A simple sale agreement can be structured as follows: Title the document appropriately. List all parties involved in the agreement. Detail the product or service, including all rights, warranties, and limitations. Specify the duration of the contract and any important deadlines.
It serves as a framework that simplifies future transactions, contracts, or agreements by establishing the ground rules in advance. As the parties embark on new projects or services, a Master Service Agreement eliminates the need to renegotiate the basics each time.
It functions as a contract between two or more parties to guarantee that essential agreements are in place before any service commences. An MSA serves to minimize disagreements by providing an unmistakable description of what the parties can expect from one another.
An MSA generally contains the following elements: Scope of work: ensures that both parties understand what work will be delivered. Confidentiality: protects intellectual property and other proprietary information from being disclosed. Geography: defines where the work will be performed.
While the terms “master agreement” and “contract” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are subtle distinctions between the two. A master agreement is a broader agreement that sets the framework for future transactions or engagements between parties.
Using an MSA streamlines the process and prevents you from having to re-negotiate standard terms for every new project. MSAs typically last for several years. During that time, you can execute multiple SOWs with the vendor without having to create new contracts. This saves tons of time and legal fees in the long run.
Because oilfield MSAs are unlike run-of-the-mill commercial contracts and have their own set of norms, businesses are best served utilizing an attorney who negotiates MSAs as a core part of his or her practice and who is up to speed on the current industry contracting standards.
If you are a business that enters into multiple Master Service Agreements per year, it is to your advantage to work with a business lawyer to prepare your own Master Service Agreement template and related Statements of Work for consistency, risk mitigation and control purposes.
Steps in Writing a Sales Agreement Identify the Parties: Clearly state the names and contact information of the buyer and seller. Describe the Goods or Services: Detail what is being bought or sold, including specifications, quantity, and quality, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or disputes later.
Write the contract in six steps Start with a contract template. Open with the basic information. Describe in detail what you have agreed to. Include a description of how the contract will be ended. Write into the contract which laws apply and how disputes will be resolved. Include space for signatures.