The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:     
       (1) Claim--A demand for damages by the contractor based upon the department's alleged breach of a contract.      
       (2) Commissioner--Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Texas.      
       (3) Contract--A written contract between the department and a contractor by the terms of which the contractor agrees either:                (A) to provide goods or services, by sale or lease, to or for the department; or                 (B) to perform a project as defined by Government Code, §2166.001.        
       (4) Contractor--Independent contractor who has entered into a contract directly with the department. The term does not include:                (A) the contractor's subcontractor, officer, employee, agent or other person furnishing goods or services to a contractor;                 (B) an employee of the department; or                 (C) a student at an institution of higher education.        
       (5) Counterclaim--A demand by the department based upon the contractor's claim.      
       (6) Day--A calendar day. If an act is required to occur on a day falling on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the first working day which is not one of these days should be counted as the required day for purpose of that act.      
       (7) Department--The Texas Department of Insurance.      
       (8) Event--An act or omission or a series of acts or omissions giving rise to a claim.      
       (9) Goods--Supplies, materials or equipment.      
       (10) Parties--The contractor and the department that have entered into a contract in connection with which a claim of breach of contract has been filed under this subchapter.      
       (11) Project--As defined in Government Code §2166.001, a building construction project that is financed wholly or partly by a specific appropriation, bond issue or federal money, including the construction of:                (A) a building, structure, or appurtenant facility or utility, including the acquisition and installation of original equipment and original furnishing; and                 (B) an addition to, or alteration, modification, rehabilitation or repair of an existing building, structure, or appurtenant facility or utility.        
       (12) Services--The furnishing of skilled or unskilled labor or consulting or professional work, or a combination thereof, excluding the labor of an employee of the department.      
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §1.1803 adopted to be effective November 27, 2000, 25 TexReg 11658