The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have
the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) Claim--A written demand for damages by the contractor based
upon the department's alleged breach of the contract.
(2) Contract--A written contract between the department and
a contractor by the terms of which the contractor agrees either:
(A) to provide goods or services, by sale or lease, to or for
the department; or
(B) to perform a project as defined by Texas Government Code, §2166.001.
(3) Contractor--Independent contractor who has entered into
a contract directly with the department. The term does not include:
(A) The contractor's subcontractor, officer, employee, agent
or other person furnishing goods or services to a contractor;
(B) An employee of a unit of state government; or
(C) A student at an institution of higher education.
(4) Counterclaim--A demand by the department based upon the
contractor's claim.
(5) Day--A calendar day. If an act is required to occur on
a day falling on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the first working day which
is not one of these days should be counted as the required day for purpose
of this act.
(6) Event--An act or omission or a series of acts or omissions
giving rise to a claim. The following list contains illustrative examples
of events, subject to the specific terms of the contract:
(A) Examples of events in the context of a contract for goods
or services:
(i) the failure to timely pay for goods and services;
(ii) the failure to pay the balance due and owing on the contract
price, including orders for additional work, after deducting any amount owed
for work not performed under the contract or in substantial compliance with
the contract terms;
(iii) the suspension, cancellation, or termination of the contract;
(iv) final rejection of the goods or services tendered by the
contractor, in whole or in part;
(v) repudiation of the entire contract prior to or at the outset
of performance by the contractor;
(vi) withholding liquidated damages from final payment to the
contractor.
(B) Examples of events in the context of a project:
(i) the failure to timely pay the unpaid balance of the contract
price following final acceptance of the project;
(ii) the failure to make timely progress payments required
by the contract;
(iii) the failure to pay the balance due and owing on the contract
price, including orders for additional work, after deducting any amount owed
for work not performed under the contract or in substantial compliance with
the contract terms;
(iv) the failure to grant time extensions to which the contractor
is entitled under the terms of the contract;
(v) the failure to compensate the contractor for occurrences
for which the contract provides a remedy;
(vi) suspension, cancellation or termination of the contract;
(vii) rejection by the department, in whole or in part, of
the "work", as defined by the contract, tendered by the contractor;
(viii) repudiation of the entire contract prior to or at the
outset of performance by the contractor;
(ix) withholding liquidated damages from final payment to the
contractor;
(x) refusal, in whole or in part, of a written request made
by the contractor in strict accordance with the contract to adjust the contract
price, the contract time, or the scope of work.
(7) Goods--Supplies, materials or equipment.
(8) Parties--The department and the contractor who entered
into a written contract for which a claim of breach of contract has been filed
under this chapter.
(9) Project--As defined in Texas Government Code §2166.001,
a building construction project that is financed wholly or partly by a specific
appropriation, bond issue or federal money, including the construction of:
(A) a building, structure, or appurtenant facility or utility,
including the acquisition and installation of original equipment and original
furnishing; and
(B) an addition to, or alteration, modification, rehabilitation
or repair of an existing building, structure, or appurtenant facility or utility.
(10) Services--The furnishing of skilled or unskilled labor
or consulting or professional work, or a combination thereof, excluding the
labor of an employee of the department or any other unit of state government.
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