250.12—Agreements.
(a) Agreements with Department.
Prior to the beginning of a distribution program, distributing agencies shall enter into written agreements with the Department which shall incorporate the terms and conditions set forth in this part. When requested by the Department an eligible agency shall present evidence of its authority to enter into such agreements. The agreements shall be considered permanent, with amendments initiated by distributing agencies, or submitted by them at the Department's request, all of which shall be subject to approval by the Department.
(b) Distributing agency agreements.
Distributing agencies shall enter into written agreements with all subdistributing agencies, recipient agencies, warehouses, carriers, or other entities to which distributing agencies deliver donated foods under their distribution program. Distributing agencies shall be responsible for ensuring that program integrity is maintained by all entities with whom agreements are entered into. All agreements shall contain such terms and conditions as the distributing agency deems necessary to ensure that:
(2)
Subdistributing agencies, recipient agencies, warehouses, carriers, or other persons to whom donated foods are delivered by the distributing agency are responsible to the distributing agency for any improper distribution or use of donated foods or for any loss of, or damage to, donated foods caused by their fault or negligence,
(3)
Subdistributing agencies and recipient agencies have and preserve a right to assert claims against other persons to whom donated foods are delivered for care, handling or distribution, and
(4)
Subdistributing agencies and recipient agencies will take action to obtain restitution in connection with claims for improper distribution, use or loss of, or damage to, donated foods.
(c) Duration of distributing agency agreements—
(1) Recipient agencies.
Distributing agency agreements with recipient agencies shall be considered permanent, with amendments to be made as necessary. Distributing agencies shall ensure that recipient agencies provide, on a timely basis, by amendment to the agreement, any changed information, including, but not limited to, any changes resulting from amendments to Federal regulatory requirements and policy and changes in site locations, and number of meals or needy persons to be served.
(2) Subdistributing agencies, carriers, and other entities.
Distributing agency agreements with subdistributing agencies (as defined in § 250.3) that are not recipient agencies, carriers, and other entities shall be in effect for not longer than one year, and shall provide that they may be extended at the option of both parties for two additional one-year periods. The party contracting with the distributing agency shall update all pertinent information and demonstrate that all donated food received during the period of the previous agreement has been accounted for, before an agreement is extended.
(3) Termination of agreements.
Agreements may be terminated for cause by either party upon 30 days notice.