Administration » Purchasing

PO Terms & Conditions

1. Appeal: An appeal refers to a written request from a vendor for reconsideration of vendor selection on either a Bid, Proposal & Quote.

• The item is a public works project bid under Section 55.52 (29) and 66.29 of the Wisconsin Statutes, or
• The item price is $5,000 or more, or the total order is $10,000 or more, and
• Vendor selection was based on factual errors, or
• The lowest price vendor was not selected, or
• Failure by the County or its agents to adhere to the County’s policies and procedures or other legal requirements

2. Cancellation: Brown County reserves the right to cancel a Purchase Order for up to seventy-two (72) hours after placement; should an appeal be made by a vendor. Purchase Orders can be cancelled at any time; if agreed to in writing between both parties.

3. Confidentiality of Personal Health Information: HIPAA/HITECH laws apply.
4. Equal Employment Opportunity: Vendor agrees to be bound by and to implement all applicable federal and state programs requiring equal employment opportunity or preventing employment discrimination by government contracts, and to furnish Brown County with all guarantees or certifications as to such compliance as may be prescribed by any such programs.
5. Fuel Surcharge: Fuel surcharges will not be paid on any purchase of goods/services unless agreed upon at the time of the order placement.
6. Hold Harmless: Vendor hereby agrees to release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Brown County, its officials, officers, employees and agents from and against all judgments, damages, penalties, losses, costs, claims, expenses, suits, demands, debts, actions and/or causes of action of any type or nature whatsoever, including actual and reasonable attorney fees, which may be sustained or to which they may be exposed, directly or indirectly, by reason of personal injury, death, property damage, or other liability, alleged or proven, resulting from or arising out of the performance under this agreement by vendor, its officers, officials, employees, agents or assigns. Brown County does not waive, and specifically reserves its right to assert any and all affirmative defenses and limitations of liability as specifically set forth in Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 893 and related statutes.
7. Insurance Requirements: Vendor, Contractor, Tenant, Provider, Organization or other (referred to as Outside Contractor) shall provide and maintain at its own expense during the term of their agreement, the following insurance policies covering its operations. Hereunder are minimum requirements. Brown County reserves the right to require higher amounts based on the project. Such insurance shall be provided on a primary basis by insurer(s) financially solvent and authorized to conduct business in the State of Wisconsin.

1. Coverage Limits

2. Additional Insured: The Outside Contractor agrees that all liability policies other than professional liability shall contain an endorsement naming Brown County as additional insured with respects to: liability arising out of activities performed by or on behalf of the vendor/contractor; products and completed operations of vendor/contractor; premises owned, occupied or used by vendor; or automobiles owned, leased, hired or borrowed by vendor. The coverage shall contain no special limitations on the scope of protection to the County.
3. Adjustment to Insurance Coverage: The limits of liability as set forth herein shall be periodically reviewed and adjustments made so as to provide insurance coverage in keeping with increases in the Consumer Price Index and what is deemed to be prudent and reasonable by the County or its representatives. In the event that the County determines that the limits need to be adjusted at some time after the initial term of the contract, the County shall give notice to the contractor in writing of the new limits and the Contractor shall make such adjustments to its insurance coverage within sixty (60) day of such notice.
4. Subcontractor: Subcontractors of the Outside Contractor shall also be in compliance with these requirements, including but not limited to, the submittal of a Certificate of Insurance that meets the same requirements outlined for the Outside Contractor.
5. Waiver of Subrogation: Outside Contractor’s Insurers shall waive all subrogation rights against Brown County on all policies required under this requirement.
6. Cancellation Notice: Outside Contract shall give Brown County a policy endorsement giving thirty (30) days advance notice of cancellation, non-renewal, or material change in coverage.
7. Proof of Insurance: A valid Certificate of Insurance, with the endorsement naming Brown County as an additional insured and an endorsement giving notice of cancellation, non- renewal or material change in coverage, shall be issued to Brown County prior to commencement of work and shall meet the requirements listed to avoid any interruption of normal business services and transactions. Certificates must bear the signature of the insurer’s authorized representative. Certificates of Insurance shall be sent to the address below.

8. Questions. If any of the insurance requirements cannot be met, please contact the Brown County Risk Manager at (920) 448-6298 to explain what coverages you are unable to obtain. Special consideration may be given if the required amounts cannot be met.

8. Force Majeure: If the performance of any part of this Purchase Order is delayed or rendered impossible by reason of natural disaster, flood, fire, riot, explosion, war or actions or decrees of governmental bodies, notice shall be given as soon as practicable to the other party indicating the nature of such conditions and the extent of delay and shall do everything possible to resume performance. If the period of nonperformance exceeds twenty-one (21) days from the receipt of said notice of the Force Majeure Event, either Party may terminate this Purchase Order by giving written notice.

9. Legal Compliance: Outside Contractor warrants that all goods and services furnished shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and ordinances applicable to its

10. Price and Delivery: Price and delivery are bound as a legal binding contractual agreement as specified on Brown County’s Purchase Order. If vendor does not agree with the price or delivery, they need to notify a Brown County purchasing representative within seventy-two (72) hours of receipt of the Purchase Order.

11. Purchase Order: The Purchase Order number must appear on all packing slips, bills of lading, and invoices. Invoices are to be mailed to the mailing address designate on the Purchase Order. All conditions, terms, delivery, price and specifications apply as a contractual agreement. Change to the terms, delivery, price or specifications may be changed if agreed to in writing between Brown County and the Outside Contractor.
12. Safety Requirements: All material, equipment, and supplies provided shall comply fully with all safety requirements as set forth by the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Rules of the Industrial Commission on Safety, and all applicable OSHA/DILHR Standards. Safety Data Sheets are to be supplied on all chemicals prior to shipment of the product. No product containing asbestos will be accepted.
13. Taxes: Brown County is exempt from taxes unless stated otherwise on the Purchase Order. Please reference Brown County Wisconsin Seller Permit #004-00000-60305-01 and Sales and Use Tax (exempt status) CES #ES42561.
14. Terms of Payment: Please be advised that by accepting this order/contract the Outside Contractor agrees and understands that payment will be made by the County within thirty (30) days of the receipt of previously agreed to terms of a properly completed invoice or receipt and acceptance of the property or service under the order or contract, whichever is later, with exception of a good faith dispute. See Wisconsin Statute 66.0135.
15. Title, Ownership and Risk of Loss: Unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Order or contract, and notwithstanding any agreement to pay freight, express, or other transportation charges, title to, and risk of loss of or damages to the goods shall not pass to Brown County until they actually have been received and accepted by Brown County or its customers at the destination indicated in the Purchase Order.
16. Warranty: Outside Contractor warrants that all merchandise furnished will be in exact conformity with this order. Outside Contractor warrants that any services to be performed by Outside Contractor hereunder will be performed by Outside Contractor, as an independent contractor, in good and workmanlike manner.