Can this be e-signed?

Yes; electronic signatures are generally enforceable under ESIGN and UETA when intent and consent are documented and records are retained. Exceptions include wills, court filings, and certain notices; verify statutory exclusions before relying solely on an electronic signature.

What makes an e-signature valid?

A valid e-signature typically meets four tests: intent to sign, consent to transact electronically, clear attribution to the signer, and record retention that allows accurate reproduction of the signed record.

Do I need notarization?

Not usually required for commercial service agreements. Notarization or witness signatures may be needed for specific instruments; remote online notarization rules and acceptance vary across states, so confirm local requirements.

Who can sign for a company?

An authorized signatory with delegated authority must sign; include the signer's printed name, title, and a statement of corporate authority. For larger entities, confirm board or delegated authority to bind the organization.

How long must we retain executed contracts?

Retain executed agreements at least three years for tax records per IRC §6501(a) and six years for HIPAA-related records per 45 CFR §164.530(j). Many organizations keep commercial contracts seven years as a practical baseline.

Which platform features matter most?

Look for a full audit trail, TLS/AES encryption, optional two-factor authentication, HIPAA BAA availability, SSO, and integrations with systems like Salesforce or NetSuite. signNow supports these capabilities across Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License plans.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Services Silver Agreement

Business Services Silver Agreement

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

Business Services Silver Agreement

This Business Services Silver Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of day of month year , by and between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client requires professional business services at the Silver tier level as further described herein; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider possesses the necessary expertise, personnel and resources to perform the services described in this Agreement and agrees to provide those services to Client under the terms set forth below; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows.

PARTY INFORMATION

Client Address Service Provider Address

SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall perform the services described below at the Silver tier level. Services shall include tasks, deliverables and milestones as specified in the section below or attachments incorporated by reference.

Detailed Scope of Work

PAYMENT TERMS

Client shall pay Service Provider the fees and expenses set forth below in consideration for the services rendered under this Agreement.

Service Fee (Total or Recurring Amount) Payment Schedule (select applicable)

Due upon execution Monthly By milestone/completion Net 30 days

If Other or Additional Instructions Invoice and Payment Instructions Late Payment Fee

If any undisputed invoice remains unpaid beyond the applicable payment period, interest shall accrue at percent per month (or the maximum permitted by law), plus a late fee of .

TERM AND TERMINATION

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

Start Date:

End Date:

Notice Period for Termination Without Cause (days)

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the "Receiving Party") agrees that it shall not disclose Confidential Information of the other party (the "Disclosing Party") and shall use Confidential Information solely for the performance of this Agreement. Confidential Information shall include non-public business information, trade secrets, client lists, pricing, and technical information disclosed in writing, orally or by inspection, and designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential.

Duration of Confidentiality (years)

Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, the Receiving Party shall promptly return or destroy all Confidential Information and certify in writing the disposition of such materials.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Service Provider retains ownership of pre-existing intellectual property and methodologies. Work product created specifically for Client under this Agreement shall be owned by subject to any license rights expressly granted to the other party.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for indemnification obligations or breaches of confidentiality, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages, and the aggregate liability of either party for any claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client to Service Provider under this Agreement during the twelve (12) month period preceding the claim.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Service Provider is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, agency or joint venture relationship between the parties. Service Provider is responsible for all taxes, withholdings and other statutory obligations arising from its performance.

NOTICES

Notice Address for Client Notice Address for Service Provider

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of , without regard to its conflicts of law principles. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings and representations. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that Service Provider may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a sale of substantially all of its business assets. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.

Client Name (Printed):

By:

Date:

Service Provider (Printed):

By:

Date:

What the Business Services Silver Agreement Covers

The Business Services Silver Agreement is a standard service contract used by providers and commercial clients to define mid-tier professional services, deliverables, timelines, fees, and basic service levels. It typically covers scope of work, payment terms, performance milestones, limited warranties, confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, and termination rights. The Silver tier denotes intermediate offerings and fewer premium guarantees than higher tiers. This template is designed for use in the United States and is compatible with electronic execution under ESIGN and UETA when parties meet signature and record-retention requirements.

Why a Silver Agreement Is Useful for Mid-Tier Services

Using a Business Services Silver Agreement clarifies expectations, establishes payment and delivery terms, and reduces contract disputes. It supports enforceability by documenting consent, signatures, and record retention; when electronically signed, it aligns with ESIGN and state UETA rules for contract validity.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Typical users include service providers, SMB buyers, procurement teams, and legal reviewers who manage mid-level engagements.

Independent consultants and agencies managing recurring or project-based mid-tier service contracts and client invoices.
Small and medium businesses purchasing bundled services under fixed-fee monthly or milestone schedules.
Corporate procurement or operations teams standardizing vendor terms across multiple departments.

Use this template when parties require a balanced contract that sets clear obligations without enterprise-level SLAs or bespoke governance.

Core Elements to Include in the Silver Agreement

Six core elements define the Silver agreement: scope, deliverables, payment, term and termination, confidentiality, and standard limited warranties tailored to mid-tier service levels.

Scope of Work

Define tasks, deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, and any excluded activities. Precise scope reduces disputes and sets billing triggers tied to completion.

Payment Terms

Specify fees, billing schedule, late penalties, and methods. Include invoicing cadence, milestone payments, reimbursements, and any retainers to avoid payment ambiguity during performance.

Term & Termination

State effective date, duration, renewal conditions, and termination rights for material breach or convenience, plus notice periods and obligations on termination such as return of materials.

Confidentiality

Obligate parties to protect proprietary information, specify permitted disclosures, duration of confidentiality, and required data handling practices for sensitive client data.

Intellectual Property

Clarify ownership or assignment of work product, licensing terms, and any residual rights to preexisting IP to prevent future ownership disputes.

Warranties & Liability

Provide limited warranties, disclaimers, liability caps, and indemnity scope appropriate to a Silver tier; avoid open-ended liability exposure that can escalate costs.

Step-by-Step: Complete, Sign, and Store the Agreement

Complete the Business Services Silver Agreement in four main steps: prepare, review, obtain signatures, and store the executed copy with supporting documents.

01

Prepare Document: Populate scope, dates, fees, and exhibits.
02

Internal Review: Legal and finance validate terms and compliance.
03

Signature Collection: Use authorized signers; document consent and method.
04

Archive Record: Store signed PDF with audit trail and backups.

Recommended E-sign Workflow Settings

Configure the e-sign workflow to match approval order, authentication strength, and notifications before sending the agreement for signature.

Field	Configuration
Signing Order	Set signer sequence; use sequential to enforce order.
Authentication	Email and optional SMS code or KBA for higher risk.
Bulk Send	Enable for identical agreements to many recipients.
Notifications	Enable reminders and completion notifications to stakeholders.

Execution Flow for Electronic Signing

Typical routing for execution and delivery uses a sender-created package, field placement, signer authentication, and final distribution with audit documentation.

Upload Document: Add the agreement PDF and required exhibits.
Place Fields: Insert signature, date, and initial fields.
Authenticate Signer: Choose email, SMS, or KBA per risk level.
Deliver Copies: Automatically distribute signed copies to parties.

Technical Requirements for Electronic Execution

Ensure platform supports PDF, DOCX uploads, SSO, and required integrations before sending for signatures.

File Types: PDF, DOCX, HTML supported.
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, MS 365, Google Workspace.
Authentication: Email, SMS, SSO, optional KBA.

Security and Compliance Considerations

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

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS.

HIPAA: Compliant; BAA required for protected health info.

ESIGN / UETA: Electronic signatures recognized; legally binding.

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamp, IP, and action logs.

Access Controls: Role-based access and SSO options.

Common Risks and Penalty Areas

Incomplete Signature: May render agreement unenforceable.

Incorrect Signatory: Wrong signer can void the contract.

Late Filing: May trigger service interruptions or penalties.

HIPAA Violation: Unauthorized PHI disclosure leads to penalties.

Payment Disputes: Ambiguous terms can cause collections delays.

I-9 / Employment: Noncompliance triggers government fines.

Frequent Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope descriptions that omit deliverable detail leading to client disputes and scope creep affecting timelines and additional billing.
Failure to set clear acceptance criteria or milestones, causing billing disputes and delayed project closure across departments.
Using informal signature methods without documented consent or retention undermines enforceability under ESIGN and state law.
Not accounting for industry-specific requirements such as HIPAA clauses or construction lien waivers increases compliance risk.

Key Deadlines and Timing to Define in the Agreement

Key deadlines and timing expectations cover signature windows, milestone payments, notice periods, and statutory filing or retention obligations.

Signature Deadline:

Specify days to sign after send (e.g., 14 days).

Milestone Payments:

Tie payments to acceptance milestones and invoices.

Notice Periods:

Provide written notice periods for termination and breaches.

Dispute Window:

Specify timeframe to raise contract disputes or claims.

Record Retention:

Retain executed agreements per retention policy and law.

Execution Timeline: Key Milestones

Sequential milestones from negotiation through post-termination ensure visibility into execution, performance, and archival responsibilities for the agreement lifecycle.

01

Negotiation Complete

Finalize scope and price before signature.

02

Execution Signed

All authorized parties sign and date the agreement.

03

Performance Period

Provider delivers services per schedule and milestones.

04

Closeout & Archive

Complete final deliverables, settle payments, and archive records.

Selected eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

This table compares entry-level pricing and selected capabilities relevant when executing the Business Services Silver Agreement electronically.

	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	Yes, 7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Execution and Validity

Common questions about completing, signing, and storing a Business Services Silver Agreement electronically, including authentication, notarization, and platform choices.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be e-signed?
Yes; electronic signatures are generally enforceable under ESIGN and UETA when intent and consent are documented and records are retained. Exceptions include wills, court filings, and certain notices; verify statutory exclusions before relying solely on an electronic signature.
What makes an e-signature valid?
A valid e-signature typically meets four tests: intent to sign, consent to transact electronically, clear attribution to the signer, and record retention that allows accurate reproduction of the signed record.
Do I need notarization?
Not usually required for commercial service agreements. Notarization or witness signatures may be needed for specific instruments; remote online notarization rules and acceptance vary across states, so confirm local requirements.
Who can sign for a company?
An authorized signatory with delegated authority must sign; include the signer's printed name, title, and a statement of corporate authority. For larger entities, confirm board or delegated authority to bind the organization.
How long must we retain executed contracts?
Retain executed agreements at least three years for tax records per IRC §6501(a) and six years for HIPAA-related records per 45 CFR §164.530(j). Many organizations keep commercial contracts seven years as a practical baseline.
Which platform features matter most?
Look for a full audit trail, TLS/AES encryption, optional two-factor authentication, HIPAA BAA availability, SSO, and integrations with systems like Salesforce or NetSuite. signNow supports these capabilities across Business, Business Premium, Enterprise, and Site License plans.

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