Universal Master Teaming Accord

1. Purpose and scope

This Universal Master Teaming Accord (the “Accord”) governs the relationship between members of the Small Business Advisory Board when they pursue a federal opportunity together through the platform. The Accord is a framework agreement; it creates no obligation to bid any particular solicitation. Obligations attach to a specific pursuit only when the parties execute a Pursuit Exhibit inside an active deal room.

2. Workshare allocation

Each Pursuit Exhibit states the labor allocation between the prime and each subcontractor. Where the opportunity is set aside, the small business prime holding the qualifying certification shall perform not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the labor, consistent with the limitations on subcontracting at FAR 52.219-14 and applicable SBA regulation. No party may propose, and the platform will not record, an allocation that breaches this floor.

3. Exclusivity

For each solicitation identified in a Pursuit Exhibit, the parties deal exclusively with one another for the scope described, from execution of the Exhibit through award or cancellation. Exclusivity is pursuit-specific and does not restrict either party’s business on any other opportunity.

4. Confidentiality and rate cards

Rate cards, wrap rates, indirect assumptions, capability narratives, and unpublished solicitation intelligence disclosed under this Accord are Confidential Information. Recipients shall use Confidential Information solely to prepare and perform the identified pursuit, shall protect it with no less than reasonable care, and shall not retain it beyond three (3) years from disclosure.

5. Proposal obligations

Each party delivers its assigned proposal volumes, pricing inputs, and representations by the Pink Team milestone stated in the Pursuit Exhibit. Non-delivery, or unresponsiveness exceeding seventy-two (72) hours, constitutes abandonment and forfeits the pursuit stake under the Bylaws.

6. Subcontractor performance ratings

Where the parties are awarded and perform, the prime shall submit a written performance evaluation of each small business subcontractor within fifteen (15) days of the platform’s rating request, consistent with 13 CFR 125.11. The prime shall not condition, withhold, or trade the evaluation for consideration. Ratings are factual performance assessments and are recorded as corporate past performance for the subcontractor.

7. Anti-circumvention

A party that uses platform intelligence, introductions, or Confidential Information to pursue an identified opportunity independently or with a third party outside the guild shall pay liquidated damages equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the total award value, and is subject to expulsion under the Bylaws. The parties agree this sum is a reasonable estimate of harm that is otherwise difficult to quantify.

8. Independent contractors

The parties are independent contractors. This Accord creates no partnership, joint venture, mentor-protégé relationship, or affiliation for size determination purposes. Each party bears its own bid and proposal costs unless a Pursuit Exhibit says otherwise.

9. Compliance representations

Each party represents that its System for Award Management registration is active, that its size and socioeconomic representations are accurate, and that it is not suspended, debarred, or proposed for debarment. Each party shall notify the other and the platform within five (5) business days of any change to these representations.

10. Dispute resolution and term

Disputes are submitted first to the Executive Chair, then to the Board of Directors, as provided in the Bylaws. This Accord continues while membership is active and survives as to confidentiality, rating obligations, and anti-circumvention for the periods stated above.