The words and terms in this chapter have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) Claim--a demand for damages by the Contractor based upon the Department's alleged breach of contract;
2. (2) Contractor--as defined by § 2260.001(2), Texas Government Code;
3. (3) Commissioner--the chief administrative officer of the Department;
4. (4) Counterclaim--a claim by the Department against the Contractor based upon the same contract as that of the Contractor's claim;
5. (5) Day--a calendar day. If an act is required to occur on a date falling on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the first working day following one of these days is the date to be counted as the required day for the act;
6. (6) Department--the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services;
7. (7) Event--an act or omission or a series of acts or omissions giving rise to a claim;
8. (8) Negotiation--a consensual bargaining process in which the parties attempt to resolve a claim and counterclaim;
9. (9) Parties--the Department and the Contractor that have entered into the contract that is the subject of the claim; and
10. (10) SOAH--State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Source Note:The provisions of this §732.103 adopted to be effective February 2, 2021, 46 TexReg 842.