Identification
Legal name, government ID details, and any credential numbers needed to verify signer identity and to match billing or compliance records.
Using a unified Miscellaneous CATS Packet reduces missing data, supports consistent review, and centralizes recordkeeping for audits. It clarifies responsibilities, documents signatory intent, and creates a single point of truth for downstream approvals and billing.
The packet is completed by operational staff, project managers, vendors, or clients depending on the use case and internal routing rules.
Assign who fills which sections up front to avoid rework and to support timely approvals and accurate retention.
A named officer or delegated employee with written signing authority signs to bind the organization; confirm delegation in a board resolution or POA to prevent invalidation.
When the packet is completed by a private individual, their government-issued name and acceptable ID must match the signature block to ensure attribution and prevent backup withholding or identity disputes.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signers | Set order and role-based permissions |
| Authentication | Email OTP or SMS code for signer verification |
| Conditional Fields | Show or hide sections based on prior answers |
| Retention | Enable automatic archiving after completion |
Confirm platform capabilities and authentication options before collecting electronic signatures.
Legal name, government ID details, and any credential numbers needed to verify signer identity and to match billing or compliance records.
Primary and secondary phone numbers, email addresses, and physical address for service of process and routine communications.
W-9 or equivalent taxpayer identification, payment remittance details, and banking or ACH instructions needed for vendor setup.
Consent clauses, data-sharing authorizations, and limited power of attorney or delegation language when third parties act on behalf of a signatory.
Insurance declarations, professional licenses, and any required endorsements to satisfy contracting risk requirements.
Signature blocks, witness lines, and notarial acknowledgements when required by state or organizational policy.
Save as PDF/A for long-term archiving; also support DOCX and flattened PDF for record copies.
Attach scans of IDs, insurance certificates, invoices, permits, or licenses referenced in the packet.
Preserve original completed version and stamped/archived versions after any revisions.
Store signer email, IP, timestamps, and document title for audit purposes.
Provide W-9 on request; 1099-NEC recipient/IRS deadlines are Jan 31
Vendor setup typically completes within 5–10 business days after receipt
Schedule RON or in-person notarization as required; expect 24–72 hours for RON session availability
Contracts usually become effective on the signature date or specified effective date
Archive completed packet within 30 days of final signature for compliance
Requester uploads packet and attachments for initial review.
Compliance checks ID, insurance, and tax details for completeness.
Contracting or finance signs and routes for execution.
Store final signed packet in the records system with audit metadata.
A city procurement team used a CATS packet to centralize vendor licenses and insurance for multiple departments
A healthcare provider adapted the packet to collect patient authorizations and provider credentials
| 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 plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |