Scope of Work
Precisely describe the integration tasks, environments (test/production), supported carriers, expected data formats, and any exclusions to avoid scope creep and mismatched expectations between teams.
A tailored agreement reduces misunderstandings between project teams, IT, and shipping partners by setting expectations for uptime, data handling, liability, and change management. Clear terms protect both parties and speed deployment by avoiding late-stage disputes over responsibilities or data ownership.
Project managers, integration engineers, procurement and legal teams most commonly prepare or approve this agreement before go-live.
Expect a collaborative review cycle involving technical, legal, and ops owners to finalize the agreement and schedule implementation tasks.
The vendor lead signs to accept integration responsibilities, support obligations, and warranty terms. This party typically certifies API compatibility, maintains documentation, and provides escalation contacts for production incidents.
The project manager signs to confirm acceptance criteria, timelines, and acceptance testing results on behalf of the client organization; they own milestone approvals and final sign-off for production cutover.
Xerox documented API endpoints and error handling expected from the carrier, including retry behaviors and rate limits.
Tech Data defined delivery acceptance criteria and dispute resolution for damaged shipments and late deliveries.
| Field | Configuration | Responsible |
|---|---|
| API Specification | Attach spec doc | Integration team |
| Security Review | Conduct pen test | Security team |
| Legal Approval | Standard contract wording | Legal |
| Signature Order | Vendor then client | Procurement owner |
Electronic submission should specify supported file formats, authentication methods, and integration platforms for automation.
Clarify whether in-person notarization or remote online notarization (RON) is required and confirm retention of signed copies in the chosen repository.
Precisely describe the integration tasks, environments (test/production), supported carriers, expected data formats, and any exclusions to avoid scope creep and mismatched expectations between teams.
Define uptime percentages, incident response times, escalation contacts, and service credits or remedies that apply when agreed SLAs are not met.
Specify permitted data elements, encryption standards in transit and at rest, retention limits, and responsibilities for securely sharing credentials and logs.
Establish a documented process for API changes, versioning, backwards compatibility, testing windows, and timelines for deprecation to prevent unexpected breakages.
Clarify ownership of integration code, licensing terms for reusable adapters, and any third-party component obligations to prevent later disputes.
Set cure periods, termination for convenience or breach, transition assistance obligations, and data handover procedures to protect continuity of operations.