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§ 10.17 Form: Emergency Backup Services AgreementAGREEMENT made as of _____, by and between Emergency
Backup Services Company ("Company"), a New Jersey corporation,
with its principal place of business at ______________________ and
User, a New York corporation, with its principal place of business at ________________.
WHEREAS, Company desires to provide emergency backup
facilities for funds transfer services to financial institutions in the New
York Metropolitan Area who wish to engage such service for a fee as
provided herein; and
WHEREAS, User is a financial institution in the New York
Metropolitan Area who wishes to protect itself in case of an
emergency by utilizing the Company Backup Facility for emergency
funds transfer services. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions
1.1 Backup Facility
"Backup Facility" shall refer to the computer equipment
configuration at the Company computer facility located at the
Company principal place of business as specified in Schedule "A."
1.2 Backup Facility Test
"Backup Facility Test" shall refer to the procedure undertaken by
the User to test the usability of the Backup Facility.
1.3 Backup Facility Usage
"Backup Facility Usage" shall refer to the period of time during
which User makes use of the Backup Facility.
1.4 User Computer Facility
"User Computer Facility" shall refer to the computer equipment
located at User's computer facility dedicated to paying and receiving
as set forth in Schedule "B."
1.5 Disaster
"Disaster" shall refer to an unplanned interruption of the operation
of, or the inaccessibility to the User Computer Facility which prevents
the User from performing its paying and receiving operations. Any
interruption of the User Computer Facility resulting from peripheral
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upgrades, maintenance, a peripheral device malfunction, or the
utilization of the User Computer Facility for other than paying and
receiving shall not be deemed a Disaster.1.6 Transfer Software
"Transfer Software" shall refer to the standard, unmodified, current
version of the paying and receiving computer software utilized by the
User.
1.7 Multiple Disasters
"Multiple Disasters" shall refer to simultaneous Disasters being
experienced by more than one Subscription Holder.
1.8 Retainer Fee
"Retainer Fee" shall refer to the monthly charge imposed by
Company and payable by User as set forth in Schedule "C."
1.9 Sources Provided
"Sources Provided" shall refer to banking funds transfer software
that the User elects to use from the Backup Facility as set forth in
Schedule "B."
1.10 Subscription Holder
"Subscription Holder" shall refer to a client under an Emergency
Funds Transfer Backup Services Agreement with Company.
1.11 Usage Fee
"Usage Fee" shall refer to the charge imposed by Company and
payable by User for Backup Facility Usage as set forth in Schedule
"C."
2. The Service
2.1 Backup Service
In the event of a Disaster at User Computer Facility, Company,
upon sixty (60) minutes prior notice, shall provide User with:
a. access to the Backup Facility to be used for paying and receiving
funds transfer services for the Sources Provided; and b. a licensed version of the Transfer Software.
The User may provide a tailored version of the Transfer Software
pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Agreement.
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2.2 Configuration Change
In the event of any Backup Facility computer equipment changes,
Company shall give User at least thirty (30) days prior written notice
of the change of the computer equipment configuration, and no such
change shall be made unless the resulting equipment configuration
provides at least the same level of functionality as originally provided.
2.3 Availability
The Backup Facility shall be operational and available for use
beginning thirty (30) minutes before scheduled banking funds transfer
operations and shall remain available in operation until two (2) hours
after the close of banking funds transfer operations. The Backup
Facility shall follow the banking funds transfer holiday schedule. The
User's usage of the Backup Facility shall be limited to thirty (30)
consecutive days per incident. Additional availability may be
permitted by Company at its option pursuant to Section 2.7 of this
Agreement.
2.4 Backup Facility Testing
Company shall provide User access to the Backup Facility during
each calendar quarter (90 days) for one (1) day of eight (8) hours
duration to complete a Backup Facility Test. Additional testing time
may be made available by Company, at its option pursuant to Section
2.7 of this Agreement.
2.5 Operational Support
Company shall provide reasonable operational support for both
Backup Facility Tests and Backup Facility Usage. Company has
subcontracted with Transfer Software's developer to provide
operational support including but not limited to: booting the system,
loading files and software, monitoring communications, and printing.
No support shall be provided for the loading of tailored or custom
software, or Transfer Software with custom changes or modifications
unless provided for pursuant to Section 2.7 of this Agreement.
2.6 Multiple Disasters
In the event of Multiple Disasters, Company shall use its best
efforts to provide a coordinated and scheduled shared utilization of the
Backup Facility. Company shall use its best efforts to partition the
Backup Facility equally among the Subscription Holders experiencing
a Disaster and to assure the confidentiality of the information of each
Subscription Holder. If the Backup Facility is unable to accommodate
all Subscription Holders experiencing a Disaster, the Backup Facility
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shall be allocated to the Subscription Holders in the order that
Company was notified of the Disaster by each Subscription Holder.2.7 Optional Services
Company may, for an additional fee, provide User with
nonstandard services, including but not limited to additional Backup
Facility Tests, support for nonstandard or tailored Transfer Software,
consulting services, computer tapes, and other supplies.
2.8 Access to External Auditors
Upon reasonable notice and request, Company shall make available
any required information and access to the Backup Facility to the
external certified public accountants of User. The User shall pay for
any associated costs in accordance with the Company standard fee
schedule.
2.9 Backup Software and Data
User, at its option and in conjunction with the Backup Service
provided herein, may periodically deposit two (2) identical tapes of
backup software and data with Company at Company's principal place
of business. The two identical backup tapes shall be delivered by the
User to the Company computer room, or as otherwise directed by
Company. After delivery, Company will deposit one of the backup
tapes in a locked cabinet at the Company computer facility, and will
deposit the second backup tape in a vault at the Company principal
place of business. The vault is being provided by Company as an
additional backup feature; as such, the vault will not be open twenty-
four hours per day and the User will not have access to the vault. The
User, at its option, may include software as well as data on the backup
tapes.
3. User Responsibilities
3.1 Backup Facility Testing
User shall schedule a Backup Facility Test at least ten (10) business
days in advance of the date on which the test is to occur. Company
reserves the right to reschedule the Backup Facility Test in the event
that Company is experiencing equipment problems or if another
Subscription Holder is utilizing the Backup Facility. The initial test
shall occur within sixty (60) days of the execution of this Agreement.
3.2 Paying and Receiving Personnel
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User is responsible to provide any personnel necessary for data
entry, operations over and above the Company provided operator,
printing, and any other personnel necessary for User's funds transfer
operations.
3.3 Supplies
User shall provide any and all needed supplies including but not
limited to computer tapes, paper and printed notices or advices, and
any custom or tailored Transfer Software, if provided for pursuant to
Section 2.7 of this Agreement.
3.4 License of Transfer Software
User hereby agrees to maintain in full force and effect a license of
the Transfer Software for the term of this Agreement. If for any
reason, User does not maintain a license for the Transfer Software
then this Agreement may be terminated by Company, at its option. A
copy of User's current Transfer Software License Agreement shall be
attached hereto as Schedule "D."
3.5 Multiple Disasters
In the event of a Multiple Disaster, User shall use its best efforts to
cooperate with the coordination and scheduling of Subscription
Holders for the use of the Backup Facility.
3.6 Confidentiality of Data
User agrees not to seek or obtain access to files, programs or data
which may be considered proprietary to Company, Transfer
Software's developer, other Subscription Holders, or other users of the
Backup Facility. If such access is accidentally or otherwise obtained,
User agrees to inform Company and comply with any reasonable
instructions that Company gives with respect thereto.
3.7 Insurance
User shall maintain insurance in full force and effect with respect to
itself and to each and any of its personnel, agents, or subcontractors
who may be on any premises or property of Company in connection
with this Agreement, including without limitation: a. Insurance to cover Worker's Compensation in the statutory
amount required under the laws of the State of New York; b. Blanket fidelity bond coverage in an amount equal to that amount
which User normally carries for its paying and receiving funds
transfer employees;
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c. Computer crime coverage including funds transfer activities, to
the extent that the User normally carries such coverage; and d. Property and broad form comprehensive general liability
insurance and such other insurance as it customarily has maintained
with respect to its general business activities.
3.8 Supervision
User acknowledges that it does not have any authority or power to
supervise or otherwise regulate the employees or operations of
Company.
4. Notice
4.1 Notice of Disaster
Notification of a Disaster may be provided to Company orally, but
such notification must be followed by a written notification delivered
to Company by messenger within two (2) hours of oral notification.
Both types of notification require specification of a time period within
which access to the Backup Facility is desired by User.
4.2 Notice of Backup Facility Service Discontinuation
A User utilizing the Company Backup Facility shall provide
Company with two (2) hours written notice of its desire to discontinue
Backup Facility usage.
4.3 Delivery of Notice
Any notice under this Agreement is required to be in writing, unless
specified otherwise, except ordinary operational notices, and shall be
sent by Registered or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to the
officers signing this Agreement at the principal offices.
5. Payment
5.1 Fee Structure
The charges imposed by Company and payable by User are as set
forth in Schedule "C" and shall be based upon the number and size of
the central processing units used in the User Computer Facility and the
number of Sources Provided.
5.2 Retainer Fee
The Retainer Fee is due and payable on the first day of the month
for that month.
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5.3 Other Fees
Usage Fees and any other fees pursuant to Section 2.7 are due and
payable within ten (10) days of the date of the invoice.
5.4 Fee Changes
Upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the User, Company
may change its fees or alter its fee structure.
5.5 Taxes
User shall, in addition to the other amounts payable under this
Agreement, pay all sales and other taxes, federal, state, or otherwise,
however designated, which are levied or imposed by reason of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing, User shall promptly pay to the Company an amount equal
to any such items actually paid, or required to be collected or paid by
Company.
6. Warranty Limitation and Liability6.1 Warranty
Company warrants that the Backup Facility services provided
hereunder shall conform in all material respects to those services set
forth in Section 2 herein.
6.2 No Other Warranty
THE WARRANTY STATED ABOVE IS A LIMITED
WARRANTY AND IT IS THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY
COMPANY. COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE AND THE USER
SPECIFICALLY WAIVES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED ARE
ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR
ANY LOSS OF BUSINESS OR PROFITS, OR FOR ANY
CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR SIMILAR
DAMAGES, OR FOR THE CLAIMS OF DAMAGES MADE BY
ANY THIRD PARTY EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE STATED EXPRESS
WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL LIABILITIES OR
OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
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6.3 Limitation of Liability
In no event shall Company aggregate liability for damages to the
User or any third party for any cause whatsoever, regardless of the
form of action, whether in contract or in tort, including negligence,
exceed the prior three (3) months' retainer fee. In no event shall
Company be liable for damages caused by (i) delay in setup or use of
tailored or customer versions of Transfer Software, (ii) delay in setup
of the User data, (iii) failure of the primary or secondary Backup
Facility, or (iv) insufficient setup time.
6.4 Indemnification
User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Company and its
subsidiaries or affiliates under its control, and their directors, officers,
employees and agents, against any and all losses, liabilities, awards
and costs (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or related
to any third party claim resulting from User's use of the Backup
Facility or User's use of the services provided hereunder. User shall
defend and settle at its sole expense all suits or proceedings arising out
of the foregoing, provided that Company gives the User prompt notice
of any such claim of which it learns. In all events, Company shall have
the right to participate in the defense of any such suit or proceeding
through counsel of its own choosing.
6.5 Force Majeure
The parties hereto shall not be responsible for any failure or delay
in the performance of any obligation hereunder caused by acts of God,
flood, fire, war or the public enemy.
6.6 Confidentiality
The parties agree that this Agreement is a confidential agreement
between Company and the User. This Agreement or a copy thereof
may not be furnished to any third party by either Company or User
without the prior written consent of the other party except as may be
necessary by reason of legal, accounting or regulatory requirements
beyond the reasonable control of Company or User, in which event
Company and User agree to exercise diligence in limiting such
disclosures to the minimum necessary under the particular
circumstances.
7. Term and Termination7.1 Term
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The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first stated
above and shall end one (1) year thereafter. This Agreement shall be
automatically renewed for periods of one (1) year unless terminated
by either party.
7.2 Termination
This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon one
hundred fifty (150) days prior written notice to the other party.
8. General
8.1 Independent Contractors
The relationship between Company and User created by this
Agreement shall be that of independent contractors. Nothing contained
in this Agreement shall be construed as constituting a partnership or
agency between Company and User.
8.2 Employees and Agents
User shall be solely responsible for all physical injuries or deaths to
its agents, servants or employees or to any other person or damage to
any property sustained during its operation and work at the Backup
Facility, resulting from any negligent or willful tort of any of its
employees, agents, or independent contractors. User shall hold
harmless and indemnify Company from liability upon any and all
damages on account of such injuries or deaths to any such person or
damage to property on account of negligence or willful tort of its
employees, agents, or independent contractors. User shall be solely
responsible for the safety and protection of all its employees.
8.3 New York Law
This Agreement shall be deemed to be executed in the City of New
York, State of New York regardless of the domicile of User and shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York. Both parties agree that any claims asserted by or against
Company arising under this Agreement or related thereto shall be
heard and determined exclusively either in the Courts of the United
States located in New York City or in the Courts of the State of New
York located in the County of New York.
8.4 Entire Agreement
Each party acknowledges that it has read this Agreement,
understands it, and agrees to be bound by its terms and further agrees
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that it is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement
between the parties, that supersedes and merges all prior proposals,
understandings, and all other agreements, oral and handwritten,
between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
This Agreement may not be modified or altered except by written
instrument duly executed by both parties.8.5 Enforceability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid,
illegal, or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule
of law, it is to that extent to be deemed omitted and the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way
be effected or impaired thereby.
8.6 No Waiver
The failure of either party to exercise in any respect any right
provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any right
hereunder.
8.7 Assignment
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be
assignable by the parties hereto except upon the prior written consent
of the other. User understands and accepts Transfer Software's
developer as a subcontractor for Company to provide for and
operationally service the Backup Facility.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this
Agreement on the date first written above by their duly authorized
representative.
USER EMERGENCY BACKUP
SERVICES COMPANY
By:______________________ By:______________________