New Contract Process

  • Step
    1

    A contract request is submitted in BuyWays

  • Step
    2

    The contract request is reviewed by UPST, as well as the campus approvers, and a formal contract is created

  • Step
    3

    UPST will route the contract for any additional reviews/approvals as needed

  • Step
    4

    The contract is sent out to be signed by all relevant parties

  • Step
    5

    After the contract is signed, the contract will become "in effect" until it has expired or run out of funds

The University's Procurement Policy specifies the rules for all University procurement and contracting activities, with specific requirements detailed for the purchasing categories listed below.

The UPST Contracts Team centrally manages and stores all contracts within the BuyWays Contracts Module (Total Contracts Manager - TCM) as part of its goal to create a unified technology platform for managing procurement services across all campuses. 

Explore the UMass contracting process with the High-Level Contract Workflow for a concise overview of the steps it takes to create a contract.

Construction

Purchases that involve building maintenance or labor and materials construction contracts require prevailing wage rates.

Contract for Services (CFS)

Any agreement that meets or exceeds $100,000 requires a Contract for Services (CFS).

Space and Equipment

Contracts for non-University-owned space or equipment.

Featured Job Aids

Amend an Existing Contract
Demonstrates the process of submitting a contract amendment form in BuyWays.
Approving a Request & Contract
Describes the process of reviewing and approving a contract request.
Create a Contract Request
Demonstrates the process of submitting a contract request form in BuyWays.

More job aids are listed in the table below. Get more resources for Contracts such as videos, templates and reference guides.

Forms and Templates

Form/Template Resource Type Brief Description of Training Resource
CFS Statement of Work Template Template Used when creating a statement of work on a CFS (Contract for Services) contract.
Contract Amendment Form - Language/SOW Changes Template Template for submitting a language or statement of work (SOW) change to a contract.
Contract for Services Template (CFS) Template Template for creating a Contract for Services contract.
Contract Request Questions Template A list of basic questions pulled from the contract request form. This may be helpful for those who are not directly involved in the contract but are charged with creating and handling the request.
Determination of Independent Contractor Status Questions Template List of questions to be used in order to determine if a supplier is an Independent Contractor.
IT Risk Questionnaire (All Campuses except UMass Chan) Template A complete list of the IT risk questions found in the contract request form. This document applies to all campuses except UMass Chan.
Master Service Agreement (MSA) Template Template Template for creating a master service agreements (MSA).
MSA Statement of Work Template Template Used when creating a statement of work on a MSA (Master Service Agreement) contract
No-Bid Justification (NBJ) DocuSign Form Form Form used when filling a No Bid Justification (NBJ) or an exception to competitive procurement.
No-Bid Justification Questions Template A list of questions used when completing a no-bid justification or an exception to competitive procurement.
Principal Investigator (PI) DocuSign Form (UMB &UMass Chan) Template Form for when a Principal Investigator (PI) is needed.
Risk Questionnaire (All Campuses except UMass Chan) Template A complete list of the risk questions found in the contract request form. This document applies to all campuses except UMass Chan.
Risk Questionnaire (UMass Chan Only) Template A complete list of risk questions found in the contract request form. This document only applies to UMass Chan.

Questionnaires

QuestionnairePurpose
Contract Request QuestionnaireList of questions asked during contract request process.
Contract Request Form - Risk Questionnaire (All Campuses except UMass Chan)List of questions asked during contract risk questionnaire (does not include UMass Chan). 
Contract Request Form - Risk Questionnaire (UMass Chan Only)List of questions asked during contract risk questionnaire (UMass Chan only).
Contract Request Form - IT Risk Questionnaire (All Campuses except UMass Chan)List of questions asked during IT risk questionnaire (does not include UMass Chan).
Determination of Independent Contractor Status QuestionsList of questions used to determine Independent Contractor Status.