EXHIBIT 10.22
SERVICES AGREEMENT
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 18, 2003
BETWEEN
HEALTHSCRIBE, INC.
AND
MAX HEALTHSCRIBE PRIVATE LIMITED
SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Services Agreement (the "Agreement"), is executed this 3rd day of March
2004, and is effective as of the 18th day of December, 2003, is by and between:
HealthScribe, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal office at 21670
Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, Virginia 20166, USA (hereinafter referred to as "HS")
And
Max HealthScribe Private Limited, a company registered under the Indian
Companies Act, 1956, having its registered office at One HealthScribe Plaza,
Koramangala Block 8, Bangalore -- 560 008, India (hereinafter referred to as
"HSILP"). HSIPL has a pending name change filed in India. Once the name change
is complete, HSIPL shall be known as "HealthScribe (India) Private Limited."
WHEREAS, HS and HSIPL had previously entered into a Services Agreement dated
July 10, 2000, which they desire to terminate and amend and restate in the form
hereof;
WHEREAS, HS wishes to continue to engage HSIPL to provide transcription services
and priming activity (the "Services") on an as-requested, work-for-hire basis,
on the terms herein;
WHEREAS, HSIPL has agreed to provide the Services on the terms herein and that
its board of directors has determined that the provision of such Services will
be in the best interests of HSIPL; and
WHEREAS, HS and HSIPL wish to enter into this Agreement to establish the terms
and conditions upon which HSIPL will provide the Services to HS.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual
promises, covenants and undertakings set forth herein, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto do
hereby agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS.
"Capacity" shall mean the number of Lines that HSIPL can complete in a given
month, which figure shall be notified to HS by HSIPL, in accordance with the
provisions of Clause 8.3.
"Clients" shall mean the clients of HS in the United States of America who have
entered into a contract with HS or any other clients, for the transcription of
Voice Files into Transcribed Lines.
"Committed Capacity" shall mean the minimum transcription capacity of HSIPL to
transcribe the Committed Lines.
"Committed Lines" shall mean the minimum volume of Lines committed by HS which
are specified under Part A of Exhibit A.
"Employees" shall mean HSIPL employees.
"Force Majeure" shall mean any interruptions to the business of either party
caused as a result of any acts beyond their control including war, acts of
internal aggression, violence, arson, vandalism, acts of wanton destruction;
fires, storms, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters or
acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labor dispute, disruption of constant
power supply for more than 48 hours, disruptions to the satellite linkage with
HS, software and hardware crashes; and changes in law that limit or prohibit the
services to be provided hereunder.
"HIPAA" shall mean the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended and in effect.
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"Jobs" shall mean Transcription and, or Priming Activity, as the case may be
and, or any other activity as agreed between the Parties.
"LIBOR" means London Inter Bank Offered Rate.
"Line" shall mean a line of 65 characters including spaces between words but
excluding system generated template characters not required to be typed by the
transcriptionist or any other standard line, the definition of which may be
agreed by the parties during the term of this Agreement. In case of failure to
agree to any other definition the foregoing definition of "Line" shall prevail.
The parties may agreed to a different definition of "Line" for different Jobs.
"Non Stat Jobs" shall mean those jobs other than Stat Jobs.
"Priming Activity" shall mean the process of entry of the patient as well as the
doctor's and clinic's demographic data in the text file for each Job prior to
the Voice File being transcribed.
"QA Proofreading" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 6.2 hereunder.
"Services Fees" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 3.
"Software" shall have the meaning as ascribed to it in the Software License
Agreement.
"Software License Agreement" shall mean the software license agreement executed
between HS and HSIPL, dated July 10, 2000.
"Stat Jobs" shall mean those specific jobs which, regardless of the TAT
stipulated by HS in respect of that Client or Work Type, are identified by
Client as one that must be completed as soon as possible and these jobs will be
routed to the next available transcriptionist and/or editor for immediate
processing.
"Transcription" shall mean the electronic document created from Voice Files
dictated by a doctor.
"Transcribed Lines" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 2.1
hereunder.
"Turnaround Time" or "TAT" shall mean the time specified in respect of each Job
and Work Type of a given Client, within which HSIPL must convert a job into
Transcribed Lines, which time shall be stipulated by HS prior to assigning the
Jobs of a Client or Work Type to HSIPL.
"Voice Files" shall mean digital recordings of dictated voice that can be
understood by playing these files on a computer matching the hardware and
software specifications prescribed by HS.
"Work Type" shall mean and refer to distinct categories of Jobs that shall be
classified depending on the respective departments of a Client from which such
Jobs emanate.
2. SERVICES.
2.1 During the term of this Agreement and for the consideration referenced
in Clause 3. HSIPL agrees to provide Transcription and services
relating to Priming Activity to HS, through HSIPL's employees, agents,
subcontractors, and representative and the Services to be provided by
HSIPL to HS would include the following:
(i) to carry out the transcription of the Voice Files forwarded to
HSIPL by HS into Lines of typewritten text (the "Transcribed
Lines"). HS may require that the Transcribed Lines be
subsequently proofread by HS in order to bring them to a level
of accuracy required by Clause 6 of this Agreement.
Transcribed Lines that meet the accuracy as provided in Clause
6 shall be forwarded by HS to its Clients.
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(ii) carry out the Priming Activity of the Transcription Files for
the Voice Files forwarded to HSIPL by HS prior to the entry of
the Transcribed Lines.
2.1A HS shall provide services relating to connectivity, networking and
installation of modules required of the Software at a third party
customer location (other than HS's Client) for a fee and reimbursement
provided in Clause 3.6. HS shall provide these services for the benefit
of HS's Clients without any fee payable by HSIPL.
2.2 HS shall provide HSIPL with Committed Lines to perform Transcription
and HSIPL shall be obligated to provide the Committed Capacity, except
that for the partial first calendar quarter (beginning on the effective
date of this Agreement and ending on December 31, 2003) the parties
shall provide the Committed Lines and Committed Capacity on a pro rata
basis based upon the number of days elapsed over such partial calendar
quarter.
2.3 HSIPL also shall provide to HS services relating to Priming Activity of
the Transcription files for the Voice Files forwarded to HSIPL by HS
wherein Transcription is not being carried out by HSIPL for an
additional fee as set out in Part C of Exhibit A.
2.4 HSIPL acknowledges that HS is under a contractual obligation to provide
Transcribed Lines to its Client at the level of accuracy and within the
turnaround time already agreed to between HS and its Client and as set
forth in Clauses 5 and 6 of this Agreement. Consequently, HSIPL
acknowledges that the provision of the services to the level of
accuracy and within the time specified by HS with regard to each Job is
the essence of this Agreement.
2.5 HSIPL agrees that it will not perform any services for any third party
(without the written consent of HS) unless (a) HSIPL is in compliance
with the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation the
quality and TAT requirements of Clauses 5 and 6) for each of four
consecutive quarters and (b) HS thereafter refuses to provide
additional Committed Lines to HSIPL even though HSIPL provides
reasonable evidence showing that it has additional capacity. If HSIPL
meets the conditions set forth in the previous sentence, it may perform
transaction services for third parties provided that (i) any such third
party agreements, in HS's opinion, do not interfere with HSIPL's
ability to provide services in connection with the Committed Lines
pursuant to the terms hereof and (ii) such third party contracts are
terminable by HSIPL upon 30 days' notice to such third party or
parties. So long as HS accounts for 60% or more of HSIPL's revenue, if
HSIPL is unable to provide services in compliance with the TAT and
quality requirements hereof (in connection with the Committed Lines)
during a period that HSIPL is performing transcription services for
third parties (as permitted by this Agreement), HSIPL will terminate
third party contracts until it can provide reasonable assurances to HS
that it can and will comply with the TAT and quality requirements of
this Agreement.
3. SERVICES FEES.
3.1 HS shall for services as set out in Clause 2.1 and Part A of Exhibit A
pay to HSIPL a fee to be calculated as set out in Part B of Exhibit A
("Services Fee").
3.2 The Services Fee shall be invoiced to HS on a monthly basis and shall
be due seventy-five (75) days from the receipt by HS of the invoice
therefore. In the event that HS fails to pay any amount when due, HSIPL
shall charge HS interest on the unpaid and past due balance at a rate
of LIBOR plus 3% per annum.
3.3 If the number of Lines transcribed by HSIPL hereunder in connection
with Stat Jobs in any calendar month exceeds 5% of the aggregate Lines
transcribed by HSIPL hereunder in such month, HS shall pay HSIPL US$
0.012 per Transcribed Line over and above the Fees payable for similar
non-Stat Jobs for all Transcribed Lines that exceed such 5% threshold.
3.4 Subject to the terms of Clause 9.7.1, if HS is required to pay any
penalty to its customers in circumstances where HSIPL failed to deliver
any Transcribed Lines within the applicable TAT, HSIPL shall pay an
equal penalty to HS. If a portion of any such TAT penalty owed to a HS
customer is due to HSIPL's failure to
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comply with TAT requirements hereof and a portion is caused by HS, then
HSIPL shall only be responsible for the portion of the TAT penalty
caused by HSIPL's failure to comply with TAT (calculated on a pro rata
basis based upon the number of Transcribed Lines that were not provided
by HSIPL in compliance with the applicable TAT requirements.
3.4A Subject to the terms of Clause 9.7.1 and notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement, HS shall not be required to pay for (a)
any Transcribed Lines that are less than 90% accurate using the
applicable percentage point system or scoring method described in
Clause 6.1 or (b) any Transcribed Lines that are between 90% accurate
and 95% accurate to the extent that the percentage of such Lines that
is between 90% accurate and 95% accurate is greater than 5%. The
parties agree that HS will test the quality of the Transcribed Lines
quarterly, and may use any reasonable sampling method to test the
quality of the Transcribed Lines. The parties agree that a random
sample comprising at least 0.5% of the Lines produced by HSIPL for such
quarter shall be a reasonable sampling method. The parties further
agree that HS may extrapolate (i) that the percentage of Lines
transcribed by HSIPL in the applicable sample that is 90% accurate is
the same percentage of Lines transcribed by HSIPL for the applicable
quarter that is 90% accurate and (ii) that the percentage of Lines that
is between 90% accurate and 95% accurate is the same percentage of
Lines transcribed by HSIPL for the applicable quarter that is between
90% accurate and 95% accurate. (By way of example and not by way of
limitation, if 3% of the Lines in a sample less than 90% accurate and
an additional 7% of the Lines in the sample are between 90% accurate
and 95% accurate, then HS may extrapolate that 3% of the Lines for the
applicable quarter are less than 90% accurate and an additional 7% of
the Lines for the applicable quarter are between 90% accurate and 95%
accurate. In such an example, HS would not be required to pay HSIPL for
the 3% of Lines for the quarter that were not 90% accurate and for an
additional 2% (i.e., 7% less 5%) of the Lines that were between 90%
accurate and 95% accurate).
3.5 HS will also pay to HSIPL a man-month rate of US$ 650 per primer
deployed for Priming Activity for jobs not being transcribed for HSIPL
for the calendar year 2004. This man-month rate shall increase by 2%
per annum from the calendar year 2004 onwards, unless otherwise agreed
by the parties.
3.6 HSIPL shall, for the services referred to in Clause 2.1A, pay HS a fee
equal to US$ 0.03 per Transcribed Line.
3.6.1 In the event HS is required to install any Software for any
such third party, HSIPL shall promptly reimburse HS (without
giving effect to any withholding or other taxes) for all fees
and expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by HS in
connection therewith.
3.6.2 HSIPL shall provide HS with a monthly report containing
sufficient details to allow HS to verify the accuracy of the
calculation of amounts payable to HS hereunder. HSIPL, to the
extent it provides services to another person or entity other
than HS, shall also provide to HS a report setting forth the
amount of all Transcribed Lines to any party other than HS
during the month concerned. HS or its designated
representatives shall have the right at any time during
ordinary business hours, upon reasonable notice, to examine
and make copies of or extracts from the books, accounts and
records of HSIPL so far as they appertain to the Transcribed
Lines to any such third party and to the computation of fees
payable hereunder.
4. PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICES.
4.1 HSIPL shall train the Employees to perform services under this
Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement including the
use of the technology and equipment and the transcription of Voice
Files into Transcribed Lines.
4.2 HSIPL shall indicate to HS the details and number of Employees who are,
in its opinion and based on the training imparted by HSIPL to the
Employees, sufficiently qualified to carry out the Services in respect
of Job and Work Type.
5. TURNAROUND TIME.
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5.1 If the Client is using HS voice dictation system, TAT is measured from
the time a dictation is ended (phone is hung up) until the finished
document is delivered back to the Client, ready for printing. If HS is
extracting from a Client-owned dictation device, TAT is measured from
the time the dictation is extracted into HS system until the finished
document is delivered back to the Client, ready for printing. Dictation
other than that due to system failure at HSIPL's end, that has
unintelligible voice at results in the work being sent to a
collaborator or technical service is exempt from TAT requirements.
Dictation that is not properly signed off, multiple dictation refusal
of dictator to properly use the system or other dictator errors are
exempt from TAT requirements.
5.2 Each Job must be returned to the Client, within the Turnaround Time
specified in respect of the Client and the Work Type. HSIPL shall also
complete the Stat Jobs within the Turnaround Time stipulated by the
Client in respect of each Stat Job. HSIPL agrees to route the Stat Jobs
to the next available transcriptionists and/or editor for immediate
processing. Furthermore, should a Job; whether a Stat Job or otherwise,
require proofreading in the US, then the Job must be delivered back to
HS with sufficient time remaining so that HS can proofread the Job and
still return the Job to the Client within the required TAT. HSIPL and
HS shall mutually agree upon the required time for delivery for each
Client. Unless otherwise mutually agreed, the Transcription TAT for
Jobs requiring proofreading by HS shall be one-half of the Job TAT
specified by the Client.
5.3 HSIPL commits to deliver Transcribed Jobs to HS within its contracted
time requirements with the Client not less than 95% of the time
(measured monthly as a percentage of Lines delivered within the time
periods required by the terms of this Agreement), with no greater than
1% of all reports being delivered more than 24 hours overdue. This is a
standard with adjustments for the following factors:
1) Edits do not count in the return times
2) Dictation issues caused by the Client or its dictation system
supplier
3) Force Majeure
4) Clients that allow more turnaround-time will have their TAT
adjusted
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties may agree to more stringent
TAT terms where TAT requirements of any applicable customer are more
stringent than identified above. In such cases, HS agrees to provide
HSIPL with 30 days' notification of such additional TAT requirements.
6. QUALITY.
6.1 HSIPL commits to deliver Transcribed reports to Clients that exceed 98%
accuracy 95% of the time, with no reports less than 95% accurate. The
percentage accuracy shall be based upon the applicable percentage point
system or scoring method that HS has with the applicable HS customer,
and shall be measured monthly, with adjustments for the following
factors:
1. Edits do not count in the quality standards
2. Dictation issues caused by the client or its dictation system
supplier
3. Force Majeure
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties may agree to more stringent
quality requirements where quality requirements of any applicable
customer are more stringent than identified herein. In such cases, HS
agrees to provide HSIPL with 30 days notification of such additional
quality requirements.
6.2 HS shall from time to time, at its discretion, proofread a random
sample comprising up to 1% but in no event less than 1/2-% of the Lines
produced by each of the Employees of HSIPL to determine the level of
accuracy of the respective Employees ("QA Proofreading"). All costs
incurred in respect of QA Proofreading shall be borne by HS.
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7. TERM.
7.1 The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof, and
unless terminated pursuant to Clause 7.2 hereof shall continue to be
in force through December 31, 2008.
7.2 This Agreement may be terminated by either party ("Non-Defaulting
Party") upon written notice thereof in the event the other party
("Defaulting Party") is in material breach of the terms of this
Agreement and if such breach is not remedied by the Defaulting Party
within six (6) months from the Non-Defaulting Party's notice to the
Defaulting Party to this effect. In the event of a termination of this
Agreement, HS shall promptly pay HSIPL any Services Fee payable to
HSIPL for services rendered prior to the effective date of such
termination and HSIPL shall promptly pay any amount payable to HS under
this Agreement.
7.3 For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that HS can only be in
material breach of this Agreement for failure to pay amounts due
hereunder (provided that following the payment of any disputed amounts
hereunder by HS into escrow, HMIs shall not be permitted to so
terminate).
8. COVENANTS OF HS. HS, for itself, hereby covenants as follows:
8.1 Confidential Agreement. Unless HS has obtained HSIPL's prior written
consent (which consent may be given or withheld in HSIPL's sole and
absolute discretion), HS shall keep the terms and conditions of this
Agreement confidential and prevent disclosure thereof to any Person
other than its employees for purposes directly related to HS's
operation of its business. HS's obligation of confidentiality shall not
apply to information which:
(i) is obtained from a third party that did not make a disclosure
of such information (whether to HS, to a third party, or to
the general public) in violation of' a non-disclosure
obligation,
(ii) is in the public domain not as a result of action by HS,
(iii) is required to be disclosed by applicable law or an order
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided,
however, that in the event of any such required disclosure. HS
shall immediately notify HSIPL thereof and shall cooperate
with HSIPL in any attempt to quash, limit or otherwise prevent
or limit disclosure,
(iv) insofar as it is disclosed to HS's employees, directors,
bankers, potential financiers or professional advisor as
confidential, provided that it shall ensure that such persons
treat such information as confidential.
8.2 Notice. Except as otherwise mutually agreed between the Parties, HS
agrees that it shall give HSIPL at least thirty (30) days' notice
before requiring HSIPL to commence work in respect of any new Clients
or any new Work Type.
8.3 Forecast.
8.3.1 HS shall provide HSIPL a three (3) months rolling forecast of
the Lines to be produced by HSIPL each month not later than
the tenth day of each month. HS and HSIPL must agree on
transcription volume objectives as well as proofing volume and
capacity objectives of HS not less than 30 days prior to the
end of each quarter for the next quarter.
8.3.2 HS shall not be liable to compensate HSIPL under Clause 8.4 in
the event the shortfall in the volume of Lines as committed by
HS in terms of Clause 8.3.1 above is a result of the failure
on the part of HSIPL in informing HS within the time
prescribed in this regard in Clause 8.3.1, of the estimated
Capacity and proofreading requirements of HSIPL in the next
calendar quarter. In addition, HS will not be liable to
compensate HSIPL under Clause 8.4 in the event of the
shortfall
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of Lines for any calendar quarter if HSIPL fails to comply
with the quality and TAT standards set forth in this Agreement
over any calendar month in the previous calendar quarter.
8.4 Penalty.
8.4.1 In the event HS fails to provide the Committed Lines or lines
as committed under Clause 8.3.1, HS shall compensate HSIPL for
such shortfall in the volumes of Lines at a rate of US$ 0.01
per Line within 120 days of receiving a written notice from
HSIPL in relation thereof and in accordance with Clause 8.4.2.
8.4.2 In the event the shortfall in the volumes of Line is
(i) less than 5% then there will not be any penalty,
(ii) between 5% end 25% then the penalties shall be
payable for the first two quarters of default or
until the default continues, whichever is earlier,
(iii) above 25% then the penalties shall be payable for the
first four quarters of default or until the default
continues, whichever is earlier and beyond such four
quarters is a material breach by HS.
8.5 [Intentionally Omitted)
8.4 New Client Review.
8.6.1 The parties shall jointly review a sample of the Voice Files
received from a new Client for transcription and other terms
including TAT and quality norms and mutually agree upon
whether to accept or reject the Job.
8.6.2 In the event HSIPL rejects the Job of a new Client and HS does
not agree with the grounds of rejection, then as long as HS
furnishes appropriate documents evidencing that another
transcriptionist performed on the same quality norms and TAT
offered to HSIPL, then the lines for that new customer shall
be taken into account towards Committed Lines under this
Agreement.
8.7 Compliance with the Regulations. HS shall to the extent applicable
comply with HIPAA, and other applicable regulations in the United
States for such locations where HSIPL, is providing transcription
services to third party customers other than Clients.
9. COVENANTS OF HSIPL. HSIPL hereby covenants to HS as follows:
9.1 Forecast.
9.1.1 HSIPL shall provide HS a three (3) months estimate of its
Capacity and estimated requirement for proofreading each month
not later than the twentieth day of each month. HS and HSIPL
must agree on the capacity objectives as well as proofing
volume and capacity objectives of HS not less than 30 days
prior to the end of each quarter for the next quarter.
9.1.2 HSIPL, shall not be liable to compensate HS under Clause 9.7
in the event the shortfall in the capacity as committed by
HSIPL under this Clause 9.1 is a result of the failure on the
part of HS in informing HSIPL, within the time prescribed in
this regard in Clause 9.1.1, of the estimated capacity
requirements of HS in the next calendar quarter.
9.2 Confidential Information. Unless HSIPL has obtained HS's prior written
consent (which consent may be given or withheld in HS's sole and
absolute discretion), HSIPL shall keep the terms and conditions of this
Agreement confidential and prevent disclosure thereof to any person
other than its employees for purposes
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directly related to HSIPL's operation of its business. HSIPL's
obligation of confidentiality shall not apply to information which;
(i) is obtained from a third party that did not make a disclosure
of such information (whether to HSIPL, to a third party, or to
the general public) in violation of a non-disclosure
obligation,
(ii) is in the public domain not as a result of action by HSIPL,
(iii) is required to be disclosed by applicable law or an order
issued by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided,
however, that in the event of any such required disclosure,
HSIPL shall immediately notify HS thereof and shall cooperate
with HS in any attempt to quash, limit or otherwise prevent or
limit disclosure,
(iv) insofar as it is disclosed to its employees, directors,
bankers, potential financiers or professional, provided that
such party shall ensure that such persons treat such
information as confidential.
9.1 HSIPL undertakes and covenants that it shall, during the term of this
agreement, provide the Services to HS or to any other person that HS
may, in writing, nominate. HSIPL further undertakes and covenants that,
in the event HSIPL has approved of the quality of the sample Voice
Files of a particular Client, HSIPL is not entitled, at any subsequent
point in time to raise any issues with regard to the quality of the
Voice Files, nor shall any alleged lack of Voice File quality be deemed
to be a material breach of the terms of this Agreement.
9.4 HSIPL agrees and undertakes that it shall maintain the quality of the
services rendered to HS at such a level that these Services meet the
quality standards of similar services purchased by HS in the United
States of America. HS may conduct, at its discretion, quality control
checks in addition to those specified herein at no cost to HSIPL.
9.5 Compliance with the Regulations. HSIPL shall to the extent applicable
to it comply with HIPAA, and other applicable regulations in the United
States. In addition, HSIPL shall comply with all business associate
agreements executed by it, including the business associate agreement
attached as Exhibit B. Furthermore, if HS determines that HSIPL must
agree to additional terms to comply with HIPAA or any other privacy law
or regulation, HSIPL shall agree to amend the terms or any Business
Associates Agreement signed by it in order to so comply. HSIPL AND HS
SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HSIPL'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH HIPAA OR ANY
OTHER PRIVACY LAW OR REGULATION, COULD PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT AND
POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC DAMAGES, IN CONSIDERATION OF PROVIDING
SERVICES HEREUNDER, HSIPL EXPLICITLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND ASSUMES THE RISKS
OF DAMAGES FOR HS'S BUSINESS LOSSES, LOSS OF REPUTATION, COSTS OF
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION, COSTS OF NOTIFYING AFFECTED PERSONS OF
PRIVACY RIGHT INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TYPE OF LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
HSIPL'S VIOLATION OF HIPAA OR ANY OTHER PRIVACY LAW OR REGULATION,
THESE DAMAGES ARE IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO HS
INCLUDING THEORIES BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT, INSURANCE RIGHTS, AND
HSIPL'S INDEMNIFICATION DUTIES.
9.6 HSIPL agrees that it shall at all times abide by all relevant local
laws and regulations such as relate to the employment of the Employees
in HSIPL. In particular, HSIPL shall abide by all the statutory
provisions relating to provident funds, pension funds, the payment of
wages, the payment of gratuity, the payment of bonus, employee
insurance, the payment of minimum wages, statutory holidays, hours of
employment, overtime employment, nightshift employment, leave
regulations, conditions of the workplace and healthcare benefits. In
addition, HSIPL agrees that in the event of any termination of the
services or retrenchment or lay-off of any employee, HSIPL shall abide
by the rules, regulations, practices and procedures required by law to
be followed in respect of such termination, retrenchment or lay-off.
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9.7 Subcontracting. Except as agreed to by the parties in writing or as
otherwise permitted in this Clause 9.7, HSIPL must not use a
Subcontractor in the provision of any services hereunder.
"Subcontractor" must be interpreted broadly to mean any person or
business entity that performs part or all of HSIPL's obligations in
providing services hereunder, and it includes any third parties engaged
by the Subcontractor to provide any of Subcontractor's obligations.
9.7.1 Upon advance written notice to HS and subject to Clause 9.7.2,
HSIPL may use certain Subcontractors if HSIPL complies with
all conditions of this paragraph: (a) HSIPL must warrant that
all Subcontractors are located entirely in India; (b) HSIPL
must bind Subcontractors in writing to confidentiality terms
similar to those contained in this Agreement and to the audit
provisions of this Agreement; and (c) HSIPL must obtain HIPAA
business associate agreements in a form approved by HS from
each Subcontractor.
9.7.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, if so stated in writing by HS,
HS can require that certain Jobs be performed without the use
of Subcontractors.
9.7.3 HSIPL bears full responsibility and all liability for services
performed by Subcontractors. All Subcontractors are held to
HSIPL`s standards for service as outlined in the Agreement.
HSIPL is responsible for and is accountable for all Services
pursuant to the Agreement, regardless of whether it uses a
Subcontractor. Whenever HSIPL uses a Subcontractor, HSIPL
incurs all relevant penalties outlined in this Agreement for
under or non-performance of services.
9.7.4. Any agreement between HSIPL and a Subcontractor shall provide
that HS is a third party beneficiary of such agreement.
9.7.5 HS AND HSIPL SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HSIPL'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH
THIS CLAUSE 9.7 COULD PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC
DAMAGES. IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING, HSIPL EXPLICITLY
ACKNOWLEDGES AND ASSUMES THE RISKS OF DAMAGES FOR HS'S BUSINESS LOSSES,
LOSS OF REPUTATION, COSTS OF GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION, COSTS OF
NOTIFYING AFFECTED PERSONS OF PRIVACY RIGHT INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY OTHER
TYPE OF LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HSIPL'S USE OF A SUBCONTRACTOR FOR
PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES. THESE DAMAGES ARE IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER
REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO HS INCLUDING THEORIES BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT,
INSURANCE RIGHTS, AND SUPPLIER'S INDEMNIFICATION DUTIES.
10. CONSEQUENCES OF FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS.
10.1 In the event either party is unable to perform its obligations under
this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of any Force Majeure
event, the obligations of such party under this Agreement shall be
suspended for the duration that the disruption due to the Force Majeure
continues.
10.2 Should HS be unable to utilize HSIPL's capacity for 90 consecutive days
because of a Force Majeure event, HSIPL may, in its sole discretion,
contract for such capacity with another purchaser without penalty to
HS.
11. SEVERABILITY. If any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall be held to be illegal, invalid or otherwise non-enforceable by a
court of competent jurisdiction, all remaining terms and conditions
shall remain in full force and effect.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and all exhibits annexed
hereto, the Software Agreement, and any additional agreements related
to confidentiality of the parties (or third parties) confidential
information, contain the entire agreement between HS and HSIPL with
respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all prior oral and
written understandings of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof, and may only be amended by a writing executed by both HS
and HSIPL.
9
13. NOTICES. All notices, demands and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have
been duly given: (i) on the date delivered if delivered in person; (ii)
upon delivery, if sent overnight by prepaid Federal express or other
similar prepaid and receipted overnight or express courier service;
(iii) upon electronic acknowledgment of receipt, if delivered by
facsimile; or (iv) fifteen (15) days after being sent by certified mail
(or registered airmail in the case of international delivery), postage
prepaid, properly addressed to the addressee as follows:
If to HS:
HealthScribe, Inc.
21670 Ridgetop Circle #100
Sterling
Virginia 20166
U.S.A.
Attention: David E. Ehrhardt, Chief Operating Officer
Facsimile: (1)(703) 480-1045
If to HSIPL:
Max HealthScribe Private Limited
(after name change, HealthScribe India Private Limited)
One HealthScribe Plaza
Koramangala Block 8
Bangalore 560 095
India
Attention: Suresh Nair
Chief Operating Office
Facsimile: (91) (80) 571-5345
or, with respect to any of the foregoing, at such different address as
shall be specified by notice given in the manner herein provided.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the delivery of any notice
is refused or returned unopened, having been addressed to the most
recent address provided by the intended recipient in accordance with
this Clause 13, such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered on
the date of the attempted delivery.
14. RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. The parties to this Agreement are independent
contractors. Nothing in this agreement shall be deemed to create a
relationship, between the parties of partnership agency, employment,
franchise or joint venture. No party, solely by virtue hereof, has the
authority to bind the other or to incur any obligation on the other's
behalf.
15. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed under the substantive laws of India. Courts at Bangalore,
India, shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to any disputes
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
16. NO WAIVER. No failure on the part of HSIPL or HS to exercise, and no
delay in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate
as or be deemed a waiver thereof by such party.
17. HEADINGS. The headings in the clauses of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and in no way alter, amend, modify, limit or
restrict the contractual obligations of the parties.
18. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. Unless the context otherwise requires, "or" is
not exclusive, and references to clauses or subclauses refer to clauses
or subclauses of this Agreement.
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Signature pages transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed originals.
10
20. TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENT. The terms of the Services Agreement
dated July 10, 2000 are hereby terminated and deleted, and amended and
restated in the form herein,
21. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. There are and shall be no third party
beneficiaries of this Agreement.
22. CONFIDENTIALITY. HS and HSIPL agree to take all steps reasonably
necessary to hold each others Proprietary Information in trust and
confidence. By way of illustration but not limitation "Proprietary
Information" includes (a) trade secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas,
processes, formulas, source and object codes, data, programs, other
works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments,
designs and techniques; and (b) information regarding plans for
research, development, new products, marketing and selling, business
plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices
and costs, suppliers and customers. HS and HSIPL agree never to,
directly or indirectly, use, disseminate, disclose, lecture upon or
publish, or divulge in any way, any of the other's Proprietary
Information disclosed to HS or HSIPL or known to HS or HSIPL as a
consequence of or through HS's relationship with HSIPL and the
reciprocal. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each of
HS and HSIPL covenants and agrees that all training materials and other
repositories of Proprietary Information of the other then in HS's or
HSIPL's possession shall be returned to the owner of the Proprietary
Information on or before the effective date of termination. The
foregoing is in addition to any other confidentiality agreement between
the parties hereto.
23. SURVIVAL. he Clauses 3.4, 3.6, 3.6.1, and 11 though 22 shall survive
termination and/or early expiration of this Agreement.
[Signatures on following pages]
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
HEALTHSCRIBE, INC.
/s/ David E. Ehrhardt
- --------------------------------------------
Name: David E. Ehrhardt
Title: President & CEO
MAX HEALTHSCRIBE PRIVATE LIMITED
/s/ Suresh Nair
- --------------------------------------------
Name: Suresh Nair
Title: CEO & Managing Director
12
EXHIBIT A
PART A
PRODUCTION CAPACITY:
In 2004, HSIPL currently intends that it will provide Committed Capacity and HS
currently intends that it will provide the Committed Lines based on the terms of
HS's annual budget. This budget provides for HSIPL to transcribe 118 million
lines. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties expect that they will amend
this Part A of Exhibit A quarterly based upon revised forecasts of the parties
(sec Clauses 8.3 end 9.1) and the quality and TAT of the services performed by
HSIPL.
For planning purposes, HS agrees to provide HSIPL with an annual estimate of
budgeted volumes for subsequent years no later than October 1 of each calendar
year.
PART B
LINE RATE:
Subject to the terms of tilts Agreement including Clause 3.4A (which requires
certain levels of accuracy before payment is required), HS will pay to HSIPL per
Line (based upon the proposed production capacity above) as follows:
January 1 - March 31, 2004 $0.1079 per Line
April 1 - December 31, 2004 $0.1025 per Line
Both parties agree to review the contracted Line rate annual and, if mutually
agreed upon, to adjust the Line rate. The parties intend that the Line rate will
reflect the general market price (based upon the pricing provided by competitors
in India), provided that the parties shall not be required examine such then
current general market price more than once per year.
Both parties agree that the above Line rates reflect the fact that HS will
proofread 4% (up to a maximum of 4.7 million) of the Transcribed Lines. If
additional proofreading is required in order to ensure that HSIPL provides its
services in compliance with this Agreement, then the parties may adjust the Line
rate to reflect the actual additional costs of HS.
PART C:
HS will also pay to HSIPL a man-month rate of US$ 650 per Primer deployed for
Priming Activity for jobs not being transcribed for HSIPL for the calendar year
2004. This man-month rate shall increase by 2% per annum from the calendar year
2004 onwards, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
13
FIRST AMENDMENT TO SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO SERVICES AGREEMENT (this "First Amendment") is
entered into and made effective as of May 18, 2005 (the "Effective Date"), by
and between HealthScribe, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to
as "HealthScribe"), and HealthScribe (India) Private Limited, a company
registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as
"HSIPL").
WHEREAS, HealthScribe and HSIPL entered into that certain Services
Agreement effective as of December 18, 2003 (the "Services Agreement");
WHEREAS, HealthScribe and HSIPL now desire to amend the Services
Agreement, as more particularly set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements set forth below and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used in this First Amendment and
not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Services
Agreement.
2. Section 3.2. Effective as of December 18, 2003, Section 3.2 of the
Services Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the
following:
The Services Fee shall be invoiced to HealthScribe on a monthly basis
and shall be due seventy-five (75) days from the receipt of
HealthScribe of the invoice therefore.
3. Exhibit A. Exhibit A, Part B, is hereby deleted in its entirety and
replaced with the following:
Subject to the terms of this Agreement including Clause 3.4A (which
requires certain levels of accuracy before payment is required),
HealthScribe will pay to HSIPL per Line (based on the proposed
production capacity above) the amount of $0.1025 per Line.
Both parties agree to review the contracted Line rate annually and, if
mutually agreed upon, to adjust the Line rate. The parties intend that
the Line rate will reflect the general market price (based upon the
pricing provided by competitors in India), provided that the parties
shall not be required to examine such then current general market price
more than once per year.
Both parties agree that the above Line rate reflects the fact that
HealthScribe will proof read 4% (up to a maximum of 4.7 million) of the
Transcribed Lines. If additional proof reading is required in order to
ensure that HSIPL provides its services in compliance with this
Agreement, then the parties may adjust the Line rate to reflect the
actual additional costs of HealthScribe.
4. Ratification. Except as specifically amended above, the Services
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and
confirmed.
5. Construction. Upon execution of this First Amendment by the parties,
on and after the date hereof, each reference in the Services Agreement to "this
Agreement," "hereunder," "hereof," "herein" or words of like import, and each
reference in the other documents entered into in connection with the Services
Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Services Agreement, as amended
hereby.
6. Governing Law. This First Amendment shall be construed and enforced
according to the substantive laws of the State of Tennessee and in courts
situated in that state. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of
this First Amendment and applicable law (or binding interpretation thereof),
this First Amendment shall be modified to the extent necessary to comply with
such applicable law.
7. Entire Agreement; Counterparts; Modification. This First Amendment
together with the Services Agreement contains the complete expression of the
agreement between the parties with respect to the matters addressed herein and
there are no promises, representations, or inducements except as herein
provided. Nothing contained herein shall give, or is intended to give, any
rights of any kind to any third party. This First Amendment may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This First
Amendment is hereby incorporated into the Services Agreement by reference. In
the event of any conflict between the provisions of this First Amendment and the
provisions of the Services Agreement, the provisions of this First Amendment
shall control. The terms and provisions of this First Amendment may not be
modified, supplemented, or amended except in writing signed by all parties
hereto. All terms of this First Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and permitted assigns
of the parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment
to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the dates written
below.
HEALTHSCRIBE, INC. HEALTHSCRIBE (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED
By: /s/ Gregory T. Stevens By: /s/ Suresh Nair
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------
(Authorized Signature) (Authorized Signature)
Gregory T. Stevens Suresh Nair
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Printed Name Printed Name
Chief Administrative Officer CEO & M.D.
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Title Title
5/25/05 8/5/2005
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Date Date