10.4 Contractor shall immediately notify the Procurement Officer of any claim or suit made or filed 10.4 Contractor shall immediately notify the Procurement Officer of any claim or suit made or filed against the Contractor or its subcontractors regarding any matter resulting from, or relating to, the Contractor's obligations under the Contract, and will cooperate, assist and consult with the State in the defense or investigation of any claim, suit, or action made or filed against the State as a result of, or relating to, the Contractor's performance under this Contract.

########## 11. Non-Hiring of Employees

No official or employee of the State, as defined under Md. Code Ann., State Government Article, §15-102, whose duties as such official or employee include matters relating to or affecting the subject matter of this Contract, shall, during the pendency and term of this Contract and while serving as an official or employee of the State, become or be an employee of the Contractor or any entity that is a subcontractor on this Contract.

########## 12. Disputes

This Contract shall be subject to the provisions of the Md. Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Article, Title 15, Subtitle 2, and COMAR 21.10 (Administrative and Civil Remedies). Pending resolution of a claim, the Contractor shall proceed diligently with the performance of the Contract in accordance with the Procurement Officer's decision. Unless a lesser period is provided by applicable statute, regulation, or the Contract, the Contractor must file a written notice of claim with the Procurement Officer within 30 days after the basis for the claim is known or should have been known, whichever is earlier. Contemporaneously with or within 30 days of the filing of a notice of claim, but no later than the date of final payment under the Contract, the Contractor must submit to the Procurement Officer its written claim containing the information specified in COMAR 21.10.04.02.

########## 13. Maryland Law

13.1 Contract shall be construed, interpreted, and enforced according to the laws of the State of 13.1 Contract shall be construed, interpreted, and enforced according to the laws of the State of Maryland.

13.2 Md. Code Ann., Commercial Law Article, Title 22, Maryland Uniform Computer Information 13.2 Md. Code Ann., Commercial Law Article, Title 22, Maryland Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act, does not apply to this Contract or to any purchase order or Notice to Proceed issued under this Contract.

13.3 and all references to the Maryland Code Annotated contained in this Contract shall be construed 13.3 and all references to the Maryland Code Annotated contained in this Contract shall be construed to refer to such Code sections as are from time to time amended.

########## 14. Nondiscrimination in Employment

The Contractor agrees: (a) not to discriminate in any manner against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or disability of a qualified individual with a disability; (b) to include a provision similar to that contained in subsection (a), above, in any underlying subcontract except a subcontract for standard commercial supplies or raw materials; and (c) to post and to cause subcontractors to post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the substance of this clause.

########## 15. Contingent Fee Prohibition

The Contractor warrants that it has not employed or retained any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a bona fide employee, bona fide agent, bona fide salesperson, or commercial selling agency working for the business, to solicit or secure the Contract, and that the business has not paid or agreed to pay any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a bona fide employee, bona fide agent, bona

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