Loading...
RFP - 2021-01 - Professional Services for Administration of HOME/CDBG Programs to the Community Development Department CITY OF ROSEMEAD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2021-01 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF HOME/CDBG PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBMITTALS: Three (3) bound copies and one (1) electronic PDF file on flash drive of the proposal in sealed envelope(s) must be received by the City of Rosemead’s City Clerk’s Office by no later than February 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. CONTACT PERSON: Angelica Frausto-Lupo, Community Development Director City of Rosemead 8838 E. Valley Boulevard Rosemead, California 91770 (626) 569-2169 afrausto-lupo@cityofrosemead.org PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER THE TIME AND DATE STATED ABOVE SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED. FACSIMILE AND E-MAIL PROPOSAL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. INQUIRIES: Direct questions for clarification on Request for Proposal documents to Angelica Frausto-Lupo, Community Development Director at afrausto-lupo@cityofrosemead.org or (626) 569-2169. MODIFICATIONS: Any modification of this Request for Proposal will be provided to consultants who request notification of any modifications. ISSUANCE DATE: February 4, 2021 INTRODUCTION Through this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) and evaluation process, the City of Rosemead is seeking qualified consultant(s) to provide professional services associated with the administration and implementation of the City’s Federal Grant Programs. Rosemead, as an Entitlement City, is an annual recipient of Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”). For Fiscal Year 2020-2021, the City received approximately $754,104 in CDBG and $356,613 in HOME funds to implement the following activities and programs: Home Improvement Grant, Owner Occupied Loan Program, Production of Affordable Housing, and various public service programs. Additionally, the City received $443,682 in CDVG-CV funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19). BACKGROUND The City of Rosemead is a suburb located in the San Gabriel Valley, 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is bounded on the north by the cities of Temple City and San Gabriel, on the west by Monterey Park, Alhambra, and the unincorporated Los Angeles County community of South San Gabriel, on the south, plus by El Monte and South El Monte on the east. The City is 5.5 square miles (2,344-acres) in size. Rosemead is a diverse city with a population of approximately 54,058 people. Of the residents in Rosemead, 60.6% identify as Asian; 34.5% identify as Hispanic or Latino; 14.4% as white non-Hispanic; 0.5% as American Indian and Alaskan Native; and 0.2% as Black or African American. Approximately half of the city’s housing units are occupied by renters (50.49%) and half are occupied by owners (49.51%). The median household income in Rosemead is 23% lower than in the County overall and 30% lower than the State. Rosemead’s population size has remained consistent in comparison to the broader region, increasing by only approximately 1,110 people from 2000 to 2017.1 THE ORGANIZATION Rosemead operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The City Council is elected at large to four years, overlapping terms. The Mayor is elected by a majority vote of the City Council and rotates each year. The City Manager is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the City Council. The C D B G a n d H O M E p r o g r a m s a r e under direction of the Community Development Director. The Community Development Department consists of Building & Safety, Economic Development, Housing and Planning. The selected consultant is expected to provide expert knowledge and administer and implement the City’s Federal Grant Programs. OBJECTIVE It is the objective of this RFP to solicit proposals from qualified and interested consultants to provide professional services associated with the administration and implementation of the City’s Federal Grant Programs (CDBG and HOME funds). The length of the professional service agreement and the level of service shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of the City. SCOPE OF SERVICE Project tasks include, but are not limited to: 1 US. Census Bureau, American Community Survey: 2000, 2013-2017 ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2019 1) Under general direction from the Director of Community Development, the selected consultant will be responsible for assisting in the timely preparation and processing through HUD of all the documents related to the CDBG and HOME Programs including loan and grant applications, plans, monitoring, programmatic and fiscal reports. 2) The selected consultant shall be responsible for assisting in data gathering and analysis; public outreach and hearings; evaluating the design and implementation of all grant- supported programs and activities; preparing pertinent policy recommendations, and implementing programmatic activities as needed. STAFF CONTACT Questions concerning this RFP may be directed to: Angelica Frausto-Lupo, Director of Community Development City of Rosemead 8838 E. Valley Blvd. Rosemead, CA 91770 Phone Number: (626) 569-2169 Afrausto-lupo@cityofrosemead.org LENGTH OF CONTRACT The contract for CDBG and HOME administration services will be for a three-year period with the option for up to two (2) one-year extensions at the sole and absolute discretion of the City. CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY Upon awarding of the contract, the City shall provide the selected consultant with any pertinent ordinances and resolutions or any other information mutually agreed upon that will assist the consultant with the completion of the contract requirements. PROPOSAL CONTENT/FORMAT The consultant shall submit a comprehensive proposal, as follows: 1. Cover letter. 2. Name and address of consultant (please include address of local office if applicable). 3. The principle contact person that the consultant will assign to the Rosemead account. 4. A description of your understanding of the project. 5. An outline showing tasks and time frames to ensure completion and submittal of the document prior to the Federal deadline (Action Plan, Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report, and Assessment of Fair Housing). 6. Experience and qualifications of the consultant and management team, including a description of relevant similar projects. The City reserves the right to reject any of the firm’s consultants or management team. After the proposal deadline, substitution of consultants and management team may only be made with the permission of the City. 7. A reference list of at least three (3) other public agencies, including contact person’s name and phone number, who the consultant currently provides HUD services to. 8. A list of any pending or previous litigation over the past five years related to your firm’s work, and the outcome of any closed claims or cases. 9. Total project costs to the City, including a breakdown of costs by task and hourly rates. The consultant acknowledges that submittal of a proposal constitutes acceptance of and a willingness to comply with all of the terms, conditions and criteria contained within this RFP. Proposals not in compliance with the terms and conditions contained herein may be cause for rejection. The City reserves the right to interpret or change any provision of this RFP at any time prior to the proposal submission due date. Such changes or interpretations will be in the form of an addendum. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND CRITERIA Proposals will be evaluated on the proposer’s ability to provide services that meet the requirements set forth in this RPF. The City reserves the right to make such investigations as it deems necessary to determine the ability of the proposer to provide services meeting a satisfactory level of performance in accordance with the City’s requirements. The proposer shall furnish such information and data for this purpose as the City may request, at no cost to the City. Interviews and presentations by one, several, or all of the proposers submitting a proposal may be requested if deemed necessary to fully understand and evaluate the proposer’s capabilities and qualifications. The adequacy, depth, and clarity of the proposal will influence, to a considerable degree, its evaluation. The final selection of the consultants will be based on the following criteria: 1. Understanding the scope of work. 2. Quality of proposal. 3. Ability of the consultant to provide the full range of requested services. 4. Demonstrated professional skills and credentials of staff to be assigned to this agreement. 5. Related experience of firm. 6. Consultant’s ability to execute the contract in a timely manner. 7. References. 8. Cost as compared to related service requirements (lowest cost will not be the sole determining factor). The award of a contract will be based on a combination of the aforementioned criteria and costs. DISCRETION AND LIABILITY WAIVER 1. Proposers shall carefully read the information contained in this RFP and submit a complete response to all requirements and questions as directed. Incomplete proposals may be considered non-responsive and may be rejected in the City’s discretion. 2. All information, documentation, and other materials submitted in response to this solicitation are considered non-confidential and/or non-proprietary and are subject to public disclosure after the solicitation is completed. 3. Proposers shall prepare and develop proposals at their sole cost and expense. 4. The City makes no representations of any kind that an award of a contract will be made as a result of this RFP, or subsequent RFP. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, waive any formalities or minor technical inconsistencies, and/or delete any item/requirements from this RFP when deemed to be in City’s best interest. 5. Failure to comply with all requirements contained in this RFP may result in the rejection of a proposal. 6. A proposal may be modified or withdrawn in person at any time before the scheduled due date, provided a receipt for the withdrawn proposal signed by the proposer’s authorized representative. The City reserves the right to request proof of authorization to withdraw a proposal. 7. The City may evaluate the proposals based on the anticipated completion of all or any portion of the project. The City reserves the right to divide the project into multiple parts, to reject any and all proposals and re-solicit for new proposals, or to reject any and all proposals and temporarily or permanently abandon the project. 8. The City may, in the evaluation of proposals, request clarification from proposers regarding their proposals, obtain additional material or literature, and pursue other avenues of research as necessary to ensure that a thorough evaluation is conducted. 9. By submitting a proposal in response to this RFP, the consultant accepts the evaluation process, acknowledges and accepts that determination will require subjective judgments by the City, and waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFP. 10. The City of Rosemead expects the highest level of ethical conduct from proposers, including adherence to all applicable laws and local ordinances regarding ethical behavior. 11. If an agreement cannot be reached with the highest ranked proposer, City reserves the right to terminate negotiations with that party and enter into negotiations with the next highest ranked proposer. 12. Finalists in the selection process may be asked to attend an interview once the RFP process is complete. 13. Acceptance of any proposal is contingent upon the proposer’s certification and agreement by submittal of its offer, to comply and act in accordance with all provisions of the City’s Municipal Code. All proposals submitted shall be binding for 90 days from the date of submittal. DRAFT AGREEMENT Included with this RFP as “Attachment A” is a draft of the Professional Services Agreement that will be utilized for this contract. Please pay particular attention to the insurance requirements specified in the draft agreement. It should be noted that this Agreement is subject to change and revision pursuant to review by the City Attorney. The proposal process, contract negotiations and execution, and subsequent actions will be conducted by the City in accordance with applicable law. Consultants should carefully review this document, which constitutes the formal RFP, to ensure a clear understanding of the City’s needs and objectives and scope of work. DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSAL Deadline: Proposals must be received by the City of Rosemead City Clerk’s Office no later than February 25, 2021 at 10 a.m. SUBMITTALS: Three (3) bound copies and one (1) electronic PDF file on flash drive of the proposal in sealed envelope must be received by the City Clerk’s Office. CONTACT PERSON: ATTN: Angelica Frausto-Lupo, Community Development Director City of Rosemead 8838 E. Valley Boulevard Rosemead, California 91770 (626) 569-2169 afrausto-lupo@cityofrosemead.org “ATTACHMENT A” (DRAFT) CITY OF ROSEMEAD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN CITY OF ROSEMEAD AND CONSULTANT I. PARTIES AND DATE. This Agreement is made and entered into this day of , 2021 by and between the City of Rosemead, a municipal organization organized under the laws of the State of California with its principal place of business at 8838 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead, California 91770 (“City”) and Consultant (“Consultant”). City and Consultant are sometimes individually referred to herein as “Party” and collectively as “Parties.” II. RECITALS. Consultant. Consultant desires to perform and assume responsibility for the provision of certain professional services required by the City on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Consultant represents that it is experienced in providing professional services associated with the administration and implementation of the City’s Federal Grant Programs (CDBG and HOME funds). Project. City desires to utilize the services of Consultant as an independent contractor to provide housing administration and implementation services to the City’s Community Development Department (“Project”). III. TERMS. 3. Scope of Services and Term. General Scope of Services. Consultant promises and agrees to furnish to the City all labor, materials, tools, equipment, services, and incidental and customary work necessary to fully and adequately supply the professional consulting services necessary for the Project (“Services”). The Services are more particularly described in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. All Services shall be subject to, and performed in accordance with, this Agreement, the exhibits attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from DATE to DATE and may be extended for up to two (2) additional year(s) at the sole discretion of the City, unless earlier terminated as provided herein. Consultant shall complete the Services within the term of this Agreement, and shall meet any other established schedules and deadlines. 3.1 Responsibilities of Consultant. Control and Payment of Subordinates; Independent Contractor. The Services shall be performed by Consultant or under its supervision. Consultant will determine the means, methods and details of performing the Services subject to the requirements of this Agreement. City retains Consultant on an independent contractor basis and not as an employee. Consultant retains the right to perform similar or different services for others during the term of this Agreement. Any additional personnel performing the Services under this Agreement on behalf of Consultant shall also not be employees of City and shall at all times be under Consultant’s exclusive direction and control. Consultant shall pay all wages, salaries, and other amounts due such personnel in connection with their performance of Services under this Agreement and as required by law. Consultant shall be responsible for all reports and obligations respecting such additional personnel, including, but not limited to: social security taxes, income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. Schedule of Services. Consultant shall perform the Services expeditiously, within the term of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Schedule of Services set forth in Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Consultant represents that it has the professional and technical personnel required to perform the Services in conformance with such conditions. In order to facilitate Consultant’s conformance with the Schedule, City shall respond to Consultant’s submittals in a timely manner. Upon request of City, Consultant shall provide a more detailed schedule of anticipated performance to meet the Schedule of Services. Conformance to Applicable Requirements. All work prepared by Consultant shall be subject to the approval of City. Substitution of Key Personnel. Consultant has represented to City that certain key personnel will perform and coordinate the Services under this Agreement. Should one or more of such personnel become unavailable, Consultant may substitute other personnel of at least equal competence upon written approval of City. In the event that City and Consultant cannot agree as to the substitution of key personnel, City shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement for cause. As discussed below, any personnel who fail or refuse to perform the Services in a manner acceptable to the City, or who are determined by the City to be uncooperative, incompetent, a threat to the adequate or timely completion of the Project or a threat to the safety of persons or property, shall be promptly removed from the Project by the Consultant at the request of the City. City’s Representative. The City hereby designates the City Manager, or his or her designee, to act as its representative for the performance of this Agreement (“City’s Representative”). City’s Representative shall have the power to act on behalf of the City for all purposes under this Contract. Consultant shall not accept direction or orders from any person other than the City’s Representative or his or her designee. Consultant’s Representative. Consultant hereby designates Consultant Staff to act as its representative for the performance of this Agreement (“Consultant’s Representative”). Consultant’s Representative shall have full authority to represent and act on behalf of the Consultant for all purposes under this Agreement. The Consultant’s Representative shall supervise and direct the Services, using his/her best skill and attention, and shall be responsible for all means, methods, techniques, sequences and procedures and for the satisfactory coordination of all portions of the Services under this Agreement. Coordination of Services. Consultant agrees to work closely with City staff in the performance of Services and shall be available to City’s staff, consultants and other staff at all reasonable times. Standard of Care; Performance of Employees. Consultant shall perform all Services under this Agreement in a skillful and competent manner, consistent with the standards generally recognized as being employed by professionals in the same discipline in the State of California. Consultant represents and maintains that it is skilled in the professional calling necessary to perform the Services. Consultant warrants that all employees and subcontractors shall have sufficient skill and experience to perform the Services assigned to them. Finally, Consultant represents that it, its employees and subcontractors have all licenses, permits, qualifications and approvals of whatever nature that are legally required to perform the Services, including a City Business License and certification(s) and that such licenses, certifications and approvals shall be maintained throughout the term of this Agreement. As provided for in the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, Consultant shall perform, at its own cost and expense and without reimbursement from the City, any services necessary to correct errors or omissions which are caused by the Consultant’s failure to comply with the standard of care provided for herein. Any employee of the Consultant or its sub-consultants who is determined by the City to be uncooperative, incompetent, a threat to the adequate or timely completion of the Project, a threat to the safety of persons or property, or any employee who fails or refuses to perform the Services in a manner acceptable to the City, shall be promptly removed from the Project by the Consultant and shall not be re-employed to perform any of the Services or to work on the Project. Laws and Regulations. Consultant shall keep itself fully informed of and in compliance with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations in any manner affecting the performance of the Project or the Services, including all Cal/OSHA requirements, and shall give all notices required by law. Consultant shall be liable for all violations of such laws and regulations in connection with Services. If the Consultant performs any work knowing it to be contrary to such laws, rules and regulations and without giving written notice to the City, Consultant shall be solely responsible for all costs arising therefrom. Consultant shall defend, indemnify and hold City, its officials, directors, officers, employees and agents free and harmless, pursuant to the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, from any claim or liability arising out of any failure or alleged failure to comply with such laws, rules or regulations. 3.2 Insurance. 3.2.10.1 Time for Compliance. Consultant shall maintain prior to the beginning of and for the direction of this Agreement insurance coverage as specified in “Exhibit D” attached to and part of this agreement. 3.2.11 Safety. Contractor shall execute and maintain its work so as to avoid injury or damage to any person or property. In carrying out its Services, the Contractor shall at all times be in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and shall exercise all necessary precautions for the safety of employees appropriate to the nature of the work and the conditions under which the work is to be performed. Safety precautions as applicable shall include, but shall not be limited to: (A) adequate life protection and life-saving equipment and procedures; (B) instructions in accident prevention for all employees and subcontractors, such as safe walkways, scaffolds, fall protection ladders, bridges, gang planks, confined space procedures, trenching and shoring, equipment and other safety devices, equipment and wearing apparel as are necessary or lawfully required to prevent accidents or injuries; and (C) adequate facilities for the proper inspection and maintenance of all safety measures. 3.3 Fees and Payments. 3.3.1 Compensation. Total payment to Consultant shall not exceed Consultant’s Proposal which is hereby incorporated and found in Exhibit “B.” Extra Work may be authorized, as described below, and if authorized, will be compensated at the rates and manner set forth in this Agreement. 3.3.2 Payment of Compensation. City agrees to compensate Consultant for services under this Agreement in compliance with the schedule set forth in this Agreement. Payment will be made only after submission of proper monthly invoices in the form and manner specified by City. City shall endeavor to pay invoices bearing correct and authorized charges within 30-days of the date they are received; however, Consultant acknowledges and agrees that due to City warrant run procedures, the City cannot guarantee that payment will occur within this time period. City shall not be responsible to Consultant for any additional charges, interest or penalties due to a failure to pay within such period. 3.3.3 Reimbursement for Expenses. Consultant shall not be reimbursed for any expenses unless authorized in writing by City. 3.3.4 Extra Work. At any time during the term of this Agreement, City may request that Consultant perform Extra Work. As used herein, “Extra Work” means any work which is determined by City to be necessary for the proper completion of the Project, but which the parties did not reasonably anticipate would be necessary at the execution of this Agreement. Consultant shall not perform, nor be compensated for, Extra Work without written authorization from City’s Representative. 3.3.5 Prevailing Wages. Consultant is aware of the requirements of California Labor Code Section 1720, et seq., and 1770, et seq., as well as California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1600, et seq., (“Prevailing Wage Laws”), which require the payment of prevailing wage rates and the performance of other requirements on “public works” and “maintenance” projects. If the Services are being performed as part of an applicable “public works” or “maintenance” project, as defined by the Prevailing Wage Laws, and if the total compensation is $1,000 or more, Consultant agrees to fully comply with such Prevailing Wage Laws. City shall provide Consultant with a copy of the prevailing rates of per diem wages in effect at the commencement of this Agreement. Consultant shall make copies of the prevailing rates of per diem wages for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to execute the Services available to interested parties upon request, and shall post copies at the Consultant’s principal place of business and at the project site. Consultant shall defend, indemnify and hold the City, its elected officials, officers, employees and agents free and harmless from any claim or liability arising out of any failure or alleged failure to comply with the Prevailing Wage Laws. 3.4 Accounting Records. 3.4.1 Maintenance and Inspection. Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to all costs and expenses incurred under this Agreement. All such records shall be clearly identifiable. Consultant shall allow a representative of City during normal business hours to examine, audit, and make transcripts or copies of such records and any other documents created pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to the Agreement for a period of three (3) years from the date of final payment under this Agreement. 3.5 General Provisions. 3.5.1 Termination of Agreement. 3.5.1.1 Grounds for Termination. City may, by written notice to Consultant, terminate the whole or any part of this Agreement at any time and without cause by giving written notice to Consultant of such termination, and specifying the effective date thereof, at thirty (30) days before the effective date of such termination. Consultant may not terminate this Agreement except for cause. 3.5.1.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated as provided herein, City may require Consultant to provide all finished or unfinished Documents and Data and other information of any kind prepared by Consultant in connection with the performance of Services under this Agreement. Consultant shall be required to provide such document and other information within seven (7) calendar days of the request. 3.5.1.3 Additional Services. In the event this Agreement is terminated in whole or in part as provided herein, City may procure, upon such terms and in such manner as it may determine appropriate, services similar to those terminated. 3.5.2 Delivery of Notices. All notices permitted or required under this Agreement shall be given to the respective parties at the following address, or at such other address as the respective parties may provide in writing for this purpose: CONSULTANT: Consultant Info CITY: City of Rosemead P.O. Box 399 Rosemead, CA 91770 Attn: City Clerk’s Office Such notice shall be deemed made when personally delivered or when mailed, forty-eight (48) hours after deposit in the U.S. Mail, first class postage prepaid and addressed to the party at its applicable address. Actual notice shall be deemed adequate notice on the date actual notice occurred, regardless of the method of service. 3.5.3 Ownership of Materials and Confidentiality. 3.5.3.1 Documents & Data; Licensing of Intellectual Property. This Agreement creates a non- exclusive and perpetual license for City to copy, use, modify, reuse, or sublicense any and all copyrights, designs, and other intellectual property embodied in plans, specifications, studies, drawings, estimates, and other documents or works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, including but not limited to, physical drawings or data magnetically or otherwise recorded on computer diskettes, which are prepared or caused to be prepared by Consultant under this Agreement (“Documents & Data”). Consultant shall require all subcontractors to agree in writing that City is granted a non-exclusive and perpetual license for any Documents & Data the subcontractor prepares under this Agreement. Consultant represents and warrants that Consultant has the legal right to license any and all Documents & Data. Consultant makes no such representation and warranty in regard to Documents & Data which were prepared by design professionals other than Consultant or provided to Consultant by the City. City shall not be limited in any way in its use of the Documents and Data at any time, provided that any such use not within the purposes intended by this Agreement shall be at City’s sole risk. All reports, documents or other written material developed by Consultant in the performance of this Agreement shall be and remain the property of City without restriction or limitation upon its use or dissemination by City. Such material shall not be the subject of a copyright application by Consultant. 3.5.3.2 Confidentiality. All ideas, memoranda, specifications, plans, procedures, drawings, descriptions, computer program data, input record data, written information, and other Documents and Data either created by or provided to Consultant in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be held confidential by Consultant. Such materials shall not, without the prior written consent of City, be used by Consultant for any purposes other than the performance of the Services. Nor shall such materials be disclosed to any person or entity not connected with the performance of the Services or the Project. Nothing furnished to Consultant which is otherwise known to Consultant or is generally known, or has become known, to the related industry shall be deemed confidential. Consultant shall not use City’s name or insignia, photographs of the Project, or any publicity pertaining to the Services or the Project in any magazine, trade paper, newspaper, television or radio production or other similar medium without the prior written consent of City. 3.5.4 Cooperation; Further Acts. The Parties shall fully cooperate with one another, and shall take any additional acts or sign any additional documents as may be necessary, appropriate or convenient to attain the purposes of this Agreement. 3.5.5 Attorney’s Fees. If either party commences an action against the other party, either legal, administrative or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to have and recover from the losing party reasonable attorney’s fees and all other costs of such action. 3.5.6 Indemnification. Consultant shall defend, indemnify and hold the City, its officials, officers, employees, volunteers and agents free and harmless from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, liability, loss, damage or injury, in law or equity, to property or persons, including wrongful death, in any manner arising out of or incident to any alleged acts, omissions or willful misconduct of Consultant, its officials, officers, employees, agents, consultants and contractors arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Services, the Project or this Agreement, including without limitation the payment of all consequential damages and attorney’s fees and other related costs and expenses. Consultant shall defend, at Consultant’s own cost, expense and risk, any and all such aforesaid suits, actions or other legal proceedings of every kind that may be brought or instituted against City, its directors, officials, officers, employees, agents or volunteers. Consultant shall pay and satisfy any judgment, award or decree that may be rendered against City or its directors, officials, officers, employees, agents or volunteers, in any such suit, action or other legal proceeding. Consultant shall reimburse City and its directors, officials, officers, employees, agents and/or volunteers, for any and all legal expenses and costs incurred by each of them in connection therewith or in enforcing the indemnity herein provided. Consultant’s obligation to indemnify shall not be restricted to insurance proceeds, if any, received by the City, its directors, officials, officers, employees, agents or volunteers 3.5.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire Agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings or agreements. This Agreement may only be modified by a writing signed by both parties. 3.5.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Venue shall be in Los Angeles County. 3.5.9 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this Agreement. 3.5.10 City’s Right to Employ Other Consultants. City reserves right to employ other consultants in connection with this Project. 3.5.11 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding on the successors and assigns of the parties. 3.5.12 Assignment or Transfer. Consultant shall not assign, hypothecate, or transfer, either directly or by operation of law, this Agreement or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the City. Any attempt to do so shall be null and void, and any assignees, hypothecates or transferees shall acquire no right or interest by reason of such attempted assignment, hypothecation or transfer. 3.5.13 Construction; References; Captions. Since the Parties or their agents have participated fully in the preparation of this Agreement, the language of this Agreement shall be construed simply, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any Party. Any term referencing time, days or period for performance shall be deemed calendar days and not work days. All references to Consultant include all personnel, employees, agents, and subcontractors of Consultant, except as otherwise specified in this Agreement. All references to City include its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers except as otherwise specified in this Agreement. The captions of the various articles and paragraphs are for convenience and ease of reference only, and do not define, limit, augment, or describe the scope, content, or intent of this Agreement. 3.5.14 Amendment; Modification. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing and signed by both Parties. 3.5.15 Waiver. No waiver of any default shall constitute a waiver of any other default or breach, whether of the same or other covenant or condition. No waiver, benefit, privilege, or service voluntarily given or performed by a Party shall give the other Party any contractual rights by custom, estoppel, or otherwise. 3.5.16 No Third Party Beneficiaries. There are no intended third party beneficiaries of any right or obligation assumed by the Parties. 3.5.17 Invalidity; Severability. If any portion of this Agreement is declared invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. 3.5.18 Prohibited Interests. Consultant maintains and warrants that it has not employed nor retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, to solicit or secure this Agreement. Further, Consultant warrants that it has not paid nor has it agreed to pay any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or making of this Agreement. Consultant further agrees to file, or shall cause its employees or subconsultants to file, a Statement of Economic Interest with the City’s Filing Officer as required under state law in the performance of the Services. For breach or violation of this warranty, City shall have the right to rescind this Agreement without liability. For the term of this Agreement, no member, officer or employee of City, during the term of his or her service with City, shall have any direct interest in this Agreement, or obtain any present or anticipated material benefit arising therefrom. 3.5.19 Equal Opportunity Employment. Consultant represents that it is an equal opportunity employer and it shall not discriminate against any subcontractor, employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin, handicap, ancestry, sex or age. Such non- discrimination shall include, but not be limited to, all activities related to initial employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination. Consultant shall also comply with all relevant provisions of City’s Minority Business Enterprise program, Affirmative Action Plan or other related programs or guidelines currently in effect or hereinafter enacted. 3.5.20 Labor Certification. By its signature hereunder, Consultant certifies that it is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the California Labor Code which require every employer to be insured against liability for Worker’s Compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that Code, and agrees to comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the Services. 3.5.21 Authority to Enter Agreement. Consultant has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business and to execute, deliver, and perform the Agreement. Each Party warrants that the individuals who have signed this Agreement have the legal power, right, and authority to make this Agreement and bind each respective Party. 3.5.22 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original. 3.6 Subcontracting. 3.6.1 Prior Approval Required. Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the work required by this Agreement, except as expressly stated herein, without prior written approval of City. Subcontracts, if any, shall contain a provision making them subject to all provisions stipulated in this Agreement. [signatures on next page] CITY OF ROSEMEAD CONSULTANT By: By: Gloria Molleda, City Manager Name Title Attest: Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk Approved as to Form: Rachel Richman, City Attorney