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Vendor Agreement

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Software Maintenance and Technical Support Agreement

Maintenance and Technical Support Agreement made on the (date), (the Effective Date), between (Name of Customer), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at referred herein as Customer, and (Name of Servicing Company), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred herein as Contractor.

For and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Support

Contractor will establish and maintain an organization and process to provide support for the , hereinafter called Software, to Customer. Support shall include (i) diagnosis of problems or performance deficiencies of the Software and (ii) a resolution of the problem or performance deficiencies of the Software. Contractor will provide telephone software support on a business day basis. Business day is defined as 6:00 AM through 5:00 PM pacific standard time, excluding holidays and weekends. In addition, Contractor will provide an Internet based support system generally available seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day.

Contractor will use its best efforts to cure, as described below, reported and reproducible errors in the Software. Contractor will utilize the following four (4) severity levels to categorize reported problems:

A. Critical Business Impact-Severity One

The impact of the reported deficiency is such that the customer is unable to either use the Software or reasonably continue work using the Software. Contractor will commence work on resolving the deficiency within one (1) hour of notification and will engage staff during business hours until an acceptable resolution is achieved.

B. Significant Business Impact-Severity Two

The impact of the reported deficiency is such that important features of the Software are not working properly and there are no acceptable, alternative solutions. While other areas of the Software are not impacted, the reported deficiency has created a significant, negative impact on the Customer's productivity or service level. Contractor will commence work on resolving the deficiency within two (2) hours of notification and will engage staff during business hours until an acceptable resolution is achieved.

C. Some Business Impact-Severity Three

The impact of the reported deficiency is such that important features of the Software are unavailable, but an alternative solution is available or non-essential features of the Software are unavailable with no alternative solution. The customer impact, regardless of product usage, is minimal loss of operational functionality or implementation resources. Contractor will commence work on resolving the deficiency within one (1) business day of notification and will engage staff during business hours until an acceptable resolution is achieved.

D. Minimal Business Impact-Severity Four

The customer submits a Software information request, software enhancement or documentation clarification which has no operational impact. The implementation or use of the Software by the Customer is continuing and there is no negative impact on productivity. Contractor will provide an initial response regarding the request within one (1) business week.

If it is determined that the problem was not related to the supported Software, the Customer agrees to pay reasonable travel and lodging expenses in addition to Contractor's standard consulting rates. Travel time will be charged at consulting rates.

2. Maintenance

During the term of this Agreement, Contractor will provide the Customer with copyrighted patches, updates, releases and new versions of the Software along with other generally available technical material. These maintenance materials including the Software may not be used to increase the licensed number of versions or copies of the Software. The Customer agrees not to use or transfer the prior version but to destroy or archive the prior version of the Software. All patches, updates, release and new versions shall be subject to the license Agreement related to the Software.

3. Warranty

Contractor will undertake all reasonable efforts to provide technical assistance under this Agreement and to rectify or provide solutions to problems where the Software does not function as described in the Software documentation, but Contractor does not guarantee that the problems will be solved or that any item will be error-free. This Agreement is only applicable to Contractor Software running under the certified environments specified in the release notes for that product. Contractor will provide the Customer with substantially the same level of service throughout the term of this Agreement. Contractor may from time to time, however, discontinue Software products or versions and stop supporting Software products or versions one year after discontinuance, or otherwise discontinue any support service. THE FOLLOWING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OR PROMISES TO CUSTOMER OR ANY THIRD PARTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ARISING BY STATUE, LAW, COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM AND PRACTICE OR TRADE USAGE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, THE SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE ARE PROVIDED AS IS. Contractor's liability shall not exceed the fees that Customer has paid under this Agreement. Contractor is not liable for incidental, special or consequential damages for any reason (including loss of data or other business or property damage), even if foreseeable or if Customer has advised of such a claim. Customer agrees that the pricing for the services would be substantially higher but for these limitations.

4. Term

This Agreement shall start on the Effective Date stated above. This Agreement shall run for a period of one (1) year from the Effective Date and shall automatically renew for consecutive one (1) year periods unless either party provides written notice of termination within sixty (60) days prior to the anniversary date of the Effective Date. Payment for each renewal term shall be due on the renewal date at the current rates for support of the Software. This Agreement may be terminated for non-payment or material breach. Fees paid or due are non-refundable unless Contractor has materially breached this Agreement and has failed to cure the breach after 30 days written notice.

5. Severability

The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

6. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

7. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

8. Notices

Any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

9. Attorney’s Fees

In the event that any lawsuit is filed in relation to this Agreement, the unsuccessful party in the action shall pay to the successful party, in addition to all the sums that either party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful party's attorney fees.

10. Mandatory Arbitration

Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

11. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

12. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

13. Assignment of Rights

The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

14. Counterparts

For the convenience of the parties, this Agreement has been executed in several counterparts, which are in all respects similar and each of which shall be deemed to be complete in itself so that any one may be introduced in evidence or used for any other purpose without the production of the other counterparts. Immediately following endorsement of the consenting parties, counterparts will be furnished to the consenting parties so that each may be advised of the rights, privileges, and benefits that this Agreement confers.

15. In this Agreement, any reference to a party includes that party's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, singular includes plural and masculine includes feminine.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

By:

Enter text✕

What a Vendor Agreement Is and when it applies

A Vendor Agreement is a written contract that defines the commercial relationship between a buyer (organization) and a supplier (vendor). It sets scope of work, payment terms, delivery schedules, warranties, confidentiality, insurance, indemnities, and dispute resolution. The agreement creates enforceable rights and obligations and can govern recurring purchases, one-off services, or ongoing supplier access to systems and facilities. Carefully drafted Vendor Agreements reduce ambiguity, allocate risk, and specify deliverables, approval processes, and termination rights so both parties can manage performance and compliance during the contract lifecycle.

Why a clear Vendor Agreement matters

A Vendor Agreement clarifies responsibilities, limits liability, and establishes payment and performance metrics so organizations can avoid disputes, ensure regulatory compliance, and preserve procurement controls while enabling predictable vendor performance.

Why a clear Vendor Agreement matters

Who typically prepares and signs Vendor Agreements

Procurement, legal, finance, and project managers commonly use Vendor Agreements to standardize supplier relationships and control spend.

  • Procurement teams negotiating price, delivery schedules, SLAs, and vendor selection criteria for purchases or services.
  • Legal counsel reviewing indemnities, IP assignments, confidentiality, and governing law provisions before execution.
  • Finance or accounts payable verifying payment terms, tax forms, and invoice routing to prevent incorrect or duplicate payments.

For small vendors the owner or authorized signatory signs; larger suppliers often require specific officer-level or delegated-signature authority.

Typical signatories and their roles

Procurement Manager

A procurement manager usually prepares the commercial terms, negotiates pricing and SLAs, and coordinates internal approvals. They ensure the scope of work, delivery milestones, acceptance testing, and payment schedule align with operational needs and budget.

Authorized Officer

An authorized officer or company signatory (e.g., CEO, CFO, VP of Operations) must sign to bind the vendor. Confirm authority in the vendor's corporate resolution or delegated signatory list to prevent future challenges to enforceability.

Core clauses every Vendor Agreement should include

A professional Vendor Agreement combines commercial, legal, and operational clauses so both sides understand expectations, remedies, and compliance obligations before work begins.

Scope of Work

Clearly describe deliverables, acceptance criteria, milestones, and technical specifications so performance measures and invoicing triggers are unambiguous and auditable.

Payment Terms

Specify currency, invoice submission process, net payment days, late fees, and whether retainage or milestone payments apply to reduce billing disputes.

Term & Termination

Define the contract term, renewal conditions, and termination rights for convenience, breach, or insolvency, plus responsibilities on termination such as return of materials.

Confidentiality

Include nondisclosure obligations, permitted disclosures, duration of confidentiality, and procedures for handling proprietary information and data transfers.

Liability & Indemnity

State caps on liability, exclusions for consequential damages where appropriate, and mutual indemnification for third-party claims and IP infringement.

Compliance & Insurance

Require applicable insurance levels, regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA for PHI), background checks, and audit rights where vendor handles sensitive data.

Required facts and verification details

Vendor Legal Name: Exact registered name
Taxpayer ID: TIN or EIN
Primary Contact: Name, title, email
Payment Details: Payee name and remit address
Insurance Limits: Policy types and amounts
Authorized Signer: Name and title on record

Step-by-step: completing and executing the Vendor Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, approve, and sign a Vendor Agreement to ensure operational and legal readiness.

  • 01
    Draft review: Populate fields and attach SOWs and exhibits.
  • 02
    Internal approvals: Obtain procurement, legal, and finance sign-offs.
  • 03
    Vendor verification: Collect W-9, insurance certificate, and authority documentation.
  • 04
    Execute: Sign by authorized parties and distribute countersigned copies.

Configuring a digital signing workflow for Vendor Agreements

Set up routing, authentication, and templates so each agreement follows the same approval path and audit requirements.

Field Configuration
Template Preload standard clauses and SOW exhibits
Approval route Sequential signers: procurement → legal → finance
Authentication Email + SMS code or higher for sensitive contracts
Retention Central repository with versioning and audit log

Where to send and how execution typically flows

Vendor Agreements are routed to specific teams and stored centrally; use consistent channels to minimize processing errors.

  • Send to Vendor: Email link or portal upload for signature
  • Internal Approval: Route to designated approvers in order
  • Final Signature: Obtain both vendor and buyer signatures
  • Archive: Store executed copy in contract repository

Digital signing and technical distribution considerations

Choose a platform that supports secure authentication, audit trails, and the file formats you use for contracts.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Connectors for CRM and storage
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods

Ensure the chosen platform meets regulatory needs (e.g., HIPAA BAA if handling PHI), supports templates, and provides an auditable certificate of completion.

Key timelines and processing expectations

Track approval, signature, onboarding, and renewal milestones so vendor obligations and payments proceed on schedule.

Signature turnaround:

Typical target: 3–10 business days after sending

Onboarding completion:

Complete W-9, insurance, and access within 10–30 days

Payment processing:

Invoice paid per contract terms (e.g., Net 30)

Renewal notice:

Trigger notice 30–90 days prior to expiration

Document retention:

Follow retention schedule for audits and tax reporting

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a Vendor Agreement

  • Using vague scope language that leaves deliverables and acceptance criteria open to differing interpretations.
  • Failing to verify vendor authority or corporate status, which can render a signature unenforceable.
  • Omitting tax or payment details (wrong remit address or missing EIN) that trigger backup withholding or delayed payments.
  • Neglecting data protection clauses when vendors will access sensitive data, increasing compliance and breach risks.

Risks and potential penalties from incorrect or missing elements

Backup withholding: 24% rate
Tax penalties: IRC §6721 fines for incorrect info returns
Breach exposure: Liability for data breaches
Contract disputes: Damages and enforcement costs
Delayed payments: Cashflow and vendor relationship harm
Regulatory fines: Sector-specific penalties (e.g., HIPAA)

eSignature vendor comparison for executing Vendor Agreements

Compare starting price, core features, and compliance support when selecting an eSignature provider for Vendor Agreements; signNow is listed first for reference.

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 Limited
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Real-world examples of Vendor Agreement use

Practical examples show how organizations streamline vendor execution, verification, and compliance using standardized agreements.

Optica Ventures

Optica uses standard agreements for repeat vendor services to reduce negotiation time by centralizing clauses.

  • Manager-level approval reduced cycle time.
  • Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, reports the interface is simple and easy for both internal teams and external customers while supporting consistent execution across transactions.

Xerox (NetSuite)

Xerox integrated contract templates with its ERP to auto-populate vendor data and route approvals.

  • NetSuite-linked signing reduced duplicate data entry.
  • Kodi-Marie Evans, Director of NetSuite Operations, notes flexibility in formats and integrations helped get signatures on the right documents efficiently.

Frequently asked questions about Vendor Agreements and e-signing

Answers to common questions about enforceability, signatures, notarization, and recordkeeping for Vendor Agreements.


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