Contracts

The Contracts Office is responsible for reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing all University contracts and agreements. The Contracts team works with the Office of General Counsel and other University departments to ensure contracts are written and negotiated in the best interest of the University.

Contract Review

Any contractual agreement binding the University, regardless of dollar amount, must be reviewed and approved by the Contract Officer prior to execution by University personnel. Any amendment or revision to an existing contractual agreement must also be reviewed and approved in writing by the Contract Officer.

In addition, while a contract may appear not to bind the University to financial obligations (e.g., no cost agreements), there may be other obligations or liabilities present in the agreement (e.g., indemnification, insurance obligations, or uncapped liability). All agreements that bind the University must be reviewed by the Contract Officer.

See below for how to submit a contract for review for the following types of transactions or engagements:

Requisitions/Purchase Orders

  • When a vendor proposes a contract for a potential purchase, the contract should be attached to the requisition along with any other documentation that is pertinent to the potential purchase.
  • Departments should also provide contact information for the individual at the vendor who will be the Contracts Office's contact to work with to negotiate and finalize the contract.

Indepedent Contractors under $600

  • Before engaging an indepedent contractor, a contract needs to be completed.
  • For indepedent contractors where the total paid amount is less than $600, departments should use the Small Independent Contractor Agreement found in MyUVU. Departments should follow the instructions on that page and in the agreement.
  • Departments need to attach the completed Small Indepedent Contractor Agreement to the Indepedent Contractor Payment Request form in Wolverine Marketplace when they request payment for the indepedent contractor.

Indepedent Contractors $600 or more

  • Before engaging an indepedent contractor, a contract needs to be completed.
  • Indepedent contractors where the total paid amount is $600 or more are considered a purchase and require a requisition to be submitted and approved before the independent contractor can be engaged and perform services. Departments should submit a requisition as detailed on the independent contractor page. The Contracts Office will work with the department to draft an agreement for the indepedent contractor.

No Cost Contract Review

  • A No Cost Contract is an agreement where the University has no obligation to pay any cost, fees, or payments. Some examples of No Cost Contracts are:
    • Software offered to the University for no cost but where the vendor still requires the University to sign a license agreement.
    • Memorandums of Understanding with other universities, insititutions, or partners.
    • Non-Disclosure Agreements
  • Departments can submit a No Cost Contract for review by submitting a No Cost Contract Review request form in Wolverine Marketplace.

 

Signature Authority

The Contracts Office facilitates the signing of all contracts. University policy 247 states that only University Vice Presidents may sign contracts on behalf of the University. President's Council may authorize other individuals to sign specific types of contracts in a limited scope. These additional authorizations are tracked and maintained by the Contracts Office.

Any other University employee, including deans, department chairs, directors, etc., are not authorized to sign contracts on behalf of the University. Contracts signed by those not authorized to do so, or prematurely signing a contract before it has been reviewed by the Contracts Office, puts the University at legal and financial risk. Improperly signed contracts will result in a Purchasing Violation and the improper signatory may be personal responsible for the obligations contained in the contract. 

Questions?

If you are unclear about the review, approval process, requirements for a particular type of Contract, or signatory authority, please email [email protected].

Contracts Office Staff

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