Scope of Work
Describe specific HR services, deliverables, performance standards, and how each new engagement will be added by separate statement of work or purchase order.
A clear MSA reduces negotiation time, centralizes recurring contract terms, and protects both parties by codifying scope, payment schedules, confidentiality, and compliance responsibilities. Use a template to ensure consistent clauses for insurance, IP assignment, and data protection that align with company policy and applicable laws.
Several internal and external roles collaborate to prepare and approve an MSA; responsibilities vary by organization size and procurement process.
Clear role assignment speeds review and ensures required checks (I-9, background, insurance) are completed before onboarding or billing begins.
The Hiring Manager identifies required services and approves final deliverables. They confirm the scope of work, acceptance criteria, milestone dates, and authorise budget or purchase orders aligned to payment terms in the MSA.
The individual signing for the contractor certifies authority to bind the vendor, confirms subcontractor use and insurance coverage, and accepts confidentiality, IP assignment, and indemnity clauses on behalf of the contracting entity.
Describe specific HR services, deliverables, performance standards, and how each new engagement will be added by separate statement of work or purchase order.
Define compensation model (hourly, fixed fee, retainer), invoicing cadence, late payment interest, and any expenses that are reimbursable.
Establish non-disclosure obligations, permitted disclosures, handling of candidate and employee data, and duration of confidentiality obligations.
Clarify ownership of deliverables, work-for-hire language where applicable, and licensing rights retained by each party.
Limitations on liability, indemnity scope, and insurance minimums to align financial exposure with the engagement risk profile.
Termination for convenience and cause, notice periods, wind-down obligations, and handling of incomplete work and final payments.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Authentication | Email with SMS code or stronger MFA for sensitive agreements |
| Routing Order | Set sequential signer order to preserve approvals |
| Required Fields | Mark signatures, dates, and initial fields as mandatory |
| Retention Settings | Automatically archive signed copies in secure storage |
Choose a platform that provides a tamper-evident audit trail, secure storage, and appropriate authentication options.
| 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 by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
A mid-size technology firm standardized contractor onboarding with an MSA and SOW model to reduce negotiation time by weeks.
A healthcare staffing company attached HIPAA addenda to a master MSA to protect patient data while supplying contingent clinicians.
Allow 3–7 business days for legal and procurement review on standard MSAs.
Expect 2–5 business days for the contractor to review and propose edits.
Complete onboarding checks (background, I-9) before first billable day.
Obtain and verify COIs prior to work beginning, typically within 5 business days.
With eSignature and clear approvals, execution often completes within 24–72 hours.