INDEMNIFICATION

Contractor agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the State of North Dakota, its agencies, officers and employees (State), from any and all claims of any nature, including all costs, expenses, and attorney's fees, which may in any manner result from or arise out of this agreement, except for claims resulting from or arising out of the State's sole negligence. The legal defense provided by Contractor to the State under this provision must be free of any conflicts of interest, even if retention of separate legal counsel for the State is necessary. Contractor also agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the State harmless for all costs, expenses, and attorneys' fees incurred in establishing and litigating the indemnification coverage provided herein. This obligation shall continue after termination of this agreement.