Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided there is intent to sign, consent to do business electronically, attribution to the signer, and a retained reproducible record.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required for certain document types and state-specific filings; ordinary service contracts generally do not need notarization unless state law, real property interests, or specific statutory formality requires it.

Who can sign for a company?

An authorized officer or an individual with delegated signing authority should sign. Verify corporate resolution or power of attorney if signing authority is not evident from title or formation documents.

What if a party’s name is wrong?

A mismatched legal name may affect enforceability and tax reporting; correct the error before execution or include a ratification and amendment signed by both parties.

How should I store executed copies?

Store a tamper-evident PDF and metadata in a secure repository with access controls and retention tagging aligned to regulatory requirements and internal records policy.

Can the agreement be amended later?

Yes. Use a written amendment signed by authorized signers that references the original agreement and specifies the effective date and scope of the changes.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Ongoing Agreement

Business Ongoing Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Business Ongoing Agreement

This Business Ongoing Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Client Name is engaged in business activities for which it requires ongoing services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider Name represents that it has the experience, personnel, and resources necessary to perform the services set forth herein and is willing to perform such services for Client Name on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth the terms under which Service Provider will provide ongoing services to Client on a non-exclusive basis.

Scope of Work

Service Provider shall perform the services described below in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. The scope below may be amended only by written agreement signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Detailed Scope of Work

Payment Terms

In consideration for the services rendered by Service Provider, Client shall pay Service Provider in accordance with the terms below. All fees are due in United States dollars unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Contract Price / Regular Payment Amount Payment Schedule Invoices & Due Date Late Payment Fee

If any undisputed amount remains unpaid after the due date, Client shall pay interest on the overdue amount at the rate of or a minimum late charge of , whichever is greater. Interest shall accrue from the due date until payment is received in full.

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on Start Date: and shall continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon providing written notice to the other party at least days prior to the effective date of termination. Either party may terminate immediately for cause upon material breach by the other party that remains uncured for a period of 15 days after receipt of written notice of such breach.

Upon termination, Service Provider shall deliver to Client all work product completed to the date of termination and Client shall pay Service Provider for services performed and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination in accordance with the Payment Terms.

Confidentiality

Each party acknowledges that in the course of performance it may receive Confidential Information of the other party. "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed in tangible form or orally that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. The receiving party shall (a) hold Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) not use Confidential Information except to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except as required by law or with the disclosing party's prior written consent.

The obligations in this section will survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years.

Representations; Indemnity

Each party represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. Service Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Client from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising out of Service Provider's gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of services. Client shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Service Provider from claims arising out of Client's breach of representations or misuse of deliverables.

Assignment and Subcontracting

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except that either party may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all of its assets, provided the assignee assumes the assigning party's obligations hereunder. Service Provider may subcontract portions of the work provided it remains responsible for the subcontractor's performance.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by hand, certified mail, or nationally recognized courier service, and shall be effective upon receipt.

Client Address for Notices Client Contact Email Service Provider Address for Notices Service Provider Contact Email

Governing Law; Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of law principles. The parties shall first attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiation. If negotiations fail, the parties agree to submit the dispute to mediation before pursuing any judicial remedy.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, including any attachments or written amendments signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects the parties' original intent.

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Name:

By:

Date:

What a Business Ongoing Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Business Ongoing Agreement is a continuing contract between parties that sets forth recurring services, deliverables, responsibilities, payment terms, and performance standards for an ongoing relationship. Typical uses include managed services, maintenance contracts, subscription services, and retainer arrangements where obligations repeat over time. The agreement defines the term and renewal mechanics, dispute resolution, data handling, confidentiality, and termination rights so both parties understand expectations throughout the contract lifecycle.

Why a Clear Ongoing Agreement Protects Your Business

A well-drafted Business Ongoing Agreement reduces ambiguity about recurring obligations, limits dispute exposure, clarifies payment schedules, and preserves audit evidence for regulatory or tax review.

Essential Sections to Include in a Business Ongoing Agreement

These six provisions form the backbone of a professional ongoing agreement and help ensure enforceability, operational clarity, and measurable performance.

Parties

Identify each contracting legal entity by full legal name, business type, and principal address so attribution and enforcement are unambiguous.

Term

Specify the initial term, renewal mechanics (automatic or notice-based), and the effective date to establish when obligations begin and expire.

Scope

Describe services, deliverables, schedules, performance standards, and measurable acceptance criteria to reduce later disputes over expectations.

Consideration

Set fees, billing cadence, late payment terms, and any price adjustment mechanisms; tie payments to deliverables or acceptance when appropriate.

Termination

Define termination for convenience and cause, notice periods, cure rights, and post-termination obligations for transition and return of data.

Confidentiality

Include nondisclosure, permitted disclosures, duration, and data handling requirements, and reference any required privacy addenda or BAAs.

Which Teams and Organizations Commonly Use Ongoing Agreements

Ongoing agreements are used across internal teams and external vendors to manage repeated services and subscription relationships.

Procurement and vendor managers in medium and large companies handling managed services and software subscriptions.
Legal and compliance teams that require clear termination, liability, and data protection clauses for ongoing relationships.
Finance and accounting teams responsible for recurring billing, invoicing, and audit-ready documentation of consideration.

Tailor the agreement language to the primary user—procurement, legal, finance, or operations—to ensure relevant controls and signatory authority are included.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Business Ongoing Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare, review, and finalize the agreement with minimal rework.

01

Draft: Assemble scope, fees, term, and templates for internal review.
02

Review: Legal and finance confirm liability, pricing, and compliance clauses.
03

Collect Signatures: Route to authorized signers and capture eSignatures or notarization if required.
04

Store: Save executed copies in secure records with retention tagging.

Where to Send, File, and Archive the Executed Agreement

Define routing to ensure the executed agreement reaches all required parties and systems for compliance and auditing.

Primary Counterparty: Send signed copy to the other contracting party for their records and operations.
Internal Legal: Provide counsel with a PDF and redline history for contract management and dispute readiness.
Finance / AP: Forward executed agreement to accounts payable for invoicing setup and vendor onboarding.
Document Repository: Archive the final signed PDF and metadata in the corporate records system for retention.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings for Online Completion

Configure workflow elements to match internal authorization, authentication, and storage requirements before sending.

Field	Configuration
Signature Authentication	Email link or SMS code for signer verification
Routing Order	Sequential or parallel routing based on approval roles
Reminder Frequency	Automated reminders every 3–7 days until signed
Storage Location	Save executed PDF to secure repository or cloud storage

Technical Options for eSigning and eSubmission

Choose a platform that supports required authentication, audit trails, and file formats for the agreement.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO options
Integrations: CRM and storage connectors available

Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot for Executing Agreements

Compare common plan criteria and starting prices across popular eSignature providers; signNow appears first per platform comparison conventions.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Security and Compliance Features to Verify

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001

Regulatory: ESIGN, UETA compliance

Privacy: CCPA and GDPR controls

Healthcare: HIPAA support with BAA

Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, action history

Primary Risks and Penalties from Incorrect or Missing Details

Incorrect TIN: Triggers backup withholding

1099 Penalties: $60–$330 per form

I-9 Paperwork: $281–$2,789 per violation

Intentional Disregard: $660+ per form

Data Breach: Regulatory fines and remediation costs

Invalid Signature: Contract unenforceability risk

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Using inconsistent party names across the agreement and exhibits, which can create ambiguity and delay enforcement or vendor onboarding.
Failing to specify renewal mechanics or notice periods, often causing unintended automatic renewals or missed termination windows.
Omitting measurable acceptance criteria for deliverables, which leads to disputes over whether services meet contractual obligations.
Relying on an unauthorized signer or a signer without corporate authority, requiring post-signature ratification or risking invalidation.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt these practices to reduce errors, speed approvals, and preserve audit-ready records.

Use Consistent Entity Names

Always pull the contracting party names from official formation documents or W-9 forms and cross-check against payment and tax records to prevent mismatches during vendor setup and tax reporting.

Define Measurable Deliverables

Include specific KPIs, acceptance tests, or deliverable checklists to make payment triggers and performance reviews objective and defensible in disputes or audits.

Set Clear Renewal Notices

Require written notice for non-renewal delivered a defined number of days before the renewal date to avoid unintended contract extensions and budget surprises.

Record Execution Metadata

Capture signer identity, timestamp, IP address, and redline history in the execution record so the agreement is reproducible and admissible if authentication is later contested.

Key Timing Items to Track in the Agreement Lifecycle

Monitor these dates to manage renewals, notices, invoicing, and compliance obligations that commonly appear in ongoing agreements.

Effective Date:

Date when duties and rights commence; enter as MM/DD/YYYY

Renewal Notice Deadline:

Specify notice period, commonly 30–90 days before renewal

Invoice Due Dates:

Align payment terms with deliverable acceptance and accounting cycles

Insurance Renewal:

Confirm proof of insurance prior to each policy renewal

Contract Review Cycle:

Schedule periodic legal and operational reviews, typically annually

Sequence of Key Contracting Milestones

A numbered sequence helps coordinate stakeholders and ensures the agreement moves from draft to execution without missing steps.

01

Draft Approval

Legal and finance sign off on the final draft before distribution.

02

Internal Authorization

Obtain required internal approvals and budget sign-offs from stakeholders.

03

External Execution

Send for counterparty signature and capture electronic or notarized execution.

04

Post-Execution Onboarding

Trigger operations, invoicing, and archiving after execution completes.

Real-World Examples of Ongoing Agreements in Use

These short case notes illustrate how organizations apply ongoing agreements to operational workflows.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin described using online execution to finish recurring property management contracts without in-person meetings.

He highlighted mobile and offline signing capability.
The approach reduced turnaround time for leases and service agreements and ensured executed copies were stored securely and were accessible to operations and accounting for day-to-day management and audits.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

John Butler noted the platform's API integration for managing consent and administrative forms at scale.

Integration reduced manual data entry.
Automating signature collection and storing audit trails helped clinical and administrative staff maintain compliance, track consent histories, and reduce time spent reconciling paper records.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Ongoing Agreements

Answers to common practical and legal questions encountered when preparing and executing ongoing agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures satisfy ESIGN (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided there is intent to sign, consent to do business electronically, attribution to the signer, and a retained reproducible record.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for certain document types and state-specific filings; ordinary service contracts generally do not need notarization unless state law, real property interests, or specific statutory formality requires it.
Who can sign for a company?
An authorized officer or an individual with delegated signing authority should sign. Verify corporate resolution or power of attorney if signing authority is not evident from title or formation documents.
What if a party’s name is wrong?
A mismatched legal name may affect enforceability and tax reporting; correct the error before execution or include a ratification and amendment signed by both parties.
How should I store executed copies?
Store a tamper-evident PDF and metadata in a secure repository with access controls and retention tagging aligned to regulatory requirements and internal records policy.
Can the agreement be amended later?
Yes. Use a written amendment signed by authorized signers that references the original agreement and specifies the effective date and scope of the changes.

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