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    Terms of Service

    Common Ground Consulting LLC • Last Updated: September 2025

    Welcome to Common Ground! Let's Set the Stage

    These Terms of Service ("Terms," "Agreement") are the ground rules for our relationship with you ("Client," "you," "your") and Common Ground Consulting LLC ("Common Ground," "we," "us," "our"). Think of this as our handshake agreement – except it's legally binding and way more detailed.

    By accessing our website, engaging our services, or working with us in any capacity, you're agreeing to these Terms. If you're entering this agreement on behalf of a company or organization, you're confirming you have the authority to bind them to these Terms.

    The Quick Version (But Please Read the Whole Thing)

    Our Services: We provide consulting services as agreed upon in our proposals and statements of work
    Your Responsibilities: Pay on time, provide necessary information, and collaborate in good faith
    Intellectual Property: We'll clarify who owns what (spoiler: you keep your stuff, we keep ours)
    Disputes: Let's talk it out before lawyers get involved

    Fees, Invoicing & Payment

    Payment Terms

    • • Payment Due: Net 15 days from invoice date
    • • Methods: Bank transfer, ACH, check, or credit card
    • • Currency: All fees in USD unless specified
    • • Late Payments: 1.5% monthly interest or legal maximum

    Fee Structure

    • • Fixed Project Fees: As specified in SOW
    • • Hourly/Daily Rates: Professional consulting rates
    • • Retainer Arrangements: Monthly or quarterly
    • • Expenses: Reimbursable with prior approval

    Intellectual Property - Who Owns What

    Your Existing IP

    You keep everything you had before we showed up:

    • • Pre-existing intellectual property
    • • Confidential information
    • • We get limited license for service delivery only

    Custom Deliverables

    What we create specifically for you:

    • • Becomes yours upon full payment
    • • Reports and analyses prepared exclusively
    • • Custom recommendations and strategies

    Our Background IP

    We've been doing this for a while:

    • • Methodologies and frameworks
    • • Tools and know-how
    • • General knowledge and experience

    Confidentiality - We Keep Secrets

    We both probably have secrets worth keeping. Here's our mutual understanding:

    What's Confidential

    • • Non-public business information
    • • Strategic plans and financial data
    • • Customer lists and pricing
    • • Technical data and trade secrets
    • • Anything marked "Confidential"

    Our Obligations

    • • Protect with reasonable care
    • • Use only for engagement purposes
    • • Share only with need-to-know staff
    • • Return/destroy upon request
    • • 3-year protection (trade secrets indefinite)

    Warranties & Limitations

    What We Promise

    • • Professional and competent service
    • • Compliance with applicable laws
    • • Appropriate insurance coverage
    • • Right to enter this agreement

    What We Can't Promise

    Consulting involves judgment and uncertainty:

    • • Specific business results
    • • Revenue or profitability increases
    • • Success of recommended strategies
    • • Third-party actions or decisions

    Liability Cap: Except for confidentiality breaches, gross negligence, or willful misconduct, liability is limited to fees paid in the 12 months preceding any claim.

    Termination & Dispute Resolution

    Termination

    For Convenience:

    30 days written notice

    For Cause:

    Material breach with 15 days to cure

    Effect:

    Pay for services rendered, deliver completed work

    Dispute Resolution

    Step 1:

    Good faith discussion (30 days)

    Step 2:

    Mediation (split costs 50/50)

    Step 3:

    Binding arbitration in Washington, DC

    Contact Us

    General Inquiries

    [email protected]
    +1 202 744 2567

    Legal & Billing

    [email protected]

    Mailing Address

    Common Ground Consulting LLC
    1936 1st Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20001

    So, Just To Be Clear

    By engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you're signing on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

    Remember: We're partners in your success. These terms exist to protect our working relationship and ensure we can deliver our best work together.

    These Terms of Service are effective as of September 2025 and supersede all previous versions.

    Common Ground Consulting LLC – Accelerated Impact, Human ConnectionTM