Can the addendum be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states when intent and consent are present and records are retained.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on state law and the document type; use notarization when the base agreement requires it or when state formalities (e.g., Florida witness rules) apply.

Do healthcare addenda need extra protections?

Yes. If the addendum involves protected health information, ensure a BAA is in place and retain records per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

How do I correct a signed addendum?

Prepare a signed amendment or correction signed by all parties; unilateral changes post-signature are ineffective without agreement.

What happens if names or dates mismatch?

Mismatched names or dates create enforceability risk; correct by executing a clarifying amendment or ratification signed by the parties.

How long must I keep the record?

Follow applicable retention rules: at least 3 years for tax-related items (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and any longer state or industry-specific periods.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Legal
Contract Management COVID Addendum

Contract Management COVID Addendum

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

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT COVID ADDENDUM

This Contract Management COVID Addendum ("Addendum") is made effective as of and is entered into between Company Name: , with principal address at (hereinafter "Company"), and Counterparty Name: , with principal address at (hereinafter "Counterparty").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and Counterparty entered into an agreement titled "" dated (the "Original Agreement");

WHEREAS, the parties desire to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures on their rights, obligations and performance under the Original Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to establish procedures for notice, mitigation, cost allocation and remedies specific to disruptions caused by a COVID-19 Event (as defined below) without altering the remaining material terms of the Original Agreement except as expressly set forth in this Addendum.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "COVID-19 Event" means an occurrence of pandemic, epidemic, public health emergency, government-imposed quarantine, restriction, or other emergency measure related to COVID-19 (including variants) that materially prevents, restricts, delays or increases the cost of performance by either party under the Original Agreement.

1.2 Other capitalized terms used in this Addendum shall have the meanings set forth in the Original Agreement unless otherwise defined herein.

2. SCOPE AND INCORPORATION

2.1 This Addendum supplements and amends the Original Agreement solely as set forth herein. To the extent of any conflict between the Original Agreement and this Addendum with respect to the subject matter hereof, the provisions of this Addendum shall govern.

2.2 This Addendum applies only to impacts directly caused by a COVID-19 Event and shall not be construed to excuse performance for reasons unrelated to COVID-19.

3. NOTICE, DOCUMENTATION AND MITIGATION

3.1 Affected party shall provide written notice to the other party within days of becoming aware of a COVID-19 Event that is reasonably expected to materially affect performance. The notice shall (a) describe the nature of the COVID-19 Event, (b) identify the affected obligations, (c) provide an estimate of the expected duration and impact, and (d) state the steps being taken to mitigate the impact.

3.2 The affected party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 Event on performance and to resume full performance as soon as practicable.

Mitigation Measures (describe):

4. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION, EXTENSION OF TIME AND ALLOCATION OF RISK

4.1 If a COVID-19 Event prevents performance of an obligation, the affected party shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of time to perform, excused only for the duration of the COVID-19 Event and any reasonable ramp-up period thereafter.

4.2 The parties agree that excused suspension of performance shall not relieve the affected party from its obligation to take reasonable and documented steps to mitigate increased costs and delays. Any claim for additional compensation must be supported by contemporaneous documentation substantiating increased labor, materials, or other direct costs caused by the COVID-19 Event.

Cost Allocation Arrangement (select all that apply):

Shared cost allocation between parties

Company bears direct incremental costs Counterparty bears direct incremental costs

If shared or other arrangement, describe calculation method:

5. FORCE MAJEURE

5.1 For purposes of the Original Agreement, a COVID-19 Event shall constitute a Force Majeure event to the extent that such event meets the Original Agreement's Force Majeure standard. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a party shall not rely on Force Majeure for impacts that could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable diligence and foresight.

5.2 A party invoking Force Majeure under this Addendum must timely comply with the notice and mitigation requirements of Section 3 and provide contemporaneous supporting documentation reasonably requested by the non-affected party.

6. INSURANCE; INDEMNITY

6.1 Each party shall maintain insurance policies required by the Original Agreement and shall provide certificates or evidence of insurance upon reasonable request to the other party. Such insurance shall be primary with respect to claims arising from a COVID-19 Event to the extent applicable.

6.2 Except as expressly modified by this Addendum, indemnity provisions in the Original Agreement remain in full force and effect. No party shall be indemnified for losses arising from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

7. TERM; TERMINATION

7.1 This Addendum shall commence on the Addendum Effective Date set forth above and shall remain in effect for the term of the Original Agreement unless earlier terminated in accordance with the Original Agreement or by written mutual agreement of the parties.

7.2 Termination of the Original Agreement shall terminate this Addendum, provided that termination shall not relieve either party of obligations accrued prior to termination.

8. NOTICES

8.1 All notices required under this Addendum shall be given in writing and delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Original Agreement. If the Original Agreement does not specify notice addresses, notices shall be delivered to the following contacts:

Company Notice Contact Counterparty Notice Contact

9. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER; COUNTERPARTS

9.1 This Addendum may be amended only by a writing signed by authorized representatives of both parties. No course of dealing or failure to enforce a provision shall constitute a waiver except by an instrument in writing signed by the waiving party.

9.2 This Addendum may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by electronic means shall be binding.

10. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

10.1 Governing Law. This Addendum shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws chosen in the Original Agreement. If the Original Agreement does not specify governing law, the parties select:

10.2 Entire Agreement. This Addendum, together with the Original Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to COVID-19 related impacts and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings regarding such subject matter.

10.3 Severability. If any provision of this Addendum is determined to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be severed and the remainder of this Addendum shall remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

11. ADDITIONAL TERMS

Additional negotiated terms (if any):

Company (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Counterparty (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

What the Contract Management COVID Addendum Covers

A Contract Management COVID Addendum is a short written amendment attached to an existing contract that documents temporary or permanent changes prompted by COVID-19 impacts. Typical topics include force majeure clauses, health and safety protocols, remote-work arrangements, delivery timelines, payment deferrals, and procedures for notice and mitigation. The addendum clarifies responsibilities, timelines, and remedies where the original agreement does not address pandemic-related disruption. It is used to avoid disputes by making obligations explicit while preserving the original agreement where possible.

Why parties add a COVID-specific amendment

A focused addendum reduces ambiguity about pandemic-related risks, sets temporary expectations for performance and safety, and creates a written record of agreed changes that supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when signed electronically.

Who typically prepares and signs this addendum

Multiple internal stakeholders often collaborate: legal drafts, operations specify details, and authorized signers execute the addendum.

Procurement and operations managers who need to document delivery, supply chain, or service changes quickly.
In-house legal or outside counsel responsible for contract risk allocation and enforceability.
HR and facilities teams implementing workplace health protocols that affect contract performance.

Typical signatories and their roles

General Counsel

A senior legal officer who reviews wording for enforceability, confirms alignment with main contract provisions, and ensures compliance with corporate approval matrices and regulatory constraints.

Operations Director

A business owner who specifies practical changes to delivery schedules, staffing, or site access and confirms the organization can meet revised obligations under the addendum.

Core elements to include in a professional COVID addendum

A clear, concise addendum contains defined triggers, scope limits, responsibilities, and remedies so parties can manage pandemic-driven changes without rewriting the entire contract.

Scope

Specify which sections of the base contract are modified and whether the addendum is temporary, conditional, or permanent to avoid unintended overrides.

Trigger Events

Define triggering conditions (e.g., government orders, public health emergency declarations, staffed shortages) and how evidence of the trigger will be provided.

Performance Adjustments

Describe revised schedules, delivery windows, staffing expectations, or permissible substitutions, including notice and cure periods.

Health & Safety Protocols

List required PPE, testing, vaccination policy if applicable, site access rules, and responsibilities for providing protective equipment.

Liability Allocation

Set limits on consequential damages, indemnities tied to pandemic causes, and whether force majeure displaces certain remedies.

Termination & Renewal

State whether the addendum ends with the emergency, automatically renews, or converts to a permanent amendment after defined milestones.

Step-by-step: complete and execute the addendum

Follow these ordered steps to prepare a clear, enforceable addendum and collect valid signatures.

01

Review base contract: Identify clauses affected and any pre-existing amendment rules.
02

Draft amendment text: Insert precise replacement or supplemental language referencing sections.
03

Internal approvals: Obtain required corporate or departmental signoff before sending.
04

Execute and distribute: Collect signatures and circulate fully signed copies to all parties.

How to update or revise an executed addendum

Use this grid to manage post-execution revisions while preserving auditability and approval history.

01

Identify change:

Document the reason and scope for the revision.

02

Draft revision:

Prepare an amendment-to-amendment or a replacement addendum.

03

Approval routing:

Route to the same approvers who authorized the original change.

04

Sign and record:

Capture signatures and update the contract registry.

05

Version control:

Label documents with version numbers and execution dates.

06

Communicate:

Notify impacted teams and attach to procurement systems.

Configuring an online workflow for the addendum

Set up a digital route that mirrors approval steps and preserves an audit trail for signing and retention.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Email link or SMS code for recipient identity
Sequential Routing	Signature order enforced by signer sequence
Conditional Fields	Display health clauses only if checkbox selected
Audit Trail	Capture IP, timestamp, and action log

Digital signing and file format considerations

Ensure the signing platform supports secure audit trails, industry integrations, and the file formats your teams use.

File formats: PDF and DOCX compatibility required
Integrations: Connectors for CRM and cloud storage helpful
Authentication: Support for SMS, email, and advanced options

Choose a platform that preserves a tamper-evident record, supports your retention policy, and fits approval workflows.

Typical e-submission flow for the addendum

A standard online signing flow speeds execution while capturing evidence of consent, attribution, and retention.

Upload document: Sender uploads addendum and base contract reference
Place fields: Add signature, initials, and date fields
Send to signers: Platform emails signer links or delivers via integration
Complete signing: Signed copies and audit certificates are produced

Download, storage, and supporting documents

After execution, preserve a complete record: fully signed addendum, referenced base contract pages, and supporting evidence such as notices and approvals.

Export formats

Save final package as a single PDF/A with embedded audit trail for long-term preservation and portability.

Audit trail

Include signer IP, timestamps, and method of authentication to support legal validity.

Supporting exhibits

Attach procurement approvals, correspondence, and government orders that triggered the amendment.

Notarization records

Store notary acknowledgements or RON session recordings if applicable to enforceability.

eSignature provider comparison for executing addenda

Select a provider that meets authentication, audit trail, and compliance needs. Pricing and feature availability vary by vendor and plan.

	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	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Key risks and consequences of errors

Late Execution: May forfeit relief provided in the addendum

Missing Signature: Can render the addendum unenforceable

Name Mismatch: Creates ambiguity about party identity

Incorrect TIN: May trigger backup withholding

I-9 Noncompliance: Triggers civil penalties for paperwork violations

Confidentiality Breach: Leads to regulatory or contractual penalties

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Using informal language that contradicts the main contract creates interpretation disputes and weakens enforceability.
Failing to reference the exact base agreement means the addendum may be treated as an independent agreement rather than an amendment.
Skipping internal approval or signature authority requirements can lead to later rescission or internal invalidation.
Not attaching supporting notices or government orders removes context and makes it harder to prove triggers for relief.

Typical timing and processing expectations

Set clear internal deadlines for drafting, approvals, execution, and distribution to ensure the addendum takes effect when intended.

Draft Completion Target:

Allow 3–5 business days for legal review and stakeholder input

Approval Window:

Establish a 5–10 business day period for internal signoffs

Execution Deadline:

Agree on a date after which the addendum does not apply

Notarization Window:

Schedule notarization or RON within 7–14 days if required

Distribution Time:

Circulate executed copies within 1 business day of final signature

Real-world examples of addendum use

These short case summaries show how organizations documented pandemic impacts and maintained contract continuity.

Optica Ventures (Brian Fitzgibbons)

Faced with delayed vendor shipments, the company added a limited force majeure clause to recognize supply-chain interruptions.

The addendum clarified acceptable substitutes for components.
This preserved the relationship while allowing temporary schedule relief and required suppliers to provide weekly status notices and mitigation plans, reducing disputes during peak disruption periods.

Martin Properties (Tim Martin)

A property manager added tenant health-and-safety protocols to leases to reopen safely.

It set mask, cleaning, and visitor rules.
The addendum allocated cleaning costs, outlined enforcement steps, and included an emergency rent deferral mechanism tied to documented government closures, which reduced litigation and clarified expectations for tenants and staff.

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Answers to common legal and practical questions about preparing, signing, and storing a Contract Management COVID Addendum.

Need help? Contact support

Can the addendum be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA in most states when intent and consent are present and records are retained.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on state law and the document type; use notarization when the base agreement requires it or when state formalities (e.g., Florida witness rules) apply.
Do healthcare addenda need extra protections?
Yes. If the addendum involves protected health information, ensure a BAA is in place and retain records per HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
How do I correct a signed addendum?
Prepare a signed amendment or correction signed by all parties; unilateral changes post-signature are ineffective without agreement.
What happens if names or dates mismatch?
Mismatched names or dates create enforceability risk; correct by executing a clarifying amendment or ratification signed by the parties.
How long must I keep the record?
Follow applicable retention rules: at least 3 years for tax-related items (IRC §6501(a)), 6 years for HIPAA records (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and any longer state or industry-specific periods.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now