Sample Collection The collection and testing of the samples shall be performed only by a laboratory and by a physician or health care professional qualified and authorized to administer and determine the meaning of any test results. The laboratory performing the test shall be one that is certified by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). The laboratory chosen must be agreed to between the Union and the Employer. The laboratory used shall also be one whose procedures are periodically tested by the NIDA where they analyze unknown samples sent to an independent party. The results of employee’s tests shall be made available to the Medical Review Officer. Collection of urine samples shall be conducted in a manner, which provides the highest degree of security for the sample and freedom from adulteration. Recognized strict chain of custody procedures must be followed for all samples as set by NIDA. The Union and the Employer agree that security of the biological urine samples is absolutely necessary therefore the Employer agrees that if the security of the sample is compromised in anyway, any positive test shall be invalid and may not be used for any purpose. Urine samples will be submitted as per NIDA Standards. Employees have the right for Union or legal counsel representative to be present during the submission of the sample. A split sample shall be reserved in all cases for an independent analysis in the event of a positive test result. All samples must be stored in a scientific acceptable preserved manner as established by NIDA. All positive confirmed samples and related paperwork must be retained by the laboratory for at least six (6) months or for the duration of any grievance, disciplinary action or legal proceedings whichever is longer. At the conclusion of this period, the paperwork and specimen shall be destroyed. Tests shall be conducted in a manner to ensure that an employee’s legal drug use and diet does not affect the test results.
TIPS Administration Fees The collection of administrative fees by TIPS, a government entity, for performance of these procurement services is required pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 791.011 et. seq. The administration fee (“TIPS Administration Fee”) is the amount legally owed by Vendor to TIPS for TIPS Sales made by Vendor. The TIPS Administration Fee amount is typically a set percentage of the amount paid by the TIPS Member for each TIPS Sale, less shipping cost, bond cost, and taxes if applicable and identifiable, which is legally due to TIPS, but the exact TIPS Administration Fee for this Contract is published in the corresponding solicitation and is incorporated herein by reference. TIPS Administration Fees are due to TIPS immediately upon Vendor’s receipt of payment, including partial payment, for a TIPS Sale. The TIPS Administration Fee is assessed on the amount paid by the TIPS Member, not on the Vendor’s cost or on the amount for which the Vendor sold the item to a dealer or Authorized Reseller. Upon receipt of payment for a TIPS Sale, including partial payment (which renders TIPS Administration Fees immediately due), Vendor shall issue to TIPS the corresponding TIPS Administration Fee payment as soon as possible but not later than thirty-one calendar days following Vendor’s receipt of payment. Vendor shall pay TIPS via check unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing. Vendor shall include clear documentation with the issued payment dictating to which sale(s) the amount should be applied. Vendor may create a payment report within their TIPS Vendor Portal which is the preferred documentation dictating to which TIPS Sale(s) the amount should be applied. Failure to pay all TIPS Administration Fees pursuant to this provision may result in immediate cancellation of Vendor’s TIPS Contract(s) for cause at TIPS’ sole discretion as well as the initiation of collection and legal actions by TIPS against Vendor to the extent permitted by law. Any overpayment of participation fees to TIPS by Vendor will be refunded to the Vendor within ninety (90) days of receipt of notification if TIPS receives written notification of the overpayment not later than the expiration of six (6) months from the date of overpayment and TIPS determines that the amount was not legally due to TIPS pursuant to this agreement and applicable law. Any notification of overpayment received by TIPS after the expiration of six (6) months from the date that TIPS received the payment will render the overpayment non-refundable. Region 8 ESC and TIPS reserve the right to extend the six (6) month deadline if approved by the Region 8 ESC Board of Directors. TIPS reserves all rights under the law to collect TIPS Administration Fees due to TIPS pursuant to this Agreement.