COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT (INVOICE-PAYMENT ACCEPTANCE)
This Engagement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between Cabit Intel Services and International Specialized Investigations (collectively, “Provider,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and the paying party (“Client,” “you,” or “your”). Your payment of the invoice you received constitutes your electronic signature, authorization, and acceptance of this Agreement and forms a binding contract as of the date payment is received.
1) Engagement; Effective Date
Client engages Provider to perform private investigatory and related support services (the “Services”) as described in this Agreement and any written scope, notes, or instructions associated with this invoice (the “Scope”). The “Effective Date” is the date the invoice is paid.
2) Billing Name / Descriptor
Client acknowledges and agrees that charges may appear on an invoice, receipt, bank statement, or credit/debit card statement as “ISI Texas,” “International Specialized Investigations,” “Cabit Intel Services,” or a substantially similar descriptor.
3) Incorporation of Terms of Service
Client agrees to the Terms of Service at cabitinel.com/uncategorized/etos (the “Terms”), which are incorporated into this Agreement by reference. If any conflict exists between this Agreement and the Terms, the Terms control to the extent permitted by law.
4) Purpose; Client Representations; Lawful Use
Client represents and warrants that the purpose of the investigation is legitimate and lawful, that Client is not seeking information for harassment, intimidation, extortion, stalking, discrimination, defamation, or any unlawful act, and that Client will not use results of the Services to take illegal action against any person. Client agrees to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information reasonably requested by Provider and understands Client is solely responsible for how Client uses any information delivered by Provider.
5) Scope of Services; Investigative Discretion; No Guarantee of Outcomes
Provider will use professional judgment to determine lawful and reasonable methods and sequencing for completing the Services within the Scope. Client understands investigations are inherently uncertain and results are not guaranteed; evidence may not exist, may have previously existed but was lost prior to this investigation, or be obtainable, and witnesses may be unavailable or unwilling. Any estimates of timing, leads, or likely outcomes are not promised and not guaranteed.
6) Retainer / Flat Fee; Payment Terms
Client agrees to pay a $2,000.00 flat-fee retainer (the “Flat Fee”) for the Services described in the Scope. Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, the Flat Fee is due in full upon invoice issuance and is earned upon receipt to the maximum extent allowed by law. Provider is not obligated to begin work until payment clears.
7) What the Flat Fee Includes (Normal and Routine Costs)
Unless otherwise stated in writing, the Flat Fee includes normal and routine activities and costs customarily required for investigations of this nature, which may include: driving and mileage within the Houston area, evidence collection and preservation consistent with lawful practice, witness interviews (as available, voluntary, lawful, and cooperating), comprehensive background checks on individuals or companies if needed, document(s) review and cataloging, link analysis, case documentation and evaluation of case items, data and evidence storage (including state-required retention/storage where applicable), consulting with appropriate experts if applicable and reasonably necessary (to the extent such consultation does not involve significant third-party fees), and preparation and issuance of a written investigative report or summary of findings.
8) Additional / Non-Routine / Unexpected Costs (Client Responsibility)
Client agrees to pay for unexpected, non-routine, or out-of-scope costs reasonably required to pursue the investigative objective, including without limitation: third-party database charges beyond routine use, public records/court record fees, certified copies, process service, specialized equipment, specialized lab/forensic costs, translation, travel outside the Houston area, lodging, air travel, extensive long-distance mileage, rush/expedited work, or other significant third-party expenses. Provider may require Client’s advance approval and/or prepayment before incurring material non-routine costs. If Client does not approve or fund such costs, Provider may limit or pause the Services. Based on what we currently know about your case, we do not anticipate there to be any of these costs.
9) Client Cooperation; Access; Authorizations
Client agrees to cooperate in good faith and provide timely and accurate information, documents, access, and lawful authorizations reasonably needed to perform the Services. Delays or inability to obtain records, permissions, or access may affect timelines and outcomes. Provider may refuse any request Provider reasonably believes is unlawful, unethical, unsafe, or outside professional standards.
10) Conclusion of Investigation; Completion Standard
Client agrees that the conclusion of the investigation is determined when, in the investigator’s professional judgment, all reasonably obtainable evidence has been collected and evaluated, and any witness testimony, affidavits, or interviews are completed to the extent the witness is available and cooperating, and the final investigative report is issued (the “Conclusion”). Provider is not required to continue investigating indefinitely where evidence is not obtainable, witnesses are non-cooperative, or additional work falls outside the Scope or requires additional funding.
11) Court Testimony / Trial Support / Attorney Coordination Not Included
Client acknowledges that the Flat Fee does not include: court testimony, depositions, trial preparation, subpoena response preparation, or substantial work to assist Client’s attorney for a pending trial (including extensive case conferencing, exhibit preparation, trial strategy sessions, or attorney-requested investigative tasks beyond the Scope). If such services are requested or reasonably required, they are additional services billed separately (including time, travel, and related costs) at Provider’s then-current rates or as otherwise agreed in writing.
12) Reporting; Deliverables; File Retention
Provider will deliver findings in a format Provider deems appropriate, which may include written reports, summaries, and supporting documentation/media where lawful and available. Provider may retain working files, notes, and underlying materials as required for legal compliance, record retention, and professional practice.
13) Confidentiality
Provider will treat Client’s matter as confidential and will not intentionally disclose Client information except as necessary to perform the Services, as required by law/court order, to collect payment, to protect Provider’s rights/safety/property, or with Client’s written consent. Client acknowledges certain investigative steps may require contacting third parties and may incidentally reveal that an inquiry is being conducted, without disclosing more than reasonably necessary.
14) Compliance With Law; Recordings; Evidence Handling
Provider will conduct Services in compliance with applicable laws and professional standards. When interviews or communications are recorded, they will be conducted in a manner intended to comply with applicable law. Client understands admissibility is determined by a court and depends on context and applicable rules.
15) No Legal Advice; No Attorney-Client Relationship
Provider is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Client should consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
16) Communications; Business Hours; After-Hours Fees
Provider may work at various hours as investigatory needs require, but Client agrees to contact Provider during normal business hours whenever possible: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (local time), excluding holidays. Outside-hours contact is reserved for emergencies that would significantly and materially change the case if Provider were not contacted promptly. If Client requests non-emergency communications, meetings, briefings, status calls, or other contact outside normal business hours, Client agrees Provider may charge an after-hours rate of $145/hour, billed in 6-minute increments (0.1 hour) rounded up. These charges are separate from the Flat Fee unless stated otherwise in writing.
17) No Refund Policy; Chargebacks; Theft of Service Acknowledgment
Unless otherwise stated in writing, all payments are non-refundable. Client understands investigatory work often incurs immediate, non-recoverable time and third-party costs regardless of outcome or Client satisfaction. Client agrees not to initiate a chargeback, reversal, stop payment, or payment dispute for Services performed or costs incurred. Client acknowledges that attempting to recover funds for Services rendered or costs incurred is an unauthorized taking of services and may be treated as “theft of services” under applicable law, and Client remains responsible for all amounts due plus any lawful administrative fees, collection costs, interest, and other remedies to the maximum extent permitted by law.
18) Dispute Resolution; Binding Arbitration (Final Resolution)
Client agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the invoice, the Services, or the parties’ relationship will be resolved by the Client seeking binding arbitration as the final resolution, rather than in court, except where a party seeks temporary injunctive relief to protect confidential information, prevent misuse of work product, or prevent immediate irreparable harm. The parties prefer arbitration because courts can be slow, expensive, and complicated, and the parties desire a fair outcome in a more efficient manner. Unless otherwise required by the Terms or applicable law, arbitration will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator. If the Client wishes to seek arbitration, the Client agrees to give the Provider a 60-day “notice of dispute” before starting the arbitration process, and the the Provider may be given a fair chance to resolve any issues or complaints of the Client.
19) Term; Suspension; Termination
This Agreement remains in effect until Conclusion or termination. Provider may suspend/terminate Services for nonpayment, unlawful/unethical requests, Client breach, or unreasonable legal/ethical/safety risk. Client may request termination in writing, but fees already paid remain non-refundable unless stated otherwise in writing, and Client remains responsible for any approved/incurred additional costs.
20) Entire Agreement; Severability
This Agreement and the incorporated Terms are the entire agreement between the parties regarding the Services. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.
21) Acceptance
PAYMENT OF THIS INVOICE CONSTITUTES CLIENT’S ACCEPTANCE of this Agreement and the incorporated Terms at cabitinel.com/uncategorized/etos, and authorizes Provider to begin work.
Client Name/Signature: By invoice payment
Date of Acceptance: Date payment is received