I am wondering of anyone has a sample contract that they can share with me or if they can tell me what should be in a contract between the company and the evaluator. Thanks! Laura Bly
I have found it very difficult, and almost always not worth the time invested, to write a contract that (1) doesn't change very quickly based on the 'unknowns' of the scope of work, (2) only benefits the other party, (3) protects me. If the other party insists on a contract, let them write it. If you do sign one, be sure there is a specific definition of the scope of work, a provision and method for adding hours/cost as the understanding of the scope of work evolves, does not preclude you from working with other firms in your market area (the whole U.S., for example), and has a method for arbitration if the need arises.
Rather than doing a formal contract, consider doing a 'letter of understanding'. This simple documents spells out in laymen's terms the mutual understanding of the scope of work, the rate of pay and benchmarks for reviewing the agreement.
As usual, before you sign a contract have your corporate attorney review it; our company policy is to ALWAYS have our attorney read the contract and then ask us to explain what we think it says. Since we implemented this policy I have not had a single contract be approved without very important modification...and I've wasted a couple hundred thousand dollars via contracts that should never have been signed.
I have found it very difficult, and almost always not worth the time invested, to write a contract that (1) doesn't change very quickly based on the 'unknowns' of the scope of work, (2) only benefits the other party, (3) protects me. If the other party insists on a contract, let them write it. If you do sign one, be sure there is a specific definition of the scope of work, a provision and method for adding hours/cost as the understanding of the scope of work evolves, does not preclude you from working with other firms in your market area (the whole U.S., for example), and has a method for arbitration if the need arises.
Rather than doing a formal contract, consider doing a 'letter of understanding'. This simple documents spells out in laymen's terms the mutual understanding of the scope of work, the rate of pay and benchmarks for reviewing the agreement.
As usual, before you sign a contract have your corporate attorney review it; our company policy is to ALWAYS have our attorney read the contract and then ask us to explain what we think it says. Since we implemented this policy I have not had a single contract be approved without very important modification...and I've wasted a couple hundred thousand dollars via contracts that should never have been signed.