1. Definitions:

    1. Small firm - business with less than 50 employees including non-profits and entrepreneurs.
    2. Applicant - representative of the small firm applying for assistance.
    3. LTC member - company with active membership in the Louisiana Technology Council (LTC), in good standing.
    4. Consultant - LTC member and their staff that provide technical assistance.
    5. Client - Small firm applicant becomes a Client when accepted into the program.

  2. The Program:

    TechAssistLA is a Louisiana Technology Council program funded by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and managed by Louisiana Economic Development (LED). The program offers free consulting, assistance and training to small firms with less than fifty employees, non-profits and entrepreneurs in the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita damaged area of Louisiana. Program services and consultations will assist small firms in taking advantage of technology in daily business, making them more productive, efficient and profitable. By completing and submitting an application for assistance or to provide assistance, you agree to the following:

    1. TechAssistLA aims to match the most qualified LTC member company with the needs of the small firm requesting assistance. Only active LTC Corporate members in good standing may participate in the program as technology consultants. Non-LTC member employees of the active member may participate by registering on the TechAssistLA website. Reimbursement for services will be made to the LTC Member corporate entity unless approved in advance by the Program Director's office.
    2. The TechAssistLA program is free to small firms with less than fifty employees, non-profits and entrepreneurs.
    3. Only businesses physically located within the Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita damaged area of Louisiana qualify.
    4. Small firms, non-profits and entrepreneurs agree to complete all application forms, questionnaires and interviews in return for free technical assistance.

  3. How the program works:

    1. Applications for assistance may be submitted online at TechAssistLA.com or at 1215 Prytania Street, Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70116. The applicant will be contacted for a follow-up interview by the TechAssistLA staff and a needs assessment will be developed. The small firm's needs assessment, severity of the issue and impact the free technical assistance will have on the business will all be considerations in determining the services to be offered by TechAssistLA.
    2. Assignment of work is at the sole discretion of the TechAssistLA.
    3. LTC members that volunteer to participate in TechAssistLA as consultants will receive emails with a list of blind requests for quote (RF). Blind RFP's list the date of the request, the type of business, the general location of the business, the scope of work requested and other notes as applicable. Interested LTC Member consultants will respond by email with a proposed time frame of service, estimated hours of work and fees for a particular Client.
    4. Matching LTC consultants to Clients will be made based on the consultants quoted price, scope of work, estimated project time and qualifications to perform the work. Once the match has been made the consultant will be given detail needs assessment, business description and business contact information. The consultant must contact the small firm within two working days for a brief interview and scheduling of an appointment within 7 to 14 days.
    5. Consultants may volunteer to work more hours that called for by the scope of work without compensation by the TechAssistLA. The value of that time will be a factor in the matching decision.
    6. During the course of providing assistance the LTC consultant may encounter unforeseen issues that will require more time than allotted. The consultant may contact the TechAssistLA to request additional time be allotted.
    7. Upon completion of the work the small firm agrees to complete any surveys and follow-up questions as required.
    8. The Consultant must file final report and the TechAssistLA invoice with TechAssistLA within 14 days of completion of the consultation.

  4. Appointments:

    Time is money and everyone's time is valuable. Everyone is expected to be considerate of the time schedules of others in this program.

    1. Setting Appointment: Setting the date and time for a consultation is to be coordinated between the Client and the Consultant at a convenient time for both parties. Both parties should notify the TechAssistLA office of the appointment by phone 504-301-2485, email NOTIFY@TechAssistLA.com, or fax 504-304-2905.
    2. Cancelling Appointments for Clients: Appointments may be cancelled by contacting the Consultant business directly and also notifying TechAssistLA at phone 504-301-2485, email NOTIFY@TechAssistLA.com, or fax 504-304-2905. You may cancel an appointment up to one business day prior to the appoint with no obligation. IF CANCELLING AN APPOINTMENT LESS THAN ONE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT, THE CLIENT MAY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TIME AND MATERIAL COSTS INCURRED BY THE CONSULTANT. Business hours are 9am to 5pm Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Failure to cancel an appointment in advance may result in the Client business being removed from the program at TechAssistLA's sole discretion with no recourse.
    3. Cancelling Appointments for Consultants: Appointments may be cancelled by contacting the Consultant business directly and also notifying TechAssistLA at phone 504-301-2485, email NOTIFY@TechAssistLA.com, or fax 504-304-2905. You may cancel an appointment up to one business day prior to the appoint with no obligation. IF CANCELLING AN APPOINTMENT LESS THAN ONE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT, THE CONSULTANT MAY LOSE THE RIGHT TO PAYMENT FOR ALL RELATED SERVICES AND COSTS DELIVERED TO THAT CLIENT AND THE CONSULTANT BUSINESS MY BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM AT TECHASSISTLA'S SOLE DESCRESION WITH NO RECOURSE.
    4. Timeliness and no-shows: As stated above, everyone's time is valuable. Please plan your travel time to meet with a Consultant or a Client with consideration to distance, traffic delays, etc. If you realize you will be late you are responsible for notifying the other parties involved immediately. After 30 minutes a appointment will be considered an no-show. The no-show must be reported immediately to TechAssistLA at phone 504-301-2485, email NOTIFY@TechAssistLA.com, or fax 504-304-2905. NO-SHOWS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM AT TECHASSISTLA'S SOLE DESCRESION WITH NO RECOURSE.

  5. Guarantees:

    1. The LTC makes NO GUARANTEE of the quality of the work performed. Small businesses engaging in this program do so at their own risk.
    2. Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance into the grant program. Acceptance into the program is at the sole discretion of the LTC and the TechAssistLA program staff.

  6. Negligence:

    In consideration of free technical support being offered the Applicant does hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE, any granting entity including the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants, Louisiana Recovery Authority, Louisiana Economic Development, TechAssistLA, the Louisiana Technology Council, its officers, volunteers, consultants, members or employees (hereinafter referred to as RELEASEES) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the small business or its employees, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, or otherwise.


  7. Continued relationship between parties:

    The TechAssistLA program provides a limited amount of free technical support. Additional products and/or services my be required to completely address the small firms needs. Once the TechAssistLA consultation is completed there is no obligation for the Client to continue any further relationship with the LTC consultant company or its employees although the relationship may continue if both parties agree. The terms and fees of additional service is to be negotiated by the Client and the consultant.


  8. Fees:

    1. There is no cost to the Client for technical assistance training and services.
    2. Payment for technical assistance services and consulting will only be made to the LTC member organization for pre-approved time and incidental materials.
    3. No payments or reimbursement shall be made to the Client for services, products or materials purchased by them.
    4. Payment terms are Net 30 from the business day.

  9. Withdrawal from the Program:

    1. A small firm my withdraw from the TechAssistLA program by written notification to: email NOTIFY@TechAssistLA.com, fax 504-304-2905, or mail to LTC - TechAssistLA, 1215 Prytania Street, Suite 301, New Orleans, LA, 70130.
    2. Withdrawal from program does not automatically cancel pending consultation appointments. CLIENTS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS AND TIME INCURRED TOWARDS AN APPOINTMENT THEY DID NOT CANCELLED IN ADVANCE. At the time they withdrawn from the program Clients are responsible for notifying both the LTC Member consultant and TechAssistLA of appointment cancellations as outlined in Section 4 Appointments above.

Louisiana Technology Council
TechAssistLA
1215 Prytania Street, Suite 301
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-301-2485
Director@TechAssistLA.org


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