Service Agreements
What is a Service Agreement?
A service agreement is a legally binding arrangement between two parties that dictates the terms for a fee for service activity. Per MSU’s Manual of Business Procedures, a fee for service activity involves the provision of a deliverable generated using standard procedures and/or established theories and methods.
In simple terms, MSUE staff are providing a service to their community that does not require new research or analysis. This could be educational programming, consulting, facilitation, etc. A service agreement establishes the terms and conditions of the service.
If you are unsure if a program requires a service agreement or have any other questions, please contact us at msue.grantservices@msu.edu for advice.
How do I Start the Service Agreement Process?
The first step is to complete the Service Agreement Request Form. The form collects the information needed to build a cost recovery budget and draft the agreement terms. Please complete the form to the best of your ability. Grant Services will follow up if there is any additional information or clarification needed.
To assist in filling out the form and planning programming, please review this PDF of questions you will be asked.
What is the Process for Service Agreements?
The below process is carried out by the field staff and the MSUE Grant Services team.
- Complete the Service Agreement Request Form.
- Grant Services will work with the Educator to create the budget and finalize the scope of work.
- Grant Services facilitates the electronic signature process and collects needed signatures (client, Institute Director, CGA, etc., depending on the requirements of the agreement).
- Grant Services staff logs approved agreement, opens the subaccount, and returns the fully signed agreement to the Educator.
- Educator carries out services based on the terms and conditions established in the signed agreement.
- Educator notifies Grant Services of program completion. (Educator responsibility)
- The Grant Services team generates the invoices and sends to the client unless an invoice was needed in advance. In that situation, the Educator needs to inform the Grant Services team of this prior to the program.
A visual model of the current service agreement proposal process is below.
Who can sign Service Agreements?
Only certain authorized university officials are allowed to sign legal agreements on behalf of MSU. In some instances MSU Extension leadership has been granted Delegated Signature Authority to sign agreements on behalf of MSU.
When a partner agrees to use MSU's preapproved Service Agreement template, the agreement can be signed by Institute Directors if the value is under $5,000 or by the Extension Director if the value is between $5,000 and $10,000.
Contract & Grant Administration (CGA) must sign all agreements for more than $10,000.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) must review, and Contract & Grant Administration must sign, any agreement that does not use MSU’s preapproved template.
As CGA and OGC are central MSU administrative offices, please expect additional time for review and signature (5-10 business days for pre-approved templates, 10-15 business days for nonstandard templates).
Partner signatures are collected by Grant Services staff using a tool called SignRequest. Click here for a demonstration of the signature process in SignRequest.
What should I do with MOUs, MOAs (except county), and Partner Contracts or Agreements?
Please use the Service Agreement Request Form to submit the document. We will facilitate review and signature by the appropriate individuals.
What should I do with space, facilities, fairground or transportation contracts?
Please work with the ANR Events team. To begin the signature process, submit your contract here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/contracts/
What if I'm not sure what kind of contract I'm being asked to sign?
Please use the Service Agreement Request Form to submit the document. We can direct you to the correct team for processing.
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