Master Services Agreement (MSA) Template for Goods and Services
An MSA is a contract between two parties that sets out the general terms and conditions under which they will do business together. Instead of negotiating a new contract every time a project or service is requested, the MSA establishes the framework so that only the specific details (like pricing, scope, or timelines) need to be added in separate agreements called Statements of Work (SOWs), Work Orders, or Addenda.
Key Elements
An MSA typically covers:
-
Scope of relationship – defines the general business relationship between the parties.
-
Payment terms – outlines how invoices will be issued and paid.
-
Confidentiality – ensures sensitive information remains protected.
-
Intellectual property rights – specifies ownership of work created.
-
Indemnification – clarifies who is responsible if something goes wrong (like legal claims).
-
Liability limitations – caps or limits damages that can be claimed.
-
Termination clauses – explains how either party can end the agreement.
Benefits
-
Efficiency – faster execution of future projects since only project-specific details need to be negotiated.
-
Consistency – uniform terms across all engagements.
-
Risk reduction – clear upfront agreement on liability, IP, and confidentiality.
Included as attachments to this article are samples MSAs for Goods and also for Services. The MSA should be reviewed before being signed by a VP or higher. Any updates made to the template need to reviewed by Strategic Sourcing and potentially Legal.
Related Articles
Additional Products or Services requiring a Coupa Contract
Thank you for your recent Coupa Contract submission. As a reminder, NFI’s Official Purchasing Policy requires that all spend be processed through a Coupa purchase order for goods (PO) or an approved Coupa contract for services (serves as a blanket ...
NFI's Contracts Policy
What's a contract? - Service agreements - MSAs -Software agreements -Anything in writing that causes NFI to be responsible for ongoing payments or services to another organziation. NFI Official Policy- Contracts and who can sign them NFI Requires all ...
Receiving Items on POs within Coupa
Items MUST be received on as soon as they are verified as received in person. Failure to receive will cause the supplier to not be paid. How do I know if I have POs waiting for me to receive on? - Check right on your Coupa Desktop under the "My ToDo" ...
Document Printing, Printed items and Promotional Goods
BUSINESS CARDS, LETTERHEAD, ENVELOPES Order NFI Business cards, Letterhead and Envelopes items on Coupa. To order from STAPLES, scroll down on the Coupa homepage to the "Additonal Stores" section and click on the STAPLES icon to access the STAPLES ...
No Charge Coffee Makers - Staples Agreement
Through our Staples relationship, you can request free Keurig coffee makers. You must agree to purchase a monthly minimum amount of coffee and breakroom supplies through Staples for the program’s duration, and there will be no monthly fee/lease fee ...