A vendor contract (otherwise known as a vendor agreement) is a business contract between two parties covering the exchange of goods or services in return for compensation. Vendor contracts establish the business relationship conditions and include details on each party's obligations under the contract.
Think of a vendor contract as the blueprint for your entire partnership. It outlines the scope of work, deliverables, payment terms, and legal responsibilities of both parties. It's a comprehensive document that covers everything from the specific services or products to be provided to dispute resolution mechanisms.
How to write a contract agreement in 7 steps. Determine the type of contract required. Confirm the necessary parties. Choose someone to draft the contract. Write the contract with the proper formatting. Review the written contract with a lawyer. Send the contract agreement for review or revisions.
Prepare a contract Provide details of the parties. Describe services or results. Set out payment details. Assign intellectual property rights. Explain how to treat confidential information. Identify who is liable – indemnity. Provide insurance obligations. Outline any subcontracting agreements.
You can't ensure vendor compliance if you don't track and measure their performance. You should use the KPIs and SLAs that you agreed on in the contract to monitor and evaluate the vendor's performance. You should also use tools and systems that can help you collect, analyze, and report data on vendor performance.
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.
A service level agreement (SLA) is an outsourcing and technology vendor contract that outlines a level of service that a supplier promises to deliver to the customer. It outlines metrics such as uptime, delivery time, response time, and resolution time.