this Agreement, except to the extent
required for Contractor’s performance of its obligations hereunder. Contractor
shall deliver the Confidential Information, including all copies thereof, to
Owner upon request.
(f) Contractor
shall coordinate with Owner with respect to, and provide advance copies to
Owner
for review of, the text of any proposed announcement or publication that include
any non-public information concerning the Work prior to the dissemination
thereof to the public or to any Person other than Subcontractors, Vendors,
the
Financing Parties or advisors of Contractor, in each case, who agree to keep
such information confidential. If Owner delivers written notice to Contractor
rejecting any such proposed announcement or publication within two (2) Business
Days after receiving such advance copies, Contractor shall not make such public
announcement or publication; provided, however, that Contractor may disseminate
or release such information in response to requirements of Government
Authorities.
18.4 Notice.
Whenever
a provision of the Contract Documents requires or permits any consent, approval,
notice, request, or demand from one Party to another, the consent approval,
notice, request, or demand must be in writing to be effective and shall be
deemed to be delivered and received (a) if personally delivered or if
delivered by telegram or courier service, when actually received by the Party
to
whom notice is sent, (b) if delivered by telex or facsimile, on the first
business day following the day transmitted (with confirmation of receipt),
or
(c) if delivered by mail (whether actually received or not), at the close
of business on the third Business Day following the day when placed in the
mail,
postage prepaid, certified or registered, addressed to the appropriate Party,
at
the address and/or facsimile numbers of such Party set forth below (or at such
other address as such Party may designate by written notice to the other Party
in accordance with this Section):
If
to
Contractor:
George
Norton
Parsons
RCIE Inc.
1216
- 140th Avenue Court East
Sumner,
WA 98390
[Phone]
253-863-5200
[Fax] (253)
859-5702
with
a
copy to:
John
C. Dippold
CARNEY
BADLEY SPELLMAN, P.S.
701
Fifth Avenue, Suite 3600
Seattle,
WA 98104-7010
[Phone]
206-622-8020
[Fax]
206-467-8214
If
to
Owner:
Chief
Operating Officer and General Counsel
5711
North West Avenue
Fresno,
CA 93711
[Phone]
559-435-1771
[Fax]559-435-1478
Any
Party
may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail number for the purposes
of
this Agreement by giving notice thereof to the other Party in the manner
provided herein.
18.5 Waiver.
No
delay,
failure or refusal on the part of any Party to exercise or enforce any right
under the Contract Documents shall impair such right or be construed as a waiver
of such right or any obligation of another Party, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude other or further exercise
of
any right. The failure of a Party to give notice to the other Parties of a
breach of the Contract Documents shall not constitute a waiver thereof. Any
waiver of any obligation or right hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of
any
other obligation or right, then existing or arising in the future. Each Party
shall have the right to waive any of the terms and conditions of the Contract
Documents that are for its benefit. To be effective, a waiver of any obligation
or right must be in writing and signed by the Party waiving such obligation
or
right.
18.6 Severability.
If
any
provision of the Contract Documents is held to be illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully
severable; the Contract Documents shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of the
Contract Documents; and the remaining provisions of the Contract Documents
shall
remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal,
invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from the Contract
Documents. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of the Contract
Documents a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and
enforceable.
18.7 Governing
Law.
The
Contract Documents, and the rights and obligations of the Parties under or
pursuant to the Contract Documents, shall be interpreted and construed according
to the substantive laws of the State of Oregon.
18.8 Entire
Agreement; Amendments.
The
Contract Documents contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements,
discussions and undertakings between the Parties (whether written or oral)
with
respect to the subject matter hereof. The Contract Documents may only be amended
by written instrument signed by all the Parties.
18.9 Expenses
and Further Assurances.
Each
Party shall pay its own costs and expenses in relation to the negotiation,
preparation, execution and carrying into effect of the Contract Documents.
18.10 No
Third Party Beneficiary.
Nothing
in the Contract Documents nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed
to
create any duty, liability or standard of care to any Person that is not a
Party. No person that is not a Party shall have any rights or interest, direct
or indirect, in the Contract Documents or the services to be provided hereunder.
The Contract Documents are intended solely for the benefit of the Parties,
and
the Parties expressly disclaim any intent to create any rights in any third
party as a third-party beneficiary to the Contract Documents or the services
to
be provided hereunder.
18.11 Offset.
Notwithstanding
any other provision hereof, any and all amounts owing or to be paid by Owner
to
Contractor hereunder or otherwise, shall be subject to offset and reduction
in
an amount equal to any amounts that may be owing at any time by Contractor
to
Owner. Further, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any provision of
this Agreement that allows Owner to offset or set-off any amount then owed
to
Contractor, Owner shall have the express right to include in the amount offset
or set-off all of the reasonable costs and expenses it incurs in connection
with
enforcing such provision.
18.12 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument.
18.13 Waiver
for Consequential Damages.
Except
for Liquidated Damages, and damages payable by Contractor to Owner pursuant
to
Section 15.2(d), and notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the
contrary, Contractor and Owner waive claims against each other for any indirect,
special or consequential damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
This mutual waiver includes:
(a) Damages
incurred by Owner for rental expenses, for losses of use, income, profit,
financing, business and reputation, and for loss of management or employee
productivity, or the services of such persons;
(b) Damages
incurred by Contractor for principal office expenses, including the compensation
of personnel stationed there, for loss of financing, business and reputation,
and for loss of profit except anticipated profit arising directly from the
work;
and
(c) This
mutual waiver is not applicable, to all consequential damages due to either
Party’s termination in accordance with Article XV.
18.14 Limits
of Liability.
(a) Contractor’s
maximum liability from any cause whatsoever arising out of the Contract
Documents shall not exceed the Contract Price (as the same may increase from
time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), however, such
limitation of liability shall not apply to: (i) Contractor’s
indemnification obligations under the Contract Documents; and (ii) any
loss or damage arising out of any tort (including negligence and strict
liability) or connected with Contractor’s fraud, willful misconduct or illegal
or unlawful acts.
(b) Contractor
makes no representations, covenants, warranties, express or implied, other
than
those expressly set forth herein. The Party’s rights, liabilities,
responsibilities and remedies with respect to the Work shall be exclusively
those expressly set forth in the Contract Documents.
(c) Owner’s
maximum liability from any cause whatsoever arising out of the Contract
Documents shall not exceed the Contract Price (as the same may increase from
time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), however, such
limitation of liability shall not apply to: (i) Owner’s indemnification
obligations under the Contract Documents; and (ii) any loss or damage
arising out of any tort (including negligence and strict liability) or connected
with Owner’s fraud, willful misconduct or illegal or unlawful acts.
18.15 Time
is of the Essence.
Contractor
acknowledges that timely achievement by Contractor of Mechanical Completion,
by
the applicable scheduled date therefore is essential to Owner, and therefore
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE in performing all of Contractor’s obligations set forth
herein.
18.16 Records
Retention.
Contractor
agrees to retain for a period of three (3) years from the Final Acceptance
Date
all records relating to its performance of the Work or Contractor’s warranty
obligations herein, and to cause all Subcontractors and Vendors engaged in
connection with the Work or the performance by Contractor of its warranty
obligations herein to retain for the same period all their records relating
to
the Work.
18.17 Successors
and Assigns.
Subject
to Section 18.1, this Agreement shall be binding on the Parties hereto and
on
their respective successors and assigns.
18.18 Financing
Parties’ Requirements.
Contractor
acknowledges that Owner or an Affiliate thereof may borrow certain funds from
the Financing Parties for the construction of the Plant and that, as a condition
to making loans to Owner or such Affiliate, the Financing Parties may from
time
to time require certain documents from, and agreements by, Contractor and its
Subcontractors and Vendors. In connection therewith, Contractor agrees to
furnish to the Financing Parties, and to cause its Subcontractors and Vendors
to
furnish to the Financing Parties, such written information, certificates, copies
of invoices and receipts, lien waivers (upon payment), affidavits, consents
to
assignment of the Contract Documents and other like documents as the Financing
Parties may reasonably request.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK;
SIGNATURES
APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE.]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the
Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
|
Pacific
Ethanol Columbia, LLC |
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Terrance Kulesa |
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Terrance
Kulesa |
|
Title:
|
VP
Operations |
|
Date:
|
8-23-06 |
|
Parsons
RCIE, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
George Norton |
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
George
Norton |
|
Title:
|
Sr.
Vice President |
|
Date: |
8/22/2006 |
-59-