SCL Business Contracts
1. Signature Authority
Only designated employees at The University of Texas at Austin may sign contracts, agreements, or purchase orders on behalf of the University.
No other employee is authorized to sign on the University’s behalf.
All contracts and agreements must:
Comply with University procurement policies.
Be reviewed and approved by the appropriate University office prior to execution.
When a Full Contract is Required (instead of a Purchase Order)
Multiple-year agreements
Foreign individuals (vendor does not have a U.S. tax ID)
Videographers
Agreements requiring signatures
Revenue-generating agreements
Zero-dollar agreements and MOUs
Software, SaaS, or technology-related agreements
Agreements requiring UT to accept vendor/contractor terms & conditions
Recording a speaker/guest lecturer at an in-person event
2. Submission Procedure
Complete the SCL Contracts Submission Form.
Upload Agreement and all supporting documentation (Word document preferred).
For contracts over $15,000, must submit:
Competitive bids or
A completed Best Value Determination Form - Noncompetitive Purchase Form (PDF).
⏱ Note: Processing time begins only once all required documentation has been received.
3. Standard Contract Processing Times
Contract Type | Processing Time (from receipt of all documentation) |
|---|---|
UT template (no changes, no special handling) | 10 business days |
UT template (with changes, no special handling) | 10–12 business days |
Vendor contract (no special handling) | 15 business days |
Affiliation agreement (UT template, no changes) | 10–15 business days |
Affiliation agreement (non-UT template) | 3–5 weeks |
UT template agreements over $1M (President signature) | 3–5 weeks |
Non-template agreements over $1M (President signature) | 4–7 weeks |
Software (with governing master agreement) | 10–15 business days |
Software (no governing master agreement) | 3–5 weeks minimum |
Foreign agreement (non-governmental, UT template, no changes) | 10–15 business days |
Foreign agreement (non-governmental, non-UT template) | 1 month minimum |
Foreign agreement (governmental entity; Board approval required) | Up to 6 months |
Agreements over $5M (Board approval required) | Up to 6 months |
4. Need Help?
📩 Contact the SCL Business Affairs team at sclbiz@utexas.edu.