Terms of Service
(Last updated on 2 February 2012)
This is the Terms of Service Agreement ("Agreement") for Fairfax Digital Australia & New Zealand Pty Limited T/A TenderLink.com (Australia) and Fairfax Media Operations Limited T/A TenderLink.com (New Zealand), and hereinafter referred to as ("TenderLink").
This Agreement describes the terms of service ("Terms") applicable to your use of the TenderLink e-tendering system and any content or information published on the TenderLink.com website, any sub-domains of TenderLink, and any other website pages on which services are provided by TenderLink (collectively, "the TenderLink website").
Your acceptance to becoming a registered user is subject to your agreement to the Terms shown here.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY, with particular attention to clause 4.0 Fees and Payment.
1. Continuing Acceptance of Terms
1.1 When using the Service (including completion of the registration process to become a subscriber), you must agree to the terms of service of this Agreement, which TenderLink at its discretion may change from time to time. Any changes will be immediately effective upon posting to our website. It is your responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the latest terms and conditions and your continued use of the Service will signify your acceptance of the changed terms.
1.2 In the case of subscription renewals, your written confirmation of renewal, or payment of your subscription renewal invoice signifies an ongoing acceptance of our current Terms of Service.
1.3 Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the Service shall be subject to this Agreement. This Agreement may not otherwise be modified except in writing and signed by an authorised officer of TenderLink.
2. Who can use the Services?
2.1 The Services are only available to individuals or companies (or other legal entities) who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law. Individual Subscribers must be at least 18 years of age.
2.2 TenderLink may, in its sole discretion, refuse the Services to anyone at any time and without reason.
3. Registration Obligations
3.1 If you register as a Subscriber on the TenderLink website, you agree to:
(a) provide true, accurate, current and complete information about your organisation (or yourself in the case of an individual Subscriber) as prompted by the subscriber registration form on the TenderLink website, or, where a TenderLink Sales Consultant assists you with the registration, you will be asked to agree to these Terms before acceptance of your subscription; and
(b) maintain and promptly update the Subscriber information to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, TenderLink has the right to suspend or terminate your registration and/or refuse any and all current or future use of the Services (or any portion of them).
3.2 If you have registered as a Subscriber on behalf of a company or other entity, then you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind such company or other entity to the Terms.
4. Fees and payment
Note : In some cases, e-tendering portals are provided to procurers who pay TenderLink a fee to conduct electronic tendering with their suppliers. Access to the Services is generally provided to you without charge unless otherwise stated. The provisions of this clause are applicable where fees apply.
4.1 In consideration of being granted a password and username and being granted access to the Services you agree to pay to TenderLink for any subscription fees generated. If a fee is payable, the subscription pricing and options appear on the TenderLink website under Pricing Options.
4.2 I/We understand that at any time TenderLink may forward the personal information provided by me during the registration process to their agent for the purpose of undertaking a credit check. The outcome of the credit check may result in altered payment terms or discontinuation of service. I/We further understand that:
i) TenderLink's agent will give TenderLink information about me for the purpose of a credit check.
ii) TenderLink will give my personal information to their agent who will hold that information on their systems and use it to provide their credit reporting service.
iii) TenderLink's agent may give my personal information to their other credit reporting service customers.
iv) TenderLink may use their agent's credit reporting services in the future for purposes related to the provision of credit to me. This may include using their agent's monitoring services to receive updates of any changes in my personal information.
v) If I default in my payment obligations to TenderLink, information about that default may be given to their agent, who may then give information about my default to other customers.
All information collected and stored is done so in accordance with the guidelines of the Privacy Act 1993 (NZ) and Privacy Act 1988 (AU), in each jurisdiction where applicable.
4.3 Payment for all Services is due no later than the 30th of the month following the date of the invoice. Should payment not be made within this time, your access rights may be suspended until full payment of the overdue amount is received and cleared. Payment may be made by credit card, direct credit to our bank account or by cheque. Details of the payment options including our bank account details show on all invoices. Invoices are system generated and emailed to you. If requested by you TenderLink will send you a hard copy via post.
4.4 Overdue Invoices:
It is your responsibility to pay us for services we provide to you and by the due date. If payment has not been received for the subscription invoice by seven (7) days after the due date, your subscription may be suspended for non-payment. TenderLink may, at its sole discretion, engage a collection agency to collect any overdue payments on our behalf. In jurisdictions where the costs of engaging a third party to collect outstanding payments can be passed to the customer, you will be responsible for the costs associated with the recovery of your debt. Should your debt be referred to a collection agency, a default may be lodged on your credit report on behalf of TenderLink.
4.5 The Annual Subscription covers
a) unlimited online searches and use of the TenderLink website www.TenderLink.com and;
b) unlimited use of the e-mail tender notification service and;
c) website access for the allowable number of users under the chosen plan.
4.6 No Refunds
Your subscription to TenderLink is non-refundable (where a fee is payable) and non-transferable.
5. E-mail Password and Security
5.1 TenderLink’s services will be provided to the e-mail address as held within our system at the time of sending. It is your responsibility to notify us of any changes to your e-mail address, or to those of other users listed under your account.
5.2 After successful registration as a Subscriber, you will receive an e-mail which includes your selected username and password. You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your username and password and you are fully responsible for ensuring your details remain confidential to you.
5.3 You undertake to ensure that those entrusted with any additional general user accounts are also familiar with these Terms.
5.4 You agree that you as the Subscriber will be wholly responsible for all actions taken and any losses, costs or claims whatsoever incurred as a result of usage of the services provided by TenderLink.
5.5 You agree to:
(a) immediately notify TenderLink of any unauthorised use of your password or username including that of your general user accounts; and
(b) ensure that you properly exit the TenderLink website at the end of each session.
5.6 TenderLink will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this term.
6. Appropriateness of Search Profiles
6. Although TenderLink staff are available to assist you with creating and/or amending your search profiles, all profiles associated with your user registration are your responsibility. As such, TenderLink accepts no responsibility for the appropriateness of the Tender notices you receive, either as a result of a manual search or via our e-mail notification service.
7. Copyright
7.1 You acknowledge and accept that the material, information or data relating to tenders on the TenderLink website, including but not limited to tender notices, Request for Information (RFI) notices, Request for Proposal (RFP) notices, advertisements, messages, addendums and updates in any form whatsoever, including text, software, artwork, graphics, photographs, images, sounds, music, audio material, video material and audio-visual material ("Material") is owned by or licensed to TenderLink and is protected by copyright.
7.2 You acknowledge and understand that unauthorised copying, republication or use of the Material may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.
7.3 You are authorised by TenderLink to view, download, print and copy from the TenderLink website only such copies of the Material as are strictly necessary for your records as a Subscriber and your own use for the purposes of considering and responding to the tenders available to you from the TenderLink website.
7.4 You must retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the original Material or any copy you make of the Material.
7.5 Except in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement, you may not save, download, cut and paste, sell, licence, rent, lease, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit, catalogue, aggregate or create derivative works from, or otherwise use in any way, the Material or any part thereof, without the written permission of TenderLink.
7.6 You may request permission to use the Material other than in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement by email to legal@TenderLink.com or by post to the postal address published on the TenderLink website. TenderLink reserves the right to refuse to grant such permission at its sole discretion and without reason.
7.7 The publication or use of the Material on any website other than the TenderLink website or in a networked computer environment for any purpose other than in accordance with this clause 7 is strictly prohibited.
7.8 You agree to immediately notify TenderLink by email to legal@TenderLink.com or by post to the postal address published on the TenderLink website if you become aware of:
(a) any copying, publication or use of the Materials which would or may amount to a breach of the terms of this clause 7 by any person; and
(b) any material on the TenderLink website which infringes or may infringe your copyright or any other person's copyright
7.9 If you breach any of these Terms, your permission to use the TenderLink website and any Services may be automatically and permanently terminated without notice.
7.10 If your permission to use the TenderLink website and any Services is terminated, you must immediately destroy any copies (in hard copy or electronic form) that you have made or caused to be made of the Material.
7.11 You acknowledge and understand that TenderLink reserves the right to take whatever action it deems necessary without further notice to protect and enforce its rights. This includes commencing Court proceedings for copyright infringement seeking injunctive relief, compensation in the form of damages or an account of profits, and the payment of legal costs.
8. Privacy
8.1 TenderLink will only use any personal information you provide to us in accordance with our Privacy Statement. The complete terms of our Privacy Statement are provided on the TenderLink websites.
9.0 Submission of Tender Bids
For the purpose of this Agreement, Tender Bids are any offer for supply of goods or services you make as a response to a tender or ERFx notice from a Procuring Party ("Procuring Party") that you may access via the Services. You acknowledge and agree to the following:
9.1 It is your responsibility to ensure that your Tender Bids are fully compliant with the terms and conditions contained in a relevant Tender Bid and any amendments thereto from the Procuring Party, and that you have paid all necessary fees required in respect of such Tender Bid. TenderLink will not be liable in any way for your failure for any reason to comply with such terms and conditions.
9.2 It is your responsibility if you wish to upload data for submission to an electronic tender box pursuant to a Tender Bid through the TenderLink Website to ensure that such data is in a standardised electronic form and configuration ("Standard Format") compatible both with TenderLink’s and the Procuring Party’s systems and requirements. Failure to do so will constitute an unauthorised modification of the data for which neither TenderLink nor the Procuring Party shall be responsible. If you have any doubts concerning the appropriate Standard Format you should contact either TenderLink or the Procuring Party.
9.3 You must be aware that not all Requests for Tenders or ERFx notices published on the TenderLink website can be responded to electronically. You should always check to ensure that the relevant Request for Tender or ERFx notice may be responded to electronically via the TenderLink website, in such instance an Electronic Tender Box will be available, or manually (mail/fax/email) where the Procuring Party requests this.
9.4 It is your responsibility to ensure that any tender or ERFx notice you respond to is lodged with the Procuring Party before the closing date and time. TenderLink will, to the best of its ability, ensure that closing dates and times are correct however we accept no responsibility for incorrect closing dates and times for tender responses to be submitted using the electronic tender box provided, or where you are required to submit your response manually in accordance with the instructions from the Procuring Party. You should thoroughly check the closing dates and times within any tender documentation or check directly with the Procuring Party if in any doubt.
9.5 By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you acknowledge that TenderLink can not and will not act in any capacity (including but not limited to your agent or intermediary) with respect to influencing or amending the rules, practices or procedures of the Procuring Party including (but not limited to) deadlines, information required or the format of your bid.
9.6 If you are the successful Tenderer in relation to any Tender Bid you will be notified by the Procuring Party directly. TenderLink does not accept any responsibility in processing any notification between Procuring Party and Subscribers to the TenderLink Services.
9.7 In the event you are in dispute with a Procuring Party, you hereby release TenderLink (and its officers, employees, agents and associates) from any and all claims, demands and damages whatsoever and hereby indemnify TenderLink in respect of any claims, demands and damages whatsoever made against TenderLink by a third party (including a Procuring Party) in relation to the Services provided.
10. Restriction on Use
10.1 You agree that you will not use the TenderLink website to :
i) impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your or anyone else’s affiliation with you or anyone else;
ii) upload, post email or otherwise transmit any unsolicited or unauthorised advertising, or promotional material;
iii) upload, post email or otherwise transmit any data file containing software viruses or any other computer code designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
iv) act in a manner that negatively affects the ability of any Subscriber, Procuring Party, non-subscribing user or TenderLink itself (together "User") to engage in reasonable usage of the TenderLink website;
v) interfere with or disrupt the services of the TenderLink website; or
vi) transgress any applicable regulations, rules or statutory provisions of local laws or any other relevant jurisdiction or any order or rule of any court of competent jurisdiction.
10.2 If TenderLink, in its sole discretion, determines that any of the above restrictions on use have been breached, TenderLink may pursue any of its legal remedies, including but not limited to immediate cancellation of a Subscriber’s account.
10.3 TenderLink reserves the right (in its sole discretion) to take any actions that it believes prudent or necessary to minimise or eliminate its potential liability, including but not limited to the release of any Subscriber’s information to a third party.
11. Termination
11.1 You agree that TenderLink, in its sole discretion, may terminate your password and username designation or use of the Services, and remove and discard any Material, information or data (including Tender Bids) you provide to us or another user if TenderLink believes you have breached this Agreement.
11.2 TenderLink may also, in its sole discretion and at any time, discontinue providing the Services, or any part thereof, with or without notice.
11.3 You agree that any termination of your access to the Services under any provision of this Agreement may be effected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that TenderLink may immediately deactivate or delete your account and related information and files in your account and/or bar any further access to such files or the Services.
11.4 Further you agree that TenderLink shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to the Services.
12. Disclaimer
This Clause is subject to Clause 13.5
12.1 Unfortunately, we cannot always foresee or anticipate technical or other difficulties. These difficulties may result in loss of data or other service interruptions. For this reason, YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN ’AS IS’ AND ’AS AVAILABLE’ BASIS. TENDERLINK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. TENDERLINK MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT : (1) THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS; (2) THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE; (3) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE; AND (4) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIAL, (WHETHER AS PART OF OR AS A RESULT OF A TENDER BID OR OTHERWISE) OBTAINED BY YOU OR ANY USER THROUGH THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICES IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM TENDERLINK OR THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICES SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE AGREEMENT.
Note : Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties, so the foregoing disclaimer may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other legal rights which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
13. Limit of liability
13.1 USERS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT TENDERLINK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF TENDERLINK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM (1) THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES (2) THE COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES RESULTING FROM ANY GOODS, DATA, INFORMATION OR SERVICES PURCHASED OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICES (3) UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (4) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICES; OR (5) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SERVICES.
13.2 TenderLink does not underwrite the identity of any Subscriber Procuring Party or other user of the TenderLink website and will not be held liable for any losses, costs or claims whatsoever arising out of any fraudulent or mistaken identity assumed by any party using the TenderLink website or any unauthorised use of any digital certification issued thereunder.
13.3 TENDERLINK DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANT ANY OF THE INFORMATION MADE AVAILABLE BY PROCURING PARTIES. YOU AGREE THAT TENDERLINK SHALL HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY INFORMATION, TRANSACTION, TRANSMISSION, SUBMISSION, CORRESPONDENCE, STORAGE, IDENTIFICATION, SCREENING, COMPLIANCE ISSUES, ISSUE OF DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION, UNLAWFUL TRANSACTIONS BY OTHER PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF ANY TENDER EXERCISE.
13.4 NOTHING IN THIS CLAUSE EXCLUDES TENDERLINK’S LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED THROUGH THE NEGLIGENCE OF TENDERLINK, ITS EMPLOYEES, SERVANTS OR AGENTS, NEITHER DOES IT SEEK TO EXCLUDE LIABILITY FOR FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION BY TENDERLINK.
13.5 In cases of any losses not otherwise excluded by a term of this Agreement, TenderLink’s total liability (whether in contract, tort, including negligence, or otherwise) under or in connection with this Agreement, or based on any claim for indemnity or contribution will not exceed the sum of the Subscription paid by you to TenderLink.
14. Indemnity
14.1 You agree to indemnify and hold TenderLink and our subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, and employees, harmless from any claim or demand (including legal expenses and the expenses of other professionals) made by a third party owing to or arising out of your breach of this Agreement or the documents it incorporates by reference (including, without limitation use of digital certification for an unauthorized purpose), or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.
15. Compliance with Laws
15.1 You shall comply with all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations regarding your use of the Services and your participation in any Tender Bids, complying with all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the country in which you reside or other relevant jurisdiction.
16. No Agency
16.1 You, TenderLink and Procuring Parties are each independent contractors, and no agency, partnership, joint venture employee-employer or franchiser-franchisee relationship is intended or created by this Agreement.
17. Links
17.1 The Services may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other World Wide websites or resources. Because TenderLink has no control over such sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that TenderLink is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources.
17.2 You further acknowledge and agree that TenderLink shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource.
18. Notices
18.1 Except as explicitly stated otherwise, any notices shall be given by email to TenderLink or to the email address you provide to TenderLink during the registration process (in your case), or such other address as the party shall specify. Notice shall be deemed given twenty-four (24) hours after email is sent, unless the sending party is notified that the email address is invalid.
18.2 Alternatively, we may give you notice by prepaid postage to the address provided to TenderLink during the registration process. In such case, notice shall be deemed given four (4) days after the date of mailing.
19. Force Majeure
19.1 TenderLink shall not be liable to you for delays and failures in performance resulting from causes beyond our reasonable control, including, but not limited to, acts of god, labour disputes, disturbances, material shortages, or rationing, riots, acts of war, government regulations, communication or utility failures, or casualties.
20. Assignment
20.1 TenderLink may assign this Agreement without your consent.
21. Miscellaneous
21.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and TenderLink and governs your use of the Services, superseding any prior written or oral agreements between you and TenderLink.
21.2 The Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the country in which TenderLink is represented and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of them.
21.3 If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck out and the remaining provisions shall be enforced.
21.4 Our failure to act with respect to a breach by you or others does not waive our right to act with respect to subsequent or similar breaches.
21.5 Headings are for convenience only and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or extent of such section.
21.6 References to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.
21.7 The meaning of general words is not limited by specific examples introduced by including or for example or similar expressions.
21.8 If a word or phrase is defined, its other grammatical forms have a corresponding meaning.
21.9 A reference to an agreement or document (including, a reference to this Agreement) is to the agreement or document as amended, varied, supplemented, novated or replaced, except to the extent prohibited by this Agreement or the other agreement or document.
21.10 A reference to a party to this Agreement or another agreement or document includes the party's successors and permitted assigns.
