AMENDMENT #1 TO CONTRACT NO. 0651 BETWEEN GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC
Exhibit
10.1
AMENDMENT
#1 TO CONTRACT NO. 0651 BETWEEN
GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
AND
WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC
This
Amendment is between the Georgia Department of Community Health (hereinafter
referred to as "DCH" or the "Department"), and WellCare Health Plans, me
(hereinafter referred to as "Contractor"), and is made effective this
12th
of
March, 2007. Other than the changes, modifications and additions specifically
articulated in this Amendment #1 to Contract #0652, RFP# 000-00-000000000,
the
original Contract with an effective date of September 18, 2005, by and between
Contractor and DCH, remains in effect and binding on and against DCH and
Contractor. Unless expressly modified or added in this Amendment #1, the terms
and conditions of the original Contract are expressly incorporated into this
Amendment #1 as if restated herein.
WHEREAS,
DCH and
Contractor executed a Contract to provide reforms to the Georgia Medicaid and
PeachCare for Kids Programs on September 18, 2005, (hereinafter the
"Contract");
WHEREAS,
DCH is
the single State agency designated to administer Medical Assistance in Georgia
under Title XIX of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, and O.C.G.A.
§§
49-4-140 etseq.
(the
"Medicaid Program"), and is charged with ensuring the appropriate delivery
of
health care services to Medicaid members via Care Management Organizations
(CMO)
through the Georgia Healthy Families Program;
WHEREAS,
Contractor is an established and licensed Care Management Organization
participating in the Georgia Healthy Family Program; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant
to Paragraph 32.0, Amendment
in Writing,
DCH and
Contractor desire to amend the above-referenced Contract as set forth
below.
NOW
THEREFORE, FOR AND IN
CONSIDERATION
of the
mutual promises of the Parties, the terms, provisions and conditions of this
Amendment and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which
is
hereby acknowledged, DCH and Contractor hereby agree as follows:
I.
To
amend the Contract by deleting Attachment H, Capitation Payment, in its entirety
and replace with the new Attachment H, Capitation Payment, contained at Exhibit
1 to this Amendment.
II.
To
add to the Contract Attachments M, Statement
of Ethics,
and
Attachment N, DCH
Ethics in Procurement Policy,
contained at Exhibit 2 to this Amendment.
III.
DCH
and Contractor agree that they have assumed an obligation to perform the
covenants, agreements, duties and obligations of the Contract, as modified
and
amended herein, and agree to abide by all the provisions, terms and conditions
contained in the Contract as modified and amended.
IV.
This
Amendment shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto,
their
heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. Whenever the provisions of
this
Amendment
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Amendment
and the Contract are in conflict, the provisions of this Amendment shall govern
and control.
V.
It is
understood by the Parties hereto that, if any part, term, or provision of
this
Amendment
or this entire Amendment is held to be illegal or in conflict with any law
of
this State, then DCH, at its sole option, may enforce the remaining unaffected
portions or provisions of this Amendment or of the Contract and the rights
and
obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Contract
or
Amendment did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be
invalid.
VI.
This
Amendment shall become effective on the date first stated above and shall remain
effective for so long as the Contract is in effect.
VII.
This
Amendment shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Georgia.
VIII.
All
other terms and conditions contained in the Contract and any amendment thereto,
not amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and
effect.
Signatures
on Following Page
Amendment
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SIGNATURE
PAGE
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
DCH and
Contractor, through their authorized officers and agents, have caused this
Amendment to be executed on their behalf as of the date indicated.
GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
|
|
/s/
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
3/12/2007
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx, M.D., Commissioner
|
Date
|
2/27/07
|
|
By:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
|
|
Title:
President and CEO
|
Affix
Corporate Seal
(Corporations
without a seal, attach a Certificate of Corporate
Resolution)
|
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
SIGNATURE
|
|
Assistant
General Counsel
|
|
TITLE
|
*
Must be
President, Vice President, CEO or other authorized officer
**Must
be
Corporate Secretary
Amendment
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Exhibit
1
ATTACHMENT
H
CAPITATION
PAYMENT FOLLOWS
Summary
of Suggested Rates
ATLANTA
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM / Refugee / RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,108.14
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
179.05
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
107.39
|
6
-13 Years Male & Female
|
$
102.51
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
169.75
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
117.30
|
21
- 44 Years Female
|
$
241.55
|
21
- 44 Years Male
|
$
258.02
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
397.93
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
485.36
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
182.73
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
182.73
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
110.91
|
6-13
Years Male & Female
|
$
132.63
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
157.72
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
145.85
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,558.30
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,811,98
|
CENTRAL
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM / Refugee / RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,083.69
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
208.94
|
1-5
Years Male & Female
|
$
116.10
|
6-13
Years Male & Female
|
$
106.58
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
165.57
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
101.54
|
21-44
Years Female
|
$
265.32
|
21
- 44 Years Male
|
$
283.33
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
473.52
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
560.99
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
188.59
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
188.59
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
125.63
|
6
-13 Years Male & Female
|
$
137.40
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
164.95
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
141.03
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,620.76
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,779.38
|
EAST
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM / Refugee / RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,050.77
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
203.02
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
115.28
|
6
-
13 Years Male & Female
|
$
100.96
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
169.62
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
103.02
|
21
- 44 Years Female
|
$
261.04
|
21
-44 Years Male
|
$
268.83
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
431.53
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
563.82
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
189.32
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
189.32
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
121.68
|
6
-13 Years Male & Female
|
$
133.34
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
164.73
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
137.71
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,629.32
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,829.77
|
NORTH
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM / Refugee / RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,154.48
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
217.98
|
1-5
Years Male & Female
|
$
130.41
|
6-13
Years Male & Female
|
$
121.82
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
197.78
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
127.02
|
21
- 44 Years Female
|
$
303.25
|
21
- 44 Years Male
|
$
320.14
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
500.46
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
563.82
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
189.32
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
189.32
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
133.05
|
6-13
Years Male & Female
|
$
149.53
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
191.90
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
167.17
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,629.32
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,774.93
|
SOUTHEAST
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM / Refugee / RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,126.52
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
222.01
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
128.41
|
6-13
Years Male & Female
|
$
119.40
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
193.02
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
118.60
|
21
- 44 Years Female
|
$
295.69
|
21
-44 Years Male
|
$
294.26
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
522.44
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
566.68
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
190.06
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
190.06
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
140.66
|
6
-13 Years Male & Female
|
$
154.48
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
186.58
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
158.00
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,637.93
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,846.21
|
SOUTHWEST
REGION
|
Well
care Adjusted
|
Medicaid
(LIM/Refugee/RSM)
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
1,110.28
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
227.72
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
129.47
|
6-
13 Years Male & Female
|
$
117.05
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
186.23
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
119.13
|
21
-44 Years Female
|
$
281.38
|
21
- 44 Years Male
|
$
273.03
|
45+
Years Female
|
$
498.66
|
45+
Years Male
|
$
566.68
|
PeachCare
|
|
0
-
2 Months Male & Female
|
$
190.06
|
3-11
Months Male & Female
|
$
190.06
|
1
-
5 Years Male & Female
|
$
138.65
|
6
-13 Years Male & Female
|
$
152.27
|
14-20
Years Female
|
$
181.89
|
14-20
Years Male
|
$
149.64
|
Female
Services
|
|
Breast
and Cervical Cancer
|
$
1,637.93
|
Delivery/Kick
Payment
|
$
5,709.09
|
Exhibit
2
ATTACHMENT
M
STATEMENT
OF
ETHICS
Preamble
The
Department of Community Health has embraced a mission to improve the health
of
all Georgians through health benefits, systems development, and education.
In
accomplishing this mission, DCH employees must work diligently and
conscientiously to support the goals of improving health care delivery and
health outcomes of the people we serve, empowering health care consumers to
make
the best decisions about their health and health care coverage, and ensuring
the
stability and continued availability of health care programs for the future.
Ultimately, the mission and goals of the organization hinge on each employee's
commitment to strong business and personal ethics. This Statement of Ethics
requires that each employee:
•
Promote
fairness, equality, and impartiality in providing services to
clients
•
Safeguard and protect the privacy and confidentiality of clients' health
information, in keeping
with the public trust and mandates of law
•
Treat
clients and co-workers with respect, compassion, and dignity
•
Demonstrate diligence, competence, and integrity in the performance of assigned
duties
•
Commit
to the fulfillment of the organizational mission, goals, and
objectives
•
Be
responsible for employee conduct and report ethics violations to the Ethics
Officer
•
Engage
in carrying out DCH's mission in a professional manner
•
Xxxxxx
an environment that motivates DCH employees and vendors to comply with the
Statement of Ethics
•
Comply
with the Code of Ethics set forth in O.C.G.A. Section 45-10-1 et
seq.
Not
only
should DCH employees comply with this Statement of Ethics, but DCH expects
that
each vendor, contractor, and subcontractor will abide by the same requirements
and guidelines delineated. Moreover, it is important that employees and members
of any advisory committee or commission of DCH acknowledge the Statement of
Ethics.
Ethical
Guidelines
1.
Code of Conduct
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All
employees of DCH are expected to maintain and exercise at all times the highest
moral and ethical standards in carrying out their responsibilities and
functions. Employees must conduct themselves in a manner that prevents all
forms
of impropriety, including placement of self-interest above public interest,
partiality, prejudice, threats, favoritism and undue influence. There will
be no
reprisal or retaliation against any employee for questioning or reporting
possible ethical issues.
2.
Equal Employment
The
Department is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and embraces a
personnel management program which affords equal opportunities for employment
and advancement based on objective criteria. DCH will provide recruitment,
hiring, training, promotion, and other conditions of employment without regard
to race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, nationality, origin, pregnancy,
or other protected bases. The Department expects employees to support its
commitment to equal employment. The failure of any employee to comply with
the
equal employment requirements provided in DCH Policy #21 may result in
disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
3.
Harassment
DCH
will
xxxxxx a work environment free of harassment and will not tolerate harassment
based on sex (with or without sexual conduct), race, color, religion, national
origin, age, disability, protected activity (i.e., opposition to prohibited
discrimination or participation in a complaint process) or other protected
bases
from anyone in the workplace:
supervisors,
co-workers, or vendors. The Department strongly urges employees to report to
the
Human Resources Section any incident in which he or she is subject to
harassment. Additionally, any employee who witnesses another employee being
subjected to harassment should report the incident to the Human Resources
Section. If DCH determines that an employee has engaged in harassment, the
employee shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including
termination, depending on the severity of the offense.
4.
Appropriate Use of DCH Property
Employees
should only use DCH property and facilities for DCH business and not for any
type of personal gain. The use of DCH property and facilities, other than that
prescribed by departmental policy, is not allowed. Furthermore, the use of
DCH
property and facilities for any purpose which is unlawful under the laws of
the
United States, or any state thereof, is strictly prohibited.
Employees
who divert state property or resources for personal gain will be required to
reimburse the Department and will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary
action, up to and including, termination.
5.
Secure Workplace
DCH
is
committed to maintaining a safe, healthy work environment for its employees.
Accordingly, it is DCH's expectation that employees refrain from being under
the
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influence
of alcohol or drugs in the workplace because such conduct poses a threat to
the
employee, as well as others present in the workplace. Additionally, DCH has
a
zero tolerance policy regarding violence in the workplace. Specifically, DCH
will not condone the threat of, or actual assault or attack upon, a client,
vendor, or other employee. If an employee engages in violent behavior which
results in an assault of another person, he or she will be immediately
terminated.
6.
Political Activities
Although
the DCH recognizes that employees may have an interest in participating in
political activities and desires to preserve employees' rights in participating
in the political process, employees must be aware of certain allowances and
prohibitions associated with particular political activities. DCH encourages
employees to familiarize themselves with DCH Policy #416 to gain understanding
about those instances when a political activity is disallowed and/or approval
of
such activity is warranted.
7.
Confidentiality
DCH
has a
dual mandate in terms of confidentiality and privacy. Foremost, as a state
agency, DCH must comply with the Georgia Open Records Act and Open Meetings
Act.
The general rule that is captured by those laws is that all business of the
agency is open to the public view upon request. The exceptions to the general
rule are found in various federal and state laws. hi order to protect the
individuals' health information that is vital to the delivery of and payment
for
health care sen/ices, DCH sets high standards of staff conduct related to
confidentiality and privacy. Those standards are reinforced through continuous
workforce training, vendor contract provisions, policies and procedures, and
web-based resources.
8.
Conflicts of Interest
Employees
should always strive to avoid situations which constitute a conflict of interest
or lend to the perception that a conflict of interest exists. Specifically,
employees must avoid engaging in any business with the DCH which results in
personal financial gain. Similarly, employees must encourage family members
to
avoid similar transactions since they are subject to the same restrictions
as
employees. DCH encourages its employees to seek guidance from the Office of
General Counsel regarding questions on conflicts of interest.
9.
Gifts
Employees
are strictly prohibited from individually accepting gifts from any person with
whom the employee interacts on official state business. Gifts include, but
are
not limited to, money, services, loans, travel, meals, charitable donations,
refreshments, hospitality, promises, discounts or forbearance that are not
generally available to members of the public. Any such item received must be
returned to the sender with an explanation of DCH's Ethics Policy.
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10.
Relationships with Vendors and Lobbyists
DCH
values vendors who possess high business ethics and a strong commitment to
quality and value. Business success can only be achieved when those involved
behave honestly and responsibly. Therefore, it is critical that employees ensure
that vendors contracting with DCH are fully informed of DCH policies concerning
their relationships with DCH employees and that these policies be uniformly
applied to all vendors. Among other requirements, DCH expects that each vendor
will honor the terms and conditions of its contracts and agreements. If DCH
determines that a vendor has violated the terms and conditions of a contract
or
agreement, the vendor shall be held responsible for its actions.
Employees
must ensure that fair and open competition exists in all procurement activities
and contracting relationships in order to avoid the appearance of and prevent
the opportunity for favoritism. DCH strives to inspire public confidence that
contracts are awarded equitably and economically. DCH will apply the state
procurement rules, guidelines, and policies. Open and competitive bidding and
contracting will be the rule.
DCH
recognizes that lobbyists, both regulatory and legislative, may from time to
time seek to meet with DCH employees to advance a particular interest. DCH
recognizes that employees may have personal opinions, even those that may be
contrary to a position that DCH has adopted. DCH employees, however, must
recognize that the public, including legislators and lobbyists, may have
difficulty differentiating between the official DCH position and a personal
opinion. Accordingly, employees should always work directly with the Director
of
Legislative Affairs in preparing any responses to requests or questions from
elected officials and their staffer lobbyists.
Acknowledgement
on the following page
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I,
the
undersigned, hereby acknowledge that:
A.
I have
received, read, and understand the Georgia Department of Community Health's
Statement
of Ethics;
B.
I
agree to comply with each provision of the Georgia Department of Community
Health's Statement
oj Ethics;
C.
I am a
(please check which applies):
(
)
Contractor
(
)
Subcontractor
(
)
Vendor
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxx
Authorized
Signature
|
2/27/2007
Date
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
Print
Name
|
|
AFFIX
CORPORATE SEAL
(Corporations
without a seal, attach a Certificate of Corporate Resolution)
|
|
ATTEST:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
2/27/2007
|
Assistant
General Counsel
|
Date
|
Title
|
*
Must be
President, Vice President, CEO or other authorized officer
**Must
be
Corporate Secretary
ATTACHMENT
N
Georgia
Department of Community Health
DCH
Ethics In Procurement Policy
|
Policy:
No. 402
|
Effective
Date: April 10 , 2006
Release
Date: April 5, 2006
|
Page
1 of 8
|
I.
THE COMMITMENT
The
Department is committed to a procurement process that fosters fair and open
competition, is conducted under the highest ethical standards, is fully
compliant with all instruments of governance and has the complete confidence
and
trust of the public it serves. To achieve these important public purposes,
it is
critical that potential and current vendors, as well as employees, have a clear
understanding of, and an appreciation for, the DCH Ethics in Procurement Policy
(the "Policy").
II.
SCOPE
This
Policy is applicable to all Vendors and Employees, as those terms are defined
below.
III. CONSIDERATIONS
Procurement
ethics must include, but is not limited to, the following
considerations:
A.
Legitimate Business Needs
The
procurement of goods and services will be limited to those necessary to
accomplish the mission, goals, and objectives of the Department.
B.
Conflicts of Interest
A
"conflict of interest" exists when personal interest interferes in any way
with
the interests of the Department. A conflict situation can arise when an
individual takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform
his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise
when an individual, or a member of his or her Immediate Family, receives
improper personal benefits as a result of his or her action, decision, or
disclosure of Confidential Information in a Procurement.
C.
Appearance of Impropriety
Employees
must take care to avoid any appearance of impropriety and must disclose to
their
supervisors any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could
be
expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. Similarly, anyone
engaged
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in
a
business relationship with the Department should avoid any appearances of
impropriety.
D.
Influence
An
impartial, arms' length relationship will be maintained with anyone seeking
to
influence the outcome of a Procurement.
E.
Gifts
DCH
Employees are prohibited from soliciting, demanding, accepting, or agreeing
to
accept Gifts from a Vendor.
F.
Misrepresentations
Employees
and Vendors may not knowingly falsify, conceal or misrepresent material facts
concerning a Procurement.
G.
Insufficient Authorization
Employees
may not obligate the Department without having received prior authorization
from
an approved official. Engaging in such activity is a misrepresentation of
authority.
An
Employee's failure to adhere to these considerations, as well as the guidelines
set forth herein shall be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including,
termination. Similarly, a Vendor's failure to comply with this Policy will
result in appropriate action as determined by governing state and/or federal
law, rules and regulations, and other applicable Department policies and
procedures.
IV. DEFINITIONS
For
purposes of this policy:
"Affiliate
Vendor Team" shall mean employees, directors, officers, contractors, and
consultants of a Vendor that directly or indirectly assist the Vendor in
the
preparation of response to a Procurement.
"Confidential
niton-nation" shall mean all information not subject to disclosure pursuant
to
the Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. §50-18-70 et
seq.
that a
current Vendor or potential Vendor might utilize for the purpose of responding
to Procurement or that which is deemed
disadvantageous or harmful to the Department and to the citizens of the State
of
Georgia in that such disclosure might lead to an unfair advantage of one
Vendor
over another in a Procurement.
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"Contracting
Officer" shall mean the Department Employee maintaining oversight of the
Procurement process who may also be designated as the Point of Contact as
described below.
"Department"
shall mean the Georgia Department of Community Health.
"Employee"
shall mean any person who is employed by the Department.
"Evaluation
Team" shall mean a designated group of Department Employees who review, assess,
and score documents submitted to the Department in response to a Procurement
solicitation.
"Gifts"
shall mean, for purposes of this Policy, money, advances, personal services,
gratuities, loans, extensions of credit, forgiveness of debts, memberships,
subscriptions, travel, meals, charitable donations, refreshments, hospitality,
promises, discounts or forbearance that are not generally available to members
of the public. A Gift need not be intended to influence or reward an
Employee.
"Financial
Interest" shall mean, for purposes of this Policy, an ownership interest
in
assets or stocks equaling or exceeding 0%.
"Immediate
Family" shall mean a spouse, dependent children, parents, in-laws, or any
person
living in the household of the Employee.
"Kickback"
shall mean compensation of any kind directly or indirectly accepted by an
Employee from a Vendor competing for or doing business with the Department,
for
the purpose of influencing the award of a contract or the manner in which
the
Department conducts its business. Kickbacks include, but are not limited
to,
money, fees, commissions or credits.
"Procurement"
shall mean buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring any
supplies, services, or construction. The term also includes all activities
that
pertain to obtaining any supply, sendee, or construction, including description
of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award
of
contract, as well as the disposition of any Protest.
"Protest"
shall mean a written objection by an interested party to an RFQ or RFP
solicitation, or to a proposed award or award of a contract, with the intention
of receiving a remedial result.
"Protestor"
shall mean an actual bidder/offerer who is aggrieved in connection with a
contract award and who files a Protest.
"Point
of
Contact" shall mean the individual designated to be a Vendor's only contact
with
the DCH following the public advertisement of a solicitation or the issuance
of
a request for a bid, proposal, or quote, until the award of a resulting contract
and resolution of a Protest, if applicable.
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"Prohibited
Contact" shall mean contact with any officer, member of the Board or other
Employee of the DCH, other than the Point of Contact, whereby it could be
reasonably inferred that such contact was intended to influence, or could
reasonably be expected to influence, the outcome of a Procurement. This
prohibition includes, without limitation, personal meetings, meals,
entertainment functions, telephonic communications, letters, faxes and e-mails,
as well as any other activity that exposes the Employee to direct contact
with a
Vendor. Tills prohibition does not include contacts with Employees solely
for
the purpose of discussing existing on-going Department work which is unrelated
to die subject of the Procurement. Inquiries regarding the status of a
Procurement should also be directed to the Point of Contact.
"Vendor"
shall mean any individual or entity seeking to or doing business with the
Department within the scope of this Policy, including, without limitation,
contractors, consultants, suppliers, manufacturers seeking to act as the
primary
contracting party, officers and Employees of the foregoing, any subcontractors,
sub consultants and sub suppliers at all lower tiers, as well as any person
or
entity engaged by the Department to provide a good or service.
"DOAS
Vendor Manual" shall mean the Georgia of Department of Administrative Services'
vendor manual.
V.
EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
A.
Evaluation Team Members
1.
The
Contracting Officer must ensure that employees participating in any Procurement
activities have sufficient understanding of the Procurement and evaluation
process and the applicable DCH and DOAS rules and regulations and policies
associated with the processes.
2.
Evaluation team members are tasked with conducting objective, impartial
evaluations, and therefore, must place aside any personal and/or professional
biases or prejudices that may exist. Additionally, Employees serving on an
Evaluation Team must not allow personal relationships (i.e. friendships, dating)
with Employees, principals, directors, officers, etc. of a Vendor or individuals
on the Affiliate Vendor Team to interfere with the ability to render objective
and fair determinations. Such interference may constitute the appearance of,
and/or an actual conflict of interest and should be immediately disclosed to
the
Contracting Officer prior to the Employee's participation on the evaluation
team. The Contracting Officer shall consult with the Ethics Officer to make
a
determination as to whether the Employee should participate on the evaluation
team.
3.
hi the
event that the Department determines that a conflict of interest does exist
and
the Employee failed to make the appropriate disclosure, the Department will
disqualify the Employee from further participation on the evaluation
team.
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Furthermore,
in the event that the Department determines that the conflict of interest did
impact the outcome of a Procurement, such Employee may be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
4.
In the
event that the Department identifies that the employee maintains a
relationship
of any sort that lends to an appearance of a conflict of interest with respect
to a Procurement, the Department may, in its discretion, take appropriate action
to eliminate such an appearance, up to and including the disallowance of the
Employee's participation in any Procurement activities. In such instances,
the
employee most likely will not be subject to disciplinary action.
5.
Prior
to participating on an evaluation team, each DCH Employee must execute a
statement attesting and acknowledging that:
a.
The
Employee shall not participate in a decision or investigation, or render an
approval, disapproval, or recommendation with respect to any aspect of
a
Procurement,
knowing that the Employee, or member of their immediate family has an actual
or
potential Financial Interest in the Procurement, including prospective
employment;
b.
The
Employee shall not solicit or accept Gifts, regardless of whether the intent
is
to influence purchasing decisions;
c.
The
Employee shall not be employed by, or agree to work for, a Vendor or potential
Vendor or Affiliate Vendor Team during any phase of a Procurement;
d.
The
Employee shall not knowingly disclose Confidential Information;
e.
The
Employee is precluded from engaging in Prohibited Contact upon the release
of a
Procurement solicitation, during the Evaluation Process, and
throughout
a Protest period, period of stay or court injunction related to procurement
with
which Employee was associated or at any time prior to the final adjudication
of
the Protest;
f.
The
Employee is responsible for reporting any violations of tills Policy in
accordance with this Policy;
g.
The
Employee will be responsible for complying with all DOAS rules and regulations,
as well as Georgia law pertaining to procurements and conflicts of interest;
and
h.
The
Employee shall not assist a potential Vendor in the Procurement process in
evaluating the solicitation, preparing a bid in response to the evaluation,
or
negotiating a contract with the Department. This prohibition shall not prohibit
the Contracting Officer from carrying out his or her
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prescribed
duties as allowed by DCH policy and procedures or the DOAS Vendor
Manual.
B.
Responsibilities
of Non-Evaluation Team Members
All
Employees should be mindful of the importance of confidentiality during any
Procurement. Even if an Employee is not serving in the capacity of a member
on
the Evaluation Team, the Employee must refrain from engaging in conduct with
a
Vendor that could result in a conflict of interest or be considered a Prohibited
Contact.
VI.
VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A.
Gifts
and Kick-Backs
Vendors
may neither offer nor give any Gift or Kick-backs, directly or indirectly,
to an
Employee. Similarly, no Vendor may offer or give any Gift or Kick-backs,
directly or indirectly, to any member of an Employee's Immediate Family. Such
prohibited activity may result in the termination of the contract, in those
cases where the Vendor has executed a contract with the Department. In the
event
that a potential Vendor who has submitted a response to a Procurement
solicitation engages in such activity, the Department shall act in accordance
with DOAS protocol.
B.
Family
Relationships with Department Employees
If
a
Vendor has a family or personal relationship with the Employee, a Gift that
is
unconnected with the Employee's duties at the DCH is not necessarily prohibited.
In detent-lining whether the giving of an item was motivated by personal rather
than business concerns, the history of the relationship between the Vendor
and
Employee shall be considered. However, regardless of the family or personal
relationship between a Vendor and an Employee, a Gift is strictly forbidden
where it is being given under circumstances where it can reasonably be inferred
that it was intended to influence the Employee in the performance of his or
her
official duties.
C.
Vendor
Submittals
The
Department expects all potential Vendors and current Vendors to be forthcoming,
always submitting true and accurate information in response to a Procurement
or
with regard to an existing business relationship. If the Department determines
that the Vendor has intentionally omitted or failed to provide pertinent
information and/or falsified or misrepresented material information submitted
to
the Department, the Department shall act in accordance with applicable state
law
and DOAS procurement policies and procedures.
Vendors
must calculate the price(s) contained in any bid in accordance with Section
5.11
of the DOAS Vendor Manual.
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D.
Business
Relations
A
Vendor
may not be allowed to conduct business with the Department for the following
reasons:
1.
Falsifying or misrepresenting any material information to the Department as
set
forth hereinabove;
2.
Conferring or offering to confer upon an Employee participating in a
Procurement
(which the entity has bid or intends to submit a bid) any Gift, gratuity, favor,
or advantage, present or future; and
3.
Any
other reasons not explicitly set forth herein that are contained in the DOAS
Vendor Manual.
VII.
USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Employees
will not use Confidential Information for their own advantage or profit, nor
will they disclose Confidential Information during a Procurement to any
potential Vendor or to any other unauthorized recipient outside
DCH.
VIII.
ADDRESSING VIOLATIONS
A.
The
Process
Adherence
to this policy makes all DCH staff responsible for bringing violations to the
attention of the Contracting Officer under Procurement protocols or to a
supervisor/manager if the affected Employee is not a part of the Procurement.
If
for any reason it is not appropriate to report a violation to the Contracting
Officer or the Employee's immediate supervisor, Employees will report such
violations or concerns to the Ethics Officer. The Contracting Officer and
managers are required to report suspected ethics violations to the Ethics
Officer who has specific responsibility to investigate all reported
violations.
Reporting
suspected policy violations by others shall not jeopardize an Employee's tenure
with the Department. Confirmed violations will result in appropriate
disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment, hi some
circumstances, criminal and civil penalties may be applicable.
The
Ethics Officer will notify the employee making the report of the suspected
violation of receipt of such report within five (5) business days. All reports
will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken
if
warranted by the investigation.
B.
Good
Faith Filings
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Anyone
filing a complaint concerning a violation of this policy must be acting in
good
faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed
indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and
which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be
viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.
C.
Confidentiality
Violations
or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the
complainant or maybe submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected
violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with
the
need to conduct an adequate investigation. Additionally, all Employees are
expected to cooperate in the investigation of such violations. Failure to
cooperate in an investigation may result in disciplinary action, up to and
including termination from employment.
Acknowledgement
on the following page
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I,
the
undersigned, hereby acknowledge that:
D.
I have
received, read, and understand the Georgia Department of Community Health's
Ethics
In Procurement Policy,
E.
I
agree to comply with each provision of the Georgia Department of Community
Health's Ethics
InProcurement
Policy,
F.
I am a
(please check which applies):
(
)
Contractor
(
)
Subcontractor
(
)
Vendor
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxx
Authorized
Signature
|
2/27/2007
Date
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
Print
Name
|
|
AFFIX
CORPORATE SEAL
(Corporations
without a seal, attach a Certificate of Corporate Resolution)
|
|
ATTEST:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
2/27/2007
|
Assistant
General Counsel
|
Date
|
Title
|
|
* Must be President, Vice President, CEO or other
authorized officer
**Must be Corporate Secretary
|
|
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