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OPCMR CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THIS AGREEMENT is made this 22nd _dayof___ July , 2022_, in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, by and between the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, through the Department of Property and Procurement, on behalf of the OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR (hereinafter referred to as the "Government") and MARISE JAMES, Esq. (hereinafter referred to as "Contractor"). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Government is in need of the services of a Contractor to provide consulting and advisory legal services to the Office of Legal Counsel of the Office of the Governor, which duties and responsibilities are more particularly described in Addendum I (Scope of Services) attached hereto; and WHEREAS, the Contractor was selected in accordance with 31 V.I.C. § 239(a)(8) for Contractor’s unique capabilities and skills for legal analysis, drafting of agreements and legislation, and legal research and political knowledge; and WHEREAS, the Contractor represents that Contractor is willing and capable of providing such services; and NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound by this written instrument, the parties hereto do covenant and agree as follows: 1. SERVICES The Contractor will provide the services described in Addendum I (Scope of Services) attached hereto and made a part of this contract. 2. TERM Upon execution of this Contract by the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement the Contract shall be effective for a Term commencing on January 1, 2022 and terminating on December 31, 2022. The Government in its sole discretion shall have the option to renew this Contract on the same terms noted herein on thirty (30) days prior written notice. 3. COMPENSATION The Government, in consideration of the satisfactory performance of the services described in Addendum I (Scope of Services), agrees to pay Contractor a sum not to exceed SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($75,000.00) in accordance with the provisions set forth in Addendum II (Compensation) attached hereto and made a part of this Contract. ] Contractor’s Initials: dg Contract No. P136O0OGT22 OPCMR 4. TRAVEL EXPENSES NOT APPLICABLE. 5. RECORDS The Contractor, when applicable, will present precise documentation of time and/or money expended under this Contract. 6. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS The Contractor agrees to maintain the professional standards applicable to Contractor’s profession and to consultants doing business in the United States Virgin Islands. The Contractor affirms that Contractor is duly admitted and in good standing as a Member of the Virgin Islands Bar and is duly licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands. The Contractor further affirms that she will abide by all applicable rules of professional responsibility, including all applicable provisions of confidentiality, during the term of this Contract. Contractor shall provide a Certificate of Good Standing to practice law in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 7. DOCUMENTS, PRINTOUTS, ETC. All documents, books, records, instructional materials, programs, printouts, and memoranda of every description derived therefrom and pertaining to this Contract shall become the property of the Government and shall be turned over to it at the termination of this Contract. The above- described materials shall not be used by Contractor or by any other person or entity except upon the written permission of the Government. 8. LIABILITY OF OTHERS Nothing in this Contract shall be construed to impose any liability upon the Government to persons, firms, associations, or corporations engaged by Contractor as servants, agents, or independent contractors, or in any other capacity whatsoever, or make the Government liable to any such persons, firms, associations, or corporations for the acts, omissions, liabilities, obligations and taxes of Contractor of whatsoever nature, including but not limited to unemployment insurance, gross receipt, excise, and social security taxes for Contractor, its servants, agents or independent contractors. 2 Contractor’s Initials: Mp. Contract No. P136Q0OGT22 OPCMR 9. ASSIGNMENT As the services to be rendered are based on the personal competence of the Contractor and are part of the inducement for this Contract, the Contractor shall not subcontract or assign any part of the services under this Contract without the prior written consent of the Government. 10. INDEMNIFICATION Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Government from and against any and all loss, damage, liability, claims, demands, detriments, costs, charges and expenses (including attorney’s fees) and causes of action of whatsoever character which the Government may incur, sustain or be subjected to, arising out of or in any way connected to the services to be performed by Contractor under this Contract and arising from any cause, except the sole negligence of the Government. 11. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR The Contractor shall perform this Contract as an independent contractor and nothing herein contained shall be construed to be inconsistent with this relationship or status. 12. GOVERNING LAW This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the United States Virgin Islands and jurisdiction shall remain in the United States Virgin Islands. 13. WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS No waiver, modification or amendment of any term, condition, or provision of this Contract shall be valid or of any force or effect unless made in writing, signed by the parties hereto or their duly authorized representatives, and specifying with particularity the nature and extent of such waiver, modification or amendment. Any such waiver, modification or amendment in any instance or instances shall in no event be construed to be a general waiver, modification or amendment of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Contract, but the same shall be strictly limited and restricted to the extent and occasion specified in such signed writing or writings. 14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter addressed in this Agreement. This agreement supersedes all prior communications, contracts, or agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter addressed in this agreement, whether written or oral. 3 Contractor’s Initials: i. Contract No. P136QOGT22 OPCMR 15. RIGHT TO WITHHOLD If work under this Contract is not performed in accordance with the terms hereof, the Government will have the right to withhold out of any payment due to Contractor, such sums as the Government may deem ample to protect it against loss or to assure payment of claims arising therefrom, and, at its option, the Government may apply such sums in such manner as the Government may deem proper to secure itself or to satisfy such claims. The Government will immediately notify the Contractor in writing in the event that it elects to exercise its right to withhold. No such withholding or application shall be made by the Government if and while Contractor gives satisfactory assurance to the Government that such claims will be paid by Contractor or its insurance carrier, if applicable in the event that such contest is not successful. 16. CONDITION PRECEDENT This Contract shall be subject to the availability and appropriation of funds and to the approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement. 17. TERMINATION Either party will have the right to terminate this Contract, with or without cause, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party specifying the date of termination. 18. PARTIAL TERMINATION The performance of work under this Contract may be terminated by the Government, in part, whenever the Government shall deem such termination advisable by providing ten (10) days written notice to the Contractor. This partial termination shall be effected by delivering to the Contractor a Notice of Partial Termination specifying the extent to which the term and/or duties under this Contract are terminated and the date upon which such termination becomes effective. The Contractor shall be entitled to receive payment for services provided to the date of termination, including payment for the period of the ten (10) day notice. 19. NON-DISCRIMINATION No person shall be excluded from participating in, be denied the proceeds of or be subject to discrimination in the performance of this Contract on account of race, creed, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. 4 Contractor’s Initials: tp Contract No. P1360O0GT22 20. CONFLICT OF INTEREST OPCMR (a) Contractor covenants that it has no interest and will not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of services required to be performed under this Contract. (b) Contractor further covenants that it is: (1) _ nota territorial officer or employee (i.e., the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, member of the Legislature, or any other elected territorial official; or an officer or employee of the legislative, executive or judicial branch of the Government or any agency, board, commission or independent instrumentality of the Government, whether compensated on a salary, fee or contractual basis); nor (2) aterritorial officer or employee and, as such, has: (i) familiarized itself with the provisions of Title 3, Chapter 37 of the Virgin Islands Code, pertaining to conflicts of interest, including the penalties provision set forth in section 1108 thereof; (ii) | not made, negotiated or influenced this Contract, in its official capacity; and (iii) no financial interest in this Contract as that term is defined in section 1101(1) of said Code chapter. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE The effective date of this Contract shall be the day of execution of the Contract by the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement and as further provided in Section 2 above. 22. NOTICE Any notice required to be given by the Terms of this Contract shall be deemed to have been given when the same is sent by certified mail, postage prepaid or personally delivered, addressed to the parties as follows: Contract No. P13600GT22 GOVERNMENT Anthony D. Thomas Commissioner Department of Property and Procurement 8201 Sub Base, Suite 4 St. Thomas Virgin Islands 00802 Karl Knight Chief of Staff Office of the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands 5047 (21-22) Kongens Gade St. Thomas Virgin Islands 00802 5 Contractor’s Initials: Ay OPCMR CONTRACTOR Marise James, Esq. P.O. Box 546 Christiansted, VI 00821 23. LICENSURE The Contractor covenants that it has: (a) obtained all of the applicable licenses or permits, permanent, temporary or otherwise as required by Title 27 of the Virgin Islands Code and the Rules of the V.I. Supreme Court; and (b) familiarized itself with the applicable provisions of Title 27 of the Virgin Islands Code pertaining to professions and occupations and the Rules of the V.I. Supreme Court. 24. OTHER PROVISIONS Addenda I and II attached hereto are a part of this Contract and are incorporated herein by reference. 25. FALSE CLAIMS Contractor warrants that it shall not, with respect to this Contract, make or present any claim upon or against the Government of the Virgin Islands, or any officer department, board, commission, or other agency thereof, knowing such claims to be false, fictitious or fraudulent. Contractor acknowledges that making such a false, fictitious or fraudulent claim is an offence under Virgin Islands law. 26. INSURANCE WAIVED. Contractor’s Initials: Contract No. P136QOOGT22 Assistant Attorney General 7/21/2022 7/22/2022 P136OOGT22