Confidentiality of Contractor Information The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that this Contract and any and all Contractor information obtained by the State in connection with this Contract are subject to the State of Vermont Access to Public Records Act, 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq. The State will not disclose information for which a reasonable claim of exemption can be made pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317(c), including, but not limited to, trade secrets, proprietary information or financial information, including any formulae, plan, pattern, process, tool, mechanism, compound, procedure, production data, or compilation of information which is not patented, which is known only to the Contractor, and which gives the Contractor an opportunity to obtain business advantage over competitors who do not know it or use it. The State shall immediately notify Contractor of any request made under the Access to Public Records Act, or any request or demand by any court, governmental agency or other person asserting a demand or request for Contractor information. Contractor may, in its discretion, seek an appropriate protective order, or otherwise defend any right it may have to maintain the confidentiality of such information under applicable State law within three business days of the State’s receipt of any such request. Contractor agrees that it will not make any claim against the State if the State makes available to the public any information in accordance with the Access to Public Records Act or in response to a binding order from a court or governmental body or agency compelling its production. Contractor shall indemnify the State for any costs or expenses incurred by the State, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees awarded in accordance with 1 V.S.A. § 320, in connection with any action brought in connection with Contractor’s attempts to prevent or unreasonably delay public disclosure of Contractor’s information if a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the State improperly withheld such information and that the improper withholding was based on Contractor’s attempts to prevent public disclosure of Contractor’s information. The State agrees that (a) it will use the Contractor information only as may be necessary in the course of performing duties, receiving services or exercising rights under this Contract; (b) it will provide at a minimum the same care to avoid disclosure or unauthorized use of Contractor information as it provides to protect its own similar confidential and proprietary information; (c) except as required by the Access to Records Act, it will not disclose such information orally or in writing to any third party unless that third party is subject to a written confidentiality agreement that contains restrictions and safeguards at least as restrictive as those contained in this Contract; (d) it will take all reasonable precautions to protect the Contractor’s information; and (e) it will not otherwise appropriate such information to its own use or to the use of any other person or entity. Contractor may affix an appropriate legend to Contractor information that is provided under this Contract to reflect the Contractor’s determination that any such information is a trade secret, proprietary information or financial information at time of delivery or disclosure.
Confidentiality of Vendor Data Vendor understands and agrees that by signing this Agreement, all Vendor Data is hereby released to TIPS, TIPS Members, and TIPS third-party administrators to effectuate Vendor’s TIPS Contract except as provided for herein. The Parties agree that Vendor Data is accessible by all TIPS Members as if submitted directly to that TIPS Member Customer for purchase consideration. If Vendor otherwise considers any portion of Vendor’s Data to be confidential and not subject to public disclosure pursuant to Chapter 552 Texas Gov’t Code (the “Public Information Act”) or other law(s) and orders, Vendor must have identified the claimed confidential materials through proper execution of the Confidentiality Claim Form which is required to be submitted as part of Vendor’s proposal resulting in this Agreement and incorporated by reference. The Confidentiality Claim Form included in Vendor’s proposal and incorporated herein by reference is the sole indicator of whether Vendor considers any Vendor Data confidential in the event TIPS receives a Public Information Request. If TIPS receives a request, any responsive documentation not deemed confidential by you in this manner will be automatically released. For Vendor Data deemed confidential by you in this manner, TIPS will follow procedures of controlling statute(s) regarding any claim of confidentiality and shall not be liable for any release of information required by law, including Attorney General determination and opinion. In the event that TIPS receives a written request for information pursuant to the Public Information Act that affects Vendor’s interest in any information or data furnished to TIPS by Vendor, and TIPS requests an opinion from the Attorney General, Vendor may, at its own option and expense, prepare comments and submit information directly to the Attorney General stating why the requested information is exempt from disclosure pursuant to the requirements of the Public Information Act. Vendor is solely responsible for submitting the memorandum brief and information to the Attorney General within the time period prescribed by the Public Information Act. Notwithstanding any other information provided in this solicitation or Vendor designation of certain Vendor Data as confidential or proprietary, Vendor’s acceptance of this TIPS Vendor Agreement constitutes Vendor’s consent to the disclosure of Vendor’s Data, including any information deemed confidential or proprietary, to TIPS Members or as ordered by a Court or government agency, including without limitation the Texas Attorney General. Vendor agrees that TIPS shall not be responsible or liable for any use or distribution of information or documentation by TIPS Members or as required by law.
