Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR
TULARE AVENUE MAJOR ROAD REHABILITATION (ROEBEN TO DEMAREE)
This Agreement, entered into this ________ day of ________________, 2025, by and between the City of Visalia, hereinafter referred to as the “CITY”, and 4 Creeks, Inc. hereinafter referred to as the “CONSULTANT”.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the CITY is authorized and empowered to employ consultants and specialists in the performance of its duties and functions; and
WHEREAS, the CITY issued a mini-Request for Proposals (“mini-RFP”), attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” which outlines the PROJECT and the professional services requested by the CITY, and the CONSULTANT submitted a technical proposal in response, attached hereto as Exhibit “C”; and WHEREAS, Exhibit “A” includes the complete mini-Request for Proposals package issued by the CITY, together with all attachments, appendices, exhibits, and any addenda or written clarifications released during the mini-RFP process, all of which are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement by reference; and
WHEREAS, the CITY desires to obtain the professional and technical services described in Exhibit “A,” as supplemented and clarified by the CONSULTANT’s proposal in Exhibit “C” (collectively referred to as the “PROJECT”); and
WHEREAS, the CONSULTANT represents it is licensed, qualified and willing to provide such services pursuant to terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, CITY and CONSULTANT agree as follows:
I. SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED BY THE CONSULTANT
A. Authorized Scope of Work: The CONSULTANT agrees to perform all services necessary and appropriate to complete, in a manner satisfactory to the CITY, the tasks and deliverables described in Exhibit “A” (mini-RFP Scope of Work) and further supplemented by Exhibit “C” (CONSULTANT’s Technical Proposal). These documents collectively constitute the Scope of Work for the PROJECT unless modified by a written amendment executed by both parties.
B. Additional and Optional Task: The CITY may request incidental, supplemental, or otherwise unforeseen services related to the PROJECT that are not specifically included in Exhibits “A” or “C”. The CONSULTANT agrees to provide such additional services at the rates listed in Exhibit “B” – Consultant Schedule of Fees. No additional or optional tasks shall be undertaken by the CONSULTANT without prior written authorization from the CITY.
II. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
The CONSULTANT shall commence performance of this Agreement within ten (10) days of the effective date on the Consultant’s written Notice to Proceed and shall complete the work within the timeframes outlined in the Exhibits, unless otherwise extended in writing by CITY, in its sole discretion.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
If the CONSULTANT fails to complete the PROJECT within the time specified, plus any extensions of time which may be granted, the CITY shall determine the percent of each work item completed and shall pay the CONSULTANT on that basis.
CONSULTANT shall not be responsible for delays which are due to causes beyond the CONSULTANT’s reasonable control. In the case of any such delay, the time of completion shall be extended accordingly in writing signed by both parties.
III. COMPENSATION
A. Total Compensation: For services performed pursuant to this Agreement, the CITY agrees to pay, and the CONSULTANT agrees to accept, a total fixed-fee amount of Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars ($22,000) for those portions of the PROJECT designated as fixed-fee work.
The CITY further agrees to pay a time-and-materials not-to-exceed amount of Two Hundred Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Seven Dollars ($238,227) for those portions of the PROJECT designated to be compensated on a time-and-materials basis, as identified in Exhibit “D” – Project Fees. Together with the fixed-fee amount identified above, the total not- to-exceed compensation authorized under this Agreement shall not exceed Two Hundred Sixty Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Seven Dollars ($260,227).
All compensation shall be paid in accordance with Exhibit “D,” and all billing rates shall be consistent with Exhibit “B” – Consultant’s Schedule of Fees. The total compensation specified in Exhibit “D” shall constitute full payment for all authorized services, including labor, subconsultants, document production, materials, and out-of-pocket expenses associated with the PROJECT.
No compensation beyond the amounts identified in Exhibit “D” shall be authorized unless approved in advance by the CITY through a written amendment or written authorization.
B. Payment of Compensation: The CONSULTANT may submit invoices no more than once per month.
Payment for fixed-fee tasks shall be based on the percentage of each phase or task completed to date, as identified in the Scope of Work and Project Fees. Each invoice for fixed-fee services shall identify the percentage of each task completed to date and the incremental progress made since the preceding invoice, if any.
Payment for time-and-materials tasks shall be based on actual hours worked multiplied by the billing rates set forth in Exhibit “B” – Consultant’s Schedule of Fees all in accordance with the not-to-exceed amounts identified in Exhibit “D” – Project Fees.
The CITY shall pay all undisputed amounts within thirty (30) days following receipt of a written and verified invoice.
IV. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
A. CITY: The Project Manager shall represent the CITY in all matters pertaining to the services to be rendered under this Agreement, except where approval of the City Council of the City of Visalia is specifically required.
B. CONSULTANT: Ian Williams shall represent and act as principle for CONSULTANT in all matters pertaining to the services to be rendered by it under this Agreement.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
V. TERMINATION
The right to terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, may be exercised without prejudice to any other right or remedy to which the terminating party may be entitled at law or under this Agreement.
A. Termination By Either Party Without Cause: The CITY or CONSULTANT may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving written notice to the other of such termination and specifying the effective date thereof, at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of such termination.
B. Termination of Agreement for Cause: The CITY may by written notice to the CONSULTANT specifying the effective date thereof, at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of such termination, terminate the whole or any part of this Agreement in any of the following circumstances:
1. If the CONSULTANT fails to perform the services called for by this Agreement within time(s) specified herein or any extension thereof; or
2. If the CONSULTANT fails to make progress under this Agreement as to endanger performance of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and does not correct such failure within a period of fifteen (15) days (or longer period as the CITY may authorize in writing) after receipt of notice from the CITY specifying such failure.
C. Post-Termination:
1. In the event the CITY terminates this Agreement with or without cause, the CITY may procure, upon such terms and such manner as it may determine appropriate, services similar to those terminated.
2. Except with respect to defaults of sub-consultants, the CONSULTANT shall not be liable for any excess costs if the failure to perform this Agreement arises out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the CONSULTANT. Such causes include, but are not limited to, acts of God or of the public enemy, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, and unusually severe weather; but in the event the failure to perform is caused by the default of a sub-consultant, the CONSULTANT shall not be liable for failure to perform, unless the services to be furnished by the sub-consultant were obtainable from other sources in sufficient time and within budgeted resources to permit the CONSULTANT to meet the required delivery schedule or other performance requirements.
3. Should the Agreement be terminated with or without cause, the CONSULTANT shall provide the CITY with all finished and unfinished documents, data, studies, services, drawings, maps, models, photographs, reports, etc., prepared by the CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement.
4. Upon termination, with or without cause, CONSULTANT will be compensated for the services satisfactorily completed to the date of termination according to compensation provisions contained herein. In no event, shall the total compensation paid CONSULTANT exceed the total compensation agreed to herein.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
5. If, after notice of termination of this Agreement, as provided for in this article, it is determined for any reason that the CONSULTANT was not in default under the provisions of this article, then the rights and obligations of the parties shall be the same as if the Agreement was terminated without cause.
6. Termination of this Agreement shall not terminate any obligation to indemnify, to maintain and make available any records pertaining to the Agreement, to cooperate with any audit, to be subject to offset, or to make any reports of pre- termination activities.
VI. INTEREST OF OFFICIALS AND THE CONSULTANT
A. No officer, member, or employee of the CITY who exercises any functions or responsibilities in the review or approval of this Agreement shall:
1. Participate in any decision relating to this Agreement which effects his personal interest or the interest of any corporation, partnership, or association in which he has, directly or indirectly, any interest; or
2. Have any interest, direct or indirect, in this Agreement or the proceeds thereof during his tenure or for one year thereafter.
B. The CONSULTANT hereby covenants that he has, at the time of the execution of this Agreement, no interest, and that he shall not acquire any interest in the future, direct or indirect, which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of services required to be performed pursuant to this Agreement. The CONSULTANT further covenants that in the performance of this work, no person having any such interest shall be employed.
VII. DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS REQUIREMENTS, PUBLIC WORKS
CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM AND PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS
Notice is hereby given that this is a Public Works Project. All contractors and subcontractors bidding and performing work on Public Works Projects (including Consultants and Sub-Consultants who employ or subcontract workers to perform any trade that has a prevailing wage designation such as surveyor) must:
A. Register on an annual basis with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) B. Furnish electronic payroll records for new projects to the Labor Commissioner.
All contractors and consultants are to be registered at time of bid/proposal submittal and remain registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) throughout the duration of this Agreement.
If a project labor agreement (the term “project labor agreement” is defined in Public Contract Code 2500(b)(1) as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that establishes terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project or projects and is an agreement described in Section 158(f) of Title 29 of the United States Code) is used, then it must comply with the taxpayer protection provisions set forth in Public Contract Code section 2500(a). City of Visalia has no ordinances requiring or prohibiting such agreements.
VIII. CITY OF VISALIA LABOR COMPLIANCE MANUAL
Consultant shall comply with the City of Visalia Labor Compliance Manual which is available at visaliapurchasing.org.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
IX. NO PERSONNEL, AGENCY OR COMMISSION
The CONSULTANT warrants, by execution of this Agreement, that no personnel agency has been employed or retained to solicit or secure this contract upon an agreement or understanding for a commission, percentage, brokerage or contingent fee, excepting bona fide established commercial or selling agencies maintained by the CONSULTANT for the purpose of securing business. For breach or violation of this warranty, the CITY shall have the right to annul this Agreement without liability or, in its discretion, to deduct from this Agreement price or consideration, or otherwise recover, the full amount of such fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift, or contingent fee.
X. SUBCONTRACTING
A. The CONSULTANT shall not subcontract or otherwise assign any portion of the work to be performed under this Agreement without the prior written approval of the CITY.
B. In no event shall the CONSULTANT subcontract work in excess of 50% of the contract amount, excluding specialized services. Specialized services are those items not ordinarily furnished by a consultant performing the particular type of project.
XI. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
In the performance of the services herein provided for, the CONSULTANT shall be, and is, an independent contractor and is not an agent or employee of the CITY. The CONSULTANT has and shall retain the right to exercise full control and supervision of all persons assisting the CONSULTANT in the performance of said services hereunder. The CONSULTANT shall be solely responsible for all matters relating to the payment of its employees including compliance with social security and income tax withholding and all other regulations governing such matters.
XII. SPECIFICATIONS
All specifications, manuals, standards, etc., either attached to this Agreement or incorporated by reference, are binding as to the performance of the work specified in this Agreement unless they are changed by written amendment to this Agreement modified in writing to incorporate such changes.
XIII. DOCUMENTS/DATA
A. Ownership of Documents: All original papers and documents, produced as a result of this Agreement, shall become the property of the CITY. In addition, CITY shall be provided with access and use of any other papers and documents consistent with the purpose and scope of services covered by this Agreement. Any additional copies, not otherwise provided for herein, shall be the responsibility of the CITY.
Documents, including drawings and specifications, prepared by CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement, are not intended or represented to be suitable for reuse by CITY or others on extensions of the PROJECT or on any other project. Any use of the completed documents for other projects and any use of incomplete documents without the specific written authorization from CONSULTANT will be at CITY’s sole risk and without liability to CONSULTANT. Further, any and all liability arising out of changes made to CONSULTANT’s deliverables under this Agreement by CITY or persons other than CONSULTANT is waived as against CONSULTANT, and the CITY assumes full
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
responsibility for such changes unless the CITY has given CONSULTANT prior notice and has received from CONSULTANT written consent for such changes.
B. Publication: No report, information, or other data given or prepared or assembled by the CONSULTANT pursuant to this Agreement, shall be made available to any individual or organization by the CONSULTANT without the prior written approval of the CITY.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the CONSULTANT shall not be required to protect or hold in confidence and confidential information which (1) is or becomes available to the public with the prior written consent of the CITY; (2) must be disclosed to comply with law; or (3) must be disclosed in connection with any legal proceedings.
C. Copyrights: The CONSULTANT shall be free to copyright material developed under this Agreement with the provision that the CITY be given a nonexclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use the material for government or public purposes. Should CONSULTANT place a copyright notice on documents it must state, “City of Visalia holds a nonexclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use the material for government or public purposes.”
XIV. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
As respects acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of services, CONSULTANT agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CITY, its elected and appointed officers, and employees from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, reasonable defense costs, or liability, whether actual, alleged, or threatened, that arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the CONSULTANT in the performance of his/her services under the terms of this Agreement, except to the extent those arise out of the negligence of CITY.
A. CITY agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CONSULTANT, its officers, employees, and designated volunteers from and against any and all losses, defense costs, or liability to the extent arising out of CITY’S negligent acts, errors or omissions in the performance of this Agreement.
B. As respects all acts or omissions which do not arise directly out of the performance of services, including but not limited to those acts or omissions normally covered by general and automobile liability insurance, CONSULTANT agrees to indemnify, defend (at CITY’s option), and hold harmless CITY, its elected and appointed officers, agents, employees, representatives, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, demands, reasonable defense costs, or liability of any kind or nature arising out of or in connection with CONSULTANT’s (or CONSULTANT’s subcontractors, if any) performance or failure to perform, under the terms of this Agreement; except to the extent those which arise out of the negligence of CITY.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, neither the CITY nor the CONSULTANT, their respective officers, directors, partners, employees, contractors or subconsultants shall be liable to the other or shall make any claim for any remote or speculative breach of contract damages that the breaching party could not have reasonably foreseen when entering into this Agreement.
To the extent this Agreement is considered a “Construction Contract” as defined by California Civil Code section 2783, CONSULTANT’s duty to indemnify CITY under this or any other provision of the Agreement shall not apply when to do so would be prohibited by California Civil Code section 2782.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
D. Without limiting CITY’s right to indemnification, it is agreed that CONSULTANT shall secure prior to commencing any activities under this Agreement, and maintain during the term of this Agreement, insurance coverage as follows:
1. Workers’ compensation insurance as required by California statues.
2. Commercial general liability insurance with a combined single limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence. Such insurance shall include coverage for Premises and Operations, Contractual Liability, Personal Injury Liability, Products and Completed Operations Liability, Broad Form Property Damage (if applicable), Independent Contractor’s Liability (if applicable).
3. Professional liability insurance coverage, in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).
4. Comprehensive Automobile Liability coverage with a combined single limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence. Such insurance shall include coverage for owned, hired, and non-owned automobiles and shall be provided by a business automobile policy.
E. CITY’S Risk Manager is hereby authorized to reduce the requirements set forth above in the event he/she determines that such reduction is in the CITY’S best interest.
F. CONSULTANT agrees to provide thirty (30) days written notice of any policy cancellation, limitation in scope or coverage, or non-renewal. Such notice shall be provided to the, City of Visalia, 707 W. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291.
In addition, the commercial general liability and comprehensive automobile liability policies required by this Agreement shall contain the following clauses:
“It is agreed that any insurance maintained by the City of Visalia shall apply in excess of and not contribute with insurance provided by this policy.”
“The City of Visalia, its officers, agents, employees, representatives and volunteers are added as additional insureds as respects operations and activities of, or on behalf of the named insured, performed under contract with the City of Visalia.”
G. Prior to commencing any work under this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall deliver to CITY insurance certificates confirming the existence of the insurance required by this Agreement, and including the applicable clauses referenced above. Within thirty (30) days of the execution date of this Agreement, CONSULTANT shall provide to CITY endorsements to the above-required policies, which add to these policies the applicable clauses referenced above. Said endorsements shall be signed by an authorized representative of the insurance company and shall include the signatory’s company affiliation and title. Should it be deemed necessary by CITY, it shall be CONSULTANT’s responsibility to see that CITY receives documentation acceptable to CITY which sustains that the individual signing said endorsements is indeed authorized to do so by the insurance company. CITY has the right to demand, and to receive within a reasonable time period, copies of any insurance policies required under this Agreement.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
H. In addition to any other remedies CITY may have if CONSULTANT fails to provide or maintain any insurance policies or policy endorsements to the extent and within the time herein required, CITY may, at its sole option:
1. Obtain such insurance and deduct and retain the amount of the premiums for such insurance from any sums due under the Agreement; or
2. Order CONSULTANT to stop work under this Agreement and/or withhold any payment(s) which become due to CONSULTANT hereunder until CONSULTANT demonstrates compliance with the requirements hereof; or
3. Terminate this Agreement.
Exercise of any of the above remedies, however, is an alternative to other remedies CITY may have and is not the exclusive remedy for CONSULTANT’s failure to maintain insurance or secure appropriate endorsements.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting in any way the extent to which CONSULTANT may be held responsible for payments of damages to persons or property resulting from CONSULTANT’s or its subcontractor’s performance of the work covered under this Agreement.
XV. NON-DISCRIMINATION
CONSULTANT and all subcontractors shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex in the performance of this Agreement. The CONSULTANT shall carry out applicable requirements of 49 CFR part 26 in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts. Failure by the contractor to carry out these requirements is a material breach of this Agreement, which may result in the termination of this Agreement.
XVI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. Firearms Prohibited: Guns may not be carried by contractors/vendors/consultants while working on City of Visalia premises without the expressed written approval of a City of Visalia Department Head, or an exemption in the contract. If a contractor/vendor/consultant is caught carrying a gun, without City permission, their contract will be terminated.
B. Asbestos and Hazardous Materials: In providing its services hereunder, CONSULTANT shall not be responsible for identification, handling, containment, abatement, or in any other respect, for any asbestos or hazardous material if such is present in connection with the PROJECT. In the event the CITY becomes aware of the presence of asbestos or hazardous material at the jobsite, CITY shall be responsible for complying with all applicable federal and state rules and regulations, and shall immediately notify CONSULTANT, who shall then be entitled to cease any of its services that may be affected by such presence, without liability to CONSULTANT arising therefrom.
C. Successors and Assigns: This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successors to or assigns of the parties.
D. Prohibition of Assignment: Neither the CITY nor CONSULTANT shall assign, delegate or transfer their rights and duties in this Agreement without the written consent of the other party.
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
E. Dispute/Governing Law: Any dispute not resolvable by informal arbitration between the parties to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in a Court of Law under the laws of the State of California.
F. Notices: Notice shall be sufficient hereunder if personally served upon the City Clerk of the CITY or an officer or principal of the CONSULTANT, or if sent via the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
G. Jurisdiction/Venue/Waiver of Removal: This Agreement shall be administered and interpreted under the laws of the State of California. Jurisdiction of litigation arising from this Agreement shall be in that State. Any action brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement, or any of the terms or conditions hereof, shall be brought in Tulare County, California. The CONSULTANT hereby expressly waives any right to remove any action to a county other than Tulare County as permitted pursuant to Section 394 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
H. Integration/Modification: This Agreement and each of the exhibits referenced herein, which are incorporated by reference, represents the entire understanding of the CITY and the CONSULTANT as to those matters contained herein. No prior oral or written understanding shall be of any force or effect with respect to those matters covered hereunder. This Agreement may not be modified or altered except in writing signed by the CITY and the CONSULTANT.
I. Conflict With Law: If any part of this Agreement is found to be in conflict with applicable laws, such part shall be inoperative, null and void insofar as it is in conflict with said law, but the remainder of the Agreement shall be in full force and effect.
J. Attorney’s Fees: In the event either party commences any action, arbitration or legal proceedings for the enforcement of this Agreement, the prevailing party, as determined by the court or arbitrator, shall be entitled to recovery of its attorney’s fees and court costs incurred in the action brought thereon.
K. Construction: This Agreement is the product of negotiation and compromise on the part of each party and the parties agree, notwithstanding Civil Code Section 1654, that in the event of uncertainty the language will not be construed against the party causing the uncertainty to exist.
L. Authority: Each signatory to this Agreement represents that it is authorized to enter into this Agreement and to bind the party to which its signature represents.
M. Headings: Section headings are provided for organizational purposes only and do not in any manner affect the scope or intent of the provisions thereunder.
N. Executive Order N-6-22 – Russia Sanctions: On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-6-22 (the EO) regarding Economic Sanctions against Russia
CITY OF VISALIA
707 W. Acequia Ave.
Visalia, CA 93291
Attention: City Clerk
CONSULTANT
4 Creeks, Inc.
324 S. Santa Fe Street
Visalia, CA 93291
Attention: Ian Williams
Professional Services Agreement for Construction Management Services for Tulare Avenue Major Road Rehabilitation (Roeben to Demaree)
and Russian entities and individuals. “Economic Sanctions” refers to sanctions imposed by the U.S. government in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as well as any sanctions imposed under state law. The EO directs state agencies to terminate contracts with, and to refrain from entering any new contracts with, individuals or entities that are determined to be a target of Economic Sanctions. Accordingly, should the State determine Contractor is a target of Economic Sanctions or is conducting prohibited transactions with sanctioned individuals or entities, that shall be grounds for termination of this agreement. The State shall provide Contractor advance written notice of such termination, allowing Contractor at least 30 calendar days to provide a written response. Termination shall be at the sole discretion of the State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed on the day and year first above written.
CITY OF VISALIA CONSULTANT
________________________________ ________________________________ City Manager
Approved as to Form
________________________________
City Attorney
________________________________
Risk Manager
________________________________
Project Manager
Attachments:
Exhibit “A”: Scope of Work - as presented in the mini-RFP (Exhibit A includes all attachments, appendices, and addenda issued as part of the mini-RFP) Exhibit “B”: Project Schedule of Fees – as presented in RFP No. 20-21-18 Exhibit “C”: Project Scope of Work – As Submitted by Consultant Exhibit “D”: Project Fees – As submitted by Consultant Exhibit “E”: State & Federal Acknowledgment