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Professional Support Services Agreement

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PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT

This Professional Support Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of the day of , by and between Client Name: , a Individual Corporation LLC with principal address , and Service Provider Name: , a Individual Corporation LLC with principal address .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Provider to perform professional support services consisting of technical, administrative, and advisory tasks described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Provider represents that it has the necessary expertise, personnel, and resources to provide such services in a professional and workmanlike manner; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the provision of Services and related deliverables.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Services" means the support services to be performed by Provider as further described in Section 2 and Exhibit A (if any).
1.2 "Deliverables" means tangible or intangible items specifically created by Provider for Client as part of the Services and expressly identified as deliverables in writing.
1.3 "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other, whether oral, written, or electronic, that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Provider shall perform the Services in accordance with the schedule and milestones set forth in the Services Description. Provider shall use personnel with appropriate skill, training and experience, and shall comply with Client's reasonable security and access rules communicated in writing.

3. TERM

The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue for a period of months, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 11. Thereafter, the Agreement shall renew automatically for successive periods of months unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least days prior to the then-current term expiration.

4. FEES AND PAYMENT

Client shall pay Provider the Fees in accordance with the payment schedule set forth herein. Fees are due within days of invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing. Late payments shall accrue interest at a rate of on overdue balances.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party agrees to hold Confidential Information of the other party in strict confidence and to use such Confidential Information solely for the performance or exercise of its rights under this Agreement. Confidential Information shall not include information that: (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by a breach of this Agreement; (b) was known to the receiving party prior to disclosure; (c) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction; or (d) is independently developed without use of the disclosing party's Confidential Information.

The obligations under this Section shall survive termination for a period of years from the date of termination, except that trade secrets shall be held in confidence for so long as they qualify as trade secrets.

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Provider shall retain ownership of its pre-existing intellectual property and tools, including methodologies, templates and know-how ("Provider Background IP"). Client shall own the Deliverables upon full payment of all Fees, subject to Provider's ownership of Provider Background IP. Provider grants Client a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to Provider Background IP embedded in the Deliverables to the extent necessary to use the Deliverables for Client's internal business purposes.

7. DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Provider shall implement and maintain commercially reasonable administrative, physical and technical safeguards designed to protect Client Data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction. Provider shall notify Client without undue delay upon becoming aware of any security incident affecting Client Data and shall cooperate in good faith with Client's reasonable investigation and remediation efforts.

8. WARRANTIES; DISCLAIMER

Provider warrants that the Services will be performed in a professional and workmanlike manner in accordance with generally accepted industry standards. Client's exclusive remedy and Provider's entire liability for breach of this warranty is, at Provider's option, re-performance of the Services or refund of Fees paid for the deficient Services. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

EXCEPT FOR LIABILITY ARISING FROM GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR A PARTY'S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL FEES PAID OR PAYABLE BY CLIENT TO PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) .

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Provider shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Client from and against any third-party claims to the extent arising from Provider's breach of its representations, warranties or its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Client shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Provider from and against any third-party claims to the extent arising from Client's breach of this Agreement, Client Data, or Client's wrongful use of the Deliverables.

11. TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if such breach is not cured within days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach. Either party may terminate for convenience upon days' prior written notice to the other party. Termination shall not relieve Client of its obligation to pay Fees for Services performed prior to the effective date of termination.

12. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE

Upon termination or expiration, upon Client's written request, Provider shall provide reasonable transition assistance for a period of days at Provider's standard hourly rate of per hour, payable in accordance with Section 4.

13. NOTICES

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to the address set forth above or such other address as a party may specify in writing.

14. AMENDMENTS; WAIVER

No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of that right.

15. COUNTERPARTS

This Agreement 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 deemed to be original signatures.

16. GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERABILITY

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law principles. This Agreement, including any exhibits and attachments, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. MISCELLANEOUS

The parties shall cooperate and take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions and intent of this Agreement. If either party is prevented from performing its obligations by events beyond its reasonable control, such party shall be excused from performance to the extent of such prevention, provided that it gives prompt written notice to the other party.

Client:

By:

Date:

Provider:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Professional Support Services Agreement Covers

The Professional Support Services Agreement is a written contract between a service provider and a client that defines the scope, deliverables, schedule, compensation, and service-level expectations for ongoing or project-based professional support. It allocates responsibilities, intellectual property rights, confidentiality obligations, indemnities, and termination conditions, and may include dispute resolution, insurance, and compliance provisions. For U.S. transactions the agreement can be executed electronically consistent with ESIGN and state UETA laws provided no statutory exception applies. Parties should ensure signatures, dates, and governing law are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Why this Agreement Matters for Providers and Clients

Using a Professional Support Services Agreement clarifies expectations, limits liability, and preserves payment terms and intellectual property rights. For U.S. entities, it also provides a defensible record when executed electronically under ESIGN or state UETA statutes and reduces disputes by documenting scope and remedies.

Why this Agreement Matters for Providers and Clients

Who Typically Uses This Agreement

Organizations and independent consultants commonly use this agreement when providing ongoing technical, advisory, or managed services to clients.

  • Small businesses managing retained support relationships and recurring billing cycles.
  • Software vendors offering maintenance, updates, and SLA-backed assistance to customers.
  • Consulting firms documenting hourly rates, milestones, and change order procedures.

Use the agreement to set measurable SLAs and escalation paths so both parties understand performance expectations.

Key Roles Involved with the Agreement

Provider Executive

The provider executive (COO or VP of Services) signs to confirm service commitments, resource allocation, and billing arrangements. They ensure deliverables, staffing levels, and SLAs reflect operational capacity and authorize change order thresholds within the agreement's limits.

Client Legal

The client's legal or procurement officer reviews indemnities, IP clauses, termination rights, and data protection provisions. They negotiate governing law, warranty disclaimers, and ensure the contract aligns with corporate policies and any industry-specific compliance obligations.

Core Clauses and Contract Anatomy

The agreement typically contains operational, financial, legal, and governance clauses that allocate risk and performance responsibilities across service delivery and escalation processes.

Parties

Identify full legal names, business types, principal addresses, and contact persons; include corporate entity identifiers to ensure the correct legal entities are bound by the agreement and authorized signers are identified.

Services

Describe scope, excluded services, service levels, project milestones, deliverables, and any acceptance tests; attach SOW exhibits where needed for clarity and billing alignment.

Compensation

Detail fees, invoicing schedule, expense reimbursement, taxes, escalators, and procedures for changes; include payment methods and consequences for late payment.

Confidentiality

Define confidential information, permitted disclosures, duration of confidentiality obligations, and exceptions for compelled disclosure or prior public knowledge.

Liability

Limit or allocate liability, cap damages, and specify indemnities, insurance requirements, and consequences for third-party claims against either party.

Dispute Resolution

Select mediation, arbitration, or court litigation, specify venue and governing law, and include steps for escalation and interim remedies.

Step-by-Step: From Draft to Signed Agreement

Follow these steps to complete and execute the Professional Support Services Agreement accurately and ensure enforceability.

  • 01
    Gather Details: Collect party names, addresses, and corporate authority information.
  • 02
    Define Scope: Describe deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria clearly.
  • 03
    Set Payment: Specify fees, billing cycles, and late payment terms.
  • 04
    Sign & Archive: Execute signatures and retain an audit trail for records.

Typical Online Workflow Configuration

Configure online workflows for signing, notifications, and conditional approvals for efficient processing with role-based steps and audit-trail requirements.

Field Name and Configuration Setting Action or value to set for each field
Choose signer authentication method here Email link, SMS code, or KBA options
Conditional fields and visibility rules Show or hide fields based on responses
Bulk send and template usage Use templates to send dozens of identical documents
Audit trail and retention policy Enable full audit logs with exportable certificates

How Electronic Execution Typically Flows

Routing and execution typically follow a simple digital workflow for signature collection and recordkeeping in most organizations.

  • Upload Document: Upload the final draft as PDF or DOCX.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, initial, and date fields.
  • Add Signers: Enter emails or assign roles for signers.
  • Send for Signature: Distribute via secure link and capture audit trail.

Platform Capabilities to Verify

Ensure platform choice supports the agreement's signing, authentication, and storage requirements and integrates with your CRM and document management systems.

  • Supported formats: PDF, DOCX, and native files
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication options: Email, SMS, SSO, or KBA

Security and Compliance Snapshot

Data encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest
Security certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Privacy compliance: GDPR and CCPA frameworks supported
HIPAA compliance: BAA available for covered entities
21 CFR support: 21 CFR Part 11 compliance options
WCAG standard: WCAG 2.0 Level AA support

eSignature Pricing and Capability Comparison

Compare starting prices and key capabilities of popular eSignature providers relevant to executing this agreement.

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, no credit card required Varies by vendor and plan options Varies by vendor and plan options Varies by vendor and plan options Varies by vendor and plan options
Bulk Send Yes; available on Business Premium and above Yes; available on enterprise tiers Yes; available on many plans Yes; available on paid plans No; bulk send limited or unavailable
Audit Trail Yes; detailed audit trail and certificate included Yes; audit trail included Yes; audit trail included Yes; audit trail included Yes; audit trail included
HIPAA Compliant Yes; Business Associate Agreement available upon request Yes; BAA available Yes; BAA available No; BAA not available from vendor No; BAA not available from vendor
Envelope Cap No envelope cap; unlimited envelopes Limits to 100 envelopes per user per year Varies by plan and contract Varies; enterprise plans differ by contract Varies by plan and pricing

Key Contract Dates and Deadlines

Calendar deadlines ensure billing, performance reviews, and renewal notices occur on schedule and support compliance with statutory retention obligations.

Effective Date and Service Commencement:

The date parties agree services and obligations begin; use MM/DD/YYYY.

Invoice Due Date and Payment Terms:

Specify net terms, payment method, and late fee schedule.

SLA Measurement and Reporting Periods:

Define how often SLA metrics are measured and reported.

Contract Renewal and Termination Notice Deadlines:

State notice periods for renewal or non-renewal communications.

Record Retention and Access Request Deadlines:

Outline timelines to satisfy record requests and statutory holds.

Milestones from Kickoff to Renewal

Key milestones in the agreement lifecycle help monitor performance and contractual obligations from kickoff through closeout.

01

Kickoff Meeting

Confirm deliverables, team contacts, and project schedule.

02

Monthly Reporting

Deliver performance reports and SLA measurements.

03

Quarterly Review

Assess performance, open CSRs, and adjust staffing.

04

Contract Renewal

Negotiate rates and scope before notice period expires.

Practical Tips to Reduce Risk and Delay

Best practices reduce ambiguity and speed dispute resolution during the agreement lifecycle when applied consistently across projects.

Use clear and measurable SLAs
Write service-level metrics as measurable targets with defined measurement intervals, reporting cadence, and remedies for missed targets; include examples and calculation methods to avoid disputes over performance.
Document a formal change order process
Require written change orders for any scope, schedule, or price changes; include approval authorities, estimated impact, and an expedited review timeline to prevent informal scope creep and unpaid work.
Include industry-specific data protection terms
Specify data classification, handling procedures, encryption expectations, breach notice timelines, and any required BAAs for HIPAA-covered activities; assign responsibility for forensic and remediation costs.
Confirm each signer's authority in writing
Obtain a corporate resolution or procurement approval that verifies signatory authority for each party; name the authorized individual and retain supporting documents to prevent later challenges to enforceability.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague scope of work that omits deliverables or acceptance criteria leading to disputes over what constitutes completed work.
  • Failure to specify payment schedule, invoicing terms, and late fees resulting in delayed collections and disagreements.
  • Using incorrect signatory authority—individual lacks corporate signing power causing ratification issues and potential unenforceability.
  • Neglecting data protection clauses and HIPAA addenda when handling sensitive health data increases regulatory exposure and breach risk.

Consequences of Inaccurate or Incomplete Agreements

Late Payments: Delayed cash flow, breach claims
Scope Creep: Unpaid extra work risks
IP Ambiguity: Loss of ownership rights
Confidentiality Breach: Regulatory fines, reputational harm
Noncompliance: HIPAA or industry fines
Improper Signatures: Invalid contract risk under ESIGN

Practical Examples of Agreement Use

Real-world examples show how the Professional Support Services Agreement clarifies responsibilities and speeds execution across industries while reducing disputes.

Real Estate

A property management firm used the agreement to define maintenance response times, vendor approvals, and monthly reporting requirements for multiple rental properties.

  • Result: faster issue resolution and fewer tenant disputes.
  • By documenting SLAs and escalation paths the firm reduced emergency vendor charges and clarified billing responsibility, enabling predictable monthly budgeting, improved tenant satisfaction, and a documented audit trail for landlord-tenant complaints.

Healthcare Provider

A clinic adopted the agreement with a HIPAA addendum to govern IT support, data access controls, and breach notification responsibilities.

  • This addressed security and compliance gaps quickly.
  • The signed contract and attached BAA clarified incident response, limited liability for protected health information exposures, and set recovery time objectives, reducing regulatory uncertainty and giving the clinic contractual remedies in the event of vendor errors.

Operational Items to Include as Exhibits

Core clauses define scope, fees, IP ownership, confidentiality, warranties, indemnities, and termination terms tailored to professional support services with optional SLA exhibits and change order procedures.

Service Exhibit

Attach a detailed SOW or SLA exhibit that lists tasks, response times, excluded services, and acceptance criteria; reference it from the main agreement to prevent ambiguity about deliverables and billing.

Pricing Schedule

Include a schedule showing rates for standard services, overtime, travel, and approved expense reimbursement; add a mechanism for periodic rate adjustments or CPI-based escalators if needed.

Change Orders

Define a formal process for requesting and approving scope changes, including required approvals, timelines, impact estimates, and interim billing treatment for disputed work.

Security Addendum

When handling sensitive data, include technical and organizational security requirements, encryption standards, breach notification obligations, and evidence of vendor security certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about signing, enforceability, and electronic execution for the Professional Support Services Agreement.


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