REMEDIATION SERVICES AGREEMENT
This agreement (“Agreement”) dated August 27, 2024 for reference purposes only is entered into by and between the City of Commerce, a municipal corporation ("City") and Ramboll American Engineering Solutions, Inc. (“Consultant”). City and Consultant are sometimes hereinafter individually referred to as a “Party” and collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
R E C I T A L S
A. The City desires to utilize the services of Consultant as an independent contractor to provide environmental remediation services to City as set forth in the attached Exhibit A.
B. Consultant represents that it is fully qualified to perform such consulting services by virtue of its experience and the training, education and expertise of its principals and employees.
C. On August 1, 2022, the City of Commerce (“City”) entered into a Development Agreement with Comstock Gage, LLC (“Developer”) for the development of the Modelo project which included one property owned by the Developer and three properties owned by the City.
D. The Developer property and two of the City properties are the site of a former dump site and contain hazardous materials.
E. The provisions of the Development Agreement contained provisions for the remediation of the hazardous materials on the two City properties.
F. On or about April 7, 2022, the City of Commerce applied for an Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (“ECRG”) from the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (“DTSC”) in the amount of seven million dollars for the remediation and clean-up of hazardous materials located on the City Properties located at 6364 Zindell Avenue, Commerce, CA 90040 , Assessor Parcels Numbered 6357-018-900 and 6357-019-904 (“City Properties”).
G. On or about June 6, 2022, DTSC approved the grant funds in the amount of seven million dollars for the remediation of the City Properties with a grant funds expiration date of June 6, 2024. On or about June 12, 2024 DTSC granted an extension of time to December 13, 2024 for completion of the remediation of the City Properties.
H. The City requires environmental remediation services, specifically in connection with the site review and development and completion of Remedial Action Plans (RAP) as it relates to the City Properties.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of performance by the parties of the covenants and conditions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Company's Scope of Services.
A. Scope of Services. The nature and scope of the specific services to be performed by Consultant is to perform services more particularly described as items numbered Task 1 through Task 11 in Exhibit A attached hereto.
B. Time of Performance Consultant shall complete consultant services for the City according to the schedule of performance which is also set forth in Exhibit A.
2. Term of Agreement.
The Agreement shall be for a term commencing on June 22, 2024 (the “Commencement Date”) and terminating on January 13, 2025 (the “Termination Date”), unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. In the event the Parties do not enter into a new agreement or amendment to this Agreement prior to the Termination Date and there is monetary value left in the Contract, this Agreement shall continue on a month-to-month basis under the same terms for a period not to exceed three (3) months following the Termination Date with the sum invoiced during the three months following the Termination Date not to exceed the balance of the remaining not to exceed amount. If the Parties execute no new agreement by the end of the three-month period following the Termination Date, this Agreement shall terminate at the end of such three-month period.
3. Compensation. City agrees to compensate Consultant for services under this Agreement in the agreed amount in compliance with the schedule set forth in Exhibit A, except total compensation shall not exceed $6,750,000. Payments will be made only after submission of proper monthly invoices in the form and manner specified by City. Each invoice shall include a breakdown of all monthly services performed together with the hours spent on each service. City shall endeavor to pay invoices bearing correct and authorized charges within thirty (30) days of the date they are received; however, Consultant acknowledges and agrees that due to City warrant run procedures, the City cannot guarantee that payment will occur within this time period. Additionally, City payment is subject to receipt of payment from the DTSC-ECRG for invoices submitted by the City to DTSC for the associated DTSC-ECRG grant funds. Except as hereinafter described, City shall not be responsible to Consultant for any additional charges, interest or penalties due to a failure to pay within such period.
A. Total payment to Consultant pursuant to this Agreement shall not exceed a total of Six Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($6,750,000) and be billed on a time and material basis for amounts shown in Exhibit A. Consultant not to exceed costs are calculated and based on a not to exceed amounts of Ninety-five percent (95%) of __________________ ($___________) for the DTSC-ECRG grant. CONSULTANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING CONSULTANT DOES NOT EXCEED THE CONTRACTED AMOUNTS FOR THE GRANT. The City shall not be responsible for compensation to Consultant beyond the not to exceed amount stated herein without prior written authorization.
B. Consultant shall only be reimbursed for those expenses which: (i) appear on Consultant’s monthly invoices; (ii) are accompanied by a copy of the City’s written authorization for Consultant to incur such expenses; and (iii) detailed invoices and receipts documenting such expenses as required by the DTSC-ECRG Grants.
General Terms and Conditions. The General Terms and Conditions set forth in Exhibit B are incorporated as part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the General Terms and Conditions and any other exhibit to this Agreement, the General Terms and Conditions shall control unless it is clear from the context that both parties intend the provisions of the other exhibit(s) to control.
Addresses.
City of Lynwood
City of Lynwood
11330 Bullis Road
Lynwood, CA 90262
Attn: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Company
Ramboll US Corporation
Attn: Leo Rebele
5 Park Plaza, Suite 500
Irvine, CA 92614
Exhibits. All exhibits referred to in this Agreement are listed here and are incorporated and made part of this Agreement by this reference.
Exhibit A – Scope of Services and Compensation Schedule Exhibit B – General Terms and Conditions
SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates written below.
CITY
CITY OF COMMERCE
By: ___________________________
Ernie Hernandez, City Manager Date: ____________________ ATTEST:
By: __________________________
Maria Quinonez, City Clerk Date: ____________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: _________________________
Noel Tapia, City Attorney Date____________________
CONSULTANT
RAMBOLL AMERICAN ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, INC.
By: _____________________
Leo Rebele, Principal Date_____________________
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
EXHIBIT B
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Status as Independent Contractor.
Consultant is, and shall at all times remain as to City, a wholly independent contractor. Consultant shall have no power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of the City of Lynwood or otherwise act on behalf of Lynwood as an agent. Neither the City of Lynwood nor any of its agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as set forth in this Agreement. Consultant shall not, at any time, or in any manner, represent that it or any of its agents or employees are in any manner agents or employees of the City of Lynwood.
Consultant agrees to pay all required taxes on amounts paid to Consultant under this Agreement, and to indemnify and hold City harmless from any and all taxes, assessments, penalties, and interests asserted against City by reason of the independent Consultant relationship created by this Agreement. In the event that City is audited by any Federal or State agency regarding the independent status of Consultant and the audit in any way fails to sustain the validity of a wholly independent Consultant relationship between City and Consultant, then Consultant agrees to reimburse City for all costs, including accounting and attorney's fees, arising out of such audit and any appeals relating thereto.
Consultant shall fully comply with the workers' compensation law regarding Consultant and Consultant’s employees. Consultant further agrees to indemnify and hold City harmless from any failure of Consultant to comply with applicable worker's compensation laws. City shall have the right to offset against the amount of any fees due to Consultant under this Agreement any amount due to City from Consultant as a result of Consultant’s failure to promptly pay to City any reimbursement or indemnification arising under this Section 1.
Consultant represents to the City, and City relies on Consultant’s representations, that Consultant shall serve solely in the capacity of an independent contractor to the City. Neither the City nor any of its agents will have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s employees, except as otherwise set forth in the Agreement. Consultant may not, at any time or in any manner, represent that it or any of its agents or employees are in any manner agents or employees of the City. The City has no duty, obligation, or responsibility to the Consultant’s agents or employees, including the Affordable Care Act coverage requirements. Consultant is solely responsible for any tax penalties associated with the failure to offer affordable coverage to its agents and employees under the Affordable Care Act with respect to Consultant’s agents and employees. Consultant warrants and represents that the City will not be responsible and will not be held liable for issues related to Consultant’s status as an independent contractor, including Consultant’s failure to comply with Consultant’s duties, obligations, and responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act. Consultant further agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless for any and all taxes, claims, and penalties against the City related to Consultant’s obligations under the Affordable Care Act.
Standard of Performance
Consultant shall perform all work to the highest professional standards and in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the City Manager or his/her designee. No additional or different tasks or services shall be performed by Consultant other than those specified in Exhibit A.
Indemnification.
Consultant is skilled in the professional calling necessary to perform the services and duties agreed to be performed under this Agreement, and City is relying upon the skill and knowledge of Consultant to perform said services and duties.
City and its respective elected and appointed boards, officials, officers, agents, employees and volunteers (individually and collectively, "Indemnities") shall have no liability to Consultant or any other person for, and Consultant shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold harmless Indemnities from and against, any and all liabilities, claims, actions, causes of action, proceedings, suits, damages, judgments, liens, levies, costs and expenses of whatever nature, including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (collectively "Claims"), which Indemnities may suffer or incur or to which Indemnities may become subject by reason of or arising out of any injury to or death of any person(s), damage to property, loss of use of property, economic loss or other loss occurring as a result of or allegedly caused by Consultant’s performance of or failure to perform any services under this Agreement or by the negligent or willful acts or omissions of Consultant, its agents, officers, directors, subcontractor, sub consultant or employees, committed in performing any of the services under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to Claims occurring as a result of the City’s sole negligence or willful acts or omissions.
Consultant agrees to obtain executed indemnity agreements with provisions identical to those set forth in this Section from each and every subcontractor, sub consultant or any other person or entity involved by, for, with or on behalf of Consultant in the performance of this Agreement. In the event Consultant fails to obtain such indemnity obligations from others as required in this Section, Consultant agrees to be fully responsible according to the terms of this Section. Failure of the City to monitor compliance with these requirements imposes no additional obligations on City and will in no way serve as a waiver of any rights hereunder. This obligation to indemnify and defend Indemnities as set forth herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement and is in addition to any rights which City may have under the law. This indemnity is effective without reference to the existence or applicability of any insurance coverage which may have been required under this Agreement or any additional insured endorsements which may extend to City.
4. Insurance.
Without limiting Consultant’s indemnification of Indemnities pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, Consultant shall obtain and provide and maintain at its own expense during the term of this Agreement the types and amounts of insurance as described below:
Consultant shall maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance with coverage at least as broad as Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability Form CG 00 01 in an amount not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence, $4,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage. Defense costs must be paid in addition to limits. There shall be no cross liability exclusion for claims or suits by one insured against another. The policy must include contractual liability that has not been amended. Any endorsement restricting standard ISO “insured contract” language will not be accepted.
Consultant shall maintain Business Auto Coverage on ISO Business Auto Coverage Form CA 00 01 covering bodily injury and property damage for all activities of the Consultant arising out of or in connection with Work to be performed under this Agreement, including coverage for any owned, hired, non-owned or rented vehicles, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for each accident.
Consultant shall maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Statutory Limits) and Employer’s Liability Insurance with on a state approved policy form providing statutory benefits as required by law with employer’s liability limits no less than $1,000,000 per accident for all covered losses; Consultant shall maintain Professional Liability or Errors and Omissions Insurance that covers the services to be performed in connection with this Agreement, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per claim and in the aggregate. Any policy inception date, continuity date, or retroactive date must be before the effective date of this Agreement and Consultant agrees to maintain continuous coverage through a period no less than three (3) years after completion of the services required by this Agreement.
City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers shall be named as additional insureds on the policy(ies) as to commercial general liability and automotive liability.
All insurance policies shall be issued by an insurance company currently authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to transact business of insurance or is on the List of Approved Surplus Line Insurers in the State of California, with an assigned policyholders’ Rating of A- (or higher) and Financial Size Category Class VI (or larger) in accordance with the latest edition of Best’s Key Rating Guide, unless otherwise approved by the City’s Risk Manager.
All insurance policies shall provide that the insurance coverage shall not be non-renewed, canceled, reduced, or otherwise modified (except through the addition of additional insureds to the policy) by the insurance carrier without the insurance carrier giving City thirty (30) days' prior written notice thereof. Any such thirty (30) day notice shall be submitted to CITY via certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to “Director of Human Resources & Risk Management,” City of Lynwood, 11330 Bullis Road, Lynwood, California, 90262. Consultant agrees that it will not cancel, reduce or otherwise modify said insurance coverage.
Consultant shall submit to City (I) insurance certificates indicating compliance with the minimum worker's compensation insurance requirements above, and (II) insurance policy endorsements indicating compliance with all other minimum insurance requirements above, not less than one (1) day prior to beginning of performance under this Agreement. Endorsements shall be executed on City’s appropriate standard forms entitled "Additional Insured Endorsement".
Consultant’s insurance shall be primary as respects the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers shall be excess of Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
Consultant agrees that if it does not keep the aforesaid insurance in full force and effect, and such insurance is available at a reasonable cost. City may take out the necessary insurance and pay the premium thereon, and the repayment thereof shall be deemed an obligation of Consultant’s and the cost of such insurance may be deducted, at the option of City, from payments due Consultant.
5. Release of Information/Confidentiality.
Consultant in the course of its duties may have access to confidential data of City, private individuals, or employees of the City. Consultant covenants that all data, documents, discussion, or other information developed or received by Consultant or provided for performance of this Agreement are deemed confidential and shall not be disclosed by Consultant without written authorization by City. City shall grant such authorization if disclosure is required by law. All City data shall be returned to City upon the termination of this Agreement. Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants, shall not without written authorization from the City Manager, voluntarily provide declarations, letters of support, testimony at depositions, response to interrogatories, or other information concerning the work performed under this Agreement or relating to any project or property located within the City. Response to a subpoena or court order shall not be considered "voluntary" provided Consultant gives City notice of such court order or subpoena. Consultant’s covenant under this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Consultant shall promptly notify City should Consultant, its officers, employees, agents, or subconsultants be served with any summons, complaint, subpoena, notice of deposition, request for documents, interrogatories, request for admissions, or other discovery request, court order, or subpoena from any person or party regarding this Agreement and the work performed thereunder. City retains the right, but has no obligation, to represent Consultant and/or be present at any deposition, hearing, or similar proceeding. Consultant agrees to cooperate fully with City and to provide the opportunity to review any response to discovery requests provided by Consultant. However, City's right to review any such response does not imply or mean the right by City to control, direct, or rewrite said response
6. Ownership of Work Product.
Consultant shall maintain complete and accurate records with respect to sales, costs, expenses, receipts, and other such information required by the City that relate to the performance of services under this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain adequate records of services provided in sufficient detail to permit an evaluation of services. All such records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be clearly identified and readily accessible. Consultant shall provide free access to the representatives of the City or its designees at reasonable times to such books and records; shall give the City the right to examine and audit said books and records; shall permit the City to make transcripts therefrom as necessary; and shall allow inspection of all work, data, documents, proceedings, and activities related to this Agreement. Such records, together with supporting documents, shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years after receipt of final payment.
Upon completion of, or in the event of termination or suspension of this Agreement, all original documents, designs, drawings, maps, models, computer files, surveys, notes, and other documents prepared in the course of providing the services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement shall become the sole property of the City and may be used, reused, or otherwise disposed of by the City without the permission of the Consultant. With respect to computer files, Consultant shall make available to the City, at the Consultant's office and upon reasonable written request by the City, the necessary computer software and hardware for purposes of accessing, compiling, transferring, and printing computer files.
7. Conflict of Interest.
Consultant covenants that it presently has no interest and shall not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, which may be affected by the services to be performed by Consultant under this Agreement, or which would conflict in any manner with the performance of its services hereunder. Consultant further covenants that, in performance of this Agreement, no person having any such interest shall be employed by it. Furthermore, Consultant shall avoid the appearance of having any interest which would conflict in any manner with the performance of its services pursuant to this Agreement.
Consultant covenants not to give or receive any compensation, monetary or otherwise, to or from the ultimate vendor(s) of services to City as a result of the performance of this Agreement, or the services that may be procured by the City as a result of the recommendations made by Consultant’s covenants under this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision, this Agreement may be duly terminated at any time by the City at its sole discretion with or without cause by serving upon the consultant at least ten (10) days prior written notice (“Notice of Termination”). Upon receipt of said notice, the Consultant shall immediately cease all work under this Agreement, unless the notice provides otherwise. Unless expressly agreed upon in writing by the City, the City shall not be obligated to pay for any services rendered nor any costs or expenses paid or incurred after the date of termination. The effective date of termination shall be upon the date specified in the written Notice of Termination. Consultant agrees that in the event of such termination, Consultant must refund the City its prorated share, except for services satisfactorily rendered prior to the effective date of termination. Immediately upon receiving written Notice of Termination, Consultant shall discontinue performing services, preserve the product of the services and upon payment for services, turn over to City the product of the services in accordance with written instructions of City.
In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, the City shall pay to Consultant the actual value of the work performed up to the time of termination, provided that the work performed is of value to the City. Upon termination of the Agreement pursuant to this Section, the Consultant will submit an invoice to the City.
Personnel. Consultant represents that it has, or will secure at its own expense, all personnel required to perform the services under this Agreement. All of the services required under this Agreement will be performed by Consultant or under its supervision, and all personnel engaged in the work shall be qualified to perform such services. Consultant reserves the right to determine the assignment of its own employees to the performance of Consultant’s services under this Agreement, but City reserves the right, for good cause, to require Consultant to exclude any employee from performing services on City's premises.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity.
Consultant shall not discriminate as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental handicap, medical condition, or sexual orientation, in the performance of its services and duties pursuant to this Agreement, and will comply with all rules and regulations of City relating thereto. Such nondiscrimination shall include but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, transfers, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship.
Consultant will, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of Consultant state either that it is an equal opportunity employer or that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental handicap, medical condition, or sexual orientation.
Consultant will cause the foregoing provisions to be inserted in all subcontracts for any work covered by this Agreement except contracts or subcontracts for standard commercial supplies or raw materials.
Assignment. Consultant shall not assign or transfer any interest in this Agreement nor the performance of any of Consultant obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of City, and any attempt by Consultant to assign this Agreement or any rights, duties, or obligations arising hereunder shall be void and of no effect.
Performance Evaluation. For any Agreement in effect for twelve months or longer, the City Manager may require a written annual administrative performance evaluation within ninety (90) days of the first anniversary of the effective date of this Agreement, and each year thereafter throughout the term of this Agreement. The work product required by this Agreement shall be utilized as the basis for review, and any comments or complaints received by City during the review period, either orally or in writing, shall be considered. City shall meet with Consultant prior to preparing the written report. If any noncompliance with the Agreement is found, City may direct Consultant to correct the inadequacies, or, in the alternative, may terminate this Agreement as provided herein.
Compliance with Laws. Consultant shall keep itself informed of State, Federal and Local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations which in any manner affect those employed by it or in any way affect the performance of its service pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall at all times comply with such laws, ordinances, codes and regulations. The City, its officers and employees shall not be liable at law or in equity occasioned by failure of Consultant to comply with this Section.
Licenses. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall have in full force and effect all licenses (including a City business license) required of it by law for performance of the services hereunder.
Non-Waiver of Terms, Rights and Remedies. Waiver by either party of any one or more of the conditions of performance under this Agreement shall not be a waiver of any other condition of performance under this Agreement. In no event shall the making by City of any payment to Consultant constitute or be construed as a waiver by City of any breach of covenant, or any default which may then exist on the part of Consultant, and the making of any such payment by City shall in no way impair or prejudice any right or remedy available to City with regard to such breach or default.
Attorney's Fees. In the event that either party to this Agreement shall commence any legal or equitable action or proceeding to enforce or interpret the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be entitled to recover its costs of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs, including costs of expert witnesses and Consultant.
Notices. Any notices, bills, invoices, or reports required by this Agreement shall be deemed received on (a) the day of delivery if delivered by hand during Consultant regular business hours or by facsimile before or during Consultant regular business hours; or (b) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses heretofore set forth in the Agreement, or to such other addresses as the parties may, from time to time, designate in writing pursuant to the provisions of this section.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted both as to validity and to performance of the Parties in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Legal actions concerning any dispute, claim or matter arising out of or in relation to this Agreement shall be instituted in the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, State of California. However, the Parties may agree to submit any dispute to non-binding arbitration.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be the original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Severability. If any provision or any part of any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and any other documents incorporated herein by specific reference, represents the entire and integrated agreement between Consultant and City. This Agreement supersedes all prior oral or written negotiations, representations or agreements. This Agreement may not be amended, nor any provision or breach hereof waived, except in a writing signed by the Parties which expressly refers to this Agreement. Amendments on behalf of the City will only be valid if signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk.
Authority. The person or persons executing this Agreement on behalf of Consultant warrants and represents that he/she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of Consultant and has the authority to bind Consultant to the performance of its obligations hereunder.
Force Majeure. A Party’s performance of any obligation under this Agreement shall be suspended if, and to the extent that, the Party is unable to perform because of any event of Force Majeure. In any such event, the Party unable to perform shall be required to resume performance of its obligations under this Agreement upon the termination of the event or cause that excused performance hereunder. “Force Majeure” herein means an event which is beyond the reasonable control of a Party, including without limitation, (a) acts of God including flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane or explosion, pandemic; (b) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (c) government order or law that prevents either Party from performing its obligations as set forth in this Agreement; (d) actions, embargoes or blockades in effect on or after the date of this Agreement; (e) action by any governmental authority that prevents either Party from performing its obligations as set forth in this Agreement; (f) national or regional emergency; (g) strikes, labor stoppages or slowdowns or other industrial disturbances, other than those involving the affected parties employees; (h) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities.
Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or default in, or failure of, performance resulting from or arising out of any Force Majeure event, and no such delay, default in, or failure of performance shall constitute a breach by either Party hereunder. Where a Force Majeure event gives rise to a failure or delay in either Party performing its obligations under this Agreement (other than obligations to make payment), those obligations will be suspended for the duration of the Force Majeure event. A Party who becomes aware of a Force Majeure event which gives rise to, or which is likely to give rise to, any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this Agreement, will forthwith notify the other and inform the other of the period for which it is estimated that such failure or delay will continue. The affected Party shall take reasonable steps to mitigate the effects of the Force Majeure event 4