Contract Terms and Conditions

<p><strong>1.1 Purpose</strong><br/>These Contract Terms and Conditions ("Contract Terms") govern all contracts created, accepted, and managed through the Automate America platform ("Platform") between customers ("Customers") and professionals/contractors ("Professionals"). By creating, accepting, or participating in any contract on the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Contract Terms.</p><p><strong>1.2 Platform Role</strong><br/>Automate America, Inc. ("Company", "we", "us") operates the Platform and facilitates connections between Customers and Professionals. The Company is NOT a party to individual contracts between Customers and Professionals. We provide the platform infrastructure, tools, and services to enable contract management, but the contractual relationship exists solely between the Customer and Professional.</p><p><strong>1.3 Relationship to Other Agreements</strong></p><p>These Contract Terms supplement and are in addition to:</p><ul><li>The Master Service Agreement (MSA) for Customers</li><li>The Supplier Service Agreement (SSA) for Professionals</li><li>The Platform Terms of Service</li><li>Any specific contract terms agreed between the parties</li></ul><p>In case of conflict, more specific agreements (MSA, SSA, or individual contract terms) take precedence over these general Contract Terms.</p><p><strong>1.4 Acceptance Required</strong><br/>You must accept these Contract Terms before creating your first contract or accepting your first contract application on the Platform. Continued use of contract features constitutes ongoing acceptance of these terms.</p>

<p><strong>2.1 Contract Creation</strong></p><p>A binding contract relationship is formed when:</p><ul><li>A Customer creates a contract opportunity with defined terms</li><li>A Professional submits an application expressing interest</li><li>The Customer reviews and accepts the Professional's application</li><li>Both parties have acknowledged these Contract Terms</li></ul><p><strong>2.2 Material Terms</strong></p><p>All contracts must include these material terms before work begins:</p><ul><li>Scope of work and deliverables</li><li>Compensation rate (hourly, daily, weekly, or project-based)</li><li>Expected duration and timeline</li><li>Work location (remote, on-site, or hybrid)</li><li>Required certifications or clearances</li><li>Any special requirements or conditions</li></ul><p><strong>2.3 Contract Amendments</strong><br/>Amendments to contract terms require written agreement from both parties through the Platform messaging system or formal amendment process. Informal changes discussed outside the Platform are not binding unless confirmed through official Platform channels.</p><p><strong>2.4 Multiple Contracts</strong><br/>A Professional may have multiple active contracts with different Customers simultaneously, subject to any exclusivity provisions in individual contracts. Customers should clearly specify any exclusivity requirements in their contract postings.</p><p><strong>2.5 No Implied Employment</strong><br/>Nothing in these Contract Terms or any contract formed through the Platform creates an employment relationship. Professionals are independent contractors and are solely responsible for their employment status, taxes, and benefits.</p>

<p><strong>3.1 Contract Posting Requirements</strong></p><p>Customers agree to:</p><ul><li>Provide accurate and complete contract descriptions</li><li>Clearly state all requirements, qualifications, and expectations</li><li>Set fair and competitive compensation rates</li><li>Respond to Professional applications in a timely manner (recommended within 7 business days)</li><li>Provide accurate information about work location and conditions</li></ul><p><strong>3.2 During Contract Performance</strong></p><p>Customers must:</p><ul><li>Provide a safe working environment for on-site work</li><li>Supply necessary tools, equipment, and access as specified</li><li>Give clear direction and requirements for deliverables</li><li>Respond to Professional questions and requests promptly</li><li>Approve or dispute timesheets within 48 hours of submission</li></ul><p><strong>3.3 Payment Obligations</strong></p><p>Customers agree to:</p><ul><li>Pay agreed compensation on time as specified in the contract</li><li>Process invoices within the agreed payment terms (default: Net 30)</li><li>Not withhold payment for completed work without valid documented cause</li><li>Pay applicable taxes, fees, and markup as agreed</li></ul><p><strong>3.4 Prohibited Customer Conduct</strong></p><p>Customers must NOT:</p><ul><li>Misrepresent contract requirements or working conditions</li><li>Significantly change scope without renegotiation and Professional consent</li><li>Make hiring decisions based on legally protected characteristics</li><li>Solicit Professionals for off-Platform transactions to avoid fees</li><li>Retaliate against Professionals who report issues or violations</li></ul>

<p><strong>4.1 Application Requirements</strong></p><p>Professionals agree to:</p><ul><li>Accurately represent their skills, experience, and qualifications</li><li>Provide truthful information in applications and profiles</li><li>Only apply for contracts they are qualified and available to perform</li><li>Disclose any potential conflicts of interest</li></ul><p><strong>4.2 During Contract Performance</strong></p><p>Professionals must:</p><ul><li>Perform work according to contract specifications and requirements</li><li>Meet agreed deadlines and deliverables</li><li>Submit accurate timesheets reflecting actual hours worked</li><li>Maintain professional conduct and communication</li><li>Promptly notify Customers of any issues affecting work</li></ul><p><strong>4.3 Compliance Requirements</strong></p><p>Professionals are responsible for:</p><ul><li>Maintaining required certifications, licenses, and insurance</li><li>Complying with all applicable laws and regulations</li><li>Meeting any background check or drug screening requirements</li><li>Understanding and adhering to Customer workplace policies</li></ul><p><strong>4.4 Prohibited Professional Conduct</strong></p><p>Professionals must NOT:</p><ul><li>Misrepresent qualifications or experience</li><li>Subcontract work to third parties without explicit Customer approval</li><li>Share confidential Customer information</li><li>Solicit Customers for off-Platform arrangements</li><li>Perform work outside of agreed contract terms without authorization</li><li>Submit fraudulent timesheets or expense reports</li></ul>

<p><strong>5.1 Rate Establishment</strong></p><p>Compensation rates are established in individual contracts and may be:</p><ul><li>Hourly rates for time-based work</li><li>Daily or weekly rates for full-time engagements</li><li>Project-based fixed fees</li><li>Milestone payments for phased deliverables</li></ul><p>All rates are exclusive of applicable taxes unless otherwise specified.</p><p><strong>5.2 Timesheet Submission</strong></p><p>Professionals must:</p><ul><li>Submit timesheets through the Platform weekly (by end of business Monday for the prior week)</li><li>Record time accurately to the nearest quarter hour</li><li>Include clear descriptions of work performed</li><li>Submit promptly to avoid payment delays</li></ul><p><strong>5.3 Timesheet Approval</strong></p><p>Customers must:</p><ul><li>Review submitted timesheets within 48 hours</li><li>Approve accurate timesheets promptly</li><li>Communicate any disputes with specific details</li><li>Work with Professionals to resolve discrepancies</li></ul><p><strong>5.4 Payment Terms</strong></p><p>Payment terms unless otherwise specified in the contract:</p><ul><li>Standard payment: Net 30 from timesheet approval</li><li>Invoices generated automatically upon timesheet approval</li><li>Payment processed through Platform payment methods</li><li>Late payments may incur interest at 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is less</li></ul><p><strong>5.5 Payment Disputes</strong></p><p>Disputes over compensation must:</p><ul><li>Be raised within 14 days of invoice receipt</li><li>Be submitted through the Platform's dispute resolution process</li><li>Include specific documentation supporting the dispute</li><li>Be resolved before work continues (unless otherwise agreed)</li></ul>

<p><strong>6.1 Work Product Ownership</strong></p><p>Unless otherwise agreed in writing:</p><ul><li>Work product created by Professionals in performance of contracts becomes the property of the Customer upon full payment</li><li>This includes code, documents, designs, reports, and other deliverables created specifically for the contract</li></ul><p><strong>6.2 Professional Retained Rights</strong></p><p>Professionals retain rights to:</p><ul><li>Pre-existing intellectual property they bring to the engagement</li><li>General knowledge, skills, and experience (even if enhanced during the contract)</li><li>Methodologies and techniques not specific to Customer's business</li><li>Works created outside the scope of the contract</li></ul><p><strong>6.3 License Grants</strong></p><p>Where Professionals use pre-existing IP in deliverables:</p><ul><li>Professionals grant Customers a perpetual, non-exclusive license to use such IP as part of the deliverables</li><li>Customers may not sell or license the Professional's pre-existing IP separately</li></ul><p><strong>6.4 Third-Party IP</strong></p><p>Both parties agree:</p><ul><li>Not to infringe on third-party intellectual property rights</li><li>To obtain necessary licenses for any third-party components</li><li>To indemnify the other party against third-party IP claims arising from their contributed materials</li></ul>

<p><strong>7.1 Confidential Information Defined</strong></p><p>Confidential information includes:</p><ul><li>Trade secrets and proprietary business information</li><li>Customer lists, pricing, and business strategies</li><li>Technical data, source code, and algorithms</li><li>Financial information and projections</li><li>Any information marked as confidential</li><li>Information that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential</li></ul><p><strong>7.2 Confidentiality Obligations</strong></p><p>Both parties agree to:</p><ul><li>Maintain strict confidentiality of proprietary information</li><li>Use confidential information only for contract purposes</li><li>Limit disclosure to those with a need to know</li><li>Implement reasonable security measures to protect confidential information</li><li>Return or destroy confidential information upon contract termination</li></ul><p><strong>7.3 Duration</strong><br/>Confidentiality obligations survive termination of the contract for a period of two (2) years, or longer for trade secrets as required by law.</p><p><strong>7.4 Exceptions</strong></p><p>Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that:</p><ul><li>Is or becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party</li><li>Was known to the receiving party prior to disclosure</li><li>Is independently developed without use of confidential information</li><li>Is disclosed with written consent of the disclosing party</li><li>Is required to be disclosed by law, regulation, or court order (with prompt notice to the other party when permitted)</li></ul>

<p><strong>8.1 Termination for Convenience</strong><br/>Either party may terminate a contract with 14 days written notice through the Platform, unless the contract specifies different terms.</p><p><strong>8.2 Termination for Cause</strong></p><p>Immediate termination is permitted for material breach, including:</p><ul><li>Failure to perform contracted work</li><li>Non-payment for completed work (after 30 days past due)</li><li>Violation of these Contract Terms or Platform policies</li><li>Illegal activity or fraud</li><li>Misrepresentation of qualifications or requirements</li><li>Safety violations or workplace misconduct</li></ul><p><strong>8.3 Effect of Termination</strong></p><p>Upon termination:</p><ul><li>Professionals must complete any work in progress to a reasonable stopping point</li><li>Customers must pay for all work satisfactorily completed through the termination date</li><li>Both parties must return or destroy confidential information</li><li>Outstanding disputes are subject to the dispute resolution process</li></ul><p><strong>8.4 Platform Suspension</strong></p><p>The Company may suspend or terminate contracts that:</p><ul><li>Violate Platform policies or terms of service</li><li>Involve fraudulent or illegal activity</li><li>Create significant risk to other Platform users</li><li>Are subject to legal proceedings affecting the Platform</li></ul>

<p><strong>9.1 Platform Limitation</strong></p><p>The Company provides the Platform as a facilitator only. We are NOT liable for:</p><ul><li>Disputes between Customers and Professionals</li><li>Quality of work performed by Professionals</li><li>Payment issues between parties</li><li>Accuracy of information provided by users</li><li>Business decisions made based on Platform interactions</li></ul><p><strong>9.2 Party Liability</strong></p><p>Each party is responsible for their own acts and omissions. Neither party is liable for:</p><ul><li>Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages</li><li>Lost profits or business opportunities</li><li>Damages arising from circumstances beyond reasonable control</li></ul><p><strong>9.3 Liability Cap</strong></p><p>Total liability of any party for claims arising from a contract shall not exceed the greater of:</p><ul><li>The total compensation paid or payable under that specific contract</li><li>$10,000 USD</li></ul><p><strong>9.4 Exclusions</strong></p><p>Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for:</p><ul><li>Fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct</li><li>Death or personal injury caused by negligence</li><li>Breach of confidentiality obligations</li><li>Intellectual property infringement</li><li>Amounts owed for work completed</li></ul>

<p><strong>10.1 Direct Resolution</strong><br/>Disputes should first be addressed through direct communication via the Platform messaging system. Both parties agree to make good faith efforts to resolve disputes informally.</p><p><strong>10.2 Platform Mediation</strong></p><p>If unresolved within 14 days of initial dispute notification:</p><ul><li>Either party may request mediation through the Company's dispute resolution process</li><li>A neutral Company representative will facilitate discussion</li><li>Mediation is non-binding but required before formal proceedings</li><li>Mediation typically completes within 30 days</li></ul><p><strong>10.3 Formal Resolution</strong></p><p>If mediation fails:</p><ul><li>Disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association</li><li>Arbitration shall occur in the state of South Carolina or the state of the defending party</li><li>The arbitrator's decision is final and binding</li><li>Each party bears their own costs; the arbitration fee is split equally</li></ul><p><strong>10.4 Exceptions</strong></p><p>The following may be pursued immediately without mediation:</p><ul><li>Injunctive relief to prevent irreparable harm</li><li>Collection of undisputed amounts owed</li><li>Small claims court for disputes within jurisdictional limits (typically under $10,000)</li></ul><p><strong>10.5 Attorney Fees</strong><br/>The prevailing party in any formal dispute may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the non-prevailing party.</p>

<p><strong>11.1 Customer Indemnification</strong></p><p>Customers agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Professionals and the Company against claims arising from:</p><ul><li>Workplace hazards or unsafe conditions (for on-site work)</li><li>Customer-provided materials, specifications, or instructions that cause harm</li><li>Customer's breach of these Contract Terms</li><li>Misrepresentation of contract requirements</li><li>Violations of applicable employment or labor laws</li></ul><p><strong>11.2 Professional Indemnification</strong></p><p>Professionals agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Customers and the Company against claims arising from:</p><ul><li>Professional negligence or misconduct in performing work</li><li>Misrepresentation of qualifications or experience</li><li>Professional's breach of these Contract Terms</li><li>Infringement of third-party intellectual property in deliverables</li><li>Violations of applicable laws in performing work</li></ul><p><strong>11.3 Company Indemnification</strong></p><p>Both parties agree to indemnify the Company against claims arising from:</p><ul><li>Their use of the Platform</li><li>Their interactions with other Platform users</li><li>Breach of these Contract Terms</li><li>Any contract disputes between the parties</li></ul><p><strong>11.4 Procedure</strong></p><p>The indemnified party must:</p><ul><li>Provide prompt written notice of claims</li><li>Allow the indemnifying party to control the defense</li><li>Cooperate reasonably in the defense</li><li>Not settle claims without the indemnifying party's consent</li></ul>

<p><strong>12.1 Professional Insurance</strong></p><p>Professionals should maintain appropriate insurance coverage for their work, including:</p><ul><li>General liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence recommended)</li><li>Professional liability / Errors & Omissions insurance where applicable</li><li>Workers' compensation insurance where required by law</li><li>Auto insurance if using vehicles for contract work</li></ul><p><strong>12.2 Customer Requirements</strong></p><p>Customers may require specific insurance minimums for their contracts:</p><ul><li>These must be specified clearly in the contract posting</li><li>Professionals must verify they meet requirements before applying</li><li>Proof of insurance may be required before contract commencement</li></ul><p><strong>12.3 Insurance Verification</strong></p><p>The Company may:</p><ul><li>Verify insurance status through third-party services</li><li>Require updated certificates of insurance</li><li>Suspend contracts where required insurance lapses</li></ul><p><strong>12.4 Waiver</strong><br/>Insurance requirements may be waived only by explicit written agreement between Customer and Professional. The Company recommends against waiving insurance requirements.</p>

<p><strong>13.1 Updates</strong><br/>The Company may update these Contract Terms at any time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business needs.</p><p><strong>13.2 Notification</strong></p><p>Material changes will be communicated via:</p><ul><li>Email notification to active Platform users</li><li>Notice within the Platform contract interface</li><li>Updated "Effective Date" on this page</li><li>At least 30 days advance notice for material changes affecting active contracts</li></ul><p><strong>13.3 Acceptance</strong><br/>Continued use of contract features after notification constitutes acceptance of updated terms. If you disagree with changes, you should complete any active contracts and refrain from creating new ones.</p><p><strong>13.4 Existing Contracts</strong><br/>Contracts formed before a terms update remain governed by the terms in effect at the time of contract formation, unless both parties agree to the new terms.</p><p><strong>13.5 Version History</strong><br/>We maintain a record of previous versions. Contact legal@automateamerica.com to request previous versions.</p>

<p><strong>14.1 Governing Law</strong><br/>These Contract Terms are governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to conflict of law principles.</p><p><strong>14.2 Severability</strong><br/>If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. The unenforceable provision will be modified to achieve the original intent as closely as possible.</p><p><strong>14.3 Waiver</strong><br/>Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Waivers must be in writing to be effective.</p><p><strong>14.4 Assignment</strong></p><p>Neither party may assign their rights or obligations under a contract without the other party's written consent, except:</p><ul><li>To an affiliate or successor entity</li><li>In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets</li></ul><p><strong>14.5 Entire Agreement</strong><br/>These Contract Terms, together with individual contract terms, the MSA/SSA as applicable, and Platform Terms of Service, constitute the entire agreement regarding contract relationships on the Platform.</p><p><strong>14.6 Force Majeure</strong><br/>Neither party is liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, government actions, or widespread technical failures.</p>

<p><strong>Questions about these Contract Terms?</strong></p><p><strong>Automate America, Inc.</strong><br/>PO Box 1638<br/>Greer, SC 29652</p><p><strong>Email:</strong> legal@automateamerica.com<br/><strong>Phone:</strong> (586) 770-8083<br/><strong>Hours:</strong> Monday - Friday, 6 AM - 9 PM EST</p><p><strong>Contract Disputes:</strong></p><ul><li>Use the in-app dispute resolution feature</li><li>Or email: disputes@automateamerica.com</li></ul><p><strong>Compliance Questions:</strong></p><ul><li>compliance@automateamerica.com</li></ul><p><strong>General Support:</strong></p><ul><li>support@automateamerica.com</li></ul>