Many times Solas Tempus may not have the resources to perform certain activities, or the activities may be of a particular nature where Solas Tempus does not wish to be directly linked to the activity. In those cases the standard contractual agreements between a party willing to act on behalf of Solas Tempus termed as the Private Contractor and Solas Tempus.
Term of Contract Authority
The terms of the contract specify the specific length for which the contract is active, but they can also specify a more loosely defined length of time.
Definite Duration
For contracts which require a definite time frame, such as 3 days or 1 year. The specific term is clearly stated in these cases.
Term lengths over 30 days require a mandatory evaluation period specified. This is the interval in which the contractor will have their performance evaluated and be given the opportunity to alter the contractual agreement or request early release from the agreement. Durations of time between 30-60 days require a single mid-point evaluation, over 60 days but under half a year require 2 midpoint evaluations at equal spacing from each other. Durations over half a year require quarterly evaluations. These evaluation guidelines are minimums and more evaluations can be contractually required.
Indefinite Duration
Contracts for which there is not a definite duration for the contract are less common, but are still often enough used. These contracts have a standard of quarterly evaluations. A higher rate of evaluation can be done but is not common.
Retainers
The most common type of indefinite duration is that of a continuing retainer contract. Retainer contracts have an indefinite period and quarterly evaluations. However, rather than the contractor having a continued presence at a Solas Tempus facility they will typically pursue other contracts, other jobs, or whatever their own interests are until Solas Tempus has need of services. Contractors on retainer are given a standard retainer fee, usually in the form of trade resources, privileges at Solas Tempus facilities or associated facilities. Retainer fees can be resources, privileges, or currency. In addition to retainer fees, while a contractor is on a specific job Solas Tempus agrees to a specific per-incident fee or fee schedule.
Obligations
Private contractors are required to obey commands of Solas Tempus with regards to the subject and contents of the contract. That is to say if a contractor is signed to perform security tasks, is contractually obligated to follow the orders of Solas Tempus on matters of security. This also extends to while at a Solas Tempus facility or starship, where the contractor will be expected to follow orders of officers of the facility or vessel they on board.
Solas Tempus Interests
A contractor is not specifically obligated to protect the interests of Solas Tempus while not performing tasks for Solas Tempus or provided for under the terms of the contract. However, it is expect that whenever possible the interests of the private contractor will be aligned with those of Solas Tempus for the benefit of both parties and thus the contractor will act with the best interests of Solas Tempus in mind.
Morals and Behaviors Clause
At the sole discretion of Solas Tempus a contractor can be sighted for violations of a moral or legal kind. Such citations operate as a way for Solas Tempus to terminate the contract or otherwise alter the terms of a contract during evaluations when a contractor is behaving in a way that might damage Solas Tempus directly or indirectly.
Criminal Contracts
Solas Tempus will occasionally sign a contract with a person who is either guilty of a crime for which Solas Tempus can charge them or are known to be guilty of past crimes. Such contracts have an immunity clause for past acts and a condition of the contract that the contractor refrain from performing said crimes again while the contract is in effect.
Criminal Acts
Contracts are generally immune from a contract to be terminated for criminal acts when those criminal acts are the result of actions being done in the service of Solas Tempus. In such cases Solas Tempus will not terminate a contract for acts performed while acting on behalf of Solas Tempus.
Freedom of Action
When performing a task for Solas Tempus it is a standard term that criminal acts are prohibited unless expressly ordered or the brief for a particular contractual assignment includes the possibility of criminal acts. Solas Tempus will be clear at all times possible as to when extraordinary actions (criminal or morally ambiguous acts) are authorized as well as the use of force or lethal force.
Early Termination
A contract can be terminated early if both parties (Solas Tempus and the contractor) agree to dissolve the partnership. There is no standard fee in resources or currency set up for early termination, and it is handled on a case by case basis.
Modification of Contract
A contract need not be terminated in order to change its terms. Contracts may be amended during evaluations by mutual agreement between Solas Tempus and a private contractor. During these times, a contractor is encouraged to bring concerns about the work they do for Solas Tempus. Officers are also encouraged to make accommodations to the contractual terms whenever possible so long as a contractor has a continuing positive evaluation, or if the accommodations will improve the performance for the contractor.